Subsurface Geologic Investigation of a Closed Alluvial Basin: Lucerne Valley, San
Bernardino County, California
Michael Blazevic and John H. Foster, Ph.D.
California State University, Fullerton, Department of Geological Sciences
Abstract
The residents of Lucerne Valley, San Bernardino County, California, depend solely upon groundwater pumped from
the Lucerne Valley groundwater basin.
Current and historic water well data reveal groundwater levels have
significantly declined for over fifty years. This has posed a major concern for both the residents of Lucerne Valley
as well as government agencies, such as the Mojave Water Agency (MWA), whom are responsible for oversight of
water related issues. In order to assess current groundwater conditions, a strong understanding of the subsurface
lithologies, structures, and depositional environments of Lucerne Valley is needed. Based on data compiled from
driller’s water well logs, USGS monitoring wells, and geophysical data, detailed subsurface geologic cross-sections
and maps have be constructed to better understand the current and past issues concerning Lucerne Valley’s
groundwater.
Subsurface cross-sections and maps reveal Lucerne Valley groundwater basin is dominated by a
single-aquifer system. In the southwest region of the basin, bounded by the Helendale fault, the groundwater basin
displays both a shallow and deep aquifer.
Biographic Sketches
Tammy L. Surko is a candidate for the Masters of Science in Geology at California State University, Fullerton.
Her experience includes numerous fault investigation studies, field mapping, and paleoseismology. Ms. Surko’s
research interests lye in applied geophysics. Contact Info: 800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92834-6850;
Ph (714) 278-5201; Fax (714) 278-7266; tsurko@fullerton.edu.
Dr. W. Richard Laton is an Assistant Professor at California State University, Fullerton. Dr. Laton’s research
includes hydrogeology, urban watershed hydrology, and environmental geology with a primary interest in
integrating hydrogeology with a multi-faceted systems approach to solving applied field problems. Contact Info:
800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92834-6850; Ph (714) 278-7514; Fax (714) 278-7266;
wlaton@fullerton.edu.
Hydrogeologic Evaluation of a Desert Groundwater Basin; Lucerne Valley, California
Nick Napoli and W. Richard Laton, Ph.D.
California State University, Fullerton, Department of Geological Sciences
Abstract
The residents of Lucerne Valley, San Bernardino County, California, depend solely upon groundwater pumped from
the Lucerne Valley groundwater basin. Over the past several years groundwater conditions within Lucerne Valley
have grown significantly worse. Water levels have declined and groundwater chemistry has been degraded. This
poses a major concern for the residents of Lucerne Valley as well as the government agencies who are responsible
for the basin oversight. In order to assess current groundwater conditions, a strong understanding of groundwater
movement and hydrogeochemical assessment of Lucerne Valley is needed. Based on data compiled from USGS and
MWA monitoring wells a series of groundwater maps and hydrographs along with hydrogeochemical maps have be
constructed to better understand the current and past issues concerning Lucerne Valley’s groundwater.
Biographic Sketches
Tammy L. Surko is a candidate for the Masters of Science in Geology at California State University, Fullerton.
Her experience includes numerous fault investigation studies, field mapping, and paleoseismology. Ms. Surko’s
research interests lye in applied geophysics. Contact Info: 800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92834-6850;
Ph (714) 278-5201; Fax (714) 278-7266; tsurko@fullerton.edu.
Dr. W. Richard Laton is an Assistant Professor at California State University, Fullerton. Dr. Laton’s research
includes hydrogeology, urban watershed hydrology, and environmental geology with a primary interest in
integrating hydrogeology with a multi-faceted systems approach to solving applied field problems. Contact Info:
800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92834-6850; Ph (714) 278-7514; Fax (714) 278-7266;
wlaton@fullerton.edu.
Just how deep is it?; Alto Deep Well and its impacts to Alto Groundwater Sub-Basin
Geology
Rene Perez, John Foster, Ph.D. and W. Richard Laton Ph.D.
California State University, Fullerton, Department of Geological Sciences
Abstract
What happen to the water? The Victorville Valley area is a sprawling community approximately 90 mile east of Los
Angles. It is located in an arid environment with limited precipitation. With a population near 300,000 and an
estimated 3,000,000 by 2020, the Victorville area will begin to stretch its water resources, thus need to find a
persistent water supply is pertinent to the residents of the area. During the fall of 2003 the Mojave Water Agency in
conjunction with Cal State Fullerton geology drilled a 1,963 foot deep well above an area in which previous
geophysical studies had suggested a bedrock depth between 2,400 and 3,000 feet. Bedrock in our well was
encountered at a depth of 1,920 feet below ground surface (bgs), thus reducing the overall basin by at least 1,000
feet or 30 percent. The Implication of this study has reduced the potential groundwater storage capacity in this area
by at least 30 percent. The drill site lies above and area which was once thought be a deep trough. This study
demonstrated the need for more deep exploratory wells in the area to better define the bedrock and potential
groundwater storage capacity.
Biographic Sketches
Tammy L. Surko is a candidate for the Masters of Science in Geology at California State University, Fullerton.
Her experience includes numerous fault investigation studies, field mapping, and paleoseismology. Ms. Surko’s
research interests lye in applied geophysics. Contact Info: 800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92834-6850;
Ph (714) 278-5201; Fax (714) 278-7266; tsurko@fullerton.edu.
Dr. W. Richard Laton is an Assistant Professor at California State University, Fullerton. Dr. Laton’s research
includes hydrogeology, urban watershed hydrology, and environmental geology with a primary interest in
integrating hydrogeology with a multi-faceted systems approach to solving applied field problems. Contact Info:
800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92834-6850; Ph (714) 278-7514; Fax (714) 278-7266;
wlaton@fullerton.edu.