Cuyama Valley


Cuyama Valley Water Availability: Multiple-Well Monitoring Sites

The CVKR borehole was drilled to a depth of 1,003.5 feet below land surface (ft bls) using direct mud-rotary drilling techniques. Drill cuttings were collected throughout the drilling process and a core sample was collected from the bottom of the borehole to determine the lithology. To assist in the identification of lithologic and stratigraphic units, geophysical logs were collected from the borehole prior to well construction in accordance with the protocols established by the USGS National Field Manual (U.S. Geological Survey, variously dated, book 2). Four 2-inch-diameter wells, were installed with screened intervals from 960 to 980 (CVKR-1), 760 to 780 (CVKR-2), 600 to 620 (CVKR-3), and 440 to 460 (CVKR-4) ft bls. A filter pack of #3 sand was installed around each screen and a low-permeability bentonite grout was placed between the filter packs to vertically isolate each of the wells. Installation of multiple wells within a single borehole allows for analysis of the hydrologic properties of discrete vertical zones within the multiple-aquifer system.



Map of multiple-aquifer monitoring-well site, selected supply and irrigation wells, and surface-water water-quality collection sites Cuyama Creek and Reyes Creek, Cuyama Valley, California.

Location of multiple-aquifer monitoring-well site (CVKR), selected supply and irrigation wells, and surface-water water-quality collection sites Cuyama Creek and Reyes Creek, Cuyama Valley, California.



Diagram of well construction, summary lithology, and geophysical log data from multiple-well monitoring site CVKR, Cuyama Valley, California.

Well construction, summary lithology, and geophysical log data from multiple-well monitoring site CVKR, Cuyama Valley, California. Abbreviations: VF, very fine; F, fine; M, medium; C, coarse; VC, very coarse.



Water-level hydrograph from multiple-well monitoring site CVKR from March 1, 2009 to March 20, 2011, Cuyama Valley, California.

Water-level hydrograph from multiple-well monitoring site CVKR from March 1, 2009 to March 20, 2011, Cuyama Valley, California.

Cooperators

Prepared in cooperation with Santa Barbara County Water Agency


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Publications

Hanson, R.T., Flint, L.E., Faunt, C.C., Gibbs, D.R., and Schmid, W., 2014,
Hydrologic models and analysis of water availability in Cuyama Valley, California: U.S Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2014-5150, 150 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/sir20145150.
Hanson, Randall T., and Sweetkind, Donald, 2014,
Cuyama Valley, California hydrologic study—An assessment of water availability: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2014-3075, 4 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/fs20143075.

Contacts

Claudia C. Faunt, Ph.D., P.E.
Program Chief, Groundwater Availability and Use Assessments
U.S. Geological Survey
California Water Science Center
4165 Spruance Road, Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92101
619.225.6100
ccfaunt@usgs.gov

Matthew Scrudato
Senior Hydrologist
Santa Barbara County Public Works Department
620 West Foster Road
Santa Maria, CA 93455
mscruda@cosbpw.net