Subsurface Geologic Investigation of a Closed Alluvial Basin:Lucernevalley, San Bernardino

Subsurface Geologic Investigation of a Closed Alluvial Basin:LucerneValley, San Bernardino County, California

Michael Blazevic and John H. Foster, Ph.D.

CaliforniaStateUniversity, Fullerton, Department of Geological Sciences

Abstract

The residents of LucerneValley, San Bernardino County, California, depend solely upon groundwater pumped from the LucerneValley groundwater basin. Current and historic water well data reveal groundwater levels have significantly declined for over fifty years. This has posed a major concern for both the residents of LucerneValley as well as government agencies,such as the Mojave Water Agency (MWA), whom are responsible for oversight of water related issues. In order to assess current groundwater conditions, a strong understanding of the subsurface lithologies, structures, and depositional environments of LucerneValley is needed. Based on data compiled from driller’s water well logs, USGS monitoring wells, and geophysical data, detailed subsurface geologic cross-sections and maps have be constructed to better understand the current and past issues concerning Lucerne Valley’s groundwater. Subsurface cross-sections and maps reveal LucerneValley groundwater basin is dominated by a single-aquifer system. In the southwest region of the basin, bounded by the Helendale fault, the groundwater basin displays both a shallow and deep aquifer.

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Tammy L. Surko is a candidate for the Masters of Science in Geology at CaliforniaStateUniversity, Fullerton. Her experience includes numerous fault investigation studies, field mapping, and paleoseismology. Ms. Surko’s research interests lye in applied geophysics. Contact Info: 800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, CA92834-6850; Ph (714) 278-5201; Fax (714) 278-7266; .

Dr. W. Richard Laton is an Assistant Professor at CaliforniaStateUniversity, Fullerton. Dr. Laton’s research includes hydrogeology, urban watershed hydrology, and environmental geology with a primary interest in integrating hydrogeology with a multi-faceted systems approach to solving applied field problems. Contact Info: 800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, CA92834-6850; Ph (714) 278-7514; Fax (714) 278-7266; .

Hydrogeologic Evaluation of a DesertGroundwaterBasin; Lucerne Valley, California

Nick Napoli and W. Richard Laton, Ph.D.

CaliforniaStateUniversity, Fullerton, Department of Geological Sciences

Abstract

The residents of LucerneValley, San Bernardino County, California, depend solely upon groundwater pumped from the LucerneValley groundwater basin. Over the past several years groundwater conditions within LucerneValley have grown significantly worse. Water levels have declined and groundwater chemistry has been degraded. This poses a major concern for the residents of LucerneValley as well as the government agencies who are responsible for the basin oversight. In order to assess current groundwater conditions, a strong understanding of groundwater movement and hydrogeochemical assessment of LucerneValley is needed. Based on data compiled from USGS and MWA monitoring wells a series of groundwater maps and hydrographs along with hydrogeochemical maps have be constructed to better understand the current and past issues concerning Lucerne Valley’s groundwater.

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Just how deep is it?; Alto Deep Well and its impacts to Alto Groundwater Sub-Basin Geology

Rene Perez, John Foster, Ph.D. and W. Richard Laton Ph.D.

CaliforniaStateUniversity, Fullerton, Department of Geological Sciences

Abstract

What happen to the water? The VictorvilleValley area is a sprawling community approximately 90 mile east of Los Angles. It is located in an arid environment with limited precipitation. With a population near 300,000 and an estimated 3,000,000 by 2020, the Victorville area will begin to stretch its water resources, thus need to find a persistent water supply is pertinent to the residents of the area. During the fall of 2003 the Mojave Water Agency in conjunction with Cal State Fullerton geology drilled a 1,963 foot deep well above an area inwhich previous geophysical studies had suggested a bedrock depth between 2,400 and 3,000 feet. Bedrock in our well was encountered at a depth of 1,920 feet below ground surface (bgs), thus reducing the overall basin by at least 1,000 feet or 30 percent. The Implication of this study has reduced the potential groundwater storage capacity in this area by at least 30 percent. The drill site lies above and area which was once thought be a deep trough. This study demonstrated the need for more deep exploratory wells in the area to better define the bedrock and potential groundwater storage capacity.

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