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U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Map 3415 Altitude of the Potentiometric Surface, 2000–15, and Historical Water-Level Changes in the Memphis Aquifer in the Memphis Area, Tennessee By James A. Kingsbury 2018 For more information on the USGS—the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment—visit https://www.usgs.gov/ or call 1–888–ASK–USGS (1–888–275–8747). For an overview of USGS information products, including maps, imagery, and publications, visit https://store.usgs.gov/. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Although this information product, for the most part, is in the public domain, it also may contain copyrighted materials as noted in the text. Permission to reproduce copyrighted items must be secured from the copyright owner. Suggested citation: Kingsbury, J.A., 2018, Altitude of the potentiometric surface, 2000–15, and historical water-level changes in the Memphis aquifer in the Memphis area, Tennessee: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Map 3415, 1 sheet, https://doi.org/10.3133/sim3415. ISSN 2329-132X (online) https://doi.org/10.3133/sim3415 Introduction The Memphis and Fort Pillow aquifers are the principal sources of water for municipal, industrial, and commercial uses in the Memphis area. About 207 million gallons per day (Mgal/d) of groundwater were withdrawn in Shelby County, Tennessee, from both aquifers in 2010 for these uses (Maupin and others, 2014), with most of the water coming from the Memphis aquifer. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the City of Memphis, Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division, collects groundwater-level data in the Memphis area and periodically prepares potentiometric-surface maps for the Memphis aquifer to assess conditions in this regionally important water supply aquifer. This report presents the altitudes of the potentiometric surface of water in wells screened in the Memphis aquifer based on water-level measurements made in the fall of 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2015 and describes historical water-level changes in the Memphis aquifer at key observation wells in the Memphis area. The Memphis area is about 1,500 square miles (mi 2 ) and includes all of Shelby County and parts of Tipton and Fayette Counties in Tennessee, parts of DeSoto and Marshall Counties in Mississippi, and part of Crittenden County in Arkansas (fig. 1). Memphis Aquifer Kingsbury and Parks (1993) described the geology of the study area. The Memphis area lies within the Mississippi embayment, a broad structural syncline that plunges southward with its axis roughly coincident with the Mississippi River. The embayment contains several thousand feet of unconsolidated Cretaceous and Tertiary sediments that dip gently westward and thicken in the down-dip direction. The Tertiary-age (middle Eocene) Memphis Sand is a thick layer of sand with lenses of clay and silt and minor amounts of lignite present at various Sh:J-001 16 Base from U.S. Geological Survey 1:24,000 and Mississippi River Commission 1:62,500 quadrangles North American Datum of 1983 90°00' 89°45' Approximate eastern limits of the Jackson-upper Claiborne confining unit Approximate eastern limit of the Jackson-upper Claiborne confining unit 35°15' 90°15' 35°00' 0 5 MILES 5 KILOMETERS 0 TENNESSEE ARKANSAS MISSISSIPPI Study area EXPLANATION 180 Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division well field and name Potentiometric contour—Shows altitude at which water level would have stood in tightly cased wells. Dashed where approximately located. Hachures indicate depression. Contour interval 10 feet. Datum is National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD 29) Well for which water-level measurement made in October 2000 was used as controlNumber corresponds to map well number in table 1, and station names (Sh:J-001, for example) identify wells shown on figure 5 DAVIS MORTON MALLORY LICHTERMAN ALLEN DAVIS SHEAHAN McCORD SHAW Walls West Memphis Memphis Horne Lake Olive Branch Olive Branch Braden Arlington Cordova Millington Bartlett Germantown Collierville FAYETTE CO MARSHALL CO 64 51 55 240 57 72 64 40 70 79 14 51 78 70 79 14 61 40 ARKANSAS TENNESSEE ARKANSAS MISSISSIPPI Loosahatchie River River MISSISSIPPI RIVER Nonconnah Creek Memphis TIPTON CO SHELBY CO SHELBY CO DESOTO CO MISSISSIPPI CO SHELBY CO CRITTENDON CO FAYETTE CO SHELBY CO 55 150 160 160 170 190 200 180 210 220 230 240 250 250 260 270 140 140 130 130 190 210 220 230 240 250 180 180 170 150 150 170 160 Fa:R-002 Sh:J-001 Sh:O-001 Sh:Q-001 Sh:P-076 200 210 180 190 170 150 130 130 160 170 190 200 200 210 220 230 240 250 260 260 240 240 180 180 170 190 190 220 230 240 260 73 72 40 37 34 24 2 106 104 103 101 99 98 96 95 93 92 91 85 84 80 79 78 76 71 68 66 65 64 62 60 59 57 56 55 53 52 51 44 42 36 35 32 31 30 29 27 26 22 20 19 17 16 14 70 25 82 13 3 1 4 8 6 13 23 Mississippi embayment Figure 1. Altitude of the potentiometric surface of the Memphis aquifer in the Memphis area, Tennessee, October 2000. Figure 5. Historical water-level changes in selected Memphis aquifer wells located away from well fields. 90°00' 89°45' Approximate eastern limits of the Jackson-upper Claiborne confining unit Approximate eastern limit of the Jackson-upper Claiborne confining unit 35°15' 90°15' 35°00' 0 5 MILES 5 KILOMETERS 0 TENNESSEE ARKANSAS MISSISSIPPI Study area MORTON MALLORY LICHTERMAN ALLEN DAVIS SHEAHAN McCORD SHAW Walls West Memphis Memphis Horne Lake Olive Branch Olive Branch Braden Arlington Cordova Millington Germantown Collierville FAYETTE CO MARSHALL CO 64 51 55 240 57 72 64 40 70 79 14 51 78 70 79 14 61 40 ARKANSAS TENNESSEE ARKANSAS MISSISSIPPI Loosahatchie River River MISSISSIPPI RIVER Nonconnah Creek Memphis TIPTON CO SHELBY CO SHELBY CO DESOTO CO MISSISSIPPI CO SHELBY CO CRITTENDON CO O C E T T E Y A F O C Y B L E H S 55 Bartlett Sh:J-001 16 EXPLANATION 180 Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division well field and name Potentiometric contour—Shows altitude at which water level would have stood in tightly cased wells. Dashed where approximately located. Hachures indicate depression. Contour interval 10 feet. Datum is National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD 29) Well for which water-level measurement made in September and October 2005 was used as control—Number corresponds to map well number in table 1, and station names (Sh:J-001, for example) identify wells shown on figure 5 DAVIS 180 190 200 200 210 220 220 230 230 240 240 250 250 260 260 160 170 180 180 190 180 200 210 220 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 230 240 240 250 250 260 260 270 270 150 180 180 Fa:R-002 Sh:J-001 Sh:O-001 Sh:Q-001 150 150 210 190 Sh:P-076 160 160 140 140 140 140 75 74 40 38 34 2 106 104 103 101 99 98 88 45 41 102 49 48 47 46 33 86 90 81 63 61 67 54 43 39 50 28 5 77 96 95 93 92 91 85 84 80 79 78 76 71 68 66 65 64 62 60 60 57 58 55 53 52 51 44 42 32 37 31 30 29 27 26 22 20 19 16 14 15 69 25 82 13 3 1 4 10 Mississippi embayment 230 240 240 230 Base from U.S. Geological Survey 1:24,000 and Mississippi River Commission 1:62,500 quadrangles North American Datum of 1983 Figure 2. Altitude of the potentiometric surface of the Memphis aquifer in the Memphis area, Tennessee, September and October 2005. Figure 3. Altitude of the potentiometric surface of the Memphis aquifer in the Memphis area, Tennessee, October and November 2010. 