Major hydrostratigraphic contacts of the Truxton basin and Hualapai Plateau, northwestern Arizona, developed from airborne electromagnetic data

Abstract

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Gravity surveys and depth to bedrock in the Truxton basin, northwestern Arizona

“…The gravity high to the southeast of the Hurricane Fault is in an area mapped largely as Tertiary sedimentary deposits, similar to the area around Truxton, but alluvium is likely very thin based on the high gravity values in this area. Therefore, the subsurface extent of basin fill in Truxton valley appears to be smaller than the surface extent, and the thickest intervals of basin fill appear to occupy only a relatively small part of the basin north and west of Truxton-an interpretation supported by airborne electromagnetic data (Ball, 2020). Alternatively, the gravity high southeast of the Hurricane Fault may be caused all or in part by bedrock density heterogeneity, as the inverted bedrock density does indicate higher values in this area (fig.…”

“…The gravity data are complementary to the airborne electromagnetic data (Ball, 2020) as they are sensitive to different properties of the subsurface. Both methods depend on a property contrast-a density contrast for gravity data and an electrical conductivity contrast for airborne electromagnetic data.…”

Groundwater availability in the Truxton basin, northwestern Arizona

“…A three-dimensional, numerical groundwater-flow model of the Truxton basin was developed to evaluate the current conceptual understanding of the Truxton basin groundwater system and estimate potential effects of projected groundwater withdrawals on groundwater levels and storage in the basin. The Truxton Basin Hydrologic Model (TBHM) was developed using previously published data as well as a new improved hydrostratigraphic framework (Ball, 2020). Processes simulated in the model include groundwater recharge, groundwater withdrawals from pumping, groundwater discharge to springs, 3,000-6,000 n/a n/a 3,000-6,000 2,550-4,500 500-1,500 n/a 3,000-6,000 eastern Hualapai Plateau 2,500-5,500 n/a n/a 2,500-5,500 2,000-4,000 500-1,500 n/a 2,500-5,500…”

“…Mason, Bills, and others (2020) details the geology and hydrology of the study area. Kennedy (2020) and Ball (2020) describe new geophysical data collected to improve the hydrostratigraphic framework necessary for estimating the total storage of the Truxton aquifer and to improve simulation of the groundwater system. Kennedy (2020) presents the results of a Truxton basin gravity survey.…”

“…Kennedy (2020) presents the results of a Truxton basin gravity survey. Ball (2020) describes the acquisition, processing, and interpretation of an airborne electromagnetic survey of the Truxton basin and Hualapai Plateau. Knight (2020) documents the development of a transient groundwater-flow model of the Truxton aquifer both on and off the reservation, including details on model construction and calibration.…”