Scientific Investigations Report 2006–5116
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Scientific Investigations Report 2006–5116
This section describes the hydrogeologic framework, which defines the physical, lithologic, and hydrologic characteristics of the hydrogeologic units that compose the ground-water system in the individual basins. An understanding of these characteristics is important in determining the occurrence and availability of ground water within each basin. The ground-water flow system in each sedimentary basin is part of the larger Yakima River Basin aquifer system. In turn, the part of the aquifer system contained by the CRBG is part of the Columbia Plateau regional aquifer system.
The hydrogeologic units vary by basin, and will be discussed separately for each basin. The hydrogeologic units identified in this report do not necessarily correspond to geologic time-stratigraphic deposits. The ground-water flow system within the basin-fill deposits in each basin is generally isolated from other basins but is interconnected with the larger Yakima River Basin aquifer system.
Knowledge of the geologic structure that exists within and surrounds each basin (fig. 7) also assisted in mapping of the hydrogeologic units. The structural setting helps to explain the depositional sequences, thickness variations, and segmentation of the ground-water movement or anomalous water-level distributions within the area. For example, a predominantly fine-grained unit could be vertically offset and juxtaposed with a coarse-grained unit, thereby truncating the lateral ground-water movement along a fault and also offsetting the water-level distribution on either side of the fault. Although these types of questions are not addressed in this report, the structural history has provided information for mapping the hydrogeologic units and should provide additional information related to the ground-water flow system.
The Roslyn Basin is located southeast of the Kachess and Cle Elum Lakes (figs. 6 and 7) and encompasses an area of about 80 mi2. The south-central part of the basin is dissected by two northwest trending faults with their down-thrown sides toward the northeast, and the northeast part of the basin is divided by a series of synclines and anticlines (pl. 1).
The basin-fill deposits consist predominantly of alluvial, lacustrine, and glacial deposits interspersed with Mesozoic metamorphics and Tertiary volcanic deposits. The deposits were divided and mapped into three hydrogeologic units—Units 1 through 3 and a total basin thickness. Information from 307 well logs was used to define the units in the Roslyn Basin. This basin has been the least studied for ground-water availability, thus, only 31 percent of the well logs used to identify the hydrogeologic units and basin thickness were field located and most of these were inventoried during this study.
The three hydrogeologic units consist of an upper coarse-grained unit, a clay unit, and a productive gravel unit (pl. 1). Unit 1 consists of the alluvial, lacustrine, and glacial deposits at and near the surface. The thickness of the unit ranges from 0 to 360 ft, with a mean and median thickness of 80 ft. The altitude of this unit ranges from 1,760 to 3,420 ft, with a mean and median altitude of 2,120 and 2,130 ft, respectively. Unit 2 consists predominantly of fine-grained, lacustrine deposits of clay and silt. The extent and thickness of the unit tends to follow the alluvium valley (pl. 1). The thickness of this unit ranges from 0 to 530 ft with a mean and median thickness of 180 and 170 ft, respectively. The altitude of this unit ranges from 1,720 to 2,100 ft, with a mean and median altitude of 1,910 and 1,890 ft, respectively. Unit 3 consists of coarser deposits, mostly sand and gravels. It is less extensive than the other units and occurs in the deeper parts of the alluvial valley (pl. 1). The thickness of Unit 3 ranges from 0 to 240 ft with a mean and median thickness of 60 and 50 ft, respectively. The altitude of this unit ranges from 1,330 to 2,000 ft with a mean and median altitude of 1,670 and 1,690 ft, respectively.
The thickness of the basin-fill deposits in the Roslyn Basin is greatest in the central part of the basin in the Yakima alluvial valley (pl. 1). The total thickness of the basin-fill deposits in the Roslyn Basin ranges from 0 to 700 ft with a mean and median thickness of 150 and 110 ft, respectively. The altitude of the top of the bedrock units in this basin ranges from 1,190 to 3,330 ft, with a mean and median altitude of 1,990 and 2,010 ft, respectively.