90°00' 89°45' Approximate eastern limits of the Jackson-upper Claiborne confining unit Approximate eastern limit of the Jackson-upper Claiborne confining unit 35°15' 90°15' 35°00' 0 5 MILES 5 KILOMETERS 0 TENNESSEE ARKANSAS MISSISSIPPI Study area MORTON MALLORY LICHTERMAN ALLEN DAVIS SHEAHAN McCORD SHAW Walls West Memphis Memphis Horne Lake Olive Branch Olive Branch Braden Arlington Cordova Millington Germantown Collierville FAYETTE CO MARSHALL CO 64 51 55 240 57 72 64 40 70 79 14 51 78 70 79 14 61 40 ARKANSAS TENNESSEE ARKANSAS MISSISSIPPI Loosahatchie River River MISSISSIPPI RIVER Nonconnah Creek Memphis TIPTON CO SHELBY CO SHELBY CO DESOTO CO MISSISSIPPI CO SHELBY CO CRITTENDON CO FAYETTE CO SHELBY CO 55 Bartlett Base from U.S. Geological Survey 1:24,000 and Mississippi River Commission 1:62,500 quadrangles North American Datum of 1983 150 150 160 160 170 190 200 200 180 180 230 240 240 250 250 260 260 270 270 170 180 180 190 190 230 230 240 240 250 250 260 190 190 180 240 240 230 180 240 160 180 Fa:R-002 Sh:J-001 Sh:P-076 Sh:O-001 Sh:Q-001 260 220 220 210 210 200 200 170 140 140 170 190 210 210 220 220 230 230 160 160 170 170 73 74 40 38 34 2 106 104 103 101 99 98 97 93 92 91 85 80 79 78 71 66 65 64 62 59 57 5 55 53 52 51 44 42 31 30 63 27 20 22 19 16 14 69 25 13 3 17 1 4 12 9 11 7 6 Mississippi embayment Sh:J-001 16 EXPLANATION 180 Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division well field and name Potentiometric contour—Shows altitude at which water level would have stood in tightly cased wells. Dashed where approximately located. Hachures indicate depression. Contour interval 10 feet. Datum is National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD 29) Well for which water-level measurement made in October and November 2010 was used as control—Number corresponds to map well number in table 1, and station names (Sh:J-001, for example) identify wells shown on figure 5 DAVIS 90°00' 89°45' Approximate eastern limits of the Jackson-upper Claiborne confining unit Approximate eastern limit of the Jackson-upper Claiborne confining unit 35°15' 90°15' 35°00' 0 5 MILES 5 KILOMETERS 0 MORTON MALLORY LICHTERMAN ALLEN DAVIS SHEAHAN McCORD SHAW Walls West Memphis Memphis Horne Lake Olive Branch Olive Branch Braden Arlington Cordova Millington Germantown Collierville FAYETTE CO MARSHALL CO 64 51 55 240 57 72 64 40 70 79 14 51 78 70 79 14 61 40 ARKANSAS TENNESSEE ARKANSAS MISSISSIPPI Loosahatchie River River MISSISSIPPI RIVER Nonconnah Creek Memphis TIPTON CO SHELBY CO SHELBY CO DESOTO CO MISSISSIPPI CO SHELBY CO CRITTENDON CO FAYETTE CO SHELBY CO 55 Bartlett TENNESSEE ARKANSAS MISSISSIPPI Study area Sh:J-001 16 EXPLANATION 180 Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division well field and name Potentiometric contour—Shows altitude at which water level would have stood in tightly cased wells. Dashed where approximately located. Hachures indicate depression. Contour interval 10 feet. Datum is National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD 29) Well for which water-level measurement made in October and November 2015 was used as control—Number corresponds to map well number in table 1, and station names (Sh:J-001, for example) identify wells shown on figure 5 DAVIS Mississippi embayment Base from U.S. Geological Survey 1:24,000 and Mississippi River Commission 1:62,500 quadrangles North American Datum of 1983 260 160 160 170 190 200 180 170 190 200 180 170 170 180 180 Fa:R-002 Sh:J-001 Sh:P-076 Sh:O-001 Sh:Q-001 230 230 240 240 250 250 220 220 210 210 200 200 190 190 150 150 210 210 73 74 40 38 18 2 106 105 103 100 99 98 97 94 92 91 85 80 83 78 71 66 67 64 62 59 56 5 55 53 52 51 44 42 31 30 63 27 20 16 14 69 25 13 3 1 4 12 87 21 48 89 90 61 60 32 29 9 7 11 6 240 240 190 250 240 250 260 270 230 240 250 260 270 230 230 220 230 Figure 4. Altitude of the potentiometric surface of the Memphis aquifer in the Memphis area, Tennessee, October and November 2015. 265 270 275 280 150 160 170 180 190 200 160 180 200 220 160 170 180 190 200 210 210 220 230 240 250 220 260 140 210 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 Monthly water level, in feet below land surface Well Fa:R-002 well depth: 365 feet Well Sh:Q-001 well depth: 384 feet Well Sh:P-076 well depth: 488 feet Well Sh:O-001 well depth: 434 feet Well Sh:J-001 well depth: 334 feet 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 140 120 100 80 60 160 120 110 100 90 80 70 50 55 45 40 35 Monthly water level, in feet above National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 stratigraphic horizons. The Memphis Sand is present in the subsurface throughout the Memphis area and ranges from about 650 to 900 feet (ft) in thickness. The Memphis Sand constitutes the Memphis aquifer. Confining clay beds above and below the aquifer create artesian conditions within the aquifer in much of the Memphis area; however, several studies have identified areas where the overlying Jackson-upper Claiborne confining unit is thin or absent (Graham and Parks, 1986; Parks, 1990; Bradley, 1991; Parks and others, 1995). Recharge to the Memphis aquifer from infiltration of rainfall occurs primarily east of the eastern limit of the Jackson-upper Claiborne confining unit (fig. 1), but some recharge occurs locally where the confining unit is thin or absent. Potentiometric-Surface Maps Four potentiometric-surface maps for the Memphis aquifer (figs. 1–4) were prepared using water-level measurements made in about 60 wells during the fall of 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2015 in the Memphis area (table 1). Generally, the same wells or nearby, alternate wells are measured as part of this water-level network. Access to some of the wells was not possible every year, however, and over time some of the network wells have been abandoned and filled, resulting in some areas not having water-level measurements. Most of the measurements were made each year within about a 4-week period between late September to early November (table 1) when water levels usually are near their lowest for the year. Therefore, the potentiometric-surface maps represent low water-level conditions in the aquifer for these years. The water-level data used as control points are available through the USGS National Water Information System web interface (USGS, 2017a). Prior to the onset of groundwater withdrawals from the Memphis aquifer in 1886, the potentiometric surface is interpreted to have been a smooth surface with a gentle downward slope to the west-northwest (Criner and Parks, 1976). Long-term water withdrawals from the aquifer since 1886 have created a large cone of depression in the potentiometric surface, and several smaller cones of depression exist within the cone at municipal well fields in the Memphis area (figs. 1–4). The general direction of groundwater flow in the Memphis area is toward the center of the cone of depression in the Memphis aquifer located near the Mallory well field. The shapes of the potentiometric surfaces from 2000 to 2015 are similar, but the altitude of water levels has changed in some parts of the Memphis area. Water levels have risen almost 30 ft from 2000 to 2015 in the center of the cone of the depression (figs. 1 and 4). Locally, in 2015, water levels were 20 ft higher