The Puyallup River Basin in western Washington is drained by the Puyallup River and its main tributaries, the White and Carbon Rivers. The basin supports several salmon runs and hosts a variety of recreational activities. Communities in the basin include Tacoma, Puyallup, Fife, Sumner, Orting, Auburn, and the Puyallup and Muckleshoot Tribes. The types of land use in the basin vary from forests and crop lands to industrial, commercial, and residential areas.
Studies of the Puyallup River resulted in 1994 in the development of a preventative total maximum daily load (TMDL) to the river. A TMDL is the maximum amount of compounds and materials that the river can receive and still meet water-quality standards. Monitoring data since 1994 indicate that levels of dissolved oxygen have dropped on several occasions, for unknown reasons.
In coordination with the Puyallup tribe and the Washington Department of Ecology, the USGS is studying dissolved oxygen in the lower Puyallup and White Rivers through continuous monitoring, sample collection, and data analysis.
9722-9EL - Dissolved Oxygen Monitoring and Profiling in the Lower Puyallup and White Rivers to Help Address TMDL-Related Questions - Completed FY2002
Introduction and Background - Monitoring conducted by the USGS in cooperation with the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) and the Puyallup Tribe of Indians found that the concentration of dissolved oxygen in the White River dropped below the standard of 8 milligrams per liter (mg/L) on two occasions during August 2001. This confirmed that there is little or no reserve capacity for biochemical oxygen demand in the lower White River. On both occasions when the concentration of dissolved oxygen dropped below 8 mg/L, the quality of the monitoring record was rated as poor because of difficulty with instrument calibration. Consequently, Ecology and the Puyallup Tribe are interested in monitoring concentrations of dissolved oxygen in the lower White River again in August and September 2002.
The reach of the Puyallup River downstream from river mile (RM) 2.9, which is where monitors were installed in 2000 and 2001, is a salt-wedge estuary and therefore is a transitional area where the water-quality standard of 8 mg/L for dissolved oxygen in freshwater changes to 6 mg/L in saltwater. To better understand the effects of mixing of fresh and salt water on concentrations of dissolved oxygen, the Puyallup Tribe is interested making cross-sectional measurements of dissolved-oxygen concentrations and specific conductance at about RM 1.0 in the Puyallup River Estuary.
Objectives - The objectives of this study are to 1) better define variability in concentrations of dissolved oxygen in the lower White River, and 2) define cross-sectional variations in specific conductance and concentration of dissolved oxygen in the Puyallup River Estuary.
Relevance and Benefits - This study will address the second major mission goal of the USGS 2000-2005 Strategic Plan of better understanding the Nation's environment and natural resources. The study, which involves cooperative monitoring and data collection, will help to better understand how reservoir management affects dissolved-oxygen concentrations in the White River. Thus, it also addresses three of five water issues identified in the District Science Plan-water availability, hydroelectric power, and water quality. Locally, the data are very important to the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, Washington State Department of Ecology, and other parties who desire to resolve questions about waste load allocation limits in the lower White River.
Approach - This study will be a coordinated effort of the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology), Puyallup Tribe of Indians, and the USGS. Elements of this study include continuous monitoring, cross-section profiles, and data analysis and reporting.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Hydrogeologic framework, groundwater movement, and water budget in the Puyallup River Watershed and vicinity, Pierce and King Counties, Washington
Hydrographs showing groundwater levels for selected wells in the Puyallup River watershed and vicinity, Pierce and King Counties, Washington
Geomorphic analysis of the river response to sedimentation downstream of Mount Rainier, Washington
Changes in sediment volume in Alder Lake, Nisqually River Basin, Washington, 1945-2011
Sediment load from major rivers into Puget Sound and its adjacent waters
Channel-conveyance capacity, channel change, and sediment transport in the lower Puyallup, White, and Carbon Rivers, western Washington
Integrating remotely acquired and field data to assess effects of setback levees on riparian and aquatic habitat in glacial-melt water rivers
Trends in streamflow and comparisons with instream flows in the lower Puyallup River basin, Washington
Water temperature, specific conductance, pH, and dissolved-oxygen concentrations in the lower White River and the Puyallup River estuary, Washington, August-October 2002
Concentrations of dissolved oxygen in the lower Puyallup and White Rivers, Washington, August and September 2000 and 2001
Streamflow statistics for streams on the Puyallup Indian Reservation, Washington
Flood-carrying capacities and changes in channels of the Lower Puyallup, White, and Carbon Rivers in western Washington
Below are partners associated with this project.
- Overview
The Puyallup River Basin in western Washington is drained by the Puyallup River and its main tributaries, the White and Carbon Rivers. The basin supports several salmon runs and hosts a variety of recreational activities. Communities in the basin include Tacoma, Puyallup, Fife, Sumner, Orting, Auburn, and the Puyallup and Muckleshoot Tribes. The types of land use in the basin vary from forests and crop lands to industrial, commercial, and residential areas.
