WRRCTMR No.63 Groundwater Resources of Kwajalein Island, Marshall Islands

Abstract

During the period July 1978 to December 1980, a detailed study of the fresh groundwater resources of Kwajalein Island, Marshall Islands, was conducted. A total of 23 observation wells was constructed to monitor the thickness, areal extent, and quality of the Kwajalein groundwater lens. During the period of study, recharge to the fresh groundwater lens ranged from 8.93 x 10^5 m^3/yr (236 mil gal/yr) to 1.45 X 10^6 m^3/yr (383 mil gal/yr), and averaged over 1.14 x 10^6 m^3/yr (300 mil gal/yr). Fresh groundwater lens storage fluctuated widely from about 9.08 x 10^5 m^3 (240 mil gal) to about 1.21 x 10^6 m^3 (320 mil gal), and averaged over 1.06 x 10^6 m^3 (280 mil gal). Sustainable yield for the Kwajalein groundwater lens is estimated to exceed 1.89 x 10^5 m^3/yr (50 mil gal/yr).