at the Mallory, Morton, and Sheahan well fields and about 30 ft higher at the Allen well field than they were in 2000. Groundwater levels east of the McCord and Lichterman well fields have not shown consistent increasing or decreasing trends from 2000 to 2015. Historical Water-Level Changes Hydrographs for selected wells show the varying degree to which long-term withdrawals from the Memphis aquifer have affected water levels in the Memphis area (fig. 5). Water levels measured in wells within the large cone of depression in the potentiometric surface have declined substantially compared to those in wells in outlying areas, where smaller water-level declines have occurred. Because of the confined conditions of the Memphis aquifer throughout much of the Memphis area, the seasonal fluctuation in water levels recorded in these observation wells is primarily a result of seasonal differences in water use and pumping, rather than changes in aquifer response to seasonal recharge. The increases in water levels at the center of the cone of depression reflect changes in withdrawals from the Memphis aquifer, particularly at the well fields near the center of the cone. From 2000 to 2015, the average daily withdrawals for Shelby County decreased from about 188 to 142 Mgal/d (Dieter and others, 2017; USGS, 2017b). Water use in 2005 was 187 Mgal/d, which was similar to water use in 2000, but water use decreased to 173 Mgal/d in 2010 (USGS, 2017b). Water-level data for the long-term observation wells can be accessed at the Memphis area groundwater-level network web page (USGS, 2017c). Water levels in well Fa:R-002, located outside and northeast of the cone of depression (fig. 5), have declined from about 38 ft below land surface in 1949 to a maximum low water level of about 44 ft below land surface during 2012. After an initial decline in about 1953, water levels were relatively stable between about 1955 and 2000, with an average water level of about 40.5 ft below land surface. Since 2000, the average water level has been about 41.5 ft below land surface. The relatively recent decline (since about 2010) in water levels likely is the result of increases in groundwater withdrawals for irrigation near this well rather than withdrawals in the Memphis area. Well Sh:Q-001 is located between well Fa:R-002 and the center of the cone of depression. Water levels in well Sh:Q-001 declined about 35 ft between 1940 and 2015 (fig. 5). The rate at which water levels were declining began to slow down in about 2002, with little to no additional long-term declines since that time. Water levels near the center of the cone of depression in well Sh:P-076 declined about 70 ft from 1929 to 1975 (fig. 1). Between 1975 and 1995, water levels in this well did not decline and subsequently began a recovery of about 30 ft such that the net decline over the period of record is about 40 ft. Because of the age of this well, there is some question about the connection of the well screen to the Memphis aquifer and whether the water level in the well may be somewhat higher than the water level in the aquifer because of leakage of groundwater from shallower zones through the well casing. However, water levels at another observation well, Sh:O-212, at the Mallory well field also have risen by 30 to 40 ft over the same timeframe (USGS, 2017c). Water-level data for wells located north (Sh:O-001) and south (Sh:J-001) of the center of the cone of depression indicate that water levels stabilized in the areas near these wells and that the cone has not expanded to the north and south. Water levels in well Sh:O-001 have not declined substantially since 1990, and water levels in well Sh:J-001 have not declined since about 2000 (fig. 5). At both wells, it appears that water levels have recovered somewhat from their period-of-record lows. References Bradley, M.W., 1991, Ground-water hydrology and the effects of vertical leakage and leachate migration on ground- water quality near the Shelby County landfill, Memphis, Tennessee: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 90–4075, 42 p. Criner, J.H., and Parks, W.S., 1976, Historic water level changes and pumpage from the principal aquifers of the Memphis area, Tennessee: 1886–1975: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 76–67, 45 p. Dieter, C.A., Linsey, K.S., Caldwell, R.R., Harris, M.A., Ivahnenko, T.I., Lovelace, J.K., Maupin, M.A., and Barber, N.L., 2017, Estimated use of water in the United States county-level data for 2015: U.S. Geological Survey data release, accessed February 27, 2018, at https://doi.org/10.5066/F7TB15V5. Graham, D.D., and Parks, W.S., 1986, Potential for leakage among principal aquifers in the Memphis area, Tennessee: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 85–4295, 46 p. Kingsbury, J.A., and Parks, W.S., 1993, Hydrogeology of the principal aquifers and relation of faults to interaquifer leakage in the Memphis area, Tennessee: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 93–4075, 18 p., 5 pls. Maupin, M.A., Kenny, J.F., Hutson, S.S., Lovelace, J.K., Barber, N.L., and Linsey, K.S., 2014, Estimated use of water in the United States in 2010: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1405, 56 p. Parks, W.S., 1990, Hydrogeology and preliminary assessment of the potential for contamination of the Memphis aquifer in the Memphis area, Tennessee: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 90–4092, 39 p. Parks, W.S., Mirecki, J.E., and Kingsbury, J.A., 1995, Hydrogeology, ground-water quality, and source of ground water causing water-quality changes in the Davis well field at Memphis, Tennessee: U.S. Geological Survey Water- Resources Investigations Report 94–4212, 58 p. U.S. Geological Survey [USGS], 2017a, USGS groundwater data for Tennessee, in USGS water data for the Nation: U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information System database, accessed February 21, 2017, at https://doi. org/10.5066/F7P55KJN. [Groundwater data directly accessible at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/tn/nwis/gw.] U.S. Geological Survey [USGS], 2017b, Water-use data available from USGS: U.S. Geological Survey database, accessed February 21, 2017, at https://water.usgs.gov/watuse/data/. U.S. Geological Survey [USGS], 2017c, Memphis Area Groundwater-Level Network: U.S. Geological Survey Groundwater Watch web page, accessed February 21, 2017, at https://groundwaterwatch.usgs.gov/netmapT9L1. asp?ncd=MAL. Table 1. Summary of groundwater-level measurements and groundwater-level altitudes in the Memphis aquifer, 2000–15. [NGVD 29, National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929; – , no measurement] Map well number (see figs. 1–4) Site name Land- surface altitude, in feet above NGVD 29 Date Depth below land surface, in feet Water- level altitude, in feet above NGVD 29 Date Depth below land surface, in feet Water- level altitude, in feet above NGVD 29 Date Depth below land surface, in feet Water- level altitude, in feet above NGVD 29 Date Depth below land surface, in feet Water- level altitude, in feet above NGVD 29 1 05N08E11CCA2 211 10/18/00 33.36 177.64 10/21/05 30.98 180.02 10/06/10 28.16 182.84 10/29/15 28.26 182.74 2 06N07E01DAD2 209 10/18/00 28.9 180.1 10/21/05 27.36 181.64 10/14/10 26.68 182.32 10/29/15 27.26 181.74 3 06N09E23AAB1 222 10/18/00 63.85 158.15 10/31/05 60.73 161.27 