Studies of the Puyallup River resulted in 1994 in the development of a preventative total maximum daily load (TMDL) to the river. A TMDL is the maximum amount of compounds and materials that the river can receive and still meet water-quality standards. Monitoring data since 1994 indicate that levels of dissolved oxygen have dropped on several occasions, for unknown reasons.
In coordination with the Puyallup tribe and the Washington Department of Ecology, the USGS is studying dissolved oxygen in the lower Puyallup and White Rivers through continuous monitoring, sample collection, and data analysis.
9722-9EL - Dissolved Oxygen Monitoring and Profiling in the Lower Puyallup and White Rivers to Help Address TMDL-Related Questions - Completed FY2002
Introduction and Background - Monitoring conducted by the USGS in cooperation with the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) and the Puyallup Tribe of Indians found that the concentration of dissolved oxygen in the White River dropped below the standard of 8 milligrams per liter (mg/L) on two occasions during August 2001. This confirmed that there is little or no reserve capacity for biochemical oxygen demand in the lower White River. On both occasions when the concentration of dissolved oxygen dropped below 8 mg/L, the quality of the monitoring record was rated as poor because of difficulty with instrument calibration. Consequently, Ecology and the Puyallup Tribe are interested in monitoring concentrations of dissolved oxygen in the lower White River again in August and September 2002.
The reach of the Puyallup River downstream from river mile (RM) 2.9, which is where monitors were installed in 2000 and 2001, is a salt-wedge estuary and therefore is a transitional area where the water-quality standard of 8 mg/L for dissolved oxygen in freshwater changes to 6 mg/L in saltwater. To better understand the effects of mixing of fresh and salt water on concentrations of dissolved oxygen, the Puyallup Tribe is interested making cross-sectional measurements of dissolved-oxygen concentrations and specific conductance at about RM 1.0 in the Puyallup River Estuary.
Objectives - The objectives of this study are to 1) better define variability in concentrations of dissolved oxygen in the lower White River, and 2) define cross-sectional variations in specific conductance and concentration of dissolved oxygen in the Puyallup River Estuary.
Relevance and Benefits - This study will address the second major mission goal of the USGS 2000-2005 Strategic Plan of better understanding the Nation's environment and natural resources. The study, which involves cooperative monitoring and data collection, will help to better understand how reservoir management affects dissolved-oxygen concentrations in the White River. Thus, it also addresses three of five water issues identified in the District Science Plan-water availability, hydroelectric power, and water quality. Locally, the data are very important to the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, Washington State Department of Ecology, and other parties who desire to resolve questions about waste load allocation limits in the lower White River.
Approach - This study will be a coordinated effort of the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology), Puyallup Tribe of Indians, and the USGS. Elements of this study include continuous monitoring, cross-section profiles, and data analysis and reporting.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 13Hydrogeologic framework, groundwater movement, and water budget in the Puyallup River Watershed and vicinity, Pierce and King Counties, Washington
This report presents information used to characterize the groundwater-flow system in the Puyallup River Watershed and vicinity, and includes descriptions of the geology and hydrogeologic framework; groundwater recharge and discharge; groundwater levels and flow directions; seasonal groundwater level fluctuations; interactions between aquifers and the surface-water system; and a water budget. The sAuthorsWendy B. Welch, Kenneth H. Johnson, Mark E. Savoca, Ron C. Lane, Elisabeth T. Fasser, Andrew S. Gendaszek, Cameron Marshall, Burt G. Clothier, Eric N. KnoedlerHydrographs showing groundwater levels for selected wells in the Puyallup River watershed and vicinity, Pierce and King Counties, Washington
Hydrographs of groundwater levels for selected wells in and adjacent to the Puyallup River watershed in Pierce and King Counties, Washington, are presented using an interactive Web-based map of the study area to illustrate changes in groundwater levels on a monthly and seasonal basis. The interactive map displays well locations that link to the hydrographs, which in turn link to the U.S. GeologicaAuthorsR. C. Lane, R. J. Julich, G.B. JustinGeomorphic analysis of the river response to sedimentation downstream of Mount Rainier, Washington
A study of the geomorphology of rivers draining Mount Rainier, Washington, was completed to identify sources of sediment to the river network; to identify important processes in the sediment delivery system; to assess current sediment loads in rivers draining Mount Rainier; to evaluate if there were trends in streamflow or sediment load since the early 20th century; and to assess how rates of sediAuthorsJonathan A. Czuba, Christopher S. Magirl, Christiana R. Czuba, Christopher A. Curran, Kenneth H. Johnson, Theresa D. Olsen, Halley K. Kimball, Casey C. GishChanges in sediment volume in Alder Lake, Nisqually River Basin, Washington, 1945-2011
