The geology and hydrogeology of the study area and region have been investigated by various individuals and agencies including, but not limited to, the United States Geological Survey (USGS), (Bills, Flynn, and Monroe, 2005), the Arizona Geological Survey (AGS), (House and Pearthree, 1993), the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR), (Owen-Joyce and Bell, 1983), and Water Resources Associates, Inc. (1985). These investigators have discussed interpretations of lithology, depositional environmental, geologic structure, aquifer characteristics, and ground-water quality. Data was also obtained from the local water utilities and ADWR Basic Data Section, which keeps Well Driller’s Reports, ground-water survey data, ground-water quality data, and the ADWR well registry on file.

GEOLOGIC SETTING

The study area is located in the Upper Verde River basin, which occupies the boundary between the Colorado Plateau and the Central Highlands physographic provinces. Although the study area is located below the Mongollon Rim (the tectonic feature that divides the two provinces) in the Central Highlands, the geology of the area is characteristic of that associated with the Colorado Plateau. Generally, the geology of this area consists of regionally extensive, shallow dipping Paleozoic strata.