Geology topics

Gerald G. Plantz

Publications and source records attributed to Gerald G. Plantz.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS1985

Hydrologic reconnaissance of the Kolob, Alton, and Kaiparowits Plateau coal fields, south-central Utah

The study area in south-central Utah (fig. 1) is noted for its large coal reserves in the Alton, Kolob, and Kaiparowits Plateau coal fields. The area also is noted for its scenic beauty and general scarcity of water. Although there has been very little development of the coal resources through 1983, there is a potential for large-scale development with both surface- and underground-mining methods. Mining of coal could have significant effects on the quantity and quality of the water resources. The purpose of this atlas is to define the surface- and ground-water resources of the area and to identify the potential effects on these resources by coal mining.

Utah↗

USGS1985

Selected hydrologic data from wells in the East Shore area of the Great Salt Lake, Utah, 1985

This report contains hydrologic data for wells collected in the East Shore area of the Great Salt Lake, Utah. It includes water-quality data, discharge measurements, water levels, and drillers* logs. The East Shore area (plate 1) includes about 430 square miles, bounded by the Wasatch Range on the east and the Great Salt Lake on the west. The first section line north of the town of Willard is the northern boundary, whereas the Davis-Salt Lake County line is the southern boundary. Most of the data in this report were collected from 1983 to 1985 by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Utah Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water Rights. Some of the data were previously published by Smith (1961) or Bolke and Waddell (1972). The purpose of this report is to provide ground-water data for use by officials managing water resources and the general public and to supplement an interpretive report for the area that will be published later. From tables 1- 5 of this report, determinations can be made for the depth to water-bearing units, water levels in wells, well yields, or chemical quality of ground water at the sites shown on plate 1.

Utah↗

USGS1983

Selected hydrologic data, Kolob-Alton-Kaiparowits coal-fields area, south-central Utah

The Kolob-Alton-Kaiparowits coal-field area (pi. 1) includes about 4,500 square miles in parts of the Colorado River Basin and the Great Basin. The area varies in altitude from less than 4,000 to more than 10,000 feet, and is comprised chiefly of plateaus, benches, and terraces that are dissected by deep, narrow canyons. Principal streams draining the area are the Virgin, Sevier, Escalante, and Paria Rivers, and Coal, Kanab, and Wahweap Creeks. Most of the data included in this report were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey from October 1980 to September 1982. They were collected as part of a hydrologic study in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to evaluate potential impacts of coal mining on the area's water resources. The results of that study are to be published in a separate report. Several earlier coal-related hydrologic studies have been made in the Alton and Kolob coal-fields area. Hydrologic data collected during those studies may be found in the following reports: Goode (1964, 1966), Sandberg (1979), and Cordova (1981). Data collected at the streamflow-gaging stations shown on plate 1 are published separately in annual reports of the U.S. Geological Survey. Information about the availability of these data is given in table 8. The writer extends thanks to Judy Steiger and Dave Darby (former employees of the U.S. Geological Survey) for their contribution to this report. Officials of the following companies and agencies also were helpful and cooperative in providing data: Utah Power & Light Co.; El Paso Natural Gas Co.; U.S. Bureau of Reclamation; and U.S. Bureau of Land Management.

Utah↗

USGS1981

Hydrologic monitoring in the coal fields of central Utah, August 1978-September 1979

Surface-water quantity and quality were observed at 12 gaging stations downstream from mined and lease areas in the Wasatch Plateau, Book Cliff's, and Emery coal fields in central Utah. Measurements of base flow were made at 52 additional sites in the region. The report describes the hydrologic setting of this important coal region and summarizes the surface-water data collected at the monitoring sites from August 1978 through September 1979. Coal mining and lease activities in each of the monitored basins also are described. Where possible, hydrologic impacts of coal mining are evaluated. Impacts include increases in streamflow and degradation of surface-water quality due to water discharged from underground mines. Other impacts include removal of water from ground-water storage, changes in the natural ground-water flow system, and possibly the diminution of spring flows. Adequacy of the monitoring network to detect hydrologic changes due to mining is evaluated. In order to fully assess and quantify the impacts, comprehensive studies and monitoring of the ground-water system and water produced in mines are needed.

central Utah↗