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Ground-water conditions and potential for artificial recharge in Lucerne Valley, San Bernardino County, California

Water-Resources Investigations Report 78-118
Prepared in cooperation with the Mohave Water Agency
By:
https://doi.org/10.3133/wri78118

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Abstract

The water level in two areas of Lucerne Valley has declined more than 100 feet since 1917, including 60 feet from 1954 to 1976. These declines are the result of pumping for the irrigation of alfalfa. The lowering of water levels has caused many shallow domestic wells to go dry.

Well yields in the valley generally are between 10 and 1,000 gallons per minute. About 240,000 acre-feet of ground water was extracted between 1950 and 1976. About 1,750,000 acre-feet remains in storage.

Water of poor quality underlies the valley around Lucerne Lake. There was no definable movement of this water from 1954 to 1976, but the possibility exists for future movement toward centers of pumping.

Lucerne Valley may be hydrologically suitable for artificial-recharge operations. Preliminary data suggest an area in T. 4 N., R. 1 E. as suitable for artificial recharge that would benefit most of the areas affected by the water-level declines. Detailed investigation is needed before recharge operations are begun.

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Ground-water subbasins and geology
  • Occurrence, movement, and use of ground water
  • Ground-water quality
  • Water-level declines and associated problems
  • Potential for artificial recharge to alleviate water-level declines
  • Future investigations
  • Summary and conclusions
  • References cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Ground-water conditions and potential for artificial recharge in Lucerne Valley, San Bernardino County, California
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 78-118
DOI 10.3133/wri78118
Year Published 1979
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Description iv, 37 p.
Country United States
State California
County San Bernardino County
Other Geospatial Lucerne Valley
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Additional publication details