10/21/10 57.23 164.77 10/29/15 51.6 170.4 4 07N09E14BAC1 216 10/18/00 39.17 176.83 10/21/05 37.42 178.58 10/14/10 33.41 182.59 10/29/15 32.66 183.34 5 Ar:N-001 215 10/21/05 33.19 181.81 10/15/10 30.5 184.5 10/22/15 30.85 184.15 6 B0009 DESOTO 300 11/09/00 104.85 195.15 10/13/10 103.81 196.19 11/03/15 98.34 201.66 7 B0063 DESOTO 288 10/13/10 93.04 194.96 11/03/15 87.73 200.27 8 B0068 DESOTO 285 11/03/00 107 178 9 D0026 DESOTO 400 10/14/10 139.05 260.95 11/03/15 150.67 249.33 10 D0046 Desoto 410 10/20/05 174.17 235.83 11 G0075 DESOTO 390 10/14/10 178.7 211.3 11/03/15 179.17 210.83 12 Ms:D-057 398 10/20/00 153.65 244.35 10/07/10 154.94 243.06 10/26/15 153.94 244.06 13 Fa:R-002 317.2 10/11/00 41.98 275.22 09/27/05 40.66 276.54 10/05/10 41.53 275.67 11/05/15 42.46 274.74 14 Sh:H-001 312 10/17/00 143.92 168.08 11/01/05 140.43 171.57 11/17/10 136.79 175.21 10/21/15 134.29 177.71 15 Sh:H-008 305 10/20/05 142 163 16 Sh:J-001 240.5 10/17/00 68.36 172.14 09/29/05 69.56 170.94 10/06/10 67.15 173.35 10/27/15 62.36 178.14 17 Sh:J-028 289 10/17/00 133.14 155.86 12/01/10 123.1 165.9 18 Sh:J-030 295 10/21/15 119.64 175.36 19 Sh:J-037 305 10/17/00 171.49 133.51 11/02/05 159.98 145.02 11/18/10 167.21 137.79 20 Sh:J-070 298 10/18/00 129.12 168.88 10/20/05 125.71 172.29 11/17/10 122.13 175.87 10/29/15 119.25 178.75 21 Sh:J-074 305 11/18/10 133.8 171.2 10/29/15 132.9 172.1 22 Sh:J-075 303 10/18/00 136.12 166.88 10/20/05 133.98 169.02 23 Sh:J-097 280 10/17/00 159.44 120.56 24 Sh:J-120 243 10/19/00 118.9 124.1 25 Sh:J-126 234.5 10/17/00 92.28 142.22 09/29/05 86.93 147.57 10/06/10 78.96 155.54 10/27/15 67.59 166.91 26 Sh:J-139 292 10/17/00 128.19 163.81 10/20/05 136.94 155.06 27 Sh:J-140 293 10/17/00 129.97 163.03 10/04/05 127.18 165.82 10/06/10 126.37 166.63 10/27/15 118.23 174.77 28 Sh:J-230 272 10/31/05 116.77 155.23 29 Sh:K-021 295 10/12/00 144.83 150.17 11/01/05 133.73 161.27 10/24/15 125.55 169.45 30 Sh:K-066 302.7 10/17/00 159.98 142.72 09/27/05 143.39 159.31 10/05/10 145.26 157.44 10/26/15 130.7 172 31 Sh:K-072 252 10/13/00 83.47 168.53 09/27/05 75.16 176.84 11/15/10 72.5 179.5 11/02/15 68.19 183.81 32 Sh:K-079 350 10/13/00 162.07 187.93 09/30/05 160.08 189.92 10/21/15 156.25 193.75 33 Sh:K-120 UR-12 293 10/13/05 98.28 194.72 34 Sh:K-122 238 10/13/00 81.2 156.8 10/13/05 74.3 163.7 11/18/10 69.81 168.19 35 Sh:K-138 280 10/19/00 133.91 146.09 36 Sh:K-140 297 10/12/00 139.65 157.35 37 Sh:K-165 272 11/02/05 100.32 171.68 38 Sh:L-013 301 10/16/00 115.3 185.7 10/19/05 107.25 193.75 11/17/10 105.07 195.93 10/28/15 105.77 195.23 39 Sh:L-018 322 10/05/05 110.17 211.83 40 Sh:L-024 344 10/13/00 176.3 167.7 11/17/10 164.6 179.4 10/29/15 158 186 41 Sh:L-026 353 10/19/05 180.5 172.5 42 Sh:L-039 345 10/16/00 157.95 187.05 09/29/05 150.65 194.35 10/05/10 153.07 191.93 10/26/15 148.91 196.09 43 Sh:L-052 390 10/14/05 143.82 246.18 44 Sh:L-089 375 10/17/00 163.26 211.74 10/04/05 159.03 215.97 10/07/10 162.88 212.12 11/05/15 161.04 213.96 45 Sh:L-105 UR-20 268 10/05/05 55.6 212.4 46 Sh:L-106 UR-21 283 10/18/05 77.06 205.94 47 Sh:L-107 UR-22 286 10/13/05 81.85 204.15 48 Sh:L-109 UR-24 295 10/14/05 67.83 227.17 11/03/15 67.83 227.17 49 Sh:L-111 UR-25M 291 10/13/05 62.92 228.08 50 Sh:L-115 257 10/31/05 44.77 212.23 51 Sh:M-040 348 10/17/00 108.16 239.84 10/04/05 104.05 243.95 10/07/10 113.29 234.71 11/05/15 101.6 246.4 52 Sh:O-001 228.7 10/13/00 63.95 164.75 09/28/05 61.22 167.48 10/05/10 59.57 169.13 10/27/15 52.78 175.92 53 Sh:O-029 265 10/17/00 123.47 141.53 10/05/05 118.92 146.08 10/20/10 117.76 147.24 10/27/15 107.96 157.04 54 Sh:O-105 275 10/06/05 130.35 144.65 55 Sh:O-115 277 10/16/00 115.59 161.41 09/30/05 116.67 160.33 10/20/10 114.5 162.5 11/04/15 107.75 169.25 56 Sh:O-204 257 10/19/00 132.47 124.53 57 Sh:O-212 251 10/16/00 121.22 129.78 09/29/05 113.82 137.18 10/07/10 112.01 138.99 10/26/15 99.09 151.91 58 Sh:O-231 251 10/20/05 114.1 136.9 59 Sh:P-001 299.8 10/11/00 128.54 171.26 09/29/05 125.12 174.68 10/05/10 125.1 174.7 10/26/15 118.27 181.53 60 Sh:P-012 262 10/12/00 110.82 151.18 10/12/05 110.92 151.08 10/19/15 97.72 164.28 61 Sh:P-037 252 10/19/05 85.46 166.54 10/23/15 84.68 167.32 62 Sh:P-061 280 10/12/00 131.69 148.31 10/06/05 121.71 158.29 11/18/10 115.95 164.05 11/04/15 109.34 170.66 63 Sh:P-076 286.7 09/29/05 118.89 167.81 10/06/10 117.8 168.9 10/26/15 109 177.7 64 Sh:P-085 293 10/11/00 120.05 172.95 09/28/05 114.28 178.72 10/05/10 110.24 182.76 10/26/15 109.08 183.92 65 Sh:P-096 312 10/11/00 127.48 184.52 10/12/05 122.7 189.3 10/21/10 124.45 187.55 11/04/15 117.96 194.04 66 Sh:P-113 301.5 10/19/00 153.24 148.26 09/30/05 150.44 151.06 10/05/10 151.85 149.62 10/27/15 139.67 161.8 67 Sh:P-128 290 10/12/05 143.74 146.26 68 Sh:P-131 247 10/12/00 98.19 148.81 10/20/05 91.29 155.71 69 Sh:P-143 229 10/12/05 78.68 150.32 11/18/10 72.83 156.17 10/20/15 67.87 161.13 70 Sh:P-232 252 10/31/00 95.31 156.69 71 Sh:Q-001 330.4 10/11/00 113.66 216.74 10/04/05 111.76 218.64 10/05/10 112.74 217.66 10/26/15 111.56 218.84 72 Sh:Q-052 295 10/11/00 117.6 177.4 73 Sh:Q-059 308 10/11/00 136.6 171.4 10/05/10 128.62 179.38 10/26/15 122.08 185.92 74 Sh:Q-060 285 10/18/05 106.06 178.94 11/09/10 104.67 180.33 10/28/15 99.44 185.56 75 Sh:Q-063 309 10/19/05 141.54 167.46 76 Sh:Q-069 280 10/11/00 98.45 181.55 10/20/05 108.75 171.25 77 Sh:Q-071 302 10/19/05 132.8 169.2 78 Sh:Q-075 305 10/11/00 88.62 216.38 10/11/05 87.12 217.88 10/22/10 87.44 217.56 10/28/15 87.12 217.88 79 Sh:Q-081 317 10/11/00 125.57 191.43 09/28/05 122.58 194.42 11/09/10 121.59 195.41 80 Sh:Q-126 250 10/17/00 45.33 204.67 10/22/10 41.03 208.97 10/22/10 41.11 208.89 10/28/15 40.97 209.03 81 Sh:Q-188 393 10/12/05 165.51 227.49 82 Sh:Q-190 327 10/11/00 109.65 217.35 83 Sh:Q-194 307 10/28/15 109.24 197.76 84 Sh:R-015 342 10/10/00 80.34 261.66 85 Sh:R-031 325 10/10/00 93.26 231.74 09/28/05 98.35 223.65 10/05/10 97.58 224.42 10/26/15 91.08 230.92 86 Sh:R-041 370 10/31/05 145.78 224.22 87 Sh:R-048 332 09/28/05 66.72 265.28 11/03/15 68.4 263.6 88 Sh:R-051 272 09/27/05 25.3 246.7 89 Sh:R-052 298 11/05/15 57.02 240.98 90 Sh:R-054 383 11/04/05 149.77 233.23 11/03/15 150.75 232.25 91 Sh:T-017 330 10/16/00 154.47 175.53 09/27/05 138.13 191.87 10/20/10 137.86 192.14 10/22/15 137.27 192.73 92 Sh:U-002 268.8 10/12/00 64.76 204.04 09/27/05 61.18 207.62 10/06/10 61.25 207.51 11/04/15 59.25 209.51 93 Sh:U-007 270 10/12/00 56.68 213.32 09/28/05 53.13 216.87 10/20/10 54.88 215.12 94 Sh:U-008 265 10/22/15 53.75 211.25 95 Sh:U-015 240 10/16/00 98.77 141.23 09/29/05 88.84 151.16 96 Sh:U-022 300 10/12/00 126.79 173.21 97 Sh:U-029 242 10/21/10 90.36 151.64 10/20/15 76.27 165.73 98 Sh:V-007 282 10/11/00 46.83 235.17 09/27/05 45.48 236.52 10/21/10 46.63 235.37 11/09/15 44.78 237.22 99 Sh:V-009 273 10/12/00 60.74 212.26 09/28/05 57.4 215.6 10/20/10 58.13 214.84 11/02/15 56.34 216.63 100 Sh:V-024 375 10/20/15 140.68 234.32 101 Sh:V-025 375 10/12/00 143.35 231.65 09/28/05 139.72 235.28 10/20/10 140.65 234.35 102 Sh:V-268 291 10/12/05 83.63 207.37 103 Sh:W-003 279 10/10/00 22.47 256.53 09/27/05 21.55 257.45 10/05/10 22.48 256.53 11/05/15 22.61 256.4 104 Sh:W-016 362 10/10/00 116.38 245.62 09/27/05 115.26 246.74 10/21/10 116.52 245.48 105 Sh:W-030 300 11/05/15 43.06 256.94 106 Tp:E-012 337 10/12/00 106.13 230.87 09/29/05 107.27 229.73 10/20/10 109.14 227.86 10/28/15 107.78 229.22 Prepared in cooperation with the City of Memphis, Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division

