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The potential for saltwater intrusion in the Potomac aquifers of the York-James Peninsula, Virginia

Water-Resources Investigations Report 98-4187
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https://doi.org/10.3133/wri984187

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Abstract

The most productive aquifers of the Virginia Coastal Plain are in the Potomac Formation. Water supplies in the Potomac aquifers are impaired, however, by saltwater in some areas. A two-dimensional, densitydependent, solute-transport model was used to investigate saltwater movement in the Potomac aquifers and the potential for saltwater intrusion or upward migration of saltwater. The model was designed to represent a simplified section of the Potomac aquifers and associated confining units near Lee Hall, Va. Solute-transport simulations show that the direction of ground-water flow and the hydrogeologic properties, particularly the permeability of aquifers and the distribution of confining sediments in the Potomac Formation, control the system hydrodynamics and saltwater movement in the Potomac aquifers. The simulations indicate lateral intrusion for the Lower Potomac aquifer near Lee Hall, Va. Velocity vectors of the simulations indicate that a hypothetical, but typical, production well in the Middle Potomac aquifer could induce upconing only within the immediate vicinity of the well. Migration of saltwater from the Middle and Lower Potomac aquifers east of the hypothetical well also was indicated by the simulations.

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Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title The potential for saltwater intrusion in the Potomac aquifers of the York-James Peninsula, Virginia
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 98-4187
DOI 10.3133/wri984187
Year Published 1999
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Description iv, 24 p.
Country United States
State Virginia
Other Geospatial York-James Peninsula
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