Justin McKoon, hydrologic technicians with the USGS Idaho Water Science Center, measures treamflow at USGS streamgage station 13124265, Warm Springs Creek below diversion near Mackay, Idaho.
Characterizing the Water Resources of the Big Lost River Valley Active
In cooperation with the Idaho Department of Water Resources, we are working to improve the scientific understanding of the Big Lost River basin's water resources. This improved understanding will support effective resource management.
In September 2016, the Director of the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) was petitioned to designate a Critical Ground Water Area in the Big Lost River Valley. In the petition, a group of water users expressed concerns about declining groundwater levels, declining streamflow in the Big Lost River, and drought. The last comprehensive study of the water resources for the Big Lost River drainage basin was conducted by the USGS almost 50 years ago. An updated characterization of water resources will improve hydrologic understanding of the valley and aid IDWR in making management decisions regarding the valley.
The study objectives are to:
- Support groundwater well installation and monitoring to refine Big Lost River Valley underflow estimates which feed into Eastern Snake River Plain water models;
- Develop a hydrogeologic framework and water budget for the Big Lost River basin; and
- Provide streamgage data to facilitate the development of an improved water-right accounting model for the Big Lost River basin.
To achieve these objectives, we have installed new streamgage stations in the basin to provide real-time streamflow data. We are conducting periodic seepage studies to better understand the interaction of surface water and groundwater. And we are collecting geophysical data from selected wells in the valley to better describe the valley's aquifer system.
The folloiwng multimedia items are associated with this project.
Justin McKoon, hydrologic technicians with the USGS Idaho Water Science Center, measures treamflow at USGS streamgage station 13124265, Warm Springs Creek below diversion near Mackay, Idaho.
The following publications are related to this study.
Groundwater budgets for the Big Lost River Basin, south-central Idaho, 2000–19
Characterization of water resources in the Big Lost River Basin, south-central Idaho
Surface-water and groundwater interactions in the Big Lost River, south-central Idaho
Hydrogeologic framework of the Big Lost River Basin, south-central Idaho, chap. A of Zinsser, L.M., ed., Characterization of water resources in the Big Lost River Basin, south-central Idaho
We thank our partners for their support of this project.
- Overview
In cooperation with the Idaho Department of Water Resources, we are working to improve the scientific understanding of the Big Lost River basin's water resources. This improved understanding will support effective resource management.
In September 2016, the Director of the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) was petitioned to designate a Critical Ground Water Area in the Big Lost River Valley. In the petition, a group of water users expressed concerns about declining groundwater levels, declining streamflow in the Big Lost River, and drought. The last comprehensive study of the water resources for the Big Lost River drainage basin was conducted by the USGS almost 50 years ago. An updated characterization of water resources will improve hydrologic understanding of the valley and aid IDWR in making management decisions regarding the valley.
The study objectives are to:
- Support groundwater well installation and monitoring to refine Big Lost River Valley underflow estimates which feed into Eastern Snake River Plain water models;
- Develop a hydrogeologic framework and water budget for the Big Lost River basin; and
- Provide streamgage data to facilitate the development of an improved water-right accounting model for the Big Lost River basin.
To achieve these objectives, we have installed new streamgage stations in the basin to provide real-time streamflow data. We are conducting periodic seepage studies to better understand the interaction of surface water and groundwater. And we are collecting geophysical data from selected wells in the valley to better describe the valley's aquifer system.
- Multimedia
The folloiwng multimedia items are associated with this project.
USGS hydrographer measuring streamflow on Warm Springs Creek, IdahoUSGS hydrographer measuring streamflow on Warm Springs Creek, IdahoJustin McKoon, hydrologic technicians with the USGS Idaho Water Science Center, measures treamflow at USGS streamgage station 13124265, Warm Springs Creek below diversion near Mackay, Idaho.
Justin McKoon, hydrologic technicians with the USGS Idaho Water Science Center, measures treamflow at USGS streamgage station 13124265, Warm Springs Creek below diversion near Mackay, Idaho.
- Publications
The following publications are related to this study.
Groundwater budgets for the Big Lost River Basin, south-central Idaho, 2000–19
The Big Lost River Basin, located in parts of Butte and Custer Counties in south-central Idaho, supports the communities surrounding the cities of Arco, Leslie, Mackay, and Moore and provides for agricultural resources that depend on a sustainable supply of surface water from the Big Lost River and its tributaries and groundwater from an unconfined aquifer. The aquifer, situated in a structurallyAuthorsAlexis ClarkCharacterization of water resources in the Big Lost River Basin, south-central Idaho
Water resources in the Big Lost River Basin, Idaho are vital to irrigated agriculture, domestic, municipal and other uses but declining groundwater levels, diminished streamflows, and concern about drought motivated an evaluation of water resources in the basin. This multichapter volume documents the findings of a hydrogeologic investigation of the Big Lost River Basin that was jointly conducted bSurface-water and groundwater interactions in the Big Lost River, south-central Idaho
The Big Lost River of south-central Idaho interacts with the underlying aquifer by gaining and losing streamflow throughout various areas in the Big Lost River Valley. Surface-water and groundwater resources are used throughout the valley to sustain domestic, agricultural, and livestock needs. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Idaho Department of Water Resources, evaluated streamAuthorsTaylor J. Dudunake, Lauren M. ZinsserHydrogeologic framework of the Big Lost River Basin, south-central Idaho, chap. A of Zinsser, L.M., ed., Characterization of water resources in the Big Lost River Basin, south-central Idaho
Surface-water and groundwater resources in the Big Lost River Basin of south-central Idaho are extensively interconnected; this interchange affects and is affected by water-resource management for irrigated agriculture and other uses in the basin. Concerns from water users regarding declining groundwater levels, declining streamflows, and drought helped motivate an updated evaluation of water resoAuthorsLauren M. Zinsser - Partners
We thank our partners for their support of this project.