The Nisqually River drains the southwest slopes of Mount Rainier, a glaciated stratovolcano in the Cascade Range of western Washington. The Nisqually River was impounded behind Alder Dam when the dam was completed in 1945 and formed Alder Lake. This report quantifies the volume of sediment deposited by the Nisqually and Little Nisqually Rivers in their respective deltas in Alder Lake since 1945. FAuthorsJonathan A. Czuba, Theresa D. Olsen, Christiana R. Czuba, Christopher S. Magirl, Casey C. GishSediment load from major rivers into Puget Sound and its adjacent waters
Each year, an estimated load of 6.5 million tons of sediment is transported by rivers to Puget Sound and its adjacent waters—enough to cover a football field to the height of six Space Needles. This estimated load is highly uncertain because sediment studies and available sediment-load data are sparse and historically limited to specific rivers, short time frames, and a narrow range of hydrologicAuthorsJonathan A. Czuba, Christopher S. Magirl, Christiana R. Czuba, Eric E. Grossman, Christopher A. Curran, Andrew S. Gendaszek, Richard S. DinicolaChannel-conveyance capacity, channel change, and sediment transport in the lower Puyallup, White, and Carbon Rivers, western Washington
Draining the volcanic, glaciated terrain of Mount Rainier, Washington, the Puyallup, White, and Carbon Rivers convey copious volumes of water and sediment down to Commencement Bay in Puget Sound. Recent flooding in the lowland river system has renewed interest in understanding sediment transport and its effects on flow conveyance throughout the lower drainage basin. Bathymetric and topographic datAuthorsJonathan A. Czuba, Christiana R. Czuba, Chistopher S. Magirl, Frank D. VossIntegrating remotely acquired and field data to assess effects of setback levees on riparian and aquatic habitat in glacial-melt water rivers
Setback levees, in which levees are reconstructed at a greater distance from a river channel, are a promising restoration technique particularly for alluvial rivers with broad floodplains where river-floodplain connectivity is essential to ecological processes. Documenting the ecological outcomes of restoration activities is essential for assessing the comparative benefits of different restorationAuthorsC.P. Konrad, R. W. Black, F. Voss, C. M. U. NealeTrends in streamflow and comparisons with instream flows in the lower Puyallup River basin, Washington
The Puyallup Tribe of Indians is interested in better understanding the water resources of the lower Puyallup River Basin in order to ensure sufficient water to meet Tribal and hatchery needs and make future water-resource decisions. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Puyallup Tribe, conducted a study to identify trends in streamflow in the lower Puyallup River Basin and to comparAuthorsSteve S. SumiokaWater temperature, specific conductance, pH, and dissolved-oxygen concentrations in the lower White River and the Puyallup River estuary, Washington, August-October 2002
The U.S. Geological Survey, Washington State Department of Ecology, and Puyallup Tribe of Indians monitored water temperature, specific conductance, pH, and dissolved-oxygen concentrations in the White River at river miles 4.9 and 1.8 from August until mid-October 2002. Water diverted from the White River upstream from the monitoring sites into Lake Tapps is returned to the river at river mile 3.6AuthorsJames C. EbbertConcentrations of dissolved oxygen in the lower Puyallup and White Rivers, Washington, August and September 2000 and 2001
The U.S. Geological Survey, Washington State Department of Ecology, and Puyallup Tribe of Indians conducted a study in August and September 2001 to assess factors affecting concentrations of dissolved oxygen in the lower Puyallup and White Rivers, Washington. The study was initiated because observed concentrations of dissolved oxygen in the lower Puyallup River fell to levels ranging from less thaAuthorsJ. C. EbbertStreamflow statistics for streams on the Puyallup Indian Reservation, Washington
Streamflow statistics consisting of low flows, high flows, mean monthly flows, mean annual flows, flow durations, and peak flows were estimated for 16 sites on small streams on the Puyallup Indian Reservation, Washington. Drainage areas ranged from 0.62 to 16.7 sq mi. Streamflow statistics were also computed for the Puyallup River at Puyallup (gaging station 12101500). All of the small-stream statAuthorsD. L. Kresch, E. A. PrychFlood-carrying capacities and changes in channels of the Lower Puyallup, White, and Carbon Rivers in western Washington
The flood-carrying capacity of the Puyallup River 's leveed channel from its mouth to the city of Puyallup exceeds the 100-yr-flood discharge at most locations. Upstream from the city of Puyallup the flood-carrying capacity also is less than the 100-yr flood at many locations. In King County the flood-carrying capacity would be greater than the 100-year flood nearly everywhere if the levees were iAuthorsE. A. Prych - Partners
Below are partners associated with this project.