Scientific Investigations Report 2005-5227
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Scientific Investigations Report 2005-5227
Compilation of Information for Spokane Valley–Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, Washington and Idaho
Back to Table of Contents
Data Needs
Data needs were identified during the review of information available for the Spokane Valley–Rathdrum Prairie aquifer. These data needs are presented in no particular order, but the completion of each would provide for a more complete data set for construction of a flow model of the aquifer. Prioritization would involve considering the most critical data needs for an improved regional ground-water flow model, as well as timing and funding constraints for their completion.
- Quantification of the ground-water inflow from the surrounding bedrock boundaries and peripheral watersheds.
- Estimation of recharge from precipitation.
- Quantification of losses from Coeur d’Alene, Hauser, Hayden, Liberty, Newman, Pend Oreille, Spirit, and Twin Lakes to the aquifer and determination of the conditions (saturated or unsaturated) beneath the lakes.
- Characterization of the cross sectional area and hydrostratigraphy of the aquifer at the following locations:
- West of Lake Pend Oreille near Athol;
- Across Hoodoo Valley;
- Across the West (Main), Middle (Ramsey), and Chilco Channels near Round Mountain;
- From near Rathdrum to near Hayden Lake;
- Near the Washington−Idaho state line, downgradient from Newman and Liberty Lakes;
- Near the southern part of the Hillyard Trough; and
- Near the aquifers’ discharge area near Long Lake.
- Updated ground-water withdrawal estimates, especially for the Idaho part of the aquifer.
- Updated estimates of the consumptive use of water.
- Definition of the river-aquifer interchange, especially downstream from the Sullivan Road Bridge. Additional aquifer-head measurements near the rivers in conjunction with stage and discharge measurements are a possible approach. Drilling near-river monitoring wells downstream of the Sullivan Road Bridge may be needed.
- Additional temporal aquifer-wide head measurements.
- Investigation and quantification of possible ground water discharge out of the basin beneath the Spokane and Little Spokane Rivers.
- Frequent measurement of ground-water levels in existing and new monitoring wells along the entire length of the Spokane and Little Spokane Rivers.
- Continued measurement of streamflow and (or) river stage at existing and (or) additional river locations.
- Determine direction of flow of water to or from the rivers using chemical tracers.
Back to Table of Contents
For more information about USGS activities in Washington, visit the
USGS Washington District home page
.
U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey