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U.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Geological Survey

Scientific Investigations Map 3415

Altitude of the Potentiometric Surface, 2000–15, and Historical Water-Level Changes in the Memphis Aquifer in the Memphis Area, Tennessee

By

James A. Kingsbury2018

For more information on the USGS—the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment—visit https://www.usgs.gov/ or call 1–888–ASK–USGS (1–888–275–8747).

For an overview of USGS information products, including maps, imagery, and publications, visit https://store.usgs.gov/.

Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Although this information product, for the most part, is in the public domain, it also may contain copyrighted materials as noted in the text. Permission to reproduce copyrighted items must be secured from the copyright owner.

Suggested citation: Kingsbury, J.A., 2018, Altitude of the potentiometric surface, 2000–15, and historical water-level changes in the Memphis aquifer in the Memphis area, Tennessee: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Map 3415, 1 sheet, https://doi.org/10.3133/sim3415.

ISSN 2329-132X (online)

https://doi.org/10.3133/sim3415

IntroductionThe Memphis and Fort Pillow aquifers are the principal sources of water for municipal, industrial, and

commercial uses in the Memphis area. About 207 million gallons per day (Mgal/d) of groundwater were withdrawn in Shelby County, Tennessee, from both aquifers in 2010 for these uses (Maupin and others, 2014), with most of the water coming from the Memphis aquifer. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the City of Memphis, Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division, collects groundwater-level data in the Memphis area and periodically prepares potentiometric-surface maps for the Memphis aquifer to assess conditions in this regionally important water supply aquifer. This report presents the altitudes of the potentiometric surface of water in wells screened in the Memphis aquifer based on water-level measurements made in the fall of 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2015 and describes historical water-level changes in the Memphis aquifer at key observation wells in the Memphis area. The Memphis area is about 1,500 square miles (mi2) and includes all of Shelby County and parts of Tipton and Fayette Counties in Tennessee, parts of DeSoto and Marshall Counties in Mississippi, and part of Crittenden County in Arkansas (fig. 1).

Memphis AquiferKingsbury and Parks (1993) described the geology of the study area. The Memphis area lies within the

Mississippi embayment, a broad structural syncline that plunges southward with its axis roughly coincident with the Mississippi River. The embayment contains several thousand feet of unconsolidated Cretaceous and Tertiary sediments that dip gently westward and thicken in the down-dip direction. The Tertiary-age (middle Eocene) Memphis Sand is a thick layer of sand with lenses of clay and silt and minor amounts of lignite present at various

Sh:J-001

16

Base from U.S. Geological Survey 1:24,000 and Mississippi River Commission 1:62,500 quadranglesNorth American Datum of 1983

90°00' 89°45'

Approximate eastern limits ofthe Jackson-upper Claiborneconfining unit

Approximate eastern limit ofthe Jackson-upper Claiborneconfining unit

35°15'

90°15'

35°00'

0 5 MILES

5 KILOMETERS0

TENNESSEEARKANSAS

MISSISSIPPI

Study area

EXPLANATION

180

Memphis Light, Gas and WaterDivision well field and name

Potentiometric contour—Showsaltitude at which water level would havestood in tightly cased wells. Dashedwhere approximately located. Hachuresindicate depression. Contour interval10 feet. Datum is National Geodetic VerticalDatum of 1929 (NGVD 29)

Well for which water-level measurement made in October 2000 was used as control—Number corresponds to map well number in table 1, and station names (Sh:J-001, for example) identify wells shown on figure 5

DAVIS

MORTON

MALLORY

LICHTERMAN

ALLEN

DAVIS

SHEAHAN

McCORD

SHAW

Walls

West Memphis

M e m p h i s

Horne LakeOlive BranchOlive Branch

Braden

Arlington

Cordova

Millington

Bartlett

Germantown

Collierville

FAYETTE COMARSHALL CO

64

5155

240

57

72

64

40

7079

1451

78

70

79

14

61

40

ARK

ANSA

S

TENNESSEE

ARKANSAS

MISSISSIPPI

Loosahatchie River

River

MIS

SISS

IPPI

RIVER

NonconnahCreek

M e m p h i s

TIPTON CO

SHELBY CO

SHELBY CODESOTO CO

MISSISSIPPI CO

SHELBY C

O

CRITTENDON CO

FAY

ET

TE

CO

SHE

LB

Y C

O55

150

160160170

190

200

180

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250250

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270

140140

130130

190

210

220230 240

250180180

170

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160

Fa:R-002

Sh:J-001

Sh:O-001

Sh:Q-001

Sh:P-076

200

210

180

190

170

150

130130

160

170190

200200210

220230 240

250260260

240

240

180180

170

190190

220

230

240

260

73

72

40

37

34

24

2

106

104

103

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99

98

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7978

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64

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3635

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27

26

22

20

1917

16

14

70

25

82

13

3

1

4

8

6

13

23

Mississippiembayment

Figure 1. Altitude of the potentiometric surface of the Memphis aquifer in the Memphis area, Tennessee, October 2000.

Figure 5. Historical water-level changes in selected Memphis aquifer wells located away from well fields.

90°00' 89°45'

Approximate eastern limits ofthe Jackson-upper Claiborneconfining unit

Approximate eastern limit ofthe Jackson-upper Claiborneconfining unit

35°15'

90°15'

35°00'

0 5 MILES

5 KILOMETERS0

TENNESSEEARKANSAS

MISSISSIPPI

Study area

MORTON

MALLORY

LICHTERMAN

ALLEN

DAVIS

SHEAHAN

McCORD

SHAW

Walls

West Memphis

M e m p h i s

Horne LakeOlive BranchOlive Branch

Braden

Arlington

Cordova

Millington

Germantown

Collierville

FAYETTE COMARSHALL CO

64

5155

240

57

72

64

40

7079

1451

78

70

79

14

61

40

ARK

ANSA

STENNESSEE

ARKANSAS

MISSISSIPPI

Loosahatchie River

River

MIS

SISS

IPPI

RIVER

NonconnahCreek

M e m p h i s

TIPTON CO

SHELBY CO

SHELBY CODESOTO CO

MISSISSIPPI CO

SHELBY C

O

CRITTENDON CO

OC

ET

TE

YAFO

C Y

BL

EHS

55

Bartlett

Sh:J-001

16

EXPLANATION

180

Memphis Light, Gas and WaterDivision well field and name

Potentiometric contour—Showsaltitude at which water level would havestood in tightly cased wells. Dashedwhere approximately located. Hachuresindicate depression. Contour interval10 feet. Datum is National Geodetic VerticalDatum of 1929 (NGVD 29)

Well for which water-level measurement made in September and October 2005 was used as control—Number corresponds to map well number in table 1, and station names (Sh:J-001, for example) identify wells shown on figure 5

DAVIS

180

190

200200

210220220

230230240240

250250

260260

160

170

180

180

190

180

200

210

220

160

170

180

190

200

210

220

230230

240240

250250

260260

270270

150

180180

Fa:R-002

Sh:J-001

Sh:O-001

Sh:Q-001

150150

210

190

Sh:P-076

160160

140140

140140

75

74

40

3834

2

106

104

103

101

99

98

88

45

41

102

49

4847

46

33

86

90

81

63

61

67

54

43

39

50

28

5

77

96

95

9392

91

85

84

80

7978

76

71

6866 65

64

62

60

60

57

58

55

53

52

51

44

42

32

37

31

30

29

27

26

22

20

19

16

14

15

69

25

82

13

3

1

4

10

Mississippiembayment

230

240240

230

Base from U.S. Geological Survey 1:24,000 and Mississippi River Commission 1:62,500 quadranglesNorth American Datum of 1983

Figure 2. Altitude of the potentiometric surface of the Memphis aquifer in the Memphis area, Tennessee, September and October 2005.

Figure 3. Altitude of the potentiometric surface of the Memphis aquifer in the Memphis area, Tennessee, October and November 2010.

90°00' 89°45'

Approximate eastern limits ofthe Jackson-upper Claiborneconfining unit

Approximate eastern limit ofthe Jackson-upper Claiborneconfining unit

35°15'

90°15'

35°00'

0 5 MILES

5 KILOMETERS0

TENNESSEEARKANSAS

MISSISSIPPI

Study area

MORTON

MALLORY

LICHTERMAN

ALLEN

DAVIS

SHEAHAN

McCORD

SHAW

Walls

West Memphis

M e m p h i s

Horne LakeOlive BranchOlive Branch

Braden

Arlington

Cordova

Millington

Germantown

Collierville

FAYETTE COMARSHALL CO

64

5155

240

57

72

64

40

7079

1451

78

70

79

14

61

40

ARK

ANSA

S

TENNESSEE

ARKANSAS

MISSISSIPPI

Loosahatchie River

River

MIS

SISS

IPPI

RIVER

NonconnahCreek

M e m p h i s

TIPTON CO

SHELBY CO

SHELBY CODESOTO CO

MISSISSIPPI CO

SHELBY C

O

CRITTENDON CO

FAY

ET

TE

CO

SHE

LB

Y C

O55

Bartlett

Base from U.S. Geological Survey 1:24,000 and Mississippi River Commission 1:62,500 quadranglesNorth American Datum of 1983

150150

160160

170

190

200200

180180

230

240240 250250 260260 270270

170

180180190190

230230240240

250250

260

190190

180

240240

230

180

240

160

180

Fa:R-002

Sh:J-001

Sh:P-076

Sh:O-001

Sh:Q-001

260

220220210210

200200

170

140140

170

190

210210

220220

230 230

160160

170170

73

74

40

3834

2

106

104

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101

99

9897

9392

91

8580

7978

71

6665

64

62

59

575

55

53

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44

42

31

3063

2720

22

19

16

14

69

25

13

3

17

1

4

12

9

11

76

Mississippiembayment

Sh:J-001

16

EXPLANATION

180

Memphis Light, Gas and WaterDivision well field and name

Potentiometric contour—Showsaltitude at which water level would havestood in tightly cased wells. Dashedwhere approximately located. Hachuresindicate depression. Contour interval10 feet. Datum is National Geodetic VerticalDatum of 1929 (NGVD 29)

