SUBSURFACE 3-D MODELING OF THE CONCHO RIVER WATERSHED, TEXAS

In West Texas, the Concho River Watershed spans 14 counties and includes 27 major and minor aquifers. Those counties are Coke, Concho, Crockett, Glasscock, Howard, Irion, Menard, Midland, Reagan, Runnels, Schleicher, Sterling, Tom Green, and Upton. Using water well data from all 14 counties, water chemistries and ion concentrations are currently being mapped across the Concho River Watershed to determine ion exchange reaction points, as well as recharge zones of each aquifer. PHREEQ-C software will be used to assist in water chemistry analyses. Data from the Texas Water Development Board is being used to create potentiometric profiles and geologic cross-sections of all aquifers using ArcGIS software. The overall goal is to produce an interactive 3-D model of aquifers within the Concho River Watershed that can be used with a touch screen interface for educational purposes. The 3-D aquifer models will also be displayed in the foyer of the department as a showcase of the geology of our area for students and the general public to interact with via the touch screen interface.