Evaluation of potential sources of water in Crater Lake Natonal Park, Oregon

Abstract

Crater Lake National Park, in volcanic terrain at the crest of the southern Cascade Range, is well watered by a 67-inch average annual precipitation, measured at park headquarters. Existing park facilities utilize springs that provide quantities of water adequate for present-day as well as foreseeable future needs. Ground water occurs under both perched and water-table conditions in the park. Perched ground-water bodies drain to the numerous springs that issue at various altitudes. Test drilling in the northern part failed to locate perched-water bodies capable of supplying quantities of water adequate for proposed facilities, and established that the regional water table is at an altitude below 4,960 feet. Many springs and streams at altitudes below 6,500 feet in the western, southern, and southeastern parts discharge quantities of water adequate for a variety of park facilities. Future park-facility development should take into account where water supplies are available. The western, southern, and southeastern parts of the park are more favorable than the northern part in this respect. In the northern part of the park, where there are no springs or streams, artificial catchment aprons and storage facilities could be constructed to provide water to points of use. A 100- by 100-foot catchment apron and suitably sized storage tank could provide as much as 1,850 gallons per day for 120 days.