U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

INTRODUCTION

The Evangeline aquifer is a source of fresh ground water in south-central Louisiana (fig.1). In 2000, about 22 Mgal/d was withdrawn from the aquifer,
primarily for public supply and industrial use (Sargent, 2002). Although the quality of water in the Evangeline aquifer generally is excellent for public supply,
the aquifer has not been extensively developed, primarily because the overlying Chicot aquifer system has provided adequate quantities of water for public
supply and irrigation at shallower depths (Whitfield, 1975). However, water withdrawals from the Evangeline aquifer increased during the period 1980 to 2000
(fig. 2). Furthermore, withdrawals from the Evangeline aquifer in south-central Louisiana increased about 48 percent (15.2 to 22.5 Mgal/d) during the period
1995 to 2000 (Lovelace, 1991; Sargent, 2002). Most of this increase, more than 5 Mgal/d, was for public supply. In 2000, almost 15 Mgal/d (67 percent) was
used for public supply; 5.8 Mgal/d (26 percent) by industry; and the remaining 1.7 Mgal/d (7 percent) primarily for irrigation and domestic purposes.

Heavy pumping from the overlying Chicot aquifer system, primarily for irrigation, directly affects water levels in the Evangeline aquifer in some areas
of south-central Louisiana (Martin and Whiteman, 1985). Water-level declines in the Chicot aquifer system and other aquifers in south-central Louisiana could
result in additional development of the Evangeline aquifer in the future. In 2003, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Louisiana Department of
Transportation and Development, began a study to describe the potentiometric surface of the Evangeline aquifer in this area.

This report presents maps and data that describe the potentiometric surface of the upper sand beds (less than 1,350 ft below land surface NGVD 29) of
the Evangeline aquifer for the period January-March 2004. The potentiometric-surface map can be used to determine ground-water flow direction, hydraulic
gradients, and effects of withdrawals on water levels in the aquifer. Hydrographs of water levels from selected wells screened in the Evangeline aquifer and the
overlying Chicot aquifer system also are shown. This information is needed by water-resource planners and managers to determine the effects of increased
withdrawals and to plan for the future development of this resource.

93°45" 93°30" 93°15" 93°00" 92°45" 92°30" 92°15" 92°00"

31°15" | aula

Alexandria

¥

7)
3100} xt
x
ae EVANGELINE “(~--~-~>~
be DeRidder @ : Oakdale 5
30°45" > 4
BEAUREGARD
we EE LY EGG) LIE Of ar

ACADIA

JEFFERSON }
DAVIS. 4, Crowley _j~"
ef LAFAYETTE:

30°15" J

Prepared in cooperation with the
LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT

Office of Public Works and Intermodal
Public Works and Water Resources Division

SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS MAP 2880
Potentiometric Surface--SHEET 1 OF 1

Fendick, R.B., dr., 2005, Louisiana Ground-Water Map No. 21:
Generalized Potentiometic Surface of the Evangeline Aquifer in South-Central Louisiana, January-March 2004

Mealfed en Offeed Map of Lousna, Depatunent of Transportain und Devehpment 186
° 10 20 MILES
f ee ARKANSAS
° 10 20 KILOMETERS & & “ey,
2%,
EXPLANATION a Saree hy,
lm BOUNDARY OF STUDY AREA 1.3 WATER-WITHDRAWAL SITE Shows with- -. i a
drawals, in million gallons per day at site
@ withdrawing 0.5 million gallons per day
mmm BOUNDARY OF FRESHWATER- Shows, ‘or more. Some sites include multiple wells

extent of freshwater in the Evangeline
aquifer (Martin and Whiteman, 1985)

(B.P. Sargent, U.S. Geological Survey,
written commun., 2004)

INDEX MAP

Figure 1. Study area and water-withdrawal sites for the Evangeline aquifer in south-central Louisiana, 2000.

Description of Study Area

The study area (fig. 1) includes the area where the Evangeline aquifer contains freshwater in south-central Louisiana. The area comprises about
7,420 mi? and includes all of Beauregard, Allen, and Evangeline Parishes; the northernmost parts of Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis, and Acadia Parishes; western
St. Landry Parish; and the southernmost parts of Vernon, Rapides, and Avoyelles Parishes. The largest population centers utilizing the Evangeline aquifer are
located in DeRidder (population 9,800), Ville Platte (8,100), and Oakdale (8,100) (U.S. Census Bureau, 2000). Much of the study area is forested, and industry
in the area primarily consists of the manufacturing of lumber and paper products. Rice is the primary crop grown in areas along the eastern and southem

boundaries of freshwater in the Evangeline aquifer (fig. 1).

