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Research about Idaho, Washington

Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including Idaho, Washington.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
USGS1995

Depth to water, 1991, in the Rathdrum Prairie, Idaho; Spokane River valley, Washington; Moscow-Lewiston-Grangeville area, Idaho; and selected intermontane valleys, east-central Idaho

This map report illustrates digitally generated depth-to-water zones for the Rathdrum Prairie in Idaho; part of the Spokane River Valley in eastern Washington; and the intermontane valleys of the upper Big Wood, Big Lost, Pahsimeroi, Little Lost, and Lemhi Rivers and Birch Creek in Idaho. Depth to water is 400 to 500 feet below land surface in the northern part of Rathdrum Prairie, 100 to 200 feet below land surface at the Idaho-Washington State line, and 0 to 250 feet below land surface in the Spokane area. Depth to water in the intermontane valleys in east-central Idaho is least (usually less than 50 feet) near streams and increases toward valley margins where mountain-front alluvial fans have formed. Depths to water shown in the Moscow-Lewiston-Grangeville area in Idaho are limited to point data at individual wells because most of the water levels measured were not representative of levels in the uppermost aquifer but of levels in deeper aquifers.

Idaho, Washington↗
USGS1995

Water-quality assessment of the central Columbia Plateau in Washington and Idaho: Analysis of available nutrient and pesticide data for ground water, 1942-92

Analysis of available nutrient and pesticide data from more than a thousand wells shows that shallow ground water (less than 300 feet) in the Central Columbia Plateau has been contaminated with nitrate, particularly in the southwest. Water samples collected from one-fifth of public-supply wells in the southwest, and one-tenth elsewhere, have nitrate concentrations that exceed the maximum contaminant levels for nitrate in drinking water. Eleven pesticides also have been detected, and one of them (EDB) was detected in 10 wells at concentrations above the maximum contaminant level for drinking water. Nitrate concentrations in ground water are influenced most by agricultural use of fertilizers and by recharge rates and sources. Concentrations are higher where fertilizers are most heavily applied and are higher in shallow ground water than in deeper aquifers. Trends observed in wells with long periods of record show increases in nitrate concentration beginning in the early 1950's, after the use of nitrogen compounds as fertilizers became widespread. Ground-water recharge affects nitrate concentrations in two ways: it transports nitrate into the ground-water system, raising nitrate concentrations in ground water; and it lowers concentrations by dilution when fresh water recharges in sufficient quantities. Dilution is especially evident near canals where fresh irrigation water enters the ground-water system. More data would be needed to investigate possible relations between phosphate or pesticide concentrations and land use or depth. Phosphate concentrations in ground water are low--the median in the study unit is 0.02 milligram per liter as phosphorous. Detection of pesticides in ground water correlates with the solubility of the compounds in water and other related physico-chemical properties. Compounds that were detected have higher solubilities than compounds that were not detected.

Idaho, Washington↗
USGS1990

Geohydrology and numerical model analysis of ground-water flow in the Pullman-Moscow area, Washington and Idaho

The geohydrology of the Pullman, Washington-Moscow, Idaho area was investigated by mapping geohydrologic units, determining the distribution of hydraulic head in each unit, and determining some of the components of the water budget. This information was used to construct a three- dimensional groundwater-flow model that incorporates three layers--a surficial loess layer, a Wanapum Basalt layer, and a Grande Ronde Basalt layer. The model was used to assess the effects of changes in the rate of withdrawal of groundwater on the water levels in the geohydrologic units and on streamflow in the area. Recharge to the groundwater system was calculated independent of the model. It was determined that current farming practices use soil moisture more effectively than did natural vegetation, and these practices have reduced groundwater recharge by nearly 10%. The three-dimensional model was calibrated using the time- averaged method for the period 1974-85, and was evaluated by simulating historical pumpage rate changes (1890-1985) and comparing calculated with observed water-level changes. Model results indicate that groundwater levels would stop declining if pumpage were stabilized at a constant level. Levels will continue to decline into the foreseeable future, however, as long as groundwater pumpage continues to increase. The source of the additional simulated pumpage is streamflow depletion near pumping locations.

