U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
WaterResources Investigations Report 03-4313 ONLINE ONLY
Sacramento, California 2004
Prepared in cooperation with the
Mojave Water Agency
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Delta oxygen-18 and delta deuterium composition of precipitation and water from wells in the Mojave River and the Morongo ground-water basins in the western part of the Mojave Desert show that ground-water recharge occurs primarily from winter precipitation near low-altitude passes in the San Bernardino and the San Gabriel Mountainsas opposed to runoff from higher altitudes in the mountains. The resulting deuterium composition of the ground water, about -64 per mil, contrasts sharply with the isotopic composition of water from wells recharged by runoff from higher altitudes of the San Gabriel and the San Bernardino Mountains, about -84 per mil. These differences define the 3-dimensional movement of ground water between aquifers especially downgradient from faults that act as barriers to ground-water flow. Water recharged from runoff in the mountains farther to the east in the Mojave Desert plots to the right of the meteoric water line and after accounting for evaporative effects had an isotopic composition lighter than present-day precipitation.
Abstract
Introduction
Purpose and Scope
Background and Previous Studies
Sample Collection
Analyses of Delta Oxygen-18 and Delta Deuterium
Acknowledgments
Hydrogeology
Mojave River Ground-Water Basin
Morongo Ground-Water Basin
Delta Oxygen-18 and Delta Deuterium Composition of Precipitation
Delta Oxygen-18 and Delta Deuterium Composition of Water from Wells
Mojave River Ground-Water Basin
Floodplain Aquifer
Regional Aquifer
Movement of Water between Aquifers
Section A-A'
Section B-B'
Section C-C'
Section D-D'
Section E-E'
Morongo Ground-Water Basin
Warren Basin
Joshua Tree Area
Lucerne Valley
Pipes Wash/Surprise Spring Area
Discussion
References
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