This report contains the results of an October 2001 seepage investigation conducted along a reach of the Escalante River in Utah extending from the U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging station near Escalante to the mouth of Stevens Canyon. Discharge was measured at 16 individual sites along 15 consecutive reaches. Total reach length was about 86 miles. A reconnaissance-level sampling of water for tritium and chlorofluorcarbons was also done. In addition, hydrologic and water-quality data previously collected and published by the U.S. Geological Survey for the 2,020-square-mile Escalante River drainage basin was compiled and is presented in 12 tables. These data were collected from 64 surface-water sites and 28 springs from 1909 to 2002. None of the 15 consecutive reaches along the Escalante River had a measured loss or gain that exceeded the measurement error. All discharge measurements taken during the seepage investigation were assigned a qualitative rating of accuracy that ranged from 5 percent to greater than 8 percent of the actual flow. Summing the potential error for each measurement and dividing by the maximum of either the upstream discharge and any tributary inflow, or the downstream discharge, determined the normalized error for a reach. This was compared to the computed loss or gain that also was normalized to the maximum discharge. A loss or gain for a specified reach is considered significant when the loss or gain (normalized percentage difference) is greater than the measurement error (normalized percentage error). The percentage difference and percentage error were normalized to allow comparison between reaches with different amounts of discharge. Previous Studies Records of surface-water discharge data for the following USGS stream gages (station number in parentheses) in the Escalante River drainage basin are published in the following USGS Water-Supply Papers

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Hydrologic data were collected in Washington and Iron Counties, Utah, from 1995 to 1997 to better understand the hydrologic system. Data from earlier years also are presented. Data collected from wells include well-completion data, water-level measurements, and physical properties of the water. Data collected from springs and surface-water sites include discharge and physical properties of the water. Selected water samples collected from ground-and surface-water sites were analyzed for isotopes, chlorofluorocarbons, and dissolved gases. INTRODUCTION This report contains hydrologic data collected in Washington and Iron Counties, Utah, from 1995 to 1997, as well as data from earlier years. The study area is in the southwestern corner of Utah and includes all of Washington County west of the Hurricane Fault and the southern part of Iron County. The area is about 1,900 ry mi and includes both the Basin and Range and the Colorado Plateau physiographic provinces described by Fenneman (1931). Population in this area has increased by more than 160 percent from 1980 through 1995 (Utah State Data Center, 1991, 1997). Both full-time and winter residents are attracted to the area, known as "Utah's Dixie," because the climate is warmer there than in the rest of the State. The greatest challenge to further growth is the limited water resources because the climate is so dry. The largest constraint on development of additional residential areas and commercial activities is water supply. Surface water in the area drains from the central Virgin River drainage basin and is fully appropriated. The need for increased groundwater withdrawals prompted the Utah Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water Rights, to initiate a 4-year study of the groundwater resources of the area in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey and the Washington County Water Conservancy District. Data were collected to better understand the hydrologic system in the area and to assess the effects of increased groundwater withdrawals on groundwater levels, discharge from springs, surface-water flows, and water quality. This report documents hydrologic data collected as part of the central Virgin River basin area groundwater study. Groundwater data were collected from existing wells and springs and from new wells completed by private owners, developments, and municipalities during 1995-97. For comparison, this report also provides data from earlier years, some of which were published previously by Cordova (1972, 1978) and Budding and Sommer (1986).

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