Aquifer storage-change monitoring in the Big Chino Subbasin, Yavapai County, Arizona (2024)

Summary of study findings (Kennedy and others, 2019):

• Small decreases in groundwater storage were observed throughout the study area from 2010 to 2017.
• The last major groundwater recharge event (when groundwater levels rose regionally in response to prolonged precipitation) was winter 2004-2005.
• During the 2010–2017 period, groundwater levels declined most rapidly in the upland area to the west of Big Chino Wash. The highest rates of decline were near the center of the study area around Walnut Creek, with smaller declines near the northern and southern extents. Groundwater-level declines were also widespread in the Paulden area and to a lesser extent in the Williamson Valley Wash area.
• Based on relatively large water-level changes accompanied by small storage changes, water levels at several locations in the Paulden and Big Chino Water Ranch areas appear to represent semi-confined aquifers.
  

Monitoring Sites

Sites used in this study are shown in the interactive map at the upper right. Continuous groundwater-level monitoring is ongoing at 5 locations (blue markers), and streamgaging at 4 locations (red markers). Repeat microgravity data is collected at 33 stations (yellow markers).

Additonal Site Information and Data

Groundwater-Level Monitoring Sites

• B-18-02 20DBB [PILOTS REST]
• GIPE WELL (SRP MONITORING WELL)
• B-18-03 26BBC1 [WINEGLASS RANCH]
• B-19-04 10CCB2 [WMW 3]
• B-19-04 05ABA1
• B-20-04 33CBD2 [WMW 2]

Streamgaging Sites

• DEL RIO SPRINGS NEAR CHINO VALLEY, AZ
• BIG CHINO WASH AT PAULDEN, AZ
• VERDE RIVER NEAR PAULDEN, AZ
• WILLIAMSON VALLEY WASH NEAR PAULDEN, AZ

Repeat Microgravity Sites

• Repeat microgravity data collected from 2001-2017 at 33 stations are available in a data release.

This dataset contains absolute-gravity measurements made using an A-10 absolute gravity meter (Micro-g Lacoste, Inc.) between 2009 and 2017 in the Big Chino Subbasin, Yavapai County, Arizona. Measurements were made about 3 times per year at a total of 33 different stations. Data are presented in tabular form, including relevant parameters used for processing. Data were output by g software (Micro-

By

A geochemical characterization of groundwater in the Big Chino subbasin of Arizona was conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the City of Prescott, the Town of Prescott Valley, and the Salt River Project, to understand groundwater evolution through the study area and the source of water to springs along the gaining reach of the Verde River just downstream from its confluence

Authors

Kimberly R. Beisner, Casey J. R. Jones

By

The Big Chino subbasin is located in central-northwest Arizona in the transition zone between the Colorado Plateau and the Basin and Range Province. The controlled source audio-frequency magnetotelluric (CSAMT) geophysical method, a low-impact, non-intrusive, electrical resistance sounding technique, was used to evaluate the subsurface hydrogeology of the southern third of the Big Chino subbasin.

Authors

Jamie P. Macy, Bruce Gungle, Jon P. Mason

By

We use synoptic surveys of stream discharge, stable isotopes, and dissolved noble gases to identify the source of groundwater discharge to the Verde River in central Arizona. The Verde River more than doubles in discharge in Mormon Pocket over a 1.4 km distance that includes three discrete locations of visible spring input to the river and other diffuse groundwater inputs. A detailed study of th

Authors

Kimberly R. Beisner, W. Payton Gardner, Andrew G. Hunt

By

The upper and middle Verde River watersheds in central Arizona are primarily in Yavapai County, which in 1999 was determined to be the fastest growing rural county in the United States; by 2050 the population is projected to more than double its current size (132,000 in 2000). This study combines climatic, surface-water, ground-water, water-chemistry, and geologic data to describe the hydrogeologi

Authors

Kyle W. Blasch, John P. Hoffmann, Leslie F. Graser, Jeannie R. Bryson, Alan L. Flint

By

No abstract available.

