Abstract

Western Wasatch County is experiencing extensive development because of its proximity to Wasatch Front metropolitan areas. Western Wasatch County’s ground-water supplies are of high quality but vulnerable to pollution, particularly in ground-water recharge areas. Ground water occurs in both consolidated rocks and in unconsolidated sediments (mostly valley-fill alluvium). The valley-fill aquifers in Round Valley and most of Heber Valley contain class IA (pristine) ground water. Protection of drinking-water supplies and prevention of eutrophication of Deer Creek Reservoir are significant water-quality issues in the Heber Valley and Round Valley areas. Because the pristine ground water in the valleys is generally not protected by thick, more-or-less continuous confining layers, as are major aquifers along the Wasatch Front, the potential for degradation of the quality of ground water is a significant concern. Ground-water recharge areas were mapped at the request of Wasatch County officials so that the map could be included as part of a petition to the Utah Water Quality Board for aquifer classification. This petition for aquifer classification was successful. Recharge-area maps and classification of aquifers in Heber and Round Valleys should give Wasatch County officials powerful tools with which to make far-sighted decisions regarding land use to protect ground-water quality in Heber and Round Valleys.