Hydrological considerations in locating the proposed Superconducting Supercollider in the Sierrita Mountains, Arizona

Abstract

The Sierrita Mountains were investigated as a site for the proposed Superconducting Supercollider, which was to be housed in a ring-shaped tunnel more than 80 km (50 miles) in circumference. Geostatistical techniques including kriging were used to interpolate the potentiometric surface of the ground water and quantify its uncertainty along the proposed ring alignment to assess potential dewatering problems, based on the sparse water-level information available. Potential water supplies for the Superconducting Supercollider complex include local and imported good-quality ground water, poorer quality but abundant Central Arizona Project water, and Tucson or Green Valley municipal water. Ground water has the most suitable quality, but its development within the Tucson Active Management Area is restricted by state law.