Hydrology of the Beryl-Enterprise area, Escalante Desert, Utah, with emphasis on ground water

Groundwater depletion in the United States (1900−2008)

“…The aquifer system in this area consists of saturated unconsolidated to semi-consolidated valley fill. Large declines in water-table levels resulted from groundwater development in the region (Mower, 1982).…”

“…Average yearly pan evaporation in the nearby Milford area during April through October (1953-78) was 198 cm. The hydrology of the Beryl-Enterprise area of the Escalante Desert is described in detail by Mower (1982).…”

“…With improved irrigation systems installed by 1977, irrigation efficiency increased and the irrigation losses to these factors decreased to about 20 percent. Direct infiltration on the valley floor from precipitation is negligible, except when already saturated irrigated land allows downward movement of the precipitation (Mower, 1982). Another significant source of recharge to the area occurs through lateral subsurface inflow.…”

“…27) indicate that annual withdrawals remained small and fairly constant until 1945, when they sharply increased to 0.11 km 3 /yr by 1974 (Christiansen, 2002). Improved irrigation systems after 1974 reduced the amount of groundwater withdrawals in the region (Mower, 1982). From the late 1980s to 2000, withdrawals averaged approximately 0.10 km 3 /yr (Christiansen, 2002).…”

“…31). A two-dimensional groundwater-flow model for the Beryl-Enterprise area of the Escalante Valley was developed (Mower, 1982) using the model of Trescott and others (1976). The transient simulation represents the years from 1937 to 1977, and the simulation period is divided into five stress periods of irregular duration.…”