Geohydrology of the Navajo sandstone in western Kane, southwestern Garfield, and southeastern Iron Counties
Freethey GW. 1988. Geohydrology of the Navajo sandstone in western Kane, southwestern Garfield, and southeastern Iron Counties. U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 88-4040. United States Geological Survey. Salt Lake City, UT
The upper Navajo and Lamb Point aquifers in the Navajo Sandstone are the principal source of water for the city of Kanab, irrigation, stock and for the rural homes in the study area. Well logs and outcrop descriptions indicate the Navajo Sandstone consists of the Lamb Point Tongue of the Quaint Formation. The main Quaint Formation underlies the Lamb Point Tongue. The Lamb Point Tongue and the upper member of the Navajo sandstone are saturated and hydraulically connected through the upper Tenney Canyon Tongue. Available data indicate that precipitation percolates to the groundwater reservoir where the Navajo Sandstone crops out. Estimates of the rate of recharge at the outcrop range form 0.1 to as much as 2.8 inches per year. Water-level data indicate that water moves from the upper member of the Navajo Sandstone, through the Tenney Canyon Tongue, and into the Lamb Point Tongue. Lateral flow is generally from the outcrop areas towards the incised canyons formed by tributaries of Kanab Creek and Johnson Wash. Direction and rate of groundwater movement and the location and character of the natural hydrologic boundaries in the northern part of the area where the Navajo Sandstone is buried cannot be determined conclusively without additional water-level data.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Freethey, Geoffrey
- Date of Issue
- 1988
- Publisher
- United States Geological Survey
- Units
- BRCA , WRD
- Keywords
- Aquatic Studies, Aquifers, Coal, Development, Geohydrology, Groundwater, Hydrology, Impacts, Kayenta Formation, Lamb Point Tongue, Mining, Navajo Aquifer, Navajo Sandstone, NCPN springs literature 2003, Physical Sciences, Precipitation, Tenney Canyon Tongue, Tributaries, Water Level, Water Resources, Water Rights, WRBIB