The climate in south-central Louisiana is humid and subtropical. The average temperature in the study area was about 67°F in 2003 or 0.3°F below the
30-year (1971-2000) average of 67.3°F. The average rainfall was about 51 in., which was 7 in. below the 30-year average of 58.0 in. (Elizabeth Mons Sanders,

Louisiana Office of State Climatology, written commun., 2004).

Acknowledgments

The cooperation of officials of municipalities, industry, and private well owners participating in the data collection process is greatly appreciated.
Special thanks to Mr. Zahir “Bo” Bolourchi, Chief, Public Works and Water Resources Division, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
(DOTD), for providing water well registration data and assistance in the publication of this report.

CONVERSION FACTORS AND DATUMS

Multiply By To obtain
inch (in) 25.4 millimeter (mm)
foot (ft) 0.3048 meter (mm)

foot per mile (fv’mi) 0.1894 meter per kilometer (mm/km)
foot per year (ft/yr) 0.3048 meter per year (m/yr)

mile (mi) 1,609 kilometer (km)

square mile (mi) 2.590 square kilometer (km?)
million gallons per day (Mgal/d) 3,785 cubic meter per day (m3)

25
EXPLANATION ; ; a WATER-LEVEL TRENDS
z mi One: System Series Aquifer or confining unit
fe} 20- Water levels in the Evangeline aquifer appear to be relatively stable or have increased slightly over the past 3 years (2001-2004), after a
=| > ol declining trend the previous 3 years (1998-2000). The trend is shown in the hydrograph for well Al-269 (fig. 5), located in Allen Parish
Sa (fig. 4). Drought conditions occurred throughout the State during the period 1998-2000 with an average annual rainfall of 47.9 in. in the
z a 15} [i Public Supply Quaternary | Pleistocene Chicot aquifer sytem — Table 1. Water-level data used to construct the potentio- study area, during the 3-year period (Jay Grymes, Louisiana Office of State Climatology, written commun., 2002). The increase in water
gj a or surficial confining unit metric-surface map of the Evangeline aquifer in south- levels over the past 3 years may be due to a return to more normal rainfall amounts (average annual rainfall of 62.9 in. during 2001-03). The
= g central Pouisiens: Jamuary-Marett 2004. hydrograph for well Ev-691 (fig. 6) shows water-level declines of about 0.2 ft/yr for the period 1973-2001. Insufficient water-level data are
= q [NGVD 29, National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929; NAD 83, North available to determine any trends since 2001. Well Ev-691 is located in northeast Evangeline Parish (fig. 4).
z gS 10 American Datum of 1983; NAD 27, North American Datum of 1927]
ray Fs L Hipeene Evangeline aquifer As mentioned previously, heavy pumping from the overlying Chicot aquifer system, primarily for irrigation, directly affects water
E elt frestiany 3 or surficial confining unit levels in the Evangeline aquifer in some areas of south-central Louisiana (fig. 4). Seasonal pumping for rice irrigation typically occurs from
5 - aad Altitude cf February through June, causing water-level declines in the Chicot aquifer system (Lovelace and others, 2002). This seasonal pumping trend
_ Re hut is af wented level, ie tie tugs in hydrographs of wells Al-269 (fig. 5) and Al-241 (fig. 7), may indicate a hydraulic connection exists between the Evangeline
0 Cover rk conn wit numer matted "MOSS" NOwD!3 Zot —_ aa
Acadia Parish