Idaho, Washington↗
USGS1987

Concentrations of metals in mink and other mammals from Washington and Idaho

From 1981 to 1983, concentrations dfof metals were determined in mink Mustela vison , muskrats Ondatra zibethica , and small mammals at one contaminated site in Idaho and at two less contaminated sites in Idaho and Washington. The highest concentrations of Pb and Cd occurred in samples from the Coeur d'Alene River system near or downstream from an extensive mining—smelting complex in northern Idaho. Maximum concentrations of Pb in the liver of a mink (22 μg g −1 ) and in pooled liver samples of both voles ( Microtus spp. , 5·8 μg g −1 ) and deer mice ( Peromyscus maniculatus , 10·5 μg g −1 ) were higher than those inducing serious problems, including mortality, in experimental mammals on Pb-contaminated diets. Concentrations of Cd, Cu, Hg, and Zn were generally low. Declines in certain mammal populations have probably occurred in northern Idah as a result of direct toxicity of metals and associated secondary effects on cover and food supply.

Idaho, Washington↗
USGS1986

Occurrence of dissolved sodium in ground waters in basalts underlying the Columbia Plateau, Washington

Basalt aquifers of the Columbia River Basalt Group are a principal source of water for agricultural, domestic, and municipal use. Concern has been expressed in this agriculture-dependent region about problems associated with the use of groundwaters with a high sodium concentration relative to the calcium and magnesium content (high sodium-adsorption ratio). Continued irrigation with such waters can reduce soil permeability to the degree that water cannot effectively reach plant roots. Groundwaters within a flow path evolved from a calcium magnesium bicarbonate type in shallow and upgradient locations to a sodium potassium bicarbonate type in deeper and downgradient locations. Most of the intermediate and high sodium adsorption ratio values were observed in discharge areas near major streams and in pumping centers within the central part of the plateau. Ninety-six percent of the groundwaters sampled had a low sodium absorption ratio, indicating that, for irrigation purposes, there is probably little danger of harmful levels of exchangeable sodium occurring on soil. However, water from 18 of 418 wells sampled had a sodium absorption ratio grater than 8.0 and were classified as having a medium, high, or very high sodium hazard.

Idaho, Washington↗
USGS1985

Reproduction, mortality, and heavy metal concentrations in great blue herons from three colonies in Washington and Idaho

We collected eggs in nests, hatchlings and eggs with advanced embryos on the ground, and prefledgling young of Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias) at three nesting colonies in Washington and Idaho. Intact fish were also collected on the ground at the Idaho colony. The Ft. Lewis colony near Puget Sound in Washington and the Lake Chatcolet colony in northern Idaho were located near areas extensively polluted with heavy metals from minning or smelting activities. The Hanford Reservation colony near Richland, Washington was located some distance from point sources of heavy metal pollution. Heavy metals in heron samples were generally low and were all below concentrations known to induce mortality or adversely affect reproductive success. The elevated copper in one of three prefledglings from Ft. Lewis paralleled that found in an occasional nestling of several species of birds in other studies; the significance of this relationship is unclear. Breeding herons apparently fed near their colonies in areas removed from the sites of heaviest contamination, but birds in the Lake Chatcolet colony were preying on fish containing as much as 6 mu-g/g lead.

Idaho, Washington↗
USGS1980

Interpretation of an aerial radiometric and magnetic survey of the Salmo-Priest study area (RARE E6-981 A1-981), Pend Oreille County, Washington and Boundary County, Idaho

An aerial radiometric and magnetic survey of the Salmo-Priest study area (RARE E6-981) (index map) was made by the U.S. Geological Survey during October, 1978. Geophysical data from the survey will be used in the assessment of the mineral-resource potential of the study area. The Salmo-Priest area is located in northeastern Washington and northern Idaho and the north edge is the United States-Canadian boundary. This report presents the data obtained by the survey and an interpretation of the data.

Idaho, Washington↗
USGS1980

Digital model simulation of the hydrologic flow system, with emphasis on ground water in Spokane Valley, Washington and Idaho

A digital-computer model of the hydrologic flow system, with emphasis on ground water, was developed for Spokane Valley, Washington and Idaho. The current rate of ground-water pumping in Spokane Valley has little effect on water levels in the Spokane aquifer, although short-term water-level declines occur locally. The model was used to show the effects of increased ground-water pumpage on aquifer heads and streamflow. A simulated pumping rate twice that of actual 1977 pumping rates of 227 cubic feet per second lowered water levels in the Spokane aquifer less than 3 feet during a 1-year simulation period. This doubling of the ground water pumpage caused a decrease in discharge of the Spokane River, as measured at Spokane, of about 150 cubic feet per second during the summer months and about 50 cubic feet per second during the rest of the year. Leakage from the aquifer to the Little Spokane River was decreased by less than 10 cubic feet per second.