Well for which water-level measurement made in October and November 2010 was used as control—Number corresponds to map well number in table 1, and station names (Sh:J-001, for example) identify wells shown on figure 5

DAVIS

90°00' 89°45'

Approximate eastern limits ofthe Jackson-upper Claiborneconfining unit

Approximate eastern limit ofthe Jackson-upper Claiborneconfining unit

35°15'

90°15'

35°00'

0 5 MILES

5 KILOMETERS0

MORTON

MALLORY

LICHTERMAN

ALLEN

DAVIS

SHEAHAN

McCORD

SHAW

Walls

West Memphis

M e m p h i s

Horne LakeOlive BranchOlive Branch

Braden

Arlington

Cordova

Millington

Germantown

Collierville

FAYETTE COMARSHALL CO

64

5155

240

57

72

64

40

7079

1451

78

70

79

14

61

40

ARK

ANSA

S

TENNESSEE

ARKANSAS

MISSISSIPPI

Loosahatchie River

River

MIS

SISS

IPPI

RIVER

NonconnahCreek

M e m p h i s

TIPTON CO

SHELBY CO

SHELBY CODESOTO CO

MISSISSIPPI CO

SHELBY C

O

CRITTENDON CO

FAY

ET

TE

CO

SHE

LB

Y C

O55

Bartlett

TENNESSEEARKANSAS

MISSISSIPPI

Study area

Sh:J-001

16

EXPLANATION

180

Memphis Light, Gas and WaterDivision well field and name

Potentiometric contour—Showsaltitude at which water level would havestood in tightly cased wells. Dashedwhere approximately located. Hachuresindicate depression. Contour interval10 feet. Datum is National Geodetic VerticalDatum of 1929 (NGVD 29)

Well for which water-level measurement made in October and November 2015 was used as control—Number corresponds to map well number in table 1, and station names (Sh:J-001, for example) identify wells shown on figure 5

DAVIS

Mississippiembayment

Base from U.S. Geological Survey 1:24,000 and Mississippi River Commission 1:62,500 quadranglesNorth American Datum of 1983

260

160160

170

190

200

180

170

190

200

180

170170

180180

Fa:R-002

Sh:J-001

Sh:P-076

Sh:O-001

Sh:Q-001

230230

240240

250250

220220210210

200200190190

150150

210210

73

74

40

38

18

2

106

105

103

100

99

9897

9492

91

8580

83

78

71

66 67

64

62

59

565

55

53

52

51

44

42

31

3063

27

20

16

14

69

25

13

3

1

4

12

87

21

48

89

90

61

60

32

29

9

7 116

240240

190

250

240

250

260

270

230

240

250

260

270

230

230220

230

Figure 4. Altitude of the potentiometric surface of the Memphis aquifer in the Memphis area, Tennessee, October and November 2015.

265

270

275

280

150160

170

180

190

200

160

180

200

220

160170

180

190

200

210

210

220

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250

220

260

140

210

1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

Mon

thly

wat

er le

vel,

in fe

et b

elow

land

sur

face

Well Fa:R-002well depth: 365 feet

Well Sh:Q-001well depth: 384 feet

Well Sh:P-076well depth: 488 feet

Well Sh:O-001well depth: 434 feet

Well Sh:J-001well depth: 334 feet

908070

60

5040307060

50

40

30

20

10

140

120

100

80

60

160

120

110

100

90

80

70

50

55

45

40

35

Mon

thly

wat

er le

vel,

in fe

et a

bove

Nat

iona

l Geo

detic

Ver

tical

Dat

um o

f 192

9

stratigraphic horizons. The Memphis Sand is present in the subsurface throughout the Memphis area and ranges from about 650 to 900 feet (ft) in thickness.

The Memphis Sand constitutes the Memphis aquifer. Confining clay beds above and below the aquifer create artesian conditions within the aquifer in much of the Memphis area; however, several studies have identified areas where the overlying Jackson-upper Claiborne confining unit is thin or absent (Graham and Parks, 1986; Parks, 1990; Bradley, 1991; Parks and others, 1995). Recharge to the Memphis aquifer from infiltration of rainfall occurs primarily east of the eastern limit of the Jackson-upper Claiborne confining unit (fig. 1), but some recharge occurs locally where the confining unit is thin or absent.

Potentiometric-Surface Maps Four potentiometric-surface maps for the Memphis aquifer (figs. 1–4) were prepared using water-level

measurements made in about 60 wells during the fall of 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2015 in the Memphis area (table 1). Generally, the same wells or nearby, alternate wells are measured as part of this water-level network. Access to some of the wells was not possible every year, however, and over time some of the network wells have been abandoned and filled, resulting in some areas not having water-level measurements. Most of the measurements were made each year within about a 4-week period between late September to early November (table 1) when water levels usually are near their lowest for the year. Therefore, the potentiometric-surface maps represent low water-level conditions in the aquifer for these years. The water-level data used as control points are available through the USGS National Water Information System web interface (USGS, 2017a).

Prior to the onset of groundwater withdrawals from the Memphis aquifer in 1886, the potentiometric surface is interpreted to have been a smooth surface with a gentle downward slope to the west-northwest (Criner and Parks, 1976). Long-term water withdrawals from the aquifer since 1886 have created a large cone of depression in the

potentiometric surface, and several smaller cones of depression exist within the cone at municipal well fields in the Memphis area (figs. 1–4). The general direction of groundwater flow in the Memphis area is toward the center of the cone of depression in the Memphis aquifer located near the Mallory well field.

The shapes of the potentiometric surfaces from 2000 to 2015 are similar, but the altitude of water levels has changed in some parts of the Memphis area. Water levels have risen almost 30 ft from 2000 to 2015 in the center of the cone of the depression (figs. 1 and 4). Locally, in 2015, water levels were 20 ft higher at the Mallory, Morton, and Sheahan well fields and about 30 ft higher at the Allen well field than they were in 2000. Groundwater levels east of the McCord and Lichterman well fields have not shown consistent increasing or decreasing trends from 2000 to 2015.

Historical Water-Level ChangesHydrographs for selected wells show the varying degree to which long-term withdrawals from the Memphis

aquifer have affected water levels in the Memphis area (fig. 5). Water levels measured in wells within the large cone of depression in the potentiometric surface have declined substantially compared to those in wells in outlying areas, where smaller water-level declines have occurred. Because of the confined conditions of the Memphis aquifer throughout much of the Memphis area, the seasonal fluctuation in water levels recorded in these observation wells is primarily a result of seasonal differences in water use and pumping, rather than changes in aquifer response to seasonal recharge. The increases in water levels at the center of the cone of depression reflect changes in withdrawals from the Memphis aquifer, particularly at the well fields near the center of the cone. From 2000 to 2015, the average daily withdrawals for Shelby County decreased from about 188 to 142 Mgal/d (Dieter and others, 2017; USGS, 2017b). Water use in 2005 was 187 Mgal/d, which was similar to water use in 2000, but water use

decreased to 173 Mgal/d in 2010 (USGS, 2017b). Water-level data for the long-term observation wells can be accessed at the Memphis area groundwater-level network web page (USGS, 2017c).

Water levels in well Fa:R-002, located outside and northeast of the cone of depression (fig. 5), have declined from about 38 ft below land surface in 1949 to a maximum low water level of about 44 ft below land surface during 2012. After an initial decline in about 1953, water levels were relatively stable between about 1955 and 2000, with an average water level of about 40.5 ft below land surface. Since 2000, the average water level has been about 41.5 ft below land surface. The relatively recent decline (since about 2010) in water levels likely is the result of increases in groundwater withdrawals for irrigation near this well rather than withdrawals in the Memphis area.

Well Sh:Q-001 is located between well Fa:R-002 and the center of the cone of depression. Water levels in well Sh:Q-001 declined about 35 ft between 1940 and 2015 (fig. 5). The rate at which water levels were declining began to slow down in about 2002, with little to no additional long-term declines since that time.

Water levels near the center of the cone of depression in well Sh:P-076 declined about 70 ft from 1929 to 1975 (fig. 1). Between 1975 and 1995, water levels in this well did not decline and subsequently began a recovery of about 30 ft such that the net decline over the period of record is about 40 ft. Because of the age of this well, there is some question about the connection of the well screen to the Memphis aquifer and whether the water level in the well may be somewhat higher than the water level in the aquifer because of leakage of groundwater from shallower zones through the well casing. However, water levels at another observation well, Sh:O-212, at the Mallory well field also have risen by 30 to 40 ft over the same timeframe (USGS, 2017c).

