Land-Use Study--Irrigated
Agriculture: Plio-pleistocene deposits - northern High Plains
Objective:
The purpose of this study is to determine the quality of recently recharged
ground water (<50 years old) beneath long-term irrigated corn fields in
the northern High Plains aquifer (Plio-pleistocene deposits).
Approach:
Corn has been intensely cultivated in this area historically. The boundaries
of the study area were selected using recently produced irrigated lands
maps of the area. Potential well sites were randomly located within this
delineated area and where depth to water is less than 200 feet (see
map). Thirty monitoring wells will be installed that are screened within
15 feet of the water table. Each well will be sampled once for a suite of
chemical constituents.
Timing:
Report is in review.
Targeted Constituents:
Physical parameters, major ions, nutrients, trace elements, pesticides,
dissolved organic carbon, tritium, and nitrogen isotopes.
