Stream-water and groundwater quality in and near the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Tribal Jurisdictional Area, Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, 2012-13

Summary of U.S. Geological Survey studies conducted in cooperation with the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, central Oklahoma, 2011–14

“…This report summarizes highlights of previously published USGS scientific investigations reports of historical hydrologic data and estimates of water resources and gaps in existing data (Andrews and others, 2013), groundwater and surface-water quality (Becker, 2014), and simulations of groundwater and surface-water flow systems (Ryter and others, 2015) in a 960-square-mile area of central Oklahoma. The CPN wanted these types of information to better understand the hydrologic resources of lands that their Nation owns and of surrounding areas.…”

“…Becker (2014) provided an updated assessment of surface-water and groundwater quality; sampling described in that report was conducted for constituents that had not been analyzed in previous studies and in areas not previously sampled. A total of 4 stream sites were sampled repeatedly, and 30 wells were sampled once in the study area from 2012 to 2013 (Becker, 2014; tables 1 and 2). Water-quality data collected from those sites can be downloaded from the USGS National Water Information System (U.S. Geological Survey, 2015).…”

“…There was no specific pumping rate desired for the Iron Horse Industrial Park-the objective of the simulation for that EDZ was to determine the amount of groundwater that could be sustainably withdrawn at that site. Water quality also was of interest at the Iron Horse Industrial Park because stream water in this area contains more total dissolved solids and chlorides, nitrogen, and organic compounds than the groundwater in these alluvial deposits (Becker, 2014); therefore, the volume of stream water entering the Iron Horse Industrial Park well field was estimated. Groundwater drawdown around the pumping wells and effects on streamflow in the North Canadian River were evaluated over the entire transient model period of 21 years; thus, the pumping rates were conservative and were less than short-term pumping rates that could be achieved by cycling pumping rates from several wells.…”

“…Characteristics of 30 wells sampled in and near the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Tribal Jurisdictional Area, central Oklahoma, 2012-13 (modified fromBecker, 2014). [ID, identifier; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; NAVD 88, North American Vertical Datum of 1988; GBWG, Garber-Wellington aquifer; ALVM, alluvial aquifer; TTRC, terrace aquifer; CCGA, Chase, Council Grove, and Admire Groups;VNSS, Vanoss Formation] …”

Numerical simulation of groundwater flow, resource optimization, and potential effects of prolonged drought for the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Tribal Jurisdictional Area, central Oklahoma

“…Plans for expansion of the Iron Horse Industrial Park have not set a specific water requirement, so the objective for that EDZ was to determine the total available groundwater at the site. Water quality was also an issue of concern for the Iron Horse Industrial Park, and stream water in this area has been found to contain more dissolved solids and chlorides, nitrogen, and organic compounds than the groundwater in alluvial deposits (Becker, 2014); thus, the amount of stream water entering the Iron Horse Industrial Park well field was a concern.…”