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Geohydrologic characteristics and simulated response to pumping stresses in the Sparta aquifer in East-Central Arkansas

Water-Resources Investigations Report 88-4201
By: , and 

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Abstract

A finite difference digital model of the Sparta aquifer system in Arkansas was developed to aid in assessing the geohydrologic characteristics of the aquifer as well as the impact of withdrawals on water-level declines in the aquifer. The model consists of two layers. The Cockfield aquifer, represented by layer 1, was modeled as a constant head surface. The Sparta aquifer is represented by layer 2. The base of the Sparta aquifer was modeled as a no-flow boundary. The model boundaries to the north, south, and east in Mississippi were represented by specified heads, while boundaries to the west in Louisiana were represented as no flow. The model period of 1989 to 1985 was divided into 25 stress periods. Appropriate aquifer withdrawals were assigned to each stress period. Calibrated hydraulic conductivities of the Sparta aquifer, ranged from 1 to 35 ft/day. Calibrated hydraulic vertical conductivities of the Cook Mountain confining unit ranged from 0.0003 to 0.000009 ft/day. The calibrated storage coefficient of the aquifer was 0.0001. More than 80% of the recharge to the aquifer came from vertical leakage and from direct recharge on the outcrop. Greater than 90 % of outflow from the aquifer was from pumpage or leakage to rivers. Theoretical pumping schemes to the year 2005 indicated that virtually no change to the potentiometric surface occurred when 1985 pumping rates were extended to 2005. Doubling of pumpage over the entire study area resulted in additional water-level declines of up to 130 ft. 

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Geohydrologic characteristics and simulated response to pumping stresses in the Sparta aquifer in East-Central Arkansas
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 88-4201
DOI 10.3133/wri884201
Year Published 1990
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Description Report: vi, 50 p.; 16 Plates
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