Water-level data for wells located north (Sh:O-001) and south (Sh:J-001) of the center of the cone of depression indicate that water levels stabilized in the areas near these wells and that the cone has not expanded to the north and south. Water levels in well Sh:O-001 have not declined substantially since 1990, and water levels in well Sh:J-001 have not declined since about 2000 (fig. 5). At both wells, it appears that water levels have recovered somewhat from their period-of-record lows.

References

Bradley, M.W., 1991, Ground-water hydrology and the effects of vertical leakage and leachate migration on ground-water quality near the Shelby County landfill, Memphis, Tennessee: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 90–4075, 42 p.

Criner, J.H., and Parks, W.S., 1976, Historic water level changes and pumpage from the principal aquifers of the Memphis area, Tennessee: 1886–1975: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 76–67, 45 p.

Dieter, C.A., Linsey, K.S., Caldwell, R.R., Harris, M.A., Ivahnenko, T.I., Lovelace, J.K., Maupin, M.A., and Barber, N.L., 2017, Estimated use of water in the United States county-level data for 2015: U.S. Geological Survey data release, accessed February 27, 2018, at https://doi.org/10.5066/F7TB15V5.

Graham, D.D., and Parks, W.S., 1986, Potential for leakage among principal aquifers in the Memphis area, Tennessee: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 85–4295, 46 p.

Kingsbury, J.A., and Parks, W.S., 1993, Hydrogeology of the principal aquifers and relation of faults to interaquifer leakage in the Memphis area, Tennessee: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 93–4075, 18 p., 5 pls.

Maupin, M.A., Kenny, J.F., Hutson, S.S., Lovelace, J.K., Barber, N.L., and Linsey, K.S., 2014, Estimated use of water in the United States in 2010: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1405, 56 p.

Parks, W.S., 1990, Hydrogeology and preliminary assessment of the potential for contamination of the Memphis aquifer in the Memphis area, Tennessee: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 90–4092, 39 p.

Parks, W.S., Mirecki, J.E., and Kingsbury, J.A., 1995, Hydrogeology, ground-water quality, and source of ground water causing water-quality changes in the Davis well field at Memphis, Tennessee: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 94–4212, 58 p.

U.S. Geological Survey [USGS], 2017a, USGS groundwater data for Tennessee, in USGS water data for the Nation: U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information System database, accessed February 21, 2017, at https://doi.org/10.5066/F7P55KJN. [Groundwater data directly accessible at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/tn/nwis/gw.]

U.S. Geological Survey [USGS], 2017b, Water-use data available from USGS: U.S. Geological Survey database, accessed February 21, 2017, at https://water.usgs.gov/watuse/data/.

U.S. Geological Survey [USGS], 2017c, Memphis Area Groundwater-Level Network: U.S. Geological Survey Groundwater Watch web page, accessed February 21, 2017, at https://groundwaterwatch.usgs.gov/netmapT9L1.asp?ncd=MAL.

Table 1. Summary of groundwater-level measurements and groundwater-level altitudes in the Memphis aquifer, 2000–15.[NGVD 29, National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929; – , no measurement]

Map well number

(see figs. 1–4)

Site name

Land- surface altitude, in feet above

NGVD 29

Date

Depth below land

surface, in feet

Water- level

altitude, in feet above NGVD

29

Date

Depth below land

surface, in feet

Water- level

altitude, in feet above

NGVD 29

Date

Depth below land

surface, in feet

Water- level

altitude, in feet above

NGVD 29

Date

Depth below land

surface, in feet

Water- level

altitude, in feet above

NGVD 29

1 05N08E11CCA2 211 10/18/00 33.36 177.64 10/21/05 30.98 180.02 10/06/10 28.16 182.84 10/29/15 28.26 182.742 06N07E01DAD2 209 10/18/00 28.9 180.1 10/21/05 27.36 181.64 10/14/10 26.68 182.32 10/29/15 27.26 181.743 06N09E23AAB1 222 10/18/00 63.85 158.15 10/31/05 60.73 161.27 10/21/10 57.23 164.77 10/29/15 51.6 170.44 07N09E14BAC1 216 10/18/00 39.17 176.83 10/21/05 37.42 178.58 10/14/10 33.41 182.59 10/29/15 32.66 183.345 Ar:N-001 215 – – – 10/21/05 33.19 181.81 10/15/10 30.5 184.5 10/22/15 30.85 184.156 B0009 DESOTO 300 11/09/00 104.85 195.15 – – – 10/13/10 103.81 196.19 11/03/15 98.34 201.667 B0063 DESOTO 288 – – – – – – 10/13/10 93.04 194.96 11/03/15 87.73 200.278 B0068 DESOTO 285 11/03/00 107 178 – – – – – – – – –9 D0026 DESOTO 400 – – – – – – 10/14/10 139.05 260.95 11/03/15 150.67 249.33

