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Conceptualization and Simulation of Groundwater Flow and Groundwater Availability in the Boone and Roubidoux Aquifers in Northeastern Oklahoma, 1980–2017

Scientific Investigations Report 2024-5093
Prepared in cooperation with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board
By: , , , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20245093

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Abstract

Oklahoma Groundwater Law (Oklahoma Statute § 82-1020.5) requires that the Oklahoma Water Resources Board conduct hydrologic investigations to determine the maximum annual yield for the State’s groundwater basins. The Boone and Roubidoux aquifers (also known as the Springfield Plateau aquifer and Ozark aquifer, respectively) are bedrock aquifers that extend from northeastern Oklahoma into Kansas, Arkansas, and Missouri. At present (2024), the Oklahoma Water Resources Board has yet to legally issue orders for the final determination of maximum annual yields for the Boone and Roubidoux aquifers. To support determination of a maxi­mum annual yield, the U.S. Geological Survey, in coopera­tion with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, developed a hydrogeologic framework, a conceptual groundwater-flow model, and a calibrated numerical groundwater-flow model for the Boone and Roubidoux aquifers.

Three types of groundwater-availability scenarios were simulated by using the calibrated numerical model. These scenarios were used to (1) estimate equal-proportionate-share groundwater withdrawal rates (groundwater withdrawal applied equally over the aquifer), (2) quantify the potential effects of projected groundwater withdrawals on groundwater storage over a 50-year period, and (3) simulate the poten­tial effects of a hypothetical 10-year drought. For the Boone aquifer, equal-proportionate-share groundwater withdrawal rates were 1.10, 0.98, and 0.96 acre-feet per acre per year for the 20-, 40-, and 50-year scenarios, respectively. For the Roubidoux aquifer, equal-proportionate-share groundwater withdrawal rates were 1.76, 1.34, and 1.25 acre-feet per acre per year for the 20-, 40-, and 50-year simulations, respectively. For the 50-year scenarios, stream seepage was minimally affected. Over the 10-year drought scenario, groundwater storage in the Boone and Roubidoux aquifers decreased by 660,451 acre-feet (6.7 percent) and 508,472 acre-feet (1.0 per­cent), respectively.

Suggested Citation

Trevisan, A.R., Russell, C.A., Lockmiller, K.A., Wagner, D.L., Correll, J.S., and Knierim, K.J., 2024, Conceptualization and simulation of groundwater flow and groundwater availability in the Boone and Roubidoux aquifers in northeastern Oklahoma, 1980–2017: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2024–5093, 105 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20245093.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Hydrogeologic Framework
  • Conceptualization of Groundwater-Flow System
  • Simulation of Groundwater Flow
  • Summary
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Conceptualization and simulation of groundwater flow and groundwater availability in the Boone and Roubidoux aquifers in northeastern Oklahoma, 1980–2017
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2024-5093
DOI 10.3133/sir20245093
Year Published 2024
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center
Description Report: xiv, 105 p.; Data Release
Country United States
State Oklahoma
Other Geospatial Boone and Roubidoux aquifers
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
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