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Scientific Investigations Report 2008–5071

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Scientific Investigations Report 2008–5071

Table of Contents

Conversion Factors and Datums

Abstract

Introduction

Methods of Investigation

Hydrogeology

Hydrology

Conceptual Model of Hydrologic and Thermal Conditions

Data Needs

Summary

Acknowledgments

References Cited

Appendixes 1-3 (PDF, 1.08 MB)

List of Figures

List of Tables

Download Appendix Videos

Download the report
(PDF, 7.25 MB)

Data Needs

A numerical model of the Eastbank Aquifer system would be useful for evaluating potential future hydrologic and thermal effects of different ground-water pumping rates, timing, and locations. Specifically, a model would help determine if there may be pumping alternatives that can meet the water demand by the Eastbank Hatchery and the regional water system and also provide sufficiently cool water for the hatchery. Numerical modeling can be achieved by verifying and updating the numerical model of the Eastbank Aquifer system by Water & Environmental Systems Technology, Inc. (1990) or by constructing a new model. Updating or constructing a numerical model would benefit from the following data, collected over a period of at least a year:

  1. Daily measurements of pumpage from the RW and CT wells.
  2. Daily records of when wells were pumped.
  3. Hourly measurements of the temperature of water pumped by the RW and CT wells.
  4. Semi-annual or more frequent verification of hourly temperature measurements of water pumped by the RW and CT wells.
  5. Monthly manual measurements of vertical temperature profiles and water levels in each monitoring well on the same day, including verification that pumpage data were collected during the previous 24 hours [(1) and (2)]. Although not critical, bi-monthly temperature measurements of the North and South Weirs would be helpful.
  6. Hourly measurements of temperature in the river and monitoring wells at constant depths.
  7. Semi-annual or more frequent verification of hourly temperature measurements in the river and monitoring wells.
  8. Hourly measurements of water levels in the river and monitoring wells using vented transducers.
  9. Semi-annual or more frequent verification of hourly water-level measurements in the monitoring wells. As long as USGS gaging station 12453679 continues to record hourly water levels along the west bank of the river at the forebay of Rocky Reach Dam, additional river water-level verification measurements are not necessary.
  10. Measurements of continuous discharge from the North and South Weirs.
  11. Semi-annual or more frequent verification of weir-discharge measurements.

Regular verification and calibration of instruments and detailed records of the verification and calibration will ensure that reliable data are collected. Detailed records of instrument replacements and other significant events that may affect the pumpage, water-level, and water-temperature data may help explain possible data anomalies.

A numerical model of the Eastbank Aquifer system would be more reