Publication Citation

USGS Series Scientific Investigations Map
Report Number 3032
Title Historical Ground-Water Development in the Salinas Alluvial Fan Area, Salinas, Puerto Rico, 1900-2005
Edition - Online Only
Language ENGLISH
Author(s) Rodriguez, Jose M.; Gomez-Gomez, Fernando
Year 2008
Originating office Caribbean Water Science Center
USGS Library Call Number
Physical description Map Sheet: 33.5 x 25.5 inches
ISBN
Northernmost latitude 0180000
Southernmost latitude 0175600
Easternmost longitude -0661300
Westernmost longitude -0661900

Online Document Versions

Copies of the original may be available.

For more information or ordering assistance, call 1-888-ASK-USGS (1-888-275-8747), visit http://ask.usgs.gov, contact any USGS Earth Science Information Center (ESIC), or write:

USGS Information Services
Box 25286
Denver, CO 80225
Abstract

The Salinas alluvial fan area has historically been one of the most intensively used agricultural areas in the South Coastal Plain of Puerto Rico. Changes in agricultural practices and land use in the Salinas alluvial fan have also caused changes in the geographic distribution of ground-water withdrawals from the alluvial aquifer. As a result, the ground-water balance and ground-water flow pattern have changed throughout the years and may explain the presence of saline ground water along parts of the coast at present. By providing a reconstruction of historical ground-water development in the Salinas alluvial fan area, from the initial years of aquifer development at about 1900 to the most recent conditions existing in 2005, water resources managers and planners can use the results of the analysis for a more complete understanding of aquifer conditions especially pertaining to water quality. This study effort was conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources as a contribution in the management of the Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. The study area encompasses about 20 mi2 (square miles) of the extensive South Coastal Plain alluvial aquifer system (fig. 1). The study area is bounded to the north by foothills of the Cordillera Central mountain chain, to the south by the Caribbean Sea, and to the east and west by the Rio Nigua de Salinas and the Quebrada Aguas Verdes, respectively. Fan-delta and alluvial deposits contain the principal aquifers in the study area.