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Conceptual Hydrogeologic Framework and Groundwater Budget Near the Southeastern Part of Puget Sound, Washington

Scientific Investigations Report 2024-5026-A-C
Prepared in cooperation with the Cities of Auburn, Milton, Puyallup, Sumner, and Tacoma; Pierce Conservation District; Pierce County Public Works; Washington State Department of Health; Washington State Department of Ecology; Thurston County Public Utility District; Cascade Water Alliance; Lakehaven Utility District; Lakewood Water District; Firgrove Mutual Water Company; Fruitland Mutual Water Company; Spanaway Water Company; Summit Water & Supply Company; and Mt. View-Edgewood Water Company
By: , , , , , and 
Edited by: Wendy B. Welch and Andrew J. Long
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20245026v1

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Abstract

More than 1 million people live within the active model area (AMA) in the southeastern part of the lowlands surrounding Puget Sound, or Puget Lowland, Washington, and groundwater is the source for approximately one-half of their public, domestic, and irrigation water demands. The 887-square-mile AMA, located in King and Pierce Counties, represents the area of analysis for the conceptual hydrogeologic framework and numerical groundwater-flow models within the study area and includes the Puyallup River and Chambers-Clover Creek watersheds. To assess the potential hydrologic and anthropogenic impacts to groundwater and the connected surface-water resources, conceptual and numerical groundwater-flow models of groundwater flow were developed by the U.S. Geological Survey Washington Water Science Center in close cooperation with 18 water-resource agencies and stakeholders.

This report presents information used to characterize the groundwater-flow system and the development of a numerical model in the AMA. Included are descriptions of the geology and conceptual hydrogeologic framework, groundwater levels and flow directions, groundwater recharge and discharge, numerical groundwater-flow model construction and results, and model limitations. The study area encompasses the western part of Pierce County and the southwestern part of King County, Washington. The study area extends south to the Nisqually River, southwest to Tanwax Creek, northeast to the Green River, and north through the valley near Auburn and adjacent uplands. It is bounded on the east by foothills of the Cascade Range, and on the northwest by Puget Sound.

Suggested Citation

Welch, W.B., Bright, V.A.L., Gendaszek, A.S., Dunn, S.B., Headman, A.O., and Fasser, E.T., 2024, Conceptual hydrogeologic framework and groundwater budget near the southeastern part of Puget Sound, Washington, v. 1 of Welch, W.B., and Long, A.J., eds., Characterization of groundwater resources near the southeastern part of Puget Sound, Washington, 3 chap. (A–C): U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2024–5026–A–C, [variously paged; 71 p.], 1 pl., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20245026v1.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Preface
  • Acknowledgements
  • Executive Summary
  • Glossary
  • Chapter A. Introduction and Background
  • Introduction
  • Purpose and Scope
  • Previous USGS Investigations
  • Description of the Study Area
  • References Cited
  • Chapter B. Conceptual Hydrogeologic Framework
  • Introduction
  • Hydrogeology—Methods
  • Hydrogeologic Units
  • Hydraulic Properties
  • Groundwater-Flow Directions and Potentiometric Surfaces
  • Generalized Groundwater and Surface-Water Interactions
  • References Cited
  • Chapter C. Groundwater Budget
  • Introduction
  • Methods
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Conceptual hydrogeologic framework and groundwater budget near the southeastern part of Puget Sound, Washington
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2024-5026
Chapter A-C
DOI 10.3133/sir20245026v1
Year Published 2024
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Washington Water Science Center
Description Report: 71 p.; Data Release: 1 Plate: 50.67 × 37.33 inches
Country United States
State Washington
Other Geospatial Puget Sound
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details