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COMPLETED PROJECT

Project Products:

Scientific Investigations Report 2005-5280
Geologic, Hydrologic, and Chemical Data from the C Aquifer near Leupp, Arizona
by J.P. Hoffmann, D.J. Bills, J.V. Phillips, and K.J. Halford

Scientific Investigations Report 2005–5277
Numerical Ground-Water Change Model of the C Aquifer and Effects of Ground-Water Withdrawals on Stream Depletion in Selected Reaches of Clear Creek, Chevelon Creek, and the Little Colorado River, Northeastern Arizona
by S.A. Leake, J.P. Hoffmann and Jesse E. Dickinson

Assessment of water resource conditions and potential effects of ground-water development of the C aquifer in the area of Leupp, Arizona

Project Number: C0H00
Project Chief: John Hoffmann
Cooperating Agencies: Bureau of Reclamation
Period of Project: COMPLETED

PROBLEM

A Federal Biological Opinion is needed that considers the possible effects of pumping ground water from the C aquifer in the Leupp, Arizona, area on base flow to nearby creeks and springs that support habitat for endangered species. Pumping from the C aquifer is being considered as an alternative water supply for the Peabody Coal Mine. The C aquifer is thought to supply water to base flow for Chevelon and Clear Creeks.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the study are to characterize the water chemistry in possible recharge areas and evaluate the effects of proposed project pumping and existing pumping on base flow of Chevelon and Clear Creeks and ground-water discharge to the Blue Springs area.

APPROACH

The approach will include three primary work elements. The first work element is a literature search that will identify all previous work done in the area with respect to base flow and water chemistry. The second work element is a series of field investigations that will be carried out to support technical analyses of pumpage effects. There are two tasks within the field investigation work element. The first task consists of participating in the test drilling activities, conducting aquifer tests, and analyzing results of the aquifer tests; the second task consists of the chemical characterization of water in the C aquifer. The third work element consists of the construction of a superposition numerical ground-water model. The purpose of this model will be to evaluate the effect of proposed project pumping and existing pumping on base flow of Chevelon and Clear Creeks, and ground-water discharge to the Blue Springs area for specified periods.

Map of study area.

RELEVANCE AND BENEFITS

The project will enable the Federal Team to deliver a Biological Opinion relative to the effects of the pumping on endangered species habitat in the Chevelon and Clear Creek drainages. Data collected will be a defensible base of information, collected using the best-available techniques. Data will be a substantial addition to the base of information describing the Colorado Plateau geohydrologic system in north-central Arizona, especially in regards to the ground-water/surface-water interaction in the Chevelon and Clear Creak drainages.