Award Date

1-1-1989

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Geoscience

First Committee Member

Thomas H. Brikowski

Number of Pages

129

Abstract

This study uses cross-sectional modeling to explore the saturated groundwater flow at Yucca Mountain in a multi-layer system. Cross-sectional modeling allows the simulation of vertical leakage not included in areal models. The cross section was constructed along an estimated streamline and is 84.3 kilometers long. The conceptual model includes an upper volcanic and lower carbonate aquifer separated by an aquitard with an alluvial aquifer down-gradient. Results indicate that some groundwater flows beneath the high-gradient (low conductivity) zone through the carbonate aquifer. The volcanic aquifer, south of the high gradient zone, must be supplied with additional groundwater as the low conductivity zone cannot transmit enough water to maintain the heads observed there. Upward leakage from the carbonate aquifer and recharge at Fortymile Wash provide the needed supply. Recharge alone is insufficient to maintain the observed heads, and upward leakage from the carbonates is also required.

Keywords

Distribution; Element; Finite; Flow; Groundwater; Model; Nevada; Saturated; Sectional; Vertical; Yucca Mountain

Controlled Subject

Hydrology

File Format

pdf

File Size

4864 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

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