Hydrogeologic features of the alluvial deposits in the Owl Creek Valley, Bighorn Basin, Wyoming

Introduction: The alluvial deposits form the principal aquifer in the Owl Creek Valley and the source of water to many stock and domestic wells and to a few irrigation wells. In 1975, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Wyoming State Engineer, began an investigation of the hydrology and geology, including the geomorphology, of Owl Creek Valley (fig. 1) to determine possible favorable areas for obtaining ground water of adequate chemical quality for irrigation and other uses. The part of Owl Creek basin investigated is downstream from Anchor Reservoir and includes North Fork, South Fork, and the mainstem of Owl Creek (pi. 1). However, the area downstream from Embar Ranch (pi. 1) was emphasized during the study.