The Kittitas Basin lies within the northeastern part of the Yakima River Basin and encompasses an area of about 270 mi2. The basin is bordered on the southwest by the Ainsley Canyon and Manastash Anticlines, on the northeast by the Wilson Creek Monocline, and is bisected by the Kittitas Valley Syncline (fig. 7). The northeastern part of the basin also contains several east-west and northwest trending high-angle faults with the downthrown side generally to the north and northeast. The southwestern part of the basin contains and is bordered by northwest trending strike-slip and thrust faults (pl. 2).
The basin-fill deposits consist predominantly of alluvial, loess, glacial, continental sedimentary, and Ellensburg Formation deposits. The deposits were divided and mapped into three hydrogeologic units—Units 1 through 3 and a total basin thickness. Information from 419 well logs was used to define the units of the Kittitas Basin. Sixty percent of these wells were field located, and 40 percent were not field located but supplied additional information in areas with limited data.
The three hydrogeologic units consist of alluvial, unconsolidated, and consolidated deposits. Unit 1 consists of the alluvial deposits and the delineation of this unit was confined to the Yakima River floodplain (pl. 2). The unit thickness ranges from 0 to 100 ft, with a mean and median thickness of 30 and 10 ft, respectively. The altitude of this unit ranges from 1,410 to 1,800 ft, with a mean and median altitude of 1,530 and 1,520 ft, respectively. Unit 2 consists of the unconsolidated deposits, and generally contains the loess, alluvial fan, glacial, terrace, and Thorp gravel deposits present at the surface and beneath Unit 1 (pl. 2). The thickness of this unit ranges from 0 to 790 ft, with a mean and median thickness of 180 and 150 ft, respectively. The altitude of this unit ranges from 1,370 to 3,890 ft, with a mean and median altitude of 1,930 and 1,870 ft, respectively. Unit 3 is present along the syncline that parallels the southwest boundary of the basin (pl. 2). The consolidated deposits of this unit consist of the Ellensburg Formation and similar undefined continental sedimentary deposits. The thickness of Unit 3 ranges from 0 to 2,040 ft, with a mean and median thickness of 600 and 350 ft, respectively. The altitude of this unit ranges from 770 to 2,700 ft, with a mean and median altitude of 1,540 and 1,520 ft, respectively.
The thickness of the basin-fill deposits in the Kittitas Basin is greatest in the south-central part of the basin generally along the Kittitas Valley Syncline (fig. 7 and pl. 2). The total thickness of the basin-fill deposits in the Kittitas Basin ranges from 0 to 2,120 ft, with a mean and median thickness of 500 and 270 ft, respectively (pl. 2). The altitude of the top of the CRBG within the Kittitas Basin ranges from -540 to 3,610 ft, with a mean and median altitude of 780 and 1,600 ft, respectively.
The Selah Basin, also referred to as the Selah-Wenas Basin, is located in the central part of the Yakima River Basin and encompasses about 170 mi2. The basin is bounded on the northeast by the Manastash and Umtanum Anticlines and bounded on the southwest by the Yakima Ridge structure (figs. 6 and 7). The central part of this basin is dissected by a series of northwest-southeast trending folds (fig. 7).
The basin-fill deposits consist predominantly of alluvial, alluvial fan, loess, terrace, continental sedimentary, and Ellensburg Formation deposits. The deposits were divided and mapped into three hydrogeologic units—Units 1 through 3 and a total basin thickness (pl. 3). Information from 720 well logs was used to define the units in the Selah Basin. Eighty-nine percent of these wells were field located and 56 percent of the field located wells were located in previous investigations.