Authors

Ed DeWitt, V. E. Langenheim

Summary of study findings (Kennedy and others, 2019):

• Small decreases in groundwater storage were observed throughout the study area from 2010 to 2017.
• The last major groundwater recharge event (when groundwater levels rose regionally in response to prolonged precipitation) was winter 2004-2005.
• During the 2010–2017 period, groundwater levels declined most rapidly in the upland area to the west of Big Chino Wash. The highest rates of decline were near the center of the study area around Walnut Creek, with smaller declines near the northern and southern extents. Groundwater-level declines were also widespread in the Paulden area and to a lesser extent in the Williamson Valley Wash area.
• Based on relatively large water-level changes accompanied by small storage changes, water levels at several locations in the Paulden and Big Chino Water Ranch areas appear to represent semi-confined aquifers.
  

Monitoring Sites

Sites used in this study are shown in the interactive map at the upper right. Continuous groundwater-level monitoring is ongoing at 5 locations (blue markers), and streamgaging at 4 locations (red markers). Repeat microgravity data is collected at 33 stations (yellow markers).

Additonal Site Information and Data

Groundwater-Level Monitoring Sites

• B-18-02 20DBB [PILOTS REST]
• GIPE WELL (SRP MONITORING WELL)
• B-18-03 26BBC1 [WINEGLASS RANCH]
• B-19-04 10CCB2 [WMW 3]
• B-19-04 05ABA1
• B-20-04 33CBD2 [WMW 2]

Streamgaging Sites

• DEL RIO SPRINGS NEAR CHINO VALLEY, AZ
• BIG CHINO WASH AT PAULDEN, AZ
• VERDE RIVER NEAR PAULDEN, AZ
• WILLIAMSON VALLEY WASH NEAR PAULDEN, AZ

Repeat Microgravity Sites

• Repeat microgravity data collected from 2001-2017 at 33 stations are available in a data release.

This dataset contains absolute-gravity measurements made using an A-10 absolute gravity meter (Micro-g Lacoste, Inc.) between 2009 and 2017 in the Big Chino Subbasin, Yavapai County, Arizona. Measurements were made about 3 times per year at a total of 33 different stations. Data are presented in tabular form, including relevant parameters used for processing. Data were output by g software (Micro-

By

A geochemical characterization of groundwater in the Big Chino subbasin of Arizona was conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the City of Prescott, the Town of Prescott Valley, and the Salt River Project, to understand groundwater evolution through the study area and the source of water to springs along the gaining reach of the Verde River just downstream from its confluence

Authors

Kimberly R. Beisner, Casey J. R. Jones

By

The Big Chino subbasin is located in central-northwest Arizona in the transition zone between the Colorado Plateau and the Basin and Range Province. The controlled source audio-frequency magnetotelluric (CSAMT) geophysical method, a low-impact, non-intrusive, electrical resistance sounding technique, was used to evaluate the subsurface hydrogeology of the southern third of the Big Chino subbasin.

Authors

Jamie P. Macy, Bruce Gungle, Jon P. Mason

By

We use synoptic surveys of stream discharge, stable isotopes, and dissolved noble gases to identify the source of groundwater discharge to the Verde River in central Arizona. The Verde River more than doubles in discharge in Mormon Pocket over a 1.4 km distance that includes three discrete locations of visible spring input to the river and other diffuse groundwater inputs. A detailed study of th

Authors

Kimberly R. Beisner, W. Payton Gardner, Andrew G. Hunt

By

The upper and middle Verde River watersheds in central Arizona are primarily in Yavapai County, which in 1999 was determined to be the fastest growing rural county in the United States; by 2050 the population is projected to more than double its current size (132,000 in 2000). This study combines climatic, surface-water, ground-water, water-chemistry, and geologic data to describe the hydrogeologi

Authors

Kyle W. Blasch, John P. Hoffmann, Leslie F. Graser, Jeannie R. Bryson, Alan L. Flint

By

No abstract available.

Authors

Ed DeWitt, V. E. Langenheim