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M.J. Mundorff

Publications and source records attributed to M.J. Mundorff.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS1976

Water resources of the Satus Creek Basin, Yakima Indian Reservation, Washington

The Satus Creek basin lies on the east flank of the Cascade Range in south-central Washington. The basin is entirely within the Yakima Indian Reservation and is bordered and drained on the east by the Yakima River. Average annual precipitation ranges from about 35 inches in the western upland to less than 10 inches in the eastern lowland. This amounts to a yearly total of about 562,000 acre-feet, most of which falls in the upland. Much of the precipitation falls as snow, and the streamflow from the upland reflects this fact, having a high sustained runoff during the snowmelt months of April, May, and June. In 1973 about 176,000 acre-feet of water was carried by canals for irrigation of about 19,000 acres in the lowland; of this quantity, about 173,000 acre-feet was imported from the adjoining Toppenish Creek basin. This high application rate of about 9.25 acre-feet of water per acre is largely responsible for severe waterlogging problems in many parts of the lowland. Also contributing to the problem are the fine-grained sedimentary deposits that generally overlie the alluvial sand and gravel aquifers in the lowland and retard downward percolation of applied water into those units. In other areas the upward discharge from aquifers in the underlying Yakima Basalt of the Columbia River Basalt Group contributes to waterlogging. Relieving artesiar heads by pumping, combined with reduced application and improved drainage, could alleviate the waterlogging, and free water for use in the irrigation of presently nonirrigated parts of the basin. Young volcanic rocks (basalt) in the southwestern, upland part of the basin appear to contain significant ground-water reservoirs. These rocks receive nearly 70,000 acre-feet a year in recharge from precipitation and, although much of this water is what sustains the high base flows of the streams draining the rocks, the remaining water offers potential for development as a high-altitude source for irrigation water.

Washington↗
USGS1967

Ground-water aspects of the lower Henrys Fork region, Idaho

The lower Henrys Fork region includes the plains and low benches between Ashton and the junction of Henrys Fork and Snake River in eastern Idaho. The northwestern and western parts of the area are part of the Snake River lava plain. The central part of the area is occupied by alluvial plains of the Snake, Teton, and Falls Rivers, and Henrys Fork. The southeastern part of the area is a bench (Rexburg Bench), chiefly on silicic and basaltic volcanic rocks, which rises gradually to mountain peaks southeast of the area. The basalt, and the sand and gravel under the alluvial plains are good aquifers and yield large amounts of water with small drawdowns. The silicic volcanic rocks and the interbedded ash, pyroclastics, and sedimentary deposits generally yield much less water than the basalt and alluvium. The regional water table slopes southward beneath the basalt and alluvial plains. Seepage from stream channels and irrigated tracts has resulted in an extensive body of ground water perched above the regional water table. The perched water in part moves vertically down to the regional water table and in part laterally to the streams. Ground water beneath the Rexburg Bench moves generally northwestward to join the regional ground-water body beneath the alluvial plain. The regional water table is below the level of the streams in the area and ground water in the main aquifer, therefore is not tributary to the streams. Recharge to the regional water table is estimated to average 725,000 acre-feet annually. Pumping from the regional ground-water reservoir for irrigation or other uses would have no effect on streamflow or surface-water rights within the study area. However, depletion of the underflow would eventually reduce the inflow to American Falls Reservoir unless the depletion was offset by additional recharge. Total withdrawals of ground water for irrigation in 1962 were estimated to be 25,000 acre-feet and caused no significant decline in the water table. In the Ashton area surface-water irrigation has cause water to be perched in basalt above the silicic volcanic rocks and much of this perched water contributed to streamflow. The flow of Henrys Fork would be decreased by the amount of pumped ground water consumed by crops. Ground-water prospects for irrigation in the Falls River area are not encouraging.

Idaho↗
USGS1962

Water supply for a fish hatchery site, Clearwater Valley, Idaho

A fish hatchery proposed for the lower Clearwater River basin would require a continuous water supply of 10 to 12 cubic feet per second. Limitations on maximum and minimum temperatures and on turbidity are such that a combination surface-and ground-water supply probably would be required. Six prospective sites were examined with respect to their water supply. The sites were at the mouths of Orofino, Jim Fork, Lolo, Lawyer, Clear, and Cottonwood Creeks. The geology and ground-water hydrology were studied to determine the potential ground-water supply at each of the sites. Spot measurements were made on the six tributary streams and comparative studies were made with records on nearby streams to determine probable minimum flows. Of the six sites studied, only one, at the mouth of Clear Creek, had a favorable potential for both surface-and ground-water supply. As an alternative to the Clear Creek site, a location along the South Fork Clearwater River near Kooskia might be considered.

Idaho↗