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Groundwater flow patterns in the San Luis Valley, Colorado, USA revisited: an evaluation of solute and isotopic data

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Abstract

Groundwater systems in the San Luis Valley, Colorado, USA have been re-evaluated by an analysis of solute and isotopic data. Existing stream, spring, and groundwater samples have been augmented with 154 solute and isotopic samples. Based on geochemical stratification, three groundwater regimes have been identified within 1,200 m of the surface: unconfined, upper active confined, and lower active confined with maximum TDS concentrations of 35,000, 3,500 and 600 mg/L, respectively. The elevated TDS of northern valley unconfined and upper active confined systems result from mineral dissolution, ion exchange and methanogenesis of organic and evaporate lake sediments deposited in an ancient lake, herein designated as Lake Sipapu. Chemical evolutions along flow paths were modeled with NETPATH. Groundwater ages, and δ13C, δ2H and δ18O compositions and distributions, suggest that mountain front recharge is the principle recharge mechanism for the upper and lower confined aquifers with travel times in the northern valley of more than 20,000 and 30,000 14C years, respectively. Southern valley confined aquifer travel times are 5,000 14C years or less. The unconfined aquifer contains appreciable modern recharge water and the contribution of confined aquifer water to the unconfined aquifer does not exceed 20%.

Reśumé

Les systèmes hydrogéologiques de la Vallée de San Luis, au Colorado, USA, ont été ré-évalués par une analyse de données isotopiques et de solutés. Les données existantes des rivières, des sources et des eaux souterraines ont été complétées par 154 échantillons. Sur base de la stratification géochimique, trois régimes hydrogéologiques ont été définis de la surface jusqu’à 1200 mètres de profondeur : systèmes libres, systèmes captifs proches de la surface, et systèmes captifs profonds, avec des charges minérales dissoutes totales (TDS) respectives de 35,000, 35,000 et 600 mg/L. Les charges minérales élevées des deux systèmes les moins profonds résultent de la dissolution minérale, des échanges ioniques et de la méthanogénèse des dépôts sédimentaires organiques ou évaporitiques de l’ancien lac Sipapu. Les évolutions géochimiques le long des lignes d’écoulement ont été modélisées avec NETPATH. Les âges des eaux souterraines, et les compositions et distributions en δ13C, δ2H et δ18O, suggèrent que le front des montagnes est la principale origine de la recharge pour les aquifères supérieurs et inférieurs, avec des temps de séjours dans la partie Nord, respectivement de plus de 20,000 et 30,000 années 14C. Dans la partie Sud de la vallée, les temps de séjours sont de ou inférieurs à 5,000 années 14C. L’aquifère captif contient une part appréciable d’eaux modernes, et la contribution de l’aquifère captif à l’aquifère non-captif n’excède pas 20%.

Resumen

Se han evaluado de nuevo los sistemas de agua subterránea en el Valle de San Luis, Colorado, EUA, mediante un análisis de datos isotópicos y solutos. Las muestras existentes de agua subterránea, manantiales y arroyos se han incrementado con 154 muestras adicionales para análisis de isótopos y solutos. Basado en estratificación geoquímica se han identificado tres ambientes de agua subterránea en los primeros 1,200 m del subsuelo: no confinado, confinado activo superior, y confinado activo inferior con concentraciones máximas de SDT 35,000, 3,500 y 600 mg/L respectivamente. Los elevados SDT de los sistemas activo superior y no confinado del norte del valle se deben a disolución mineral, intercambio iónico, y metanogénesis de sedimentos lacustres evaporíticos y orgánicos depositados en un lago antiguo que se denomina en este artículo como Lago Sipapu. Se elaboraron modelos de evolución química a lo largo de las trayectorias de flujo con NETPATH. Las edades del agua subterránea y las composiciones y distribuciones de δ13C, δ2H y δ18O sugieren que el principal mecanismo de recarga lo constituye la recarga de los frentes montañosos para los acuíferos confinados inferior y superior con tiempos de viaje en el valle norte de más de 20,000 y 30,000 años14C, respectivamente. Los tiempos de viaje del acuífero confinado del valle sur son 5,000 años14C o menos. Los acuíferos no confinados contienen agua de recarga moderna en cantidades considerables y la contribución de agua confinada al acuífero no confinado no excede 20%.

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Acknowledgements

Special thanks to Fred Huss of the Rio Grande Water Conservation District for his able field assistance, Ralph Curtus and the Rio Grande Water Conservation District for their financial support and encouragement, and Dave Robbins of Hill and Robins for his sponsorship of the research program. We also thank two anonymous reviewers who provided valuable comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Brigham Young University, Department of Geosciences, Provo, UT, 84602, USA

    Alan L. Mayo & David Christiansen

  2. Davis Engineering Services, 1314 11th Street, Alamosa, CO, 81101, USA

    Allen Davey

Authors
  1. Alan L. Mayo
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  2. Allen Davey
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  3. David Christiansen
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Correspondence to Alan L. Mayo.

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Supplemental data 1

Solute and isotopic compositions of surface and groundwaters in the San Luis Valley, Colorado (PDF 96 kb)

Supplemental data 2

NETPATH results of geochemical modeling of Closed Basin groundwater flow paths. Positive results indicate mineral dissolution or gas consumption. Results are in moles/L (PDF 17 kb)

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Mayo, A.L., Davey, A. & Christiansen, D. Groundwater flow patterns in the San Luis Valley, Colorado, USA revisited: an evaluation of solute and isotopic data. Hydrogeol J 15, 383–408 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-006-0079-3

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