The Issue: Groundwater is an important resource for domestic, commercial, and industrial usage in Mason County, and groundwater discharge helps maintain late-summer and early-fall streamflow (baseflow) in many area streams. Consequently, as the population grows, and commercial and industrial activity increase, so does the demand for groundwater. However, the quantity of usable groundwater, and the potential effects of future natural conditions and anthropogenic activities on groundwater resources are not well understood in the watershed. Additional information is required to help ensure the long-term sustainability of the area's groundwater resources.
How USGS will help: The USGS will establish and operate of a network of monthly groundwater-level and synoptic stream baseflow measurement sites. It is anticipated that these data will be integrated, along with other information, into a numerical flow model to contribute to an improved understanding of water resources in Mason County.
YGFH00 - GW and baseflow in Mason County
Problem - Groundwater is an important resource for domestic, commercial, and industrial usage in Mason County, and groundwater discharge helps maintain late-summer and early-fall streamflow (baseflow) in many area streams. Consequently, as the population grows, and commercial and industrial activity increase, so does the demand for groundwater. However, the quantity of usable groundwater, and the potential effects of future natural conditions and anthropogenic activities on groundwater resources are not well understood in the watershed. Additional information is required to help ensure the long-term sustainability of the area's groundwater resources.
Objectives - The objective of this study is the establishment and operation of a network of monthly groundwater-level and synoptic stream baseflow measurement sites. It is anticipated that these data will be integrated, along with other information, into a numerical flow model to contribute to an improved understanding of water resources in Mason County.
Relevance and Benefits - This study is consistent with the national USGS mission and goals and to water-resource issues identified in the Center's Science Plan. The study addresses ground-water availability and sustainability, which are priority issues for both the Strategic Directions for U.S. Geological Survey Water Science, 2012-2022 and the USGS Washington Water Science Center's Science Plan. This study is appropriate for inclusion in the USGS Cooperative Program because it will provide information that advances understanding of hydrologic processes.
Approach - A monthly groundwater-level monitoring network consisting of about 60 wells will be established and operated over a 2-year period. Synoptic stream baseflow measurements will be made at about 20 locations to estimate groundwater contributions to stream baseflow. All measurements and associated information will be verified and entered into the National Water Information System data base.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Groundwater and surface-water data collection for Mason County, western Washington, 2016–18
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Below are partners associated with this project.
The Issue: Groundwater is an important resource for domestic, commercial, and industrial usage in Mason County, and groundwater discharge helps maintain late-summer and early-fall streamflow (baseflow) in many area streams. Consequently, as the population grows, and commercial and industrial activity increase, so does the demand for groundwater. However, the quantity of usable groundwater, and the potential effects of future natural conditions and anthropogenic activities on groundwater resources are not well understood in the watershed. Additional information is required to help ensure the long-term sustainability of the area's groundwater resources.
How USGS will help: The USGS will establish and operate of a network of monthly groundwater-level and synoptic stream baseflow measurement sites. It is anticipated that these data will be integrated, along with other information, into a numerical flow model to contribute to an improved understanding of water resources in Mason County.
YGFH00 - GW and baseflow in Mason County
Problem - Groundwater is an important resource for domestic, commercial, and industrial usage in Mason County, and groundwater discharge helps maintain late-summer and early-fall streamflow (baseflow) in many area streams. Consequently, as the population grows, and commercial and industrial activity increase, so does the demand for groundwater. However, the quantity of usable groundwater, and the potential effects of future natural conditions and anthropogenic activities on groundwater resources are not well understood in the watershed. Additional information is required to help ensure the long-term sustainability of the area's groundwater resources.
Objectives - The objective of this study is the establishment and operation of a network of monthly groundwater-level and synoptic stream baseflow measurement sites. It is anticipated that these data will be integrated, along with other information, into a numerical flow model to contribute to an improved understanding of water resources in Mason County.
Relevance and Benefits - This study is consistent with the national USGS mission and goals and to water-resource issues identified in the Center's Science Plan. The study addresses ground-water availability and sustainability, which are priority issues for both the Strategic Directions for U.S. Geological Survey Water Science, 2012-2022 and the USGS Washington Water Science Center's Science Plan. This study is appropriate for inclusion in the USGS Cooperative Program because it will provide information that advances understanding of hydrologic processes.
Approach - A monthly groundwater-level monitoring network consisting of about 60 wells will be established and operated over a 2-year period. Synoptic stream baseflow measurements will be made at about 20 locations to estimate groundwater contributions to stream baseflow. All measurements and associated information will be verified and entered into the National Water Information System data base.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Groundwater and surface-water data collection for Mason County, western Washington, 2016–18
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Below are partners associated with this project.