10 D0046 Desoto 410 – – – 10/20/05 174.17 235.83 – – – – – –11 G0075 DESOTO 390 – – – – – – 10/14/10 178.7 211.3 11/03/15 179.17 210.8312 Ms:D-057 398 10/20/00 153.65 244.35 – – – 10/07/10 154.94 243.06 10/26/15 153.94 244.0613 Fa:R-002 317.2 10/11/00 41.98 275.22 09/27/05 40.66 276.54 10/05/10 41.53 275.67 11/05/15 42.46 274.7414 Sh:H-001 312 10/17/00 143.92 168.08 11/01/05 140.43 171.57 11/17/10 136.79 175.21 10/21/15 134.29 177.7115 Sh:H-008 305 – – – 10/20/05 142 163 – – – – – –16 Sh:J-001 240.5 10/17/00 68.36 172.14 09/29/05 69.56 170.94 10/06/10 67.15 173.35 10/27/15 62.36 178.1417 Sh:J-028 289 10/17/00 133.14 155.86 – – – 12/01/10 123.1 165.9 – – –18 Sh:J-030 295 – – – – – – – – – 10/21/15 119.64 175.3619 Sh:J-037 305 10/17/00 171.49 133.51 11/02/05 159.98 145.02 11/18/10 167.21 137.79 – – –20 Sh:J-070 298 10/18/00 129.12 168.88 10/20/05 125.71 172.29 11/17/10 122.13 175.87 10/29/15 119.25 178.7521 Sh:J-074 305 – – – – – – 11/18/10 133.8 171.2 10/29/15 132.9 172.122 Sh:J-075 303 10/18/00 136.12 166.88 10/20/05 133.98 169.02 – – – – – –23 Sh:J-097 280 10/17/00 159.44 120.56 – – – – – – – – –24 Sh:J-120 243 10/19/00 118.9 124.1 – – – – – – – – –25 Sh:J-126 234.5 10/17/00 92.28 142.22 09/29/05 86.93 147.57 10/06/10 78.96 155.54 10/27/15 67.59 166.9126 Sh:J-139 292 10/17/00 128.19 163.81 10/20/05 136.94 155.06 – – – – – –27 Sh:J-140 293 10/17/00 129.97 163.03 10/04/05 127.18 165.82 10/06/10 126.37 166.63 10/27/15 118.23 174.7728 Sh:J-230 272 – – – 10/31/05 116.77 155.23 – – – – – –29 Sh:K-021 295 10/12/00 144.83 150.17 11/01/05 133.73 161.27 – – – 10/24/15 125.55 169.4530 Sh:K-066 302.7 10/17/00 159.98 142.72 09/27/05 143.39 159.31 10/05/10 145.26 157.44 10/26/15 130.7 17231 Sh:K-072 252 10/13/00 83.47 168.53 09/27/05 75.16 176.84 11/15/10 72.5 179.5 11/02/15 68.19 183.8132 Sh:K-079 350 10/13/00 162.07 187.93 09/30/05 160.08 189.92 – – – 10/21/15 156.25 193.7533 Sh:K-120 UR-12 293 – – – 10/13/05 98.28 194.72 – – – – – –34 Sh:K-122 238 10/13/00 81.2 156.8 10/13/05 74.3 163.7 11/18/10 69.81 168.19 – – –35 Sh:K-138 280 10/19/00 133.91 146.09 – – – – – – – – –36 Sh:K-140 297 10/12/00 139.65 157.35 – – – – – – – – –37 Sh:K-165 272 – – – 11/02/05 100.32 171.68 – – – – – –38 Sh:L-013 301 10/16/00 115.3 185.7 10/19/05 107.25 193.75 11/17/10 105.07 195.93 10/28/15 105.77 195.2339 Sh:L-018 322 – – – 10/05/05 110.17 211.83 – – – – – –40 Sh:L-024 344 10/13/00 176.3 167.7 – – – 11/17/10 164.6 179.4 10/29/15 158 18641 Sh:L-026 353 – – – 10/19/05 180.5 172.5 – – – – – –42 Sh:L-039 345 10/16/00 157.95 187.05 09/29/05 150.65 194.35 10/05/10 153.07 191.93 10/26/15 148.91 196.0943 Sh:L-052 390 – – – 10/14/05 143.82 246.18 – – – – – –44 Sh:L-089 375 10/17/00 163.26 211.74 10/04/05 159.03 215.97 10/07/10 162.88 212.12 11/05/15 161.04 213.9645 Sh:L-105 UR-20 268 – – – 10/05/05 55.6 212.4 – – – – – –46 Sh:L-106 UR-21 283 – – – 10/18/05 77.06 205.94 – – – – – –47 Sh:L-107 UR-22 286 – – – 10/13/05 81.85 204.15 – – – – – –48 Sh:L-109 UR-24 295 – – – 10/14/05 67.83 227.17 – – – 11/03/15 67.83 227.1749 Sh:L-111 UR-25M 291 – – – 10/13/05 62.92 228.08 – – – – – –50 Sh:L-115 257 – – – 10/31/05 44.77 212.23 – – – – – –51 Sh:M-040 348 10/17/00 108.16 239.84 10/04/05 104.05 243.95 10/07/10 113.29 234.71 11/05/15 101.6 246.452 Sh:O-001 228.7 10/13/00 63.95 164.75 09/28/05 61.22 167.48 10/05/10 59.57 169.13 10/27/15 52.78 175.9253 Sh:O-029 265 10/17/00 123.47 141.53 10/05/05 118.92 146.08 10/20/10 117.76 147.24 10/27/15 107.96 157.0454 Sh:O-105 275 – – – 10/06/05 130.35 144.65 – – – – – –55 Sh:O-115 277 10/16/00 115.59 161.41 09/30/05 116.67 160.33 10/20/10 114.5 162.5 11/04/15 107.75 169.2556 Sh:O-204 257 10/19/00 132.47 124.53 – – – – – – – – –57 Sh:O-212 251 10/16/00 121.22 129.78 09/29/05 113.82 137.18 10/07/10 112.01 138.99 10/26/15 99.09 151.9158 Sh:O-231 251 – – – 10/20/05 114.1 136.9 – – – – – –59 Sh:P-001 299.8 10/11/00 128.54 171.26 09/29/05 125.12 174.68 10/05/10 125.1 174.7 10/26/15 118.27 181.5360 Sh:P-012 262 10/12/00 110.82 151.18 10/12/05 110.92 151.08 – – – 10/19/15 97.72 164.2861 Sh:P-037 252 – – – 10/19/05 85.46 166.54 – – – 10/23/15 84.68 167.3262 Sh:P-061 280 10/12/00 131.69 148.31 10/06/05 121.71 158.29 11/18/10 115.95 164.05 11/04/15 109.34 170.6663 Sh:P-076 286.7 – – – 09/29/05 118.89 167.81 10/06/10 117.8 168.9 10/26/15 109 177.764 Sh:P-085 293 10/11/00 120.05 172.95 09/28/05 114.28 178.72 10/05/10 110.24 182.76 10/26/15 109.08 183.9265 Sh:P-096 312 10/11/00 127.48 184.52 10/12/05 122.7 189.3 10/21/10 124.45 187.55 11/04/15 117.96 194.0466 Sh:P-113 301.5 10/19/00 153.24 148.26 09/30/05 150.44 151.06 10/05/10 151.85 149.62 10/27/15 139.67 161.867 Sh:P-128 290 – – – 10/12/05 143.74 146.26 – – – – – –68 Sh:P-131 247 10/12/00 98.19 148.81 10/20/05 91.29 155.71 – – – – – –69 Sh:P-143 229 – – – 10/12/05 78.68 150.32 11/18/10 72.83 156.17 10/20/15 67.87 161.1370 Sh:P-232 252 10/31/00 95.31 156.69 – – – – – – – – –71 Sh:Q-001 330.4 10/11/00 113.66 216.74 10/04/05 111.76 218.64 10/05/10 112.74 217.66 10/26/15 111.56 218.8472 Sh:Q-052 295 10/11/00 117.6 177.4 – – – – – – – – –73 Sh:Q-059 308 10/11/00 136.6 171.4 – – – 10/05/10 128.62 179.38 10/26/15 122.08 185.9274 Sh:Q-060 285 – – – 10/18/05 106.06 178.94 11/09/10 104.67 180.33 10/28/15 99.44 185.5675 Sh:Q-063 309 – – – 10/19/05 141.54 167.46 – – – – – –76 Sh:Q-069 280 10/11/00 98.45 181.55 10/20/05 108.75 171.25 – – – – – –77 Sh:Q-071 302 – – – 10/19/05 132.8 169.2 – – – – – –78 Sh:Q-075 305 10/11/00 88.62 216.38 10/11/05 87.12 217.88 10/22/10 87.44 217.56 10/28/15 87.12 217.8879 Sh:Q-081 317 10/11/00 125.57 191.43 09/28/05 122.58 194.42 11/09/10 121.59 195.41 – – –80 Sh:Q-126 250 10/17/00 45.33 204.67 10/22/10 41.03 208.97 10/22/10 41.11 208.89 10/28/15 40.97 209.0381 Sh:Q-188 393 – – – 10/12/05 165.51 227.49 – – – – – –82 Sh:Q-190 327 10/11/00 109.65 217.35 – – – – – – – – –83 Sh:Q-194 307 – – – – – – – – – 10/28/15 109.24 197.7684 Sh:R-015 342 10/10/00 80.34 261.66 – – – – – – – – –85 Sh:R-031 325 10/10/00 93.26 231.74 09/28/05 98.35 223.65 10/05/10 97.58 224.42 10/26/15 91.08 230.9286 Sh:R-041 370 – – – 10/31/05 145.78 224.22 – – – – – –87 Sh:R-048 332 – – – 09/28/05 66.72 265.28 – – – 11/03/15 68.4 263.688 Sh:R-051 272 – – – 09/27/05 25.3 246.7 – – – – – –89 Sh:R-052 298 – – – – – – – – – 11/05/15 57.02 240.9890 Sh:R-054 383 – – – 11/04/05 149.77 233.23 – – – 11/03/15 150.75 232.2591 Sh:T-017 330 10/16/00 154.47 175.53 09/27/05 138.13 191.87 10/20/10 137.86 192.14 10/22/15 137.27 192.7392 Sh:U-002 268.8 10/12/00 64.76 204.04 09/27/05 61.18 207.62 10/06/10 61.25 207.51 11/04/15 59.25 209.5193 Sh:U-007 270 10/12/00 56.68 213.32 09/28/05 53.13 216.87 10/20/10 54.88 215.12 – – –94 Sh:U-008 265 – – – – – – – – – 10/22/15 53.75 211.2595 Sh:U-015 240 10/16/00 98.77 141.23 09/29/05 88.84 151.16 – – – – – –96 Sh:U-022 300 10/12/00 126.79 173.21 – – – – – – – – –97 Sh:U-029 242 – – – – – – 10/21/10 90.36 151.64 10/20/15 76.27 165.7398 Sh:V-007 282 10/11/00 46.83 235.17 09/27/05 45.48 236.52 10/21/10 46.63 235.37 11/09/15 44.78 237.2299 Sh:V-009 273 10/12/00 60.74 212.26 09/28/05 57.4 215.6 10/20/10 58.13 214.84 11/02/15 56.34 216.63

100 Sh:V-024 375 – – – – – – – – – 10/20/15 140.68 234.32101 Sh:V-025 375 10/12/00 143.35 231.65 09/28/05 139.72 235.28 10/20/10 140.65 234.35 – – –102 Sh:V-268 291 – – – 10/12/05 83.63 207.37 – – – – – –103 Sh:W-003 279 10/10/00 22.47 256.53 09/27/05 21.55 257.45 10/05/10 22.48 256.53 11/05/15 22.61 256.4104 Sh:W-016 362 10/10/00 116.38 245.62 09/27/05 115.26 246.74 10/21/10 116.52 245.48 – – –105 Sh:W-030 300 – – – – – – – – – 11/05/15 43.06 256.94106 Tp:E-012 337 10/12/00 106.13 230.87 09/29/05 107.27 229.73 10/20/10 109.14 227.86 10/28/15 107.78 229.22

Prepared in cooperation with the City of Memphis, Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division