U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1237
This circular is available as a pdf.
This report contains the major findings of a 1999–2000 assessment of water quality in streams and drains in the Yakima River Basin. It is one of a series of reports by the NAWQA Program that present major findings on water resources in 51 major river basins and aquifer systems across the Nation.
In these reports, water quality is assessed at many scales—from large rivers that drain lands having many uses to small agricultural watersheds—and is discussed in terms of local, State, and regional issues. Conditions in the Yakima River Basin are compared to those found elsewhere and to selected national benchmarks, such as those for drinking-water quality and the protection of aquatic organisms.
This report is intended for individuals working with water-resource issues in Federal, Tribal, State, or local agencies; universities; public interest groups; or the private sector. The information will be useful in addressing a number of current issues, such as source-water protection, pesticide registration, human health, drinking water, hypoxia and excessive growth of algae and plants, the effects of agricultural land use on water quality, and monitoring and sampling strategies. This report is also for individuals who wish to know more about the quality of water resources in areas near where they live, and how that water quality compares to the quality of water in other areas across the Nation.
Other products describing water-quality conditions in the Yakima River Basin are available. Detailed technical information, data and analyses, methodology, and maps that support the findings presented in this report can be accessed from http://or.water.usgs.gov/yakima. Other reports in this series and data collected from other basins can be accessed from the national NAWQA Web site (http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa).
National Water-Quality Assessment Program
Summary of Major Findings
Introduction to the Yakima River Basin
Major Findings
High concentrations of nutrients result from agricultural activities
NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE—Small agricultural watersheds had
large
percentages of elevated concentrations of nutrients
NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE—Ground-water discharges are a major
source of
surface-water nitrate in irrigated areas of the Western United States
Bacteria indicate the presence of fecal contamination
Arsenic, a known human carcinogen, was detected at levels of concern
Historically used pesticides are still present in the Yakima River Basin
Currently used pesticides were routinely detected
Aquatic communities are affected by poor water-quality and
habitat conditions
in intensely agricultural areas`
Study Unit Design
References Cited
Glossary
Appendix—Water Quality Data from the Yakima River Basin in a National Context
The companion Web site for NAWQA summary reports:
http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/nawqa_sumr.html
USGS State Representative
U.S. Geological Survey
Water Resources Discipline
10615 S.E. Cherry Blossom Drive
Portland, OR 97216–3159
e-mail: info-or@usgs.gov
http://oregon.usgs.gov/yakima/
Chief, NAWQA Program
U.S. Geological Survey
Water Resources Discipline
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, M.S. 413
Reston, VA 20192
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Information Services
Box 25286, Denver Federal Center
Denver, CO 80225
For more information about the USGS and its products:
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The text and graphics are presented here in pdf format (print quality). The full report is 25.1MB.
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