1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 Ac-335L 1-05-04 24.55 -44.71 NAD 83
Figure 2. Water withdrawals from the Evangeline aquifer in south-central Louisiana, 1980-2000 Figure 3. Partial hydrogeologic column of aquifers and aquifer systems in central Allen Parish o T T T T T T T T T T T
(from B.P. Sargent, U.S. Geological Survey, written commun., 2004). and southwestern Louisiana (modified from Lovelace and Lovelace, 1995, p. 10). AL 138 2-18-04 105.0 29.75 NAD 8S Well depth: 660 feet | !
Al-2411 1-07-04 42.97 9.47 NAD 27 a \ Drought \
Al- 243 3-30-04 70.0 -12.85 NAD 27 u 3) ear —— ——_ 7
Al- 258 2-10-04 105.0 43.23 NAD 83 i
HYDROGEOLOGY Al-261 1-07-04 135.0 85.65 NAD 83 = 5 aa | | 4
, ; ; ; , ; ; , ; , —. ; Al-269 1-07-04 45.0 -7.28 NAD 27 wuz | |
The Evangeline aquifer of Pliocene and Miocene age is overlain by the Chicot aquifer system of Pleistocene age, and underlain by the Castor Creek confining unit of Miocene age Al-330 3-10-04 59.0 16.19 NAD 83 a = |
(fig. 3). According to Nyman (1989, p. 13), “The top of the Evangeline aquifer and base of the Chicot aquifer system are considered essentially the same surface.” The Evangeline aquifer Al-365 3-09-04 115.0 26.91 NAD27 = Oo 6b ct
consists primarily of a deltaic sequence of fine-to-medium sand interbedded with silt, soft to moderately hard greenish-gray laminated clay, and local beds of coarse sand (Whitfield, 1975). Al-387 3-26-04 69.0 -34.65 NAD 27 5 uw | |
Al- 391 3-30-04 124.0 100.74 NAD 27 We | I
Locally, sand beds within the Evangeline aquifer are separated and confined by extensive clay beds. These sand beds are usually less than 50 ft thick, but may be as thick as 100 ft or Al 4323-10-04 61.0 -3.40 NAD 83 S) n * | 7
more in some localized areas. Generally, however, the sand beds are interconnected sufficiently so they function regionally as one aquifer (Whitfield, 1975). The aquifer pinches out and Al- 436 3-10-04 41.0 -0.55 NAD83 Eu |
subcrops beneath the Chicot aquifer system and other overlying aquifers in the northern part of the study area (fig. 4), and no surface exposures of the Evangeline aquifer are known. The Avoyelles Parish Bz “to + | |
Evangeline aquifer ranges in thickness from 0 ft at the northern edge of the subcrop area to more than 2,000 ft along the southern limit of freshwater (Martin and Whiteman, 1985). The base Av-166 3-09-04 76.0 22.23 NAD 27 = | | 1
of freshwater in the Evangeline aquifer ranges from 0 to 2,200 ft below NGVD 29 (Whitfield, 1975). Av-309 2-04-04 65.0 19.97 NAD 27 1
Beauregard Parish 12 ; — : - ; - - | - - ,
The Evangeline aquifer is recharged by rainfall which has moved downward through overlying aquifers (Rollo, 1960, p. 39). This water then moves downgradient toward lower altitudes in Be-377 1-15-04 83.0 70.95 NAD 27 1983 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
the coastal plain. Be-410 2-24-04 200.0 100.37 NAD 27 YEAR
Be- 451 2-18-04 201.0 103.83 NAD 27
POTENTIOMETRIC SURFACE Be-505 1-09-04 181.0 142.70 NAD 27 Figure 5. Water levels in well Al-269, screened in the Evangeline aquifer, 1993-2004.
Be- 512 1-07-04 142.0 62.30 NAD 27
The potentiometric-surface map (fig. 4) shows generalized contours of water-level altitudes in the Evangeline aquifer in south-central Louisiana. In this area, the sand beds of the upper Be-531 2-10-04 86.0 71.75 NAD 83
part of the aquifer contain substantial amounts of freshwater and are more extensively pumped, whereas the lower sand beds contain brackish or saline water. The map was constructed by Calcasieu Parish
