MONTHLY DINNER MEETING
Date: Tuesday, February 8, 2005
Location: Steven's Steak House, 5332 Stevens Place, Commerce, California
Time: 6:00 p.m.-Social Hour; 7:00 p.m.-Dinner; 7:45
p.m.-Presentation
Cost: $30 per person with reservations, $35 at the door, $15 for students with a valid Student ID
Reservations: Call (949) 253-5924 ex 564, or email Brian Villalobos,
By noon, Monday, February 7, 2005
PRESENTERS: Richard C. Slade
TOPIC: "Regional Hydrogeologic Conditions in the Alluvial and Saugus Formation Aquifer Systems, Santa Clarita Valley, Los Angeles County"
ABSTRACT
Since 1986, Richard Slade has been involved in defining and developing the groundwater resources
for the various municipal-supply purveyors within the Santa Clarita Valley of northern Los Angeles County. Two
principal aquifer systems are recognized: the alluvial system along the main reach of the Santa Clara River and its
major tributaries on the north and south sides of the river; and the Saugus Formation which underlies the alluvial
aquifer system and which is also exposed on the adjoining hillsides of the Valley.
Underlying the Saugus Formation and also exposed at higher elevations on the hillsides which adjoin the Valley are a
series of geologically older, well consolidated and/or cemented sedimentary rocks which are not considered a part of
the local groundwater reservoir.
The presentation will describe the various RCS groundwater projects in the Valley over the years that have helped
define the groundwater basin and its two aquifer systems. Important changes in the database on water wells, water
levels, water quality, and electric logs, etc., will be identified. Slides will be presented to illustrate: The
Valley-wide surface geology and faults; key characteristics of each aquifer system; historic groundwater elevations
in key wells in the two aquifers; groundwater flow directions; thicknesses of the aquifers; and groundwater quality.
BIO
Richard Slade has a BA degree in Geology from UCLA (January 1966) and an MS Degree in Engineering Geology
from USC (1974). He is a Professional Geologist and Certified Engineering Geologist in California, and is also
licensed as a Geologist in Arizona and Idaho.
Mr. Slade began his career in 1967 in the Geology Section of Metropolitan Water District of Southern California,
where he worked on groundwater issues relating to the then-proposed tunnels and/or reservoirs for the State Water
Project, and also worked as Resident Geologist for a few large diameter tunnels being constructed by tunnel boring
machines.
Between 1970 and 1983, Mr. Slade worked as a hydrogeologist and engineering geologist for Geotechnical Consultants,
Inc., and was responsible for most of the groundwater resource development projects being conducted by the firm over
those years.
Mr. Slade founded Richard C. Slade & Associates LLC, Consulting Groundwater Geologist, where he continues as
President and Principal Groundwater Geologist. The main RCS office is in North Hollywood, and there is a satellite
office in the Napa Valley.
RCS provides consulting services to A&Es, attorneys, cities, water districts, vineyards and wineries in various
aspects of groundwater resources. Over the years, RCS has sited and designed hundreds of water wells for
municipal-supply and irrigation-supply purposes, has conducted several hundred pumping (aquifer) tests, has provided
expert witness services in groundwater and in groundwater contamination, and continues to help its clients in
developing and maintaining their local groundwater resources.