The Issue: Since 1952 water diverted from the Columbia River has been used to irrigate parts of the Pasco basin in eastern Washington. As a result of the surface-water irrigation, groundwater levels generally have risen in the area. The increases in groundwater fluxes and groundwater in storage have created a need to better understand the flow system before and after the start of irrigation to assist in the management of the groundwater resources.
How USGS will help: The USGS is conducting a major study of the eastern Pasco basin groundwater-flow system to provide current, complete scientific information for making sound decisions about managing this important resource.
Assessment of Groundwater in Storage, Eastern Pasco Basin, Washington - Completed FY2016
Problem - Since 1952 water diverted from the Columbia River has been used to irrigate parts of the Pasco basin in eastern Washington. As a result of the surface-water irrigation, groundwater levels generally have risen in the area. The increases in groundwater fluxes and groundwater in storage have created a need to better understand the flow system before and after the start of irrigation to assist in the management of the groundwater resources.
Objectives - The objectives for the groundwater study have been defined by a joint effort of the Washington State Department of Ecology, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and other parties. These objectives are to: (1) define the hydrogeology of the study area, (2) determine flow patterns of the groundwater system and quantities of movement so that the effect of stresses on the system in terms of artificial recharge and groundwater withdrawals can be documented, and (3) simulate the effects of management scenarios on groundwater availability.
Approach - Data collection, hydrogeologic framework characterization, and assessment of the water resources of the Pasco basin will be conducted on a basin-wide scale and all major components of the water budget will be examined. Existing hydrologic and hydrogeologic data will be compiled and entered into the appropriate databases and those data will be analyzed to determine long-term trends in water levels and baseflows. Three dimensional basin-fill hydrogeology (sedimentary) and the long-term (predevelopment to 2007 conditions) water use and recharge components will be refined. New framework data, including the refined stratigraphy, will be incorporated into the existing USGS Columbia Plateau groundwater-flow model and changes in basin-fill groundwater storage due to existing anthropogenic stresses and potential management scenarios will be simulated. A USGS Scientific Investigations Report will be published to describe the conceptual model of the flow system and present comprehensive water budgets.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Simulation of groundwater storage changes in the eastern Pasco Basin, Washington
Below are partners associated with this project.
- Overview
The Issue: Since 1952 water diverted from the Columbia River has been used to irrigate parts of the Pasco basin in eastern Washington. As a result of the surface-water irrigation, groundwater levels generally have risen in the area. The increases in groundwater fluxes and groundwater in storage have created a need to better understand the flow system before and after the start of irrigation to assist in the management of the groundwater resources.
How USGS will help: The USGS is conducting a major study of the eastern Pasco basin groundwater-flow system to provide current, complete scientific information for making sound decisions about managing this important resource.
Assessment of Groundwater in Storage, Eastern Pasco Basin, Washington - Completed FY2016
Problem - Since 1952 water diverted from the Columbia River has been used to irrigate parts of the Pasco basin in eastern Washington. As a result of the surface-water irrigation, groundwater levels generally have risen in the area. The increases in groundwater fluxes and groundwater in storage have created a need to better understand the flow system before and after the start of irrigation to assist in the management of the groundwater resources.
Objectives - The objectives for the groundwater study have been defined by a joint effort of the Washington State Department of Ecology, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and other parties. These objectives are to: (1) define the hydrogeology of the study area, (2) determine flow patterns of the groundwater system and quantities of movement so that the effect of stresses on the system in terms of artificial recharge and groundwater withdrawals can be documented, and (3) simulate the effects of management scenarios on groundwater availability.
Approach - Data collection, hydrogeologic framework characterization, and assessment of the water resources of the Pasco basin will be conducted on a basin-wide scale and all major components of the water budget will be examined. Existing hydrologic and hydrogeologic data will be compiled and entered into the appropriate databases and those data will be analyzed to determine long-term trends in water levels and baseflows. Three dimensional basin-fill hydrogeology (sedimentary) and the long-term (predevelopment to 2007 conditions) water use and recharge components will be refined. New framework data, including the refined stratigraphy, will be incorporated into the existing USGS Columbia Plateau groundwater-flow model and changes in basin-fill groundwater storage due to existing anthropogenic stresses and potential management scenarios will be simulated. A USGS Scientific Investigations Report will be published to describe the conceptual model of the flow system and present comprehensive water budgets.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Simulation of groundwater storage changes in the eastern Pasco Basin, Washington
The Miocene Columbia River Basalt Group and younger sedimentary deposits of lacustrine, fluvial, eolian, and cataclysmic-flood origins compose the aquifer system of the Pasco Basin in eastern Washington. Irrigation return flow and canal leakage from the Columbia Basin Project have caused groundwater levels to rise substantially in some areas, contributing to landslides along the Columbia River. WaAuthorsCharles E. Heywood, Sue C. Kahle, Theresa D. Olsen, James D. Patterson, Erick Burns - Partners
Below are partners associated with this project.