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<br />gallons per minute at a relatively shallow depth. Zones cemented with <br />calcium carbonate as thick as 60 feet (caliche) extend over large southern <br />areas of the formation in Texas and New Mexico. <br /> <br />The hydraulic interconnection between the geOlogic units of the High <br />Plains aquifer system provides a relatively continuous water table through- <br />out the region. The water table exhibits an eastward slope, starting at an <br />elevation in the west at approximately 5,000 feet above mean sea level (MSL) <br />and dropping to an elevation of less than 2,000 feet at its southeast limits <br />at a rate of 10-15 feet per mil e. Many factors infl uence the performance of <br />the Ogallala Aquifer, including: the saturated thickness as defined by the <br />bedrock base, the material hydraulic conductivity, ground water discharge to <br />both streams and irrigation wells, and recharge from overlying streams or <br />permeable soils. <br /> <br />The slope of the land is from west to east and thus surface water <br />collection and drainage patterns are in the same direction, as demonstrated <br />by many watersheds and subbasins that traverse the High Plains Region. In <br />the eval uati on of potential surface and ground water interacti on, major <br />river basins were selected for study. The purpose was to identify and study <br />those streams or segments that are primarily dependent on ground water <br />seepage to maintain baseflows. These streams are perennial, maintaining a <br />relatively uniform flow year-round. <br /> <br />In comparison, the ephemeral or intermittent streamflows are more <br />dependent on storm water runoff and stream bank storage. Characteri stically, <br />the flow in these streams fluctuates widely from high flows following a storm <br />event to a dry channel during periods of drought. <br /> <br />Appendix A provides a summary of the information from available <br />reference material on selected river basins throughout the Region. The <br />literature review provides an independent assessment that delineates the most <br />probable areas of surface water interaction with ground water. The refer- <br />enced informatio.n contains specific characteristics of streamflows, stream <br />channel elevations, and drainage basins. The data is correlated with the <br />Aquifer's relative saturated thickness, nature of the alluvial deposits, and <br />total change in the water table elevations. <br /> <br />1-10 <br /> <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />