Date of Graduation

Fall 2014

Degree

Master of Science in Geospatial Sciences

Department

Geography, Geology, and Planning

Committee Chair

Charles Rovey II

Abstract

Regional planners often express concern that the Southwest Missouri water-supply capacity will soon be exceeded and that the main (Ozark) aquifer is insufficient to handle increased demand. Base-flow recession data from six watersheds in Greene County were analyzed with three hydrograph-analysis packages (PART, RECESS, RORA). This analysis indicates that annual recharge to the upper aquifers in this area is approximately 6-10 inches. Two USGS observation wells and a City Utilities of Springfield pumping well were used to calculate hydraulic properties of the confining unit and the Ozark aquifer using both analytical (AQTESOLV) and digital models (Visual MODFLOW). Leakance (vertical hydraulic conductivity divided by thickness) of the Ozark Confining Unit, was estimated to range from approximately 5 x 10-7 day-1 to 4 x 10-8 day-1, depending primarily on thickness of the confining unit. Leakance was then used to calculate a weighted mean of leakage rates into the lower confined Ozark aquifer using ESRI Arc Map 10.0. With current water levels, leakage (recharge) to the confined Ozark aquifer was estimated to be between 0.11 and 0.20 inches year-1. Together, these results will help to inform regulators and planners on recharge rates into the Ozark Aquifer under varying conditions, as well as the potential magnitude of sustainable ground-water pumpage in southwest Missouri.

Keywords

Groundwater, Recharge, Leakage, Aquifer, Practical Yield, Greene County Missouri

Subject Categories

Fresh Water Studies | Hydrology | Water Resource Management

Copyright

© Emily C. Austin

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