Hydrogeology and geochemistry of the Ogallala aquifer, Southern High Plains

doi:10.1016/0022-1694(87)90206-X

Journal of Hydrology

Volume 91, Issues 3–4, 15 June 1987, Pages 217-253

https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-1694(87)90206-X Get rights and content

Abstract

The Ogallala aquifer, which underlies the Southern High Plains, consists of saturated sediments of the Ogallala Formation (Neogene) that are deposited mainly as a set of humid-type alluvial fans derived from the Rocky Mountains. The Ogallala aquifer, the main source of water for the High Plains of Texas and New Mexico, has been severely depleted by extensive pumpage. The hydrology and geochemistry of the aquifer are controlled by the surface topography of the underlying formations and by the thickness and permeability of the alluvial-fan deposits.

Axes of three major alluvial fans trend from northwest to southeast; the fans have increased thickness and permeability compared with interfan areas. Flow lines follow the orientation of the alluvial fans. Along these major axes, the saturated section is thick and the chemical composition is relatively constant (CaHCO₃ to mixed-cationHCO₃ water, depleted in δ¹⁸O, δD and tritium). External effects on the chemical composition are less pronounced. The aquifer is thinner and less permeable in areas between major fan axes and along the Caprock Escarpment. In these areas, groundwater can discharge from aquifers in the Cretaceous, Triassic and Permian formations into the Ogallala Formation. Cross-formational movement of water and low permeabilities in the Ogallala Formation result in varying hydrochemical facies and in isotopic compositions that differ from those of the major depositional areas. Areas where upward cross-formational flow occurs are evident by the presence of permeable contacts between the Ogallala and the underlying formations, water-level head differences and chemical and isotopic similarities.

Secondary factors that locally affect the chemical composition of Ogallala Formation groundwater include contamination from evaporating saline lakes, agricultural chemicals and fertilizers and oil field brines. Impact of chemicals and brines may increase in the future because much of these contaminants may still be moving through the unsaturated zone toward the water table.

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^☆: Publication authorized by the Director, Bureau of Economic Geology, University of Texas at Austin.

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Research paperHydrogeology and geochemistry of the Ogallala aquifer, Southern High Plains☆

Abstract

Hydrochemical facies and ground water flow patterns in northern part of Atlantic Coastal Plain

U.S. Geol. Surv., Prof. Pap.

Geology and ground water in the irrigated region of the Southern High Plains in Texas

Tex. Dep. Water Resour. M125, Prog. Rep. No. 7

Analytical study of the Ogallala aquifer in Briscoe County

Tex. Dep. Water Resour., Rep. 212

Analytical study of the Ogallala aquifer in Hockley County

Tex. Dep. Water Resour., Rep. 214

Analytical study of the Ogallala aquifer in Cochran County

Tex. Dep. Water Resour., Rep. 217

Analytical study of the Ogallala aquifer in Dawson and Borden Counties

Tex. Dep. Water Resour., Rep. 225

Analytical study of the Ogallala aquifer in Lubbock County

Tex. Dep. Water Resour., Rep. 216

Analytical study of the Ogallala aquifer in Lynn and Garza Counties

Tex. Dep. Water Resour., Rep. 233

Analytical study of the Ogallala aquifer in Terry County

Tex. Dep. Water Resour., Rep. 222

Analytical study of the Ogallala aquifer in Carson County

Tex. Dep. Water Resour., Rep. 242

Analytical study of the Ogallala aquifer in Gaines County

Tex. Dep. Water Resour., Rep. 227

Analytical study of the Ogallala aquifer in Armstrong County

Tex. Dep. Water Resour., Rep. 125

Analytical study of the Ogallala aquifer in Gray County

Tex. Dep. Water Resour., Rep. 243

Analytical study of the Ogallala aquifer in Randall County

Tex. Dep. Water Resour., Rep. 250

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Tex. Dep. Water Resour., Rep. 241

Analytical study of the Ogallala aquifer in Donley County

Tex. Dep. Water Resour., Rep. 260

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Tex. Dep. Water Resour., Rep. 267

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Tex. Dep. Water Resour., Rep. 265

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Tex. Dep. Water Resour., Rep. 266

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Univ. Tex., Austin, Bur. Econ. Geol., Rep. Invest.

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Tex. Water Comm., Rep. LD 764

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Research paper
Hydrogeology and geochemistry of the Ogallala aquifer, Southern High Plains☆