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U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Scientific Investigations Report 2007–5075

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Ground-Water Levels

Water levels were measured in eight of nine drive-point wells installed in the former sewage lagoon and the immediate adjacent area (table 2 and fig. 2). The water level in well LSU2 did not rapidly equilibrate with the aquifer after repeated surging. During installation of this drive-point well, silty material was observed 18 in. below grade. Either the screen was clogged or the well screen was positioned in silt-clay material, thus ground-water level measurements from this well would not be useful.

Water-level data shown in figure 2 and table 1 were measured on the afternoon of August 10, 2006, during low tide. Water levels were measured to coincide with low tide conditions to minimize any influence that tidal oscillation might have on the water-level measurements. The predicted low tide elevation for August 10 at Port Townsend was -2.2 ft at 11:47 a.m. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2006). Ground-water levels beneath the site of the former sewage lagoon were between the upgradient and downgradient locations. Water levels were highest along the upgradient eastern side of the former sewage lagoon and lowest on the western side nearest the shoreline of Puget Sound confirming that the direction of ground-water flow is toward the Puget Sound. Ground-water seepage from the former sewage lagoon can be expected to flow toward and discharge to Puget Sound (fig. 2).

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