The three hydrogeologic units consist of the alluvial, unconsolidated, and consolidated deposits. Unit 1 consists of the alluvial deposits that are contained in the floodplains of Wenas and Cowiche Creeks and the Naches and Yakima Rivers (pl. 3). The thickness of Unit 1 ranges from 0 to 90 ft, with a mean and median thickness of 30 ft. The altitude of Unit 1 ranges from 1,080 to 2,450 ft, with a mean and median altitude of 1,470 and 1,420 ft, respectively. Unit 2 consists of the unconsolidated deposits, and generally contains the alluvial fan, loess, terrace, and Thorp gravel deposits present as a thin veneer over much of the surface and beneath Unit 1 (pl. 3). The thickness of this unit ranges from 0 to 290 ft, with a mean and median thickness of 50 and 40 ft, respectively. The altitude of this unit ranges from 1,050 to 2,760 ft, with a mean and median altitude of 1,660 and 1,630 ft, respectively. Unit 3 is present throughout most of the basin (pl. 3) and consists of the consolidated deposits, which include the Ellensburg Formation and similar undefined continental sedimentary deposits. The thickness of Unit 3 ranges from 0 to 1,920 ft, with a mean and median thickness of 320 and 200 ft, respectively. The altitude of the unit ranges from 980 to 3,160 ft, with a mean and median altitude of 1,740 and 1,690 ft, respectively.
The thickness of the basin-fill deposits in the Selah Basin is greatest in the north-central part of the basin (pl. 3). The thickness of the deposits ranges from 0 to 1,920 ft, with a mean and median thickness of 300 and 200 ft, respectively. The altitude of the top of the CRBG in the Selah Basin ranges from -300 to 3,100 ft, with a mean and median altitude of 1,460 and 1,470 ft, respectively.
The Yakima Basin, also referred to as the Ahtanum-Moxee Basin, is a long narrow east-west trending basin in the central part of the Yakima River Basin and encompasses an area of about 230 mi2. The basin is bounded on the north by the Yakima Ridge, on the south by the Ahtanum Ridge, and is bisected by the Ahtanum-Moxee Syncline (figs. 6 and 7).
The basin-fill deposits consist predominantly of alluvial, alluvial fan, loess, continental sedimentary, and Ellensburg Formation deposits. The deposits were divided and mapped into three hydrogeologic units—Units 1 through 3 and a total basin thickness. Information from 995 well logs was used to define the units in the Yakima Basin. Ninety-nine percent of the wells were field located and 51 percent of these wells were located in previous investigations.
The three hydrogeologic units consist of the alluvial, unconsolidated, and consolidated deposits. Unit 1 consists of the alluvial deposits that are contained in the floodplains of Ahtanum Creek and the Yakima River (pl. 4). The thickness of Unit 1 ranges from 0 to 120 ft, with a mean and median thickness of 20 ft. The altitude of this unit ranges from 940 to 2,780 ft, with a mean and median altitude of 1,270 and 1,180 ft, respectively. Unit 2 consists of the unconsolidated deposits, which include the alluvial fan, loess, terrace, and Thorp gravel deposits. Unit 2 generally is present at the surface and beneath Unit 1 (pl. 4). The thickness of Unit 2 ranges from 0 to 350 ft, with a mean and median thickness of 90 and 80 ft, respectively. The altitude of this unit ranges from 910 to 2,940 ft, with a mean and median altitude of 1,480 and 1,460 ft, respectively. Unit 3 is present throughout most of the basin with the general exception of its western tip (pl. 4). Unit 3 consists of the consolidated deposits, principally the Ellensburg Formation and similar undefined continental sedimentary deposits. The thickness of Unit 3 ranges from 0 to 1,840 ft with a mean and median thickness of 510 and 450 ft, respectively. The altitude of this unit ranges from 760 to 2,780 ft, with a mean and median altitude of 1,330 and 1,320 ft, respectively.
The thickness of the basin-fill deposits in the Yakima Basin is greatest in the northwestern part of the basin (pl. 4). Its thickness ranges from 0 to 1,840 ft, with a mean and median thickness of 530 and 410 ft, respectively. The altitude of the top of the CRBG in the Yakima Basin ranges from -510 to 2,900 ft, with a mean and median altitude of 980 and 1,840 ft, respectively.
The Toppenish Basin lies in the south-central part of the Yakima River Basin and encompasses an area of about 440 mi2. The basin is bordered on the north by the Ahtanum Ridge, on the south by the Toppenish Ridge, and bisected by the Wapato Syncline (fig. 7). The eastern boundary of this basin abuts the Benton Basin (figs. 6 and 7).
