Regional hydrodynamics of the proposed high-level nuclear-waste repository sites in the Texas Panhandle

Modeling regional salinization of the Ogallala aquifer, Southern High Plains, TX, USA

“…7) and decreased vertical leakance in the Whitehorse Group. This region of upward flow in the Whitehorse Group is consistent with the pressure data presented by Bair (1987) and the existence of near-surface salt-dissolution zones ( Gustavson et al, 1980). Furthermore, chemical analyses indicate that brines in the Rolling Plains, east of the Caprock Escarpment, have a shallow meteoric origin rather than a deep-basin origin (Richter and Kreitler, 1986).…”

“…The thickest San Andres carbonate bed in the Palo Duro basin, the informally named "unit 4 carbonate", yielded 0.35-2 m 3 day Ϫ1 of brine during drill-stem testing and long-term pumping (Dutton and Orr, 1986). Near-hydrostatic pressures exist in the San Andres Formation at depths of 790-927 m (6.76-9.03 MPa) (Dutton and Orr, 1986), but at greater depths, the San Andres Formation and Clear Fork Group show appreciable underpressuring, leading to potential downward cross-formational flow (Bair, 1987). Several reasons for underpressuring have been proposed and discussed by Bair (1987).…”

“…Near-hydrostatic pressures exist in the San Andres Formation at depths of 790-927 m (6.76-9.03 MPa) (Dutton and Orr, 1986), but at greater depths, the San Andres Formation and Clear Fork Group show appreciable underpressuring, leading to potential downward cross-formational flow (Bair, 1987). Several reasons for underpressuring have been proposed and discussed by Bair (1987). An overall eastward flow is inferred for the San Andres Formation on the basis of a potentiometric surface map derived from equivalent freshwater heads (Bair, 1987).…”

“…Several reasons for underpressuring have been proposed and discussed by Bair (1987). An overall eastward flow is inferred for the San Andres Formation on the basis of a potentiometric surface map derived from equivalent freshwater heads (Bair, 1987). Mehta et al (2000) mapped the Carson-Gray Counties plume, using chloride and sulfate data from existing records.…”

Variable‐density flow in the midcontinent basins and arches region of the United States

“…Regional groundwater flow patterns in hydrologically mature (nonsubsiding) sedimentary basins are primarily controlled by topographic (pressure-related) driving forces, fluiddensity-related driving forces, and lateral and vertical variations in hydraulic conductivity. Many conceptual, theoretical, and field studies have been performed documenting the effects of pressure-related driving forces [Toth, 1963[Toth, , 1978 Hitchon, 1969a; Bair, 1987] and the effects of variations in hydraulic conductivity on regional flow patterns [Freeze and Witherspoon, 1967;Hitchon, 1969b;Bair, 1989]. A few studies have been performed documenting the effects of fluid-densityrelated driving forces on regional flow patterns [Hubbert, 1940; Jorgensen et al, 1982; Davies, 1989; Senger and Fogg, 1990a, b; Williamson et al, 1990; Senger, 1993].…”