thumbnail

Potentiometric Surfaces, 2011–12, and Water-Level Differences Between 1995 and 2011–12, in Wells of the “200-Foot,” “500-Foot,” and “700-Foot” Sands of the Lake Charles Area, Southwestern Louisiana

Scientific Investigations Map 3460
Prepared in cooperation with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/sim3460

Links

Abstract

Water levels were determined in 90 wells to prepare 2011–12 potentiometric surfaces focusing primarily on the “200-foot,” 500-foot,” and “700-foot” sands of the Lake Charles area, which are part of the Chicot aquifer system underlying Calcasieu and Cameron Parishes of southwestern Louisiana. These three aquifers provided 34 percent of the total water withdrawn and 93 percent of the groundwater withdrawn in Calcasieu and Cameron Parishes in 2012 (84.5 million gallons per day [Mgal/d]). This work was completed by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, to assist in developing and evaluating groundwater-resource management strategies. The highest water levels determined in wells screened in the “200-foot,” “500-foot,” and “700-foot” sands were about 8 feet (ft) above the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD 29), 2 ft below NGVD 29, and 14 ft below NGVD 29, respectively, and were located in northwestern Calcasieu Parish. The lowest water levels determined in wells screened in the “200-foot,” “500-foot,” and “700-foot” sands were approximately 50, 80, and 70 ft below NGVD 29, respectively, and were located in the southern Lake Charles metropolitan area, to the west of Prien Lake, and between the cities of Lake Charles and Sulphur, respectively. The primary groundwater flow direction in these three aquifers was radially towards pumping centers overlying the water-level lows. Comparisons of water-level differences in 42 wells measured in 1995 and 2011–12 indicated that the maximum increases in water levels for wells screened in the “200-foot,” “500-foot,” and “700-foot” sands were approximately 7, 31, and 19 ft, respectively. Water-level increases coincided with a decline in total groundwater withdrawals during the period (about 25 Mgal/d from 1995 to 2012) from these sands. More specifically, withdrawals from the “500-foot” sand affected water levels in wells screened in the “200-foot” and “700-foot” sands because the three are hydraulically connected and withdrawals from the “500-foot” sand were greater by volume than withdrawals from the “200-foot” and “700-foot” sands.

Suggested Citation

White, V.E., and Griffith, J.M., 2020, Potentiometric surfaces, 2011–12, and water-level differences between 1995 and 2011–12, in wells of the “200-foot,” “500-foot,” and “700-foot” sands of the Lake Charles area, southwestern Louisiana: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Map 3460, 4 sheets, 11-p. pamphlet, http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/sim3460.

ISSN: 2329-132X (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Hydrogeologic Setting
  • Methods
  • Potentiometric Surfaces and Water-Level Differences in Wells of the “200-Foot” Sand
  • Potentiometric Surfaces and Water-Level Differences in Wells in the “500-Foot” Sand
  • Potentiometric Surfaces and Water-Level Differences in Wells in the “700-Foot” Sand
  • Summary
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Potentiometric surfaces, 2011–12, and water-level differences between 1995 and 2011–12, in wells of the “200-foot,” “500-foot,” and “700-foot” sands of the Lake Charles area, southwestern Louisiana
Series title Scientific Investigations Map
Series number 3460
DOI 10.3133/sim3460
Year Published 2020
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Louisiana Water Science Center, Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center
Description Pamphlet: viii, 11 p.; 4 Sheets: 32.00 x 28.00 inches or smaller
Country United States
State Louisiana
Other Geospatial Lake Charles area
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details