thumbnail

Assessing the Effects of Chloride Deicer Applications on Groundwater near the Siskiyou Pass, Southwestern Oregon, July 2018–February 2021

Scientific Investigations Report 2023-5107
Prepared in cooperation with Oregon Department of Transportation
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20235107

Links

Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), evaluated the effects of cold-weather chloride deicers (road deicing chemicals) on groundwater quality, with a focus on chloride, near the Siskiyou Pass in southwestern Oregon. The study covered the period during July 2018 through February 2021. Between the years 2016 and 2020 ODOT applied up to 16,000 gallons per mile of chloride deicer and 143,000 pounds per mile of road salt along an 11-mile stretch of Interstate 5 (I-5) through the Siskiyou Pass. Despite the benefit of safer driving conditions, there are potentially negative environmental effects associated with the use of chloride-based deicers (such as magnesium chloride and sodium chloride). The results from this study are intended to help ODOT assess the water-quality effects from the application of chloride deicers at the Siskiyou Pass and inform decisions on how those chemicals are used.

Dissolved chloride concentrations tended to be greater in groundwater downgradient from I-5 compared to groundwater upgradient from the interstate. Specific conductance was a good predictor of dissolved chloride concentration (R2 = 0.905). Continuous monitoring showed that specific conductance measurements were greater at four downgradient spring-fed sites at the end of the study period compared with measurements at the beginning of the study. The study results indicate that chloride levels in shallow groundwater downgradient from I-5 are increasing, but dissolved chloride concentrations in domestic wells are not above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drinking water recommendations. The approach and methods used in this study, with modifications as site conditions warrant, can be applied in other areas of chloride deicer application to determine if groundwater is affected.

Suggested Citation

Gingerich, S.B., Wise, D.R., and Stonewall, A.J., 2023, Assessing the effects of chloride deicer applications on groundwater near the Siskiyou Pass, southwestern Oregon, July 2018–February 2021: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2023–5107, 39 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20235107.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Description of Study Area
  • Methods
  • Results
  • Data Analysis
  • Discussion
  • Conclusions
  • References Cited
  • Appendixes 1–2
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Assessing the effects of chloride deicer applications on groundwater near the Siskiyou Pass, southwestern Oregon, July 2018–February 2021
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2023-5107
DOI 10.3133/sir20235107
Year Published 2023
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Oregon Water Science Center
Description Report: viii, 39 p.; Data Release
Country United States
State Oregon
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details