Hydrogeology of the Chinle Wash Watershed, Navajo Nation Arizona, Utah and New Mexico

Abstract

A general hydrogeological study of the Chinle Wash Watershed is presented. Field collection of water chemistry and water level data is used in addition to historical data to further define and characterize the ground-water conditions of the study area. Computer-generated maps depicting the ground-water conditions of the major aquifers are presented. Ground water occurs in two major regional multiple aquifer systems and locally in the alluvium along the major drainages of the area. The N-aquifer yields the greatest amount of ground water. Water quality tends to decrease along the flow path. Domestic and municipal water use are the primary usage of the ground water. The most heavily utilized aquifer regionally is the N-aquifer system. The alluvium near Chinle is used extensively where it is hydraulically connected to the underlying C-aquifer.