regional integrated science projects - opequon creek/shenandoah river basins agencies involved –...
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Regional Integrated Science Projects -Opequon Creek/Shenandoah River Basins
Agencies Involved – USGS Water, Geology, GIO/ Geography, and Biology Disciplines, US Environ-mental Protection Agency, US Department of Agriculture, Frederick, Clarke, and Warren Counties in Virginia, Jefferson and Berkeley Counties in West Virginia, the West Virginia Department of Environ-mental Protection and Bureau for Public Health, Interstate Commission for the Potomac River Basin, and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
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Historically water-quality issues have been the dominant concern in the region but recent increases in population and associated economic development have caused a shift in interest to issues related to water availability.
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Legacy Investigations
• Bieber, 1961, Hydrogeologic investigation of Jefferson and Berkeley Counties, WV
• Hobba et al, 1976 and 1981, Water quality assessments of Berkeley and Jefferson Counties, WV
• Kozar et al, 1991, follow up water quality investigation and tracer test studies Jefferson County, WV
• Shultz et al, 1995, follow up water quality investigation and tracer test studies Berkeley County, WV
• Wright et al, 1990, hydrogeologic and water-quality investigation of Clarke County, VA
• Mathes et al, 2000, investigation of septic impacts to ground water in Berkeley County, WV
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Recently Completed Investigations
• USGS WV WSC (COOP Funds) - Berkeley and Jefferson County fracture trace/lineament analysis projects.
• USGS WV WSC (COOP Funds) - Opequon Creek and Jefferson County baseflow seepage surveys.
• Leetown Hydrogeologic Assessment (Federal funds)- Refined the conceptual model of karst ground-
water flow in the region- Ground-water flow model developed for the Hopewell Run watershed. - Served as a methods development laboratory with transfer potential to the broader Great Valley.
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Recently Completed Investigations – Ground-Water Flow Models
• NRP (GWRP) – Richard Yager, Ithaca NY
Shenandoah Valley ground-water model at a scale of approximately 3,000 square miles.
• USGS WV/VA WSC (COOP/Eastern Region funds)
Opequon Creek ground-water model at a scale of approximately 300 square miles.
• USGS WV WSC (Federal funds)
Hopewell Run watershed ground-water flow model at a scale of 20 square miles.
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Geologic map of part of Berkeley County, WV showing fracture traces (red lines) and well yields (blue dots).
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Polar plot of fractures for a deep well in the Leetown area, WV
Rose diagram of fractures for Wells in the Leetown area, WV
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Ground-Water Component of Streamflow
*Base flow (ground-water discharge) can account for up to 90% of streamflow during drought
conditions.
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Ground-Water Component of Streamflow
Average Effective Recharge at Station 0163626650Manassas Run at Route 645 near Front Royal, VA
5.58
7.59
2.02
4.22
19.41
0
5
10
15
20
JAN-MAR APR-JUN JUL-SEP OCT-DEC YEAR
Recharge by Quarter
Inc
he
s p
er
ye
ar
2003-05Drainage area: 11.2 mi2
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Shenandoah Valley Ground-
Water Flow Model - Richard Yager, Ithaca NY
• Tested effect of steeply dipping structure and other variables on simulations of ground-water flow
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On-Going Investigations
• The USGS Geologic Discipline is continuing geologic mapping and AMT surface geophysics studies in the region.
• Funds from the USGS Eastern Region continue to fund research by USGS NRP scientists. – Niel Plummer - age dating of ground water.– Allen Shapiro - investigating fracture flow
processes in karst.– John Lane – testing new surface geophysical
techniques for assessing karst aquifers.
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On-Going Investigations - Continued
• Hydrogeologic Investigations in Clarke, Frederick, and Warren County Virginia are continuing.
• USGS COOP projects have funded numerous gaging stations and monitoring wells in the region.
• Funds from the USGS Eastern Region also continue to support ground-water modeling efforts in the Opequon Creek watershed.
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Data presented in this table is preliminary and subject to revision
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Data presented in this table is preliminary and subject to revision
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Challenges We Face
• Data – At present there is a lack of data for development of quantitative transient ground-water flow models.
• Additional Data Needs – a) Determine depth of active flow, b) collect synoptic water-levels and streamflow data, c) determine aquifer storage, and d) continue to investigate conduit and fracture flow interactions.
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Future Plans• Continue research to better understand mechanisms
controlling ground-water flow. - Ground-water flow at depth- Conduit and fracture-flow interactions
• Collect additional streamflow/water level data for model calibration. - Additional stream gages/monitor wells being
installed. - Synoptic water level measurements at different
hydrologic conditions. • Develop transient ground-water flow models of the
Opequon Creek and Shenandoah Valley (Front Royal north to the Potomac River) watersheds.