Idaho, Washington↗
USGS1977

Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie aquifer, Washington and Idaho

The Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie aquifer is composed of unconsolidated Quaternary glaciofluvial deposits underlying an area of about 350 square miles. Transmissivities in the aquifer range from about 0.13 million to 11 million feet squared per day and ground-water velocities exceed 60 feet per day in some areas. The water-table gradient ranges from about 2 feet per mile to more than 60 feet per mile, and during a year the water table fluctuates on the order of 5 to 10 feet. For most of the aquifer the water table is between 40 and 400 feet below land surface. The aquifer is recharged and discharged at an average rate of about 1,320 cubic feet per second. Water is presently (1976) pumped from the aquifer at an average rate of about 239 cubic feet per second for domestic, industrial, and agricultural uses. Most of this is discharged to the Spokane River, lost to evapotranspiration, or applied to the land surface with little or no change in quality. However, about 34 cubic feet per second becomes waste water generated by domestic and industrial activities and is returned to the aquifer by percolation from cesspools and drain fields. The quality of water in the aquifer is generally good. Less than one-half of 1 percent of the 3,300 analyses available exceeded the maximum contaminant levels specified in the National Interim Primary (or Proposed Secondary) Drinking Water Regulations (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1975) for constituents which may be hazardous to health. Of the 6,300 analyses for constituents considered detrimental to the esthetic quality of water, about 1.4 percent have yielded values which exceeded the recommended levels. Alternative water sources for the area supplied by the aquifer are the Spokane and Little Spokane Rivers, lakes adjacent to the aquifer, and other aquifers. All of these potential sources are less desirable than the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie aquifer because of insufficient supplies, poor water quality, and (or) remoteness from the areas of need.

Idaho, Washington↗
USGS1970

Sediment transport by streams in the Palouse River basin, Washington and Idaho, July 1961-June 1965

The Palouse River basin covers about 3,300 square miles in southeastern Washington and northwestern Idaho. The eastern part of the basin is composed of steptoes and foothills which are generally above an altitude of 2,600 feet; the central part is of moderate local relief and is mantled chiefly by thick loess deposits; and the western part is characterized by low relief and scabland topography and is underlain mostly by basalt. Precipitation increases eastward across the study area. It ranges annually from 12 to 18 inches in the western part and from 14 to 23 inches in the central part, and it exceeds 40 inches in the eastern part. Surface runoff from the basin for the 4-year period of study (July 1961-June 1965) averaged 408,000 acre-feet per year, compared with 445,200 acre-feet per year for the 27-year period of record. The eastern part of the basin contributed about 55 percent of the total, whereas the central and western parts contributed 37 percent and 8 percent, respectively. Most sediment transport from the Palouse River basin and the highest sediment concentrations in streams occurred in the winter. Of the several storms during the study period, those of February 3-9, 1963, December 22-27, 1964, and January 27-February 4, 1965, accounted for 81 percent of the total 4-year suspended-sediment load; the storm of February 3-9, 1963, accounted for nearly one-half the total load. The discharge-weighted mean concentration of suspended sediment carried in the Palouse River past Hooper during the study period was 2,970 milligrams per liter. The average annual sediment discharge of the Palouse River at its mouth was about 1,580,000 tons per year, and the estimated average annual sediment yield was 480 tons per square mile. The yield ranged from 5 tons per square mile from the western part of the basin to 2,100 tons per square mile from the central part. The high yield from the central part is attributed to a scarcity of vegetal cover, to the fine-grained loess soils, and to rapid runoff during winter storms. Sediment yield from the eastern part of the basin ranged from 460 to more than 1,000 tons per square mile. During high flow, silt particles make up the largest part of the suspended-sediment load, whereas during low flow, clay particles represent the greatest part. On the average, the suspended sediment transported by the Palouse River past Hooper contained 3 percent sand, 68 percent silt, and 29 percent clay. Unmeasured sediment discharge was estimated to have been 5 percent of the total sediment discharge. Data collected during the 4-year period of study show that sediment loads were higher than those recorded by V. G. Kaiser during the longer period 1939-65. Whereas Kaiser's study showed an average annual soil loss of 9.6 million tons, the average annual loss during the recent study was 14.2 million tons. The factor that has had the greatest effect on the increase of sediment yields is land use. Lands once covered and protected by natural vegetation have been extensively, cultivated, and much of the soil has become susceptible to erosion, particularly in areas mantled by loessal soils.

Idaho, Washington↗