AN INVESTIGATION OF POTENTIAL SURFICIAL RECHARGE IN THE LUCERNE VALLEY GROUNDWATER BASIN, MOJAVE DESERT, CA

To better understand the characteristics of recharge within the Lucerne Valley groundwater basin, a series of infiltrations tests, soil analyses and computer simulations were conducted throughout the watershed. Previous studies have suggested that because desert valleys receive less than eight inches of precipitation per year and have deep, unsaturated zone, natural recharge cannot occur. However, gaps in the most recent water budget as well as water groundwater levels and geochemical evidence indicate that additional recharge must be occurring at some point within the valley. Studies elsewhere in the Mojave Desert have suggested that recharge can occur as infiltration from stream flow in ephemeral channels. Field investigations (infiltration tests and soil sample collection) and laboratory tests (sieve analyses, chloride tests, falling-head permeameter, moisture content and numerical modeling) suggest that a similar source of recharge exists in the Lucerne Creek within the northwestern section of the basin as well. This research is intended to better understand the natural surficial recharge in the Lucerne Valley groundwater basin. Furthermore, this research may also provide a cost-effective method to determine potential recharge in other basins and better understand surficial recharge in desert environments.