Ground-Water Conditions in Elm Creek Valley, Barber County, Kansas

Abstract

This report describes the geology and ground-water conditions in a part of Elm Creek Valley, Barber County, Kansas. Elm Creek is a small intermittent stream tributary to Medicine Lodge River. The area described includes about 23 square miles bordering the creek in the vicinity of Medicine Lodge. A small oil field is located along the east side of the valley about three miles northeast of Medicine Lodge. This report is concerned with the groundwater conditions in the lower part of the valley and the extent to which oilfield brine affects the quality of the ground water.

The Cedar Hills sandstone of Permian age comprises the bedrock beneath the alluvium in this area, and is composed of about 180 feet of red, silty, fine-grained sandstone interbedded with softer red shale and siltstone. The terrace deposits are of alluvial origin and probably are equivalent to the Gerlane formation. The alluvium consists of unconsolidated stream-deposited materials ranging in thickness from a featheredge along the valley sides to 68 feet at the deepest test hole,

The analyses of 51 samples of water collected from test holes and wells show that the quality of the water in the alluvium varies according to location in the valley. In general the water is of better quality near the creek and more highly mineralized near the edges of the valley where water from the Cedar Hills sandstone enters the alluvium. The ground water is more highly mineralized near the base of the alluvium than near the surface. Along parts of the east side of the valley the ground water is affected by intrusion of oil field brine. The possibility of further salt-water encroachment under pumping conditions is noted. It is suggested that pumping tests be conducted prior to the development of ground-water supplies In Elm Creek Valley. The chemical character of the ground water is discussed in detail.

Logs of 36 test holes in the area are given, including 25 test holes drilled by the State Geological Survey. Chemical analyses of water samples collected are included in the report.