Electrical analog model study of water in the Yabucoa Valley, Puerto Rico; Phase 1, collecting preliminary data and assembling available data

Geochemical properties and saline-water intrusion in the Valle de Yabucoa alluvial aquifer, southeastern Puerto Rico

“…The value for evapotranspiration in the Valle de Yabucoa may be similar to this amount, which is less than the reported annual pan evaporation. The 40 percent value is in agreement with previous studies of the hydrology of the area (Anders, 1971;Robison and Anders, 1973), which assumed that evapotranspiration was about 50 percent of precipitation.…”

“…Harbor Ridge is a major subsurface feature in the underlying bedrock topography that strongly influenced the geology and hydrology of this part of the valley and affected the amount of sand deposited in the overlying alluvium. According to Anders (1971), the southern half of the ridge is close to the surface, and the thickness of the overlying alluvium there is less than 3 m. From about its midpoint, the ridge declines to the northeast. Near the Cano de Santiago, the crest of the ridge is about 15m below sea level and only about 9 m above the adjacent ancestral valley floor.…”

“…The hydrogeology of the Valle de Yabucoa alluvial aquifer has been previously described by Anders (1971) and Robison and Anders (1973). These studies were conducted when the main economic activity in the valley was the growing and processing of sugar cane and prior to the construction of the major industries now operating in the valley.…”

“…According to Anders (1971), topographic relief on this ancient surface is known to exceed 12 m in a horizontal distance of less than 150 m at some places, but even greater relief may occur elsewhere. Excluding the effect of the buried ridges and taking the alluviated valley as a whole, these topographic irregularities may not be exceptionally important hydrologically.…”

“…These studies were conducted when the main economic activity in the valley was the growing and processing of sugar cane and prior to the construction of the major industries now operating in the valley. Anders (1971) gives a detailed description of factors that influence the hydrogeology of the area. Robison and Anders (1973) report on the results of an analog model that was constructed to simulate the effects of long-term pumping.…”