Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 1475-F Ground Water at Grant Village Site Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

In general, because of the relatively high silt content and the angularity of the grains of the sediments penetrated, only small to moderate supplies of water were found by the test wells drilled in the Grant Village area. The probability of obtaining satisfactory wells is greater near the lakeshore, where a large part of the water pumped would be derived from ground-water flow to the lake.

Ground water in the area is of relatively poor quality as compared to surface water from Yellowstone Lake. The silica content of the ground water is very high. The iron content of the ground water easily be treated to reduce the iron concentration. Flouride concentrations in water from test wells 2 and 3 are greater than the tolerable limits for drinking water, although the water could be mixed with surface water or water from other wells to reduce the fluoride content. Otherwise, ground water in the area is of generally suitable quality for most uses. Surface water from Yellowstone Lake is excellent in quality and satisfactory for most uses.

Information gathered from the test wells and auger holes indicates that the most favorable areas for obtaining moderate quantities of relatively cool water of fairly good quality probably are along the lakeshore between test wells 5 and 6 and immediately east of test well 6. Larger yields than those obtained from test wells 5 and 6 probably could be obtained from gravel-packed or suitably screened wells of larger diameter. In other areas tested the thermal gradient is steep and warm water is present at relatively shallow depth. Water in these ares is also of generally poorer chemical quality than that near test wells 5 and 6.