|The Office of Land and Water Resource’s Groundwater Division conducts hydrologic investigations and evaluations of the groundwater resources in Mississippi. Hydrologic conditions and water use considerations in certain regions of the state compelled the OLWR to initiate detailed hydrologic investigations in the following areas of the state:|
Vertical recharge to the Mississippi River Valley alluvial aquifer (MRVA) are being studied at two sites. This aquifer is widely used for irrigation and aquaculture purposes in the Delta.
Water-level data from wells in the MRVA is being collected and evaluated to monitor the effects of pumping and to assist in development of water management practices.
The amount of saturated thickness available in the MRVA is being investigated in some parts of the Delta.
Dynamics of the ground-water flow system of the MRVA are being investigated.
Test holes are being drilled, observation wells are being constructed, and data is being collected at two locations to investigate the relationship between the MRVA and the older aquifers in the Bluff Hills to determine sources of recharge to the MRVA. The potential influence of alluvial fans contributing significant recharge to the MRVA is being investigated.
|Memphis Aquifer/Bluff Hills Projects|
The Office of Geology is assisting in conducting geologic mapping (via the drilling of test holes) in the counties of northwest Mississippi and the Bluff Hills.
A master database has been developed for 1,298 water wells in the four county project area that includes Hinds, Madison, Rankin, and Yazoo Counties.
A database currently consisting of 1,259 borehole geophysical logs of water wells and oil tests in the project area is being developed. Data derived from the analysis and interpretation of these logs is being utilized to delineate and characterize the major aquifers throughout the project area.
Water levels have been measured periodically in selected wells throughout the project area and water samples from some wells will be collected and analyzed in the future.
Division personnel completed the correlation of borehole geophysical logs to delineate available aquifers in 13 counties of southeastern Mississippi. This effort will has recently focused on other counties of the southern part of the state located to the west and northwest of the current area of activity.
|Miocene (Grand Gulf) Aquifers|
A monitoring network has been established for a number of years in the coastal counties for the purpose of routinely checking water levels and water quality in the available aquifers. Data will continue to be collected regularly from these wells.
The Office of Geology is assisting in conducting geologic mapping (via the drilling of test holes) in the counties of southern Mississippi.
Northeast Mississippi Aquifers
A summary of the groundwater resources of Itawamba, Prentiss, and Tishomingo counties was prepared at the direction of the Three-County Water Management Plan Committee of the Tombigbee River Valley Water Management District.
Water levels are being measured in several hundred wells screened in Cretaceous and Paleozoic aquifers n 22 counties from Kemper County northward to the Tennessee state line.