Water level not declining at Yucca

Friday, Oct. 4, 2002 | 11:10 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A study by the U.S. Geological Survey of the level of underground water in the Yucca Mountain region shows there has been little decline.

The study, released Thursday, analyzed trends in ground-water levels and spring discharges from a network of sites in the Yucca region where the U.S. Department of Energy is working on a high level nuclear dump.

Joseph Fenelon, a hydrologist for the survey and lead author of the report, said "Most changes in water levels over the last 10 years were small, generally less than a couple of feet.

"The largest declines in water levels occurred in the area of Amargosa Farms, where water is used for irrigation farming," said Fenelon. "We were somewhat surprised to find no noticeable water-level declines that could be attributed to pumping for activities at Yucca Mountain.

"Not only did water levels not decline near the area of pumping but, in some wells, water levels actually rose over the past 10 years," he said.

Trends were analyzed for the period 1960-2000, although the emphasis was from 1992 to 2000.

The study examined 43 wells and springs that covered 1,500 square miles primarily south of Yucca Mountain. Sites are located in the southern part of the Nevada Test Site, Ash Meadows, Devils Hole, Amargosa Valley and Death Valley.

The study was done in cooperation with the Energy Department to identify potential adverse effects on ground-water levels resulting from the work being done at Yucca Mountain.