Geohydrology of bedrock aquifers in the Northern Great Plains in parts of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · U.S. Geol. Surv., Prof. Pap.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5245029

Downey, J S

Development of energy-related resources in the northern Great Plains of the US will require large quantities of ground water. Because Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming are semiarid, the primary local sources of nonappropriated water are the deep bedrock aquifers of Paleozoic and Mesozoic age. The US Geological Survey undertook a 4-year interdisciplinary study that has culminated in a digital-simulation model of the regional flow system and incorporates the results of geochemical, hydrologic, and geologic studies. Rocks of Paleozoic and Mesozoic age form at least five artesian aquifers that are recharged in the mountainous areas of Montana, South Dakota, and Wyoming. The aquifers extend for more than 600 mi to discharge areas in the northeastern part of North Dakota and in Manitoba. In general, the direction of flow in each aquifer is east to northeast, but flow is deflected to the north and south around the Williston basin. Flow through the Williston basin is restricted because of brine (200,000-350,000 mg/l), halite beds, geologic structures, and decreased permeability of rocks in the deeper parts of the basin. Fracture systems and lineaments transverse the entire area and act either as conduits or as barriers to ground-water flow, depending on their hydrogeologic and geochemical history. Vertical leakage from the aquifers is restricted by shale with low permeability, by halite beds, and by stratigraphic traps or low-permeability zones associated with petroleum accumulations. However, interaquifer leakage appears to occur through and along some of the major lineaments and fractures. Interaquifer leakage may be a major consideration in determining the quality of water produced from wells.

• OSTI ID: 5245029
• Journal Information: U.S. Geol. Surv., Prof. Pap.; (United States), Journal Name: U.S. Geol. Surv., Prof. Pap.; (United States) Vol. 75:1402-E; ISSN XGPPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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580100 -- Geology & Hydrology-- (-1989)
AQUIFERS
CHEMISTRY
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
FEDERAL REGION VIII
FLUID FLOW
GEOCHEMISTRY
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC FRACTURES
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOLOGY
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROLOGY
LEAKS
LINEAMENTS
MESOZOIC ERA
MINERAL RESOURCES
MONTANA
NORTH AMERICA
NORTH DAKOTA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PALEOZOIC ERA
PERMEABILITY
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
RESOURCES
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SIMULATION
SOUTH DAKOTA
USA
WATER
WATER QUALITY
WATER RESOURCES
WILLISTON BASIN
WYOMING