Stratigraphy and transmissivity of the Kaweah River Fan, Visalia, California

The Kaweah River fan is located in the Tulare Basin of the San Joaquin Valley of California. This fluvial fan supplies groundwater for several farms and cities including Visalia. The geology in this region is well studied and is generally similar to all major river fans that flow into the San Joaquin Valley from the Sierra Nevada. However, the hydrogeology of the area is not quantified. The objectives of this thesis were to: (a) Correlate stratigraphic units to hydrologic units in the region; (b) identify the spatial extent and stratigraphy of the lithologic units; (c) use correlations to identify the aquifers; and (d) measure and estimate the aquifers' hydraulic conductivities and transmissivities. Field core samples were taken from soil surface to 132 feet (40.2 m) below surface. In this process, a new method for sampling unlithified-core for laboratory testing was created to make this study possible. The results show that stratigraphy described by Marchand and Allwardt (1981) is found throughout the study area. Together, the upper Turlock Lake and Riverbank Formations are bound in the Layer 3 aquifer which is a major host for groundwater in the Kaweah River fan and is characterized by a transmissivity of 2492 ft2/day (232 m2/day). In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the San Joaquin Valley has two different models for confining beds which are the lacustrine and swamplands deposits for the terminal basin and paleosols for the fluvial fans. Dustin White May 2016.