USGS hydrologist Greg Clark measures streamflow on Government Gulch Creek, a tributarty to the Coeur d'Alene River in northern Idaho. Streamflow data collected are included in the Coeur d'Alene Basin Environmental Monitoring Program the USGS conducts in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency.
Coeur d'Alene Basin Water-Quality Monitoring Active
By Idaho Water Science Center
May 26, 2017
We partner with the EPA to conduct long-term water-quality and streamflow monitoring in the Coeur d’Alene River Basin, which has been widely impacted by historic mining activities.
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We collect water-quality samples 2-4 times per year at 20 sites throughout the basin. Our scientists analyze these samples for metals, hardness, sediment, and nutrients. In addition, we maintain 12 streamgages in the basin. The data from sampling and monitoring are used to help the EPA target remedial actions, to evaluate the effectiveness of remedial actions, and to describe long-term water-quality and streamflow trends.
As part of its ongoing cleanup efforts, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is constructing a groundwater collection and treatment system to intercept and treat this contaminated water before it reaches the river. To establish conditions prior to construction, the USGS conducted a seepage study in September 2017 to quantify the rate and quality of groundwater discharging into the South Fork Coeur d’Alene River between Kellogg and Smelterville. We will conduct a second seepage study after construction and treatment plant system optimization are complete. This second study will evaluate changes in groundwater discharge to and water quality in the South Fork Coeur d’Alene River compared to the pre-construction conditions.
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Hydrologist Measuring Streamflow
USGS hydrologist Greg Clark measures streamflow on Government Gulch Creek, a tributarty to the Coeur d'Alene River in northern Idaho. Streamflow data collected are included in the Coeur d'Alene Basin Environmental Monitoring Program the USGS conducts in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency.
Coeur dAlene Basin Environmental Monitoring Program
The South Fork Coeur d'Alene River near Kellogg, Idaho has been impacted by historical mining activites. Since 2004, the USGS, in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency, has maintained a water-quality monitoring program in the Coeur d'Alene and Spokane River basins of northern Idaho and eastern Washington.
The South Fork Coeur d'Alene River near Kellogg, Idaho has been impacted by historical mining activites. Since 2004, the USGS, in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency, has maintained a water-quality monitoring program in the Coeur d'Alene and Spokane River basins of northern Idaho and eastern Washington.
- Overview
We partner with the EPA to conduct long-term water-quality and streamflow monitoring in the Coeur d’Alene River Basin, which has been widely impacted by historic mining activities.
Sources/Usage: Some content may have restrictions. View Media DetailsU.S. Geological Survey hydrologic technicians Kevin Kirlin (left) and Ryan Smith collect water-quality samples from the Coeur d'Alene River near Cataldo (USGS 12413500) as part of an ongoing monitoring program that the USGS conducts on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. We collect water-quality samples 2-4 times per year at 20 sites throughout the basin. Our scientists analyze these samples for metals, hardness, sediment, and nutrients. In addition, we maintain 12 streamgages in the basin. The data from sampling and monitoring are used to help the EPA target remedial actions, to evaluate the effectiveness of remedial actions, and to describe long-term water-quality and streamflow trends.
As part of its ongoing cleanup efforts, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is constructing a groundwater collection and treatment system to intercept and treat this contaminated water before it reaches the river. To establish conditions prior to construction, the USGS conducted a seepage study in September 2017 to quantify the rate and quality of groundwater discharging into the South Fork Coeur d’Alene River between Kellogg and Smelterville. We will conduct a second seepage study after construction and treatment plant system optimization are complete. This second study will evaluate changes in groundwater discharge to and water quality in the South Fork Coeur d’Alene River compared to the pre-construction conditions.
- Multimedia
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Hydrologist Measuring StreamflowUSGS hydrologist Greg Clark measures streamflow on Government Gulch Creek, a tributarty to the Coeur d'Alene River in northern Idaho. Streamflow data collected are included in the Coeur d'Alene Basin Environmental Monitoring Program the USGS conducts in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency.
USGS hydrologist Greg Clark measures streamflow on Government Gulch Creek, a tributarty to the Coeur d'Alene River in northern Idaho. Streamflow data collected are included in the Coeur d'Alene Basin Environmental Monitoring Program the USGS conducts in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency.
Coeur dAlene Basin Environmental Monitoring ProgramThe South Fork Coeur d'Alene River near Kellogg, Idaho has been impacted by historical mining activites. Since 2004, the USGS, in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency, has maintained a water-quality monitoring program in the Coeur d'Alene and Spokane River basins of northern Idaho and eastern Washington.
The South Fork Coeur d'Alene River near Kellogg, Idaho has been impacted by historical mining activites. Since 2004, the USGS, in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency, has maintained a water-quality monitoring program in the Coeur d'Alene and Spokane River basins of northern Idaho and eastern Washington.
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