using water-level data (table 1) from 52 wells screened in various sand beds in the upper part of the Evangeline aquifer. Water levels were measured during January-March 2004 by using Cu-802 3-11-04 80.0 2.20 NAD 27 G5) | a Se tp
either a steel or electric tape. Wells in which water levels were measured were not being pumped at the time of measurement. Cu-1231 3-11-04 75.0 “3.27 NAD 27 a une
Evangeline Parish ini]
Water levels in the Evangeline aquifer ranged from about 262 ft above NGVD 29 to about 74 ft below NGVD 29. The highest water level, 262.06 ft above NGVD 29, was measured in Ev-301 1-09-04 120.0 29.30 NAD 83 a & 40h 4
well V-8807Z, located in Vernon Parish, in the subcrop area of the Evangeline aquifer. The two lowest water levels measured were more than 70 ft below NGVD 29 and were located in Ev-474 1-05-04 40.0 $8.95 NAD 27 male
southern Evangeline Parish near Ville Platte and Mamou (fig. 4 and table 1); some of the largest withdrawals from the Evangeline aquifer occur in this area (fig. 1). Figure 1 also shows areas = = ee er Pie NAD 83 w2
5 ° aT : A ve + 75. 49 -NAD83
where largest withdrawals (greater than one-half million gallons per day) from pumping occurred in 2000. Ev-669 1.09.04 fiz 2779 + NAD83 $ 5 call ]
Water in the Evangeline aquifer moves from areas of higher hydraulic head to areas of lower hydraulic head, and the direction of flow is perpendicular to the potentiometric contours. Be = a ae ae he if 6 2
Flow in the aquifer is generally toward the south and southeast and toward pumping centers, such as southern Evangeline Parish near Ville Platte and Mamou (fig. 4). Gradients are generally ’ : i -
highest in the recharge area and near pumping centers, ranging from about 8 to 20 ft/mi. The lowest gradients are in northern Evangeline and west-central Beauregard Parishes (fig. 4). Evie: e244 eon “S28S [NARS S i
a e pee Ev- 801 1-09-04 125.0 25.48 NAD 8&3 EK sor 4
Ev-804 3-24-04 67.0 -39.68 NAD 83 5z
93°45" 93°30" 93°15" 93°00" 92°45" 92°30" 92°15" 92°00" Ev-839 1-07-04 70.0 -49.03 NAD 27 <
. Ev- 857 1-13-04 60.0 -7416 NAD83 hot fon ee oe " | | \ | i
31°15" Aornaty ! ¢ Ev-858 2-04-04 50.0 59.02 NAD 83 25 SS
ss Ve! Ev- 965 4-07-04 65.0 56.26 NAD83 1973 1976 1979 1982 1985 1988 1991 1994 1997 2000 2003
VERNON RAPIDES AAVOYELLE S Ev-1053 3-30-04 - i -70.48 NAD 83 YEAR
Con ° R-1189 3-30-04 135.0 64.98 NAD 27 Figure 6. Water levels in well Ev-691, screened in the Evangeline aquifer, 1973-2004.
\ R-1253 3-31-04 160.0 96.93 NAD 83
R-1405 2-13-04 65.0 34.67 NAD27 20
R-1408 3-30-04 200.0 106.89 NAD 27 u U ! u T u ' T uy T T
St. Landry Parish Well depth: 62 feet | |
31°00" -— SL-202 1-05-04 60.0 -10.46 NAD 83 jz. 18 4
SL- 220 1-08-04 65.0 6.95 NAD 27 Us
SL- 265 1-15-04 53.7 -27.41 NAD 27 ml (2) 16 -|
SL- 432 3-9-04 65.0 -34.00 NAD 27 lomo}
eae Say > SL-435 3-26-04 70.0 -17.39 NAD 27 B= a4 J
SL-436 1-14-04 65.0 -7.69 NAD27 = yu |
SL-626 1-14-04 30.0 -3.60 NAD 83 Toe) a |
Vernon Parish 2 = | 7
. V- 493 2-18-04 170.0 153.02 NAD 83
ee V-627 2-10-04 200.0 188.86 NAD 63 5 PH 10 S
—_ V- 652 1-15-04 210.0 147.11 NAD 27 =e
V-8807Z_2-27-04 350.0 262.06 __NAD 83 z 8 | | 4
‘Well screened in the Chicot aquifer system. | |
6 H 1 L 1 i L n i Ll n 1
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997. 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
YEAR
30°30°

