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University-led groundwater and playa study finds freshwater lenses under Farmington Bay and focused upwelling features
Summary
Presenters described a piezometer network and geophysical surveys showing freshwater lenses beneath Farmington Bay, seasonal hydraulic-gradient reversals, strong upward groundwater fluxes along playa margins, and circular 'brown-spot' features where fresh water appears to upwell through the salt layer; tracer data show deep groundwater ages often >85 years and mountain-block recharge signatures.
Researchers from the University of Utah and partners presented preliminary results from two linked projects — an Uplands project and a Playa project — to characterize groundwater age, flux and the freshwater–saltwater interface near Farmington Bay.
Bill Johnson (project lead) said the team installed nests of piezometers (depths from about 5 to 108 ft) and pressure transducers to log hourly water levels. He reported an unexpected finding: despite a salty shallow lens, deep piezometers across Farmington Bay show freshwater at depth. "We have freshwater under the entirety of Farmington Bay," Johnson said, and the team plans…
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