Laserfiche WebLink
<br />SUMMARY <br /> <br />This work has described several techniques for <br />estimating aquifer specific yield and specific retention <br />based on least-squares linear regression analysis using <br />aquifer grain-size data, effective-porosity logs, and <br />apparent grain-density logs. Specific retention can be <br />estimated by use of any of five regression equations of <br />specific retention on grain-size characteristics. Spe- <br />cific yield then can be calculated from specific reten- <br />tion by use of porosity values from density-porosity <br />logs or from laboratory analyses. This technique is an <br />alternative to determining specific yield and specific <br />retention through laboratory analyses of undisturbed <br />core samples. The regression technique is faster and <br />less costly than the laboratory technique but can pro- <br />duce specific-yield and specific-retention estimates of <br />lesser accuracy than the laboratory technique, particu- <br />larly if individual determinations are compared. <br />Specific retention based on laboratory analyses <br />of core was compared to corresponding specific reten- <br />tion estimates derived from grain-size regression equa- <br />tions. These direct comparisons were made for the <br />regression data set, a separate verification data set, and <br />a small data set representing an unconsolidated alluvial <br />aquifer. In each case, the mean specific retention from <br />the grain-size regression was comparable to that deter- <br />mined by laboratory analyses. <br />Effective-porosity logs and apparent grain-den- <br />sity logs are produced as part of computer-assisted <br />well-log evaluation programs available through com- <br />mercial geophysical-logging companies. Regression <br />analysis of specific yield on effective porosity provided <br />a means for estimating specific yield from effective <br />porosity, and a specific-yield log was produced. <br />Regression analysis of specific yield divided by poros- <br />ity data on apparent grain density provided another <br />means for estimating specific yield. Both log interpre- <br />tation techniques produced mean specific-yield esti- <br />mates for the upper three bedrock aquifers in the <br />Denver basin that are comparable to the mean values <br />obtained from laboratory analyses of core. <br />Errors in the production of density porosity logs <br />and the magnitude of the standard error of estimate <br />from the regression equations indicate the value of <br />using a mean specific yield or specific retention for a <br />geologic interval. Mean specific-yield values are good <br />measures of the mean laboratory values, but individual <br />regression and laboratory values can vary considerably. <br /> <br />REFERENCES CITED <br /> <br />American Society for Testing and Materials, 1977, Standard <br />test method for capillary-moisture relationships for <br /> <br />fine-textured soils by pressure-membrane apparatus: <br />American Society for Testing and Materials, ASTM <br />03152-72 (reapproved 1977), p. 479-486. <br />Eckis, Rollin, 1934, South coastal-basin investigation- <br />Geology and ground-water storage capacity of valley <br />fill: California Department of Public Works, Water <br />Resources Division, Bulletin 45, 279 p. <br />Hearst, J.A., and Nelson, P.H., 1985, Well logging for phys- <br />ical properties: New York, McGraw-Hill Book Co., <br />571 p. <br />Herrick, R.C., Couturie, S.H., and Best, D.L., 1979, An <br />improved nuclear magnetism logging system and its <br />application to formation evaluation: Society of Petro- <br />leum Engineers, 54th Annual Fall Technical Confer- <br />ence and Exhibition, Las Vegas, paper no. 54, 8 p. <br />Johnson, A.I., 1967, Specific yield-Compilation of specific <br />yields for various materials: U.S, Geological Survey <br />Water-Supply Paper 1662-0, 74 p. <br />Johnson, W.L., and Linke, W.A., 1978, Some practical appli- <br />cations to improve formation evaluation of sandstones <br />in the MacKenzie Delta: Transactions of the 19th <br />Annual Logging Symposium, SPWLA Paper C. <br />Keys, W.S., 1990, Borehole geophysics applied to ground- <br />water investigations: U.S. Geological Survey Tech- <br />niques of Water-Resources Investigations, book 2, <br />chap. E2, 150 p. <br />Lohman, S.W., and others, 1972, Definitions of selected <br />ground-water terms-Revisions and conceptual refine. <br />ments: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper <br />1988,21 p. <br />McConaghy, J.A., Chase, G.H., Boettcher, A.J., and Major, <br />T.J., 1964, Hydrogeologic data of the Denver basin, <br />Colorado: Colorado Water Conservation Board Basic. <br />Data Report 15, 224 p. <br />McWhorter, D.B., and Garcia, A.J., 1990, The concept of <br />specific yield and its evaluation by laboratory measure- <br />ments: Groundwater Engineering and Management <br />Conference, Denver, Colo" 1990, Proceedings, <br />p. 235-246. <br />Meinzer, O,E., 1923, The occurrence of ground water in the <br />United States: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply <br />Paper 489, 321 p. <br />Neinasl, G,S., and Knox, C.C., 1973, Normalization of well <br />log data: Transactions of the 14th Annual Logging <br />Symposium, SPWLA Paper 1, p. 1-19. <br />Neuman, S.P., 1987, On methods of determining specific <br />yield: Ground Water, v. 25, no. 6, p. 679-684. <br />Patchett, J.G., and Coalson, E.B., 1979, The determination <br />of porosity in sandstones and shaley sandstones-Part <br />one, quality control: The Log Analyst, v. 20, no. 6, <br />p.3-l2. <br /> <br />18 Techniques for Estimating Specific Yield end Specific Retention from Greln-Slze Data and Geophysical Logs from <br />Clastic Badrock Aquifers <br />