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Scientific Investigations Report 2008–5044

**U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY  Scientific Investigations Report 2008–5044**

# Predevelopment Water-Level Contours for Aquifers in the Rainier Mesa and Shoshone Mountain area of the Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada

**Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Site Office, Office of Environmental Management under Interagency Agreement, DE-A152-07NA28100  By Joseph M. Fenelon, Randell J. Laczniak, and Keith J. Halford**

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## Table of Contents

Conversion Factors and Datums

Abstract 

Introduction

Methods

Water-Level Contours

Regional-Flow Depiction and Implications

Summary

References Cited

Appendix 1. Water Levels Measured in the Rainier Mesa and Shoshone Mountain Area, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada, 1957–2007. 

Appendix 2. Mean Water Levels, Well Characteristics, and Water-Level Remarks for Wells Used to Develop Water-Level Contours in the Rainier Mesa and Shoshone Mountain Area, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada.

Appendix 3. Hydrostratigraphic Units and Subsurface Hydrologic Unit Types for Wells in the Rainier Mesa and Shoshone Mountain Area, as Projected From Hydrostratigraphic Framework Models, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada.

## Figures

Figure 1. Major geologic, topographic, and physiographic features of the Rainier Mesa and Shoshone Mountain area, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada.

Figure 2. Location of boreholes with water-level measurements that were used to develop water-level contours in the Rainier Mesa and Shoshone Mountain area, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada.

Figure 3. Aquifer and confining unit classification system used to conceptualize ground-water flow in the Rainier Mesa and Shoshone Mountain area, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada.

Figure 4. Correlation of subsurface hydrologic unit types (SHUT) and hydrostratigraphic units (HSU) for the Rainier Mesa and Shoshone Mountain area, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada.

Figure 5. Example from appendix 1 Excel workbook showing water levels that were analyzed in well “UE-8e (2295 ft)”, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada.

Figure 6. Example from appendix 3 Excel workbook showing hydrostratigraphic units and their relation to water level and open intervals in well “UE-8e (2295 ft)”, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada.

Figure 7. North-south and west-east sections through the Rainier Mesa and Shoshone Mountain area, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada showing distribution of subsurface hydrologic unit types (upper sections) and designations of continuous and isolated aquifers (lower sections).

Figure 8. Predevelopment water-level altitudes and contours for continuous volcanic aquifers and distribution of isolated volcanic aquifers in the Rainier Mesa and Shoshone Mountain area, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada.

Figure 9. Alternative interpretations of predevelopment water-level altitudes and contours for continuous upper carbonate aquifers and distribution of isolated upper carbonate aquifers in the Rainier Mesa and Shoshone Mountain area, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada.

Figure 10. Predevelopment water-level altitudes and contours for continuous lower carbonate aquifers in the Rainier Mesa and Shoshone Mountain area, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada. 

Figure 11. Tributary ground-water flow systems and general directions of ground-water flow in the Rainier Mesa and Shoshone Mountain area, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada.

## Tables

Table 1. Water-level data and well characteristics for wells used to develop water-level contours in the Rainier Mesa and Shoshone Mountain area, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada.

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Send questions or comments about this report to the author, **J.M. Fenelon**, (702) 564-4605.

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U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey  URL: http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2008/5044  Page Contact Information: Publications TeamPage Last Modified: Thursday, 10-Jan-2013 18:49:41 EST