Scientific Investigations Report 2005-5255
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Scientific Investigations Report 2005-5255
Ground Water/Surface Water Interactions and Quality of Discharging Ground Water in Streams of the Lower Nooksack River Basin, Whatcom County, Washington
By Stephen E. Cox, F. William Simonds, Llyn Doremus, Raegan L. Huffman, and Rose M. Defawe
Table of Contents
Conversion Factors and Datums
Abstract
Introduction
Background Information
Methods of Investigation
Ground Water/Surface Water Interactions
Spatial and Temporal Variability
Quality of Ground Water Discharging to Streams
Summary and Conclusions
References Cited
Tables 1-4 at Back of Report
Figures
Figure 1. Location of four ground-water discharge study sites, monitoring network sites on Fish Trap Creek, monitoring well ABS-480, and reach of thermal profile on South Fork Nooksack River in the lower Nooksack River basin, Whatcom County, Washington.
Figure 2. How a manometer board is used to directly measure hydraulic head differences across a streambed and compute vertical hydraulic gradients.
Figure 3. Microcosm chamber used in sediment bacteria attenuation study.
Figure 4. Thermal profile of the South Fork Nooksack River, Whatcom County, Washington, August 28, 2003.
Figure 5. Generalized surficial geology and location of reaches of discharging ground water, South Fork Nooksack River, Whatcom County, Washington.
Figure 6. Oblique view and thermal image from Forward Looking Infrared Radar (FLIR) of the detailed ground-water study site at the Nooksack River 2 miles south of Everson, lower Nooksack River basin, Whatcom County, Washington.
Figure 7. Continuous water-level and vertical hydraulic gradient data and temperatures of surface water and ground water at the Nooksack River near Everson, Whatcom County, Washington, 2002-04.
Figure 8. Location of vertical hydraulic gradient monitoring network, and ground-water discharge study site on Fishtrap Creek, lower Nooksack River basin, Whatcom County, Washington.
Figure 9. Seasonal variations in vertical hydraulic gradients in ground water beneath the streambed of Fishtrap Creek, from the Canadian border to the confluence with the Nooksack River, Whatcom County, Washington, September 2002-July 2004.
Figure 10. Seasonal variations in vertical hydraulic gradients in ground water beneath the streambed measured at two piezometer transects across Fishtrap Creek, lower Nooksack River basin, Whatcom County, Washington, October 2003 to May 2004.
Figure 11. Continuous water level and vertical hydraulic gradient data and temperatures of surface water and ground water at Fishtrap Creek at Pangborn Road, lower Nooksack River basin, Whatcom County, Washington, March 2003 to October 2004.
Figure 12. Seasonal variations in vertical hydraulic gradients in ground water beneath the streambed measured at two piezometer transects across Fourmile Creek, lower Nooksack River basin, Whatcom County, Washington, February to May 2004.
Figure 13. Continuous water level and vertical hydraulic gradient data and temperatures of surface water and ground water at Fourmile Creek near Guide Meridian, lower Nooksack River basin, Whatcom County, Washington, December 2003 to October 2004.
Figure 14. Seasonal variations in vertical hydraulic gradients in ground water at three piezometer transects across a drainage ditch tributary of Bertrand Creek, lower Nooksack River basin, Whatcom County, Washington, October 2003 to June 2004.
Figure 15. Continuous water level and vertical hydraulic gradient data and temperatures of surface water and ground water at a tributary to Bertrand Creek, lower Nooksack River basin, Whatcom County, Washington, April to October 2004.
Figure 16. Concentrations of E. coli in surface water and discharging ground water of the Nooksack River lowland, Whatcom County, Washington.
Figure 17. Concentrations of E. coli in surface water and discharging ground water from network piezometers along Fishtrap Creek, lower Nooksack River basin, Whatcom County, Washington.
Figure 18. Fishtrap Creek at normal flow and overbank flow during the October 19, 2003, precipitation event, lower Nooksack River basin, Whatcom County, Washington.
Figure 19. Concentration and rate of attenuation of E. coli in stream sediments amended with dairy manure.
Figure 20. Nitrate and ferrous iron concentrations in discharging ground water, lower Nooksack River basin, Whatcom County, Washington.
Figure 21. Dissolved argon and nitrogen concentrations in discharging ground water, lower Nooksack River basin, Whatcom County, Washington.
Tables
Table 1. Ground-water and surface-water quality data for samples collected at the Nooksack River near Everson, lower Nooksack River basin, Whatcom County, Washington, February 2003 to September 2004.
Table 2. Ground-water and surface-water quality data for samples collected at Fishtrap Creek, lower Nooksack River basin, Whatcom County, Washington, October 2003 to September 2004.
Table 3. Ground-water and surface-water quality data for samples collected at Fourmile Creek, lower Nooksack River basin, Whatcom County, Washington, March 2004 to October 2005.
Table 4. Ground water and surface water quality data for samples collected at the tributary to Bertrand Creek, lower Nooksack River basin, Whatcom County, Washington, September 2003 to October 2004.
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Send questions or comments about this report to the author, S.E.
Cox, (253) 428-3600 ext. 2623.
For more information about USGS activities in Washington, visit the
USGS Washington Water Science Center home page
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