New tritium data on movement of groundwater in western Fresno County, California

Abstract

Well waters along two traverse lines were sampled in 1963 and tested for tritium concentration. Haskell et al. [1966] estimated from the apparent thermonuclear tritium concentrations that groundwater had moved westward in the lower water‐bearing zone at a maximum velocity of 14–16.5 mi (23–27 km) in 9 yr. The maximum velocities and permeabilities estimated from the 1963 sampling were about an order of magnitude greater than the velocities and permeabilities suggested by prior hydrologic and geologic evidence. Consequently, in 1966–1970 the U.S. Geological Survey sampled and tested the tritium concentrations of well waters along the same two traverses but also extended the sampling eastward. On the basis of these analyses it is concluded that (1) thermonuclear tritium had not invaded the lower zone by 1970 within the extent of the 1963 sampling and (2) although the maximum westward movement of groundwater in the lower zone from 1955 to 1970 is indeterminate, it has been less than 4 mi (6.5 km) from the recharge area in 15 yr.