The basin-fill deposits consist predominantly of alluvial, alluvial fan, loess, terrace, continental sedimentary, Touchet, and Ellensburg Formation deposits. The deposits in this basin were divided and mapped into hydrogeologic units—Units 1 through 5 and a total basin thickness. The hydrogeologic unit delineations were modified from contour maps constructed by Campbell (unpub. maps produced for Yakama Nation, 2001).To derive the modified contour maps, a total basin thickness map was constructed first based on information from 1,104 well logs of which 210 well logs fully penetrated the basin thickness (pl. 5). Ninety-seven percent of the well logs used were field located. The thickness map was then subtracted from the DEM to obtain a map of the top of the CRBG. This map was then compared to the top of the CRBG map compiled by Campbell (unpub. maps produced for Yakama Nation, 2001). The maps were a close match in both the shape of the contours and the contour values. Small differences were predominantly due to newer maps of the surficial geology and the extent that was based on our criteria that the depth of the basin-fill deposits was defined as contact with the first basalt. The contour maps for the units were then digitized and modified based on the updated surficial geology and on the occurrence of the first basalt contact.
The five hydrogeologic units consist of fine-grained and coarse-grained unconsolidated deposits, consolidated deposits, top of the Rattlesnake Ridge unit, and base of the Rattlesnake Ridge unit. Unit 1 consists of fine-grained unconsolidated surficial deposits that include Touchet, terrace, loess, and some alluvial deposits (pl. 5). The thickness of Unit 1 ranges from 0 to 80 ft, with a mean and median thickness of 10 ft. The altitude of this unit ranges from 690 to 2,030 ft, with a mean and median altitude of 910 and 860 ft, respectively. Unit 2 consists predominantly of coarse-grained unconsolidated deposits. The thickness of Unit 2 ranges from 0 to 270 ft, with a mean and median thickness of 90 and 80 ft, respectively. The altitude of this unit ranges from 660 to 2,310 ft, with a mean and median altitude of 930, and 850 ft, respectively. Unit 3 is present throughout most of the basin (pl. 5). It consists predominantly of the consolidated deposits of the upper Ellensburg Formation and similar undefined continental sedimentary deposits. The thickness of Unit 3 ranges from 0 to 970 ft, with a mean and median thickness of 350 and 320 ft, respectively. The altitude of this unit ranges from 510 to 2,300 ft, with a mean and median altitude of 900 and 820 ft, respectively. Unit 4 is present in the central part of the basin (pl. 5), and consists of fine-grained deposits. This unit is referred to as the top of the Rattlesnake Ridge unit of the Ellensburg Formation and the “Blue Clay” layer by Campbell (unpub. maps produced for Yakama Nation, 2001). The thickness of Unit 4 ranges from 0 to 520 ft, with a mean and median thickness of 170 and 140 ft, respectively. The altitude of this unit ranges from -350 to 1,130 ft, with a mean and median altitude of 320 and 330 ft, respectively. Unit 5 which has an extent similar to Unit 4 (pl. 5) consists predominantly of coarse-grained gravels. This unit is referred to as the base of Rattlesnake Ridge unit of the Ellensburg Formation by Campbell (Tom Ring, Yakama Nation, written commun., 2001). The thickness of Unit 5 ranges from 0 to 140 ft, with a mean and median thickness of 20 ft. The altitude of this unit ranges from -400 to 1,020 ft, with a mean and median altitude of 130 ft.
The thickness of the basin-fill deposits in the Toppenish Basin is greatest in the central-southeastern part of the basin (pl. 5). The thickness of the basin-fill deposits ranges from 0 to 1,210 ft, with a mean and median thickness of 550 ft. The altitude of the top of the CRBG in the Toppenish Basin ranges from -410 to 2,290 ft, with a mean and median altitude of 450 and 380 ft, respectively.