30°15"

© age

H%Oif_f lez. =

CALCASIEU.

~

_.. JEFFERSON

i 4 Crowley i” Lafayette
| DANIS ss? ACADIA” {LAFAYETTE

*

Lake Charles

Modified from Official Map of Louisiana, Department of Transportation and Development. 1986

E NATION o 10 20 MILES
REA! = 1
(MR ssuscrop AREA << ee! A eee recent s % oni fateaiarcee

BOUNDARY OF FRESHWATER Shows extent
sama —Of freshwater in the Evangeline aquifer (Martin

Figure 7. Water levels in well Al-241, screened in the Chicot aquifer system, 1993-2004.

SELECTED REFERENCES

Jones, P.H., Turcan, A.N., Jr., and Skibitzke, H.E., 1954, Geology and ground-water resources of
southwestern Louisiana: Louisiana Department of Conservation Geological Bulletin no. 30, 285 p.

Lovelace, J.K., 1991, Water use in Louisiana, 1990: Louisiana Department of Transportation and
Development Water Resources Special Report no. 6, 131 p.

Lovelace, J.K., Fontenot, J.W., and Frederick, C.P., 2002, Louisiana ground-water map no. 14:
Potentiometric surface, January 2001, and water-level changes, June 2000 to January 2001, of the

Chicot aquifer system in southwestern Louisiana: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources
Investigations Report 02-4088, 2 sheets.

Lovelace, J.K., and Lovelace, W.M., 1995, Hydrogeologic unit nomenclature and computer codes for
aquifers and confining units in Louisiana: Louisiana Department of Transportation and
Development Water Resources Special Report no. 9, 12 p.

Maher, J.C., 1940, Ground-water resources of Rapides Parish, Louisiana: Louisiana Department of

Nyman, D.J., 1989, Quality of water in freshwater aquifers in southwestern Louisiana: Louisiana
Department of Transportation and Development Water Resources Technical Report no. 42, 22 p.
Rogers, J.E., 1981, Water resources of the Kisatchie well-field area near Alexandria, Louisiana:

Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, Office of Public Works Water Resources
Technical Report no. 26, 57 p.

Rollo, J. R., 1960, Ground water in Louisiana: Louisiana Department of Conservation and Department of
Public Works Water Resources Bulletin 1, 84 p.

Sargent, B.P., 2002, Water use in Louisiana, 2000: Louisiana Department of Transportation and
Development Water Resources Special Report no. 15, 133 p.

Smoot, C.W., and Fendick, R.B., Jr., 1998, Hydrogeology and water resources of the Alexandria area,
Rapides Parish, Louisiana: Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Water
Resources Technical Report no. 63, 36 p., 1 pl.

Temperature in degrees Fahrenheit (°F) may be converted to degrees Celsius (°C) as follows: °C = (°F-32)/1.8

Vertical coordinate information in this report is referenced to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD 29)--a geodetic
datum derived from a general adjustment of the first-order level nets of both the United States and Canada.

Horizontal coordinate information in this report is referenced to the North American Datum of 1927 (NAD 27) and 1983 (NAD 83).

and Whiteman, 1885)

— 20: = POTENTIOMETRIC CONTOUR- Shows altitude
‘at which water level would have stood in
tightly cased wells. Dashed where
approximately located. Contour interval
20 feet. Vertical datum is NGVD 29

£V.801 CONTROL POINT- Shows locstion and
e number of well used for contouring
Potentiometric eurtace

4.269 WELL WITH HYDROGRAPH- Shows location
e and number of well for which a
hydrograph is shown (figures 5-7)

Conservation Geological Bulletin no. 17, 100 p.

Martin, Angel, Jr., and Whiteman, C.D., Jr., 1985, Generalized potentiometric surface of the
Evangeline and equivalent aquifers in Louisiana, 1980: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources

Investigations Report 84-4359, 1 sheet.

U.S. Census Bureau, 2000, State and county quick facts: accessed July 23, 2004, at URL
http://www.census.gov/census.2000/states/la.html

Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development - U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources Cooperative Program

az USGS

science for a changing world

Figure 4. Generalized potentiometric surface of the Evangeline aquifer in south-central Louisiana, January-March 2004.

Louisiana Ground-Water Map No. 21:
Generalized Potentiometic Surface of the Evangeline Aquifer
in South-Central Louisiana, January-March 2004
By

Robert B. Fendick, Jr.
2005

McWreath, H.C., III, and Smoot, C.W., 1989, Geohydrology and development of ground water at Fort
Polk, Louisiana: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 88-4088, 53 p.

Newcome, Roy, Jr., and Sloss, Raymond, 1966, Water resources of Rapides Parish, Louisiana:
Department of Conservation, Louisiana Geological Survey, and Louisiana Department of Public
Works Water Resources Bulletin no. 8, 104 p.

Whitfield, M.S., Jr., 1975, Geohydrology of the Evangeline and Jasper aquifers of southwestern
Louisiana: Louisiana Department of Conservation and Louisiana Department of Public Works Water

Resources Bulletin 20, 72 p.

For additional information, contact:

Director, USGS Louisiana Water Science Center
USS. Geological Survey

3535 S. Sherwood Forest Blvd., Suite 120
Baton Rouge, LA 70816

E-mail: de_la@usgs.gov

Fax: (225) 298-5490

Telephone: (225) 298-5481

Home Page: la.water.usgs.gov

Copies of this report can be purchased from:

USS. Geological Survey

Information Services

Box 25286

Denver, CO 80225

E-mail: infoservices@usgs.gov

Fax: (303) 202-4188

Telephone (toll free): 1-888-ASK-USGS