Thesis Defense - Fall 2008 - Matt Burgess

Characterizing an Artificial-Recharge Site in a Desert Environment Using Time-Domain Electromagnetics

Matt Burgess
M.S. Candidate
Advisors Dr. George Jiracek, Dr. Paul Bedrosian (USGS)

Friday, December 12th, 2008 CSL 422, 11:00am

ABSTRACT
Time-domain electromagnetics (TEM) were applied to characterize the
subsurface in the vicinity of a proposed artificial hydraulic recharge
site. Because of the investment involved, it is important to know the
possible barrier effect of a major fault situated near the proposed
recharge site. In this study, a series of TEM soundings were made to
estimate the depth to water on both the north and south sides of the
Pinto Mountain Fault. Results show strongly contrasting resistivity
structures across the fault. These findings are consistent with
expected water levels south of the Pinto Mountain Fault and suggest
that the fault does, in fact, act as a barrier to flow in the vicinity
of the proposed artificial recharge site.