Water resources of Pulaski and Saline Counties, Arkansas

Abstract

Pulaski and Saline Counties constitute an area of 1,506 square miles in the geographic center of Arkansas. The area is divided into a hilly western part, known as the Interior Highlands, and a relatively flat eastern part, known as the Coastal Plain. In the Interior Highlands, surface water offers greater possibilities than ground water for water supplies. Alum Fork, Middle Fork, and North Fork of the Saline River offer excellent impoundment possibilities and will yield water of good quality. In addition, with storage, many of the smaller streams are suitable for development of small supplies. In contrast, in the Coastal Plain it is easier to develop ground water than surface water in relatively large quantities. Two aquifers, units 3 and 9, yield as much as 350 and 2,000 gallons per minute of water, respectively. A third acquifer, unit 7, is as yet relatively undeveloped in the project area, but yields 860 gallons per minute to a well south of the project area. These aquifers yield water that, with treatment, is suitable for most uses.

Altitude of the potentiometric surface in the Mississippi River Valley alluvial aquifer, spring 2020

“…Previously published potentiometric-surface maps for a large part of the MRVA include maps from water levels measured from 1953 to 1961 (Krinitzsky and Wire, 1964), for 1964 (Boswell and others, 1968), and for 2016 and 2018 others, 2019, 2020). Previously published potentiometric-surface maps for parts of the MRVA include maps for the Grand Prairie region in Arkansas in 1929, 1939, and 1959(Engler and others, 1963 and selected counties in northeast and central Arkansas in 1965and 1966(Albin and others, 1967Plebuch and Hines, 1967); the entire aquifer area in Arkansas for 1972, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1992, 1994, 1998, 2002, and 2012(Ackerman, 1989Edds and Fitzpatrick, 1984;Joseph, 1999;Plafcan and Edds, 1986;Plafcan and Fugitt, 1987;Plafcan and Remsing, 1989;Reed, 2004;Schrader, 2001Schrader, , 2010Schrader, , 2015Stanton and others, 1998;Westerfield, 1990;Westerfield and Gonthier, 1993;Westerfield and Poynter, 1994); the aquifer area in northwestern Mississippi for various years including 1976including , 1980including , 1981including , 1982including , and 1983including (Dalsin, 1978…”

Altitude of the potentiometric surface in the Mississippi River Valley alluvial aquifer, spring 2018

“…Previously published potentiometric-surface maps for a large part of the MRVA aquifer include maps from water levels measured from 1953 to 1961 (Krinitzsky and Wire, 1964), for 1964 (Boswell and others, 1968), and for 2016(McGuire and others, 2019. Previously published potentiometric-surface maps for parts of the MRVA aquifer include maps for the Grand Prairie region in Arkansas in 1929, 1939, and 1959(Engler and others, 1963 and selected counties in northeast and central Arkansas in 1965and 1966(Albin and others, 1967Plebuch and Hines, 1967); the entire aquifer area in Arkansas for 1972, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1992, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, and 2012(Ackerman, 1989Edds and Fitzpatrick, 1984;Plafcan and Edds, 1986;Plafcan and Fugitt, 1987;Plafcan and Remsing, 1989;Westerfield, 1990;Westerfield and Gonthier, 1993;Westerfield and Poynter, 1994;Stanton and others, 1998;Joseph, 1999;Reed, 2004;Schrader, 2001Schrader, , 2010Schrader, , 2015; the aquifer area in northwestern Mississippi for various years including 1976including , 1980including ...…”

Potentiometric surface of the Mississippi River Valley alluvial aquifer, spring 2016

“…Previously published potentiometric surface maps for a large part of the MRVA aquifer include ones from water levels measured from 1953 to 1961 (Krinitzsky and Wire, 1964) and for 1964 (Boswell and others, 1968). Previously published potentiometric surface maps for parts of the MRVA aquifer include ones for the Grand Prairie region in Arkansas in 1929, 1939, and 1959(Engler and others, 1963 and selected counties in northeast and central Arkansas in 1965and 1966(Albin and others, 1967Plebuch and Hines, 1967); the entire aquifer area in Arkansas for 1972, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1992, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, and 2012(Ackerman, 1989Edds and Fitzpatrick, 1984;Plafcan and Edds, 1986;Plafcan and Fugitt, 1987;Plafcan and Remsing, 1989;Westerfield, 1990;Westerfield and Gonthier, 1993;Westerfield and Poynter, 1994;Stanton and others, 1998;Joseph, 1999;Reed, 2004;Schrader, 2001Schrader, , 2010Schrader, , 2015; the aquifer area in northwestern Mississippi for various years including 1976including , 1980including , 1981including , 1982including , and 1983including (Dalsin, 1978…”