The Benton Basin lies in the southeastern part of the Yakima River Basin. It is the largest of the six basins encompassing an area of about 1,020 mi2. The western boundary of the Benton Basin abuts the eastern boundary of the Toppenish Basin and a small section of the Yakima Basin (figs. 6 and 7). The southern boundary is bordered by the Horse Heaven Hills structure and the northeastern boundary generally follows the northern flank of the Cold Creek Syncline (figs. 6 and 7). The basin is dissected with numerous faults and folds surrounding the Rattlesnake Hills structure in the eastern part of the basin (fig. 7 and pl. 6). The western part of the basin is dissected by the Wapato Syncline and several unnamed folds that lie within the broad flat plain that encompasses the Yakima River floodplain (fig. 7 and pl. 6). Sediment deposits are thickest on the northeastern side of the Rattlesnake Hills structure, which separates the sediment deposits on the northeastern side from those on the southwestern side.
The basin-fill deposits consist of loess, alluvial fan, dune sand, alluvial, terrace, continental sedimentary, and Ellensburg Formation deposits. The deposits for the entire Benton Basin were divided and mapped into two hydrogeologic units— Units 1 and 2 and a total basin thickness. Information from 1,141 well logs was used to define the units of the Benton Basin. All of these wells were field located. Sixty-five percent of the wells were field located during this study and 35 percent were located in previous investigations.
The two hydrogeologic units consist of unconsolidated and consolidated deposits. Unit 1 consists of the unconsolidated deposits that generally consist of the alluvial, alluvial fan, loess, terrace, dune sand, Touchet, Missoula flood and Ringold Formation deposits (pl. 6, sheet 1 and sheet 2). The thickness of Unit 1 ranges from 0 to 870 ft, with a mean and median thickness of 120 and 70 ft, respectively. The altitude of this unit ranges from 300 to 3,620 ft, with a mean and median altitude of 990 and 830 ft, respectively. The unconsolidated basin-fill deposits generally are less than 400 ft throughout most of the basin except in the area northeast of the Rattlesnake Hills structure, where thicknesses exceed 800 ft (pl. 6, sheet 2).
Additional information incorporated from previous studies (Drost and others, 1997; Reidel and Thorn, Battelle, written commun., 2003 and 2005) enabled the unconsolidated unit in the east-northeast area of the basin to be divided into six subunits (figs. 8A through 8F). Subunit 1 consists of the fine-grained Touchet and similar deposits present at the surface. The thickness of subunit 1 ranges from 0 to about 300 ft (fig. 8A). Subunit 2 consists of the coarse-grained Pasco gravels and similar deposits present at the surface and beneath subunit 1. The thickness of subunit 2 ranges from 0 to about 100 ft (fig. 8B). Subunit 3 is of limited extent and consists of the fine-grained deposits of the upper Ringold Formation present beneath Subunit 2. The thickness of subunit 3 ranges from 0 to about 50 ft (fig. 8C). Subunit 4, present throughout most of the northeastern area of the Benton Basin, consists of the coarse-grained deposits of the middle Ringold Formation. The thickness of subunit 4 ranges from 0 to about 400 ft (fig. 8D). Subunit 5, also present throughout most of the northeastern area of the Benton Basin, consists of the fine-grained deposits of the lower Ringold Formation. The thickness of subunit 5 ranges from 0 to about 250 ft (fig. 8E). Subunit 6 generally is present beneath Subunit 5, and consists of the coarse-grained basal Ringold Formation. The thickness of Subunit 6 ranges from 0 to about 200 ft (fig. 8F).
Unit 2 is mainly present in the southwestern part of the Benton Basin (pl. 6, sheet 2). The consolidated deposits of this unit include the Ellensburg Formation and similar undefined continental sedimentary deposits. The thickness of Unit 2 ranges from 0 to 680 ft, with a mean and median thickness of 100 and 60 ft, respectively. The altitude of this unit ranges from 370 to 3,400 ft, with a mean and median altitude of 890 and 790, respectively.
The basin-fill deposits of the Benton Basin are thickest to the west where the basin abuts the Toppenish Basin and in the northeastern area of the basin (pl. 6, sheet 2). The thickness of the basin-fill deposits in the Benton Basin ranges from 0 to 870 ft, with a mean and median thickness of 120 and 60 ft, respectively. The altitude of the top of the CRBG in the Benton Basin ranges from -300 to 3,630 ft, with a mean and median altitude of 960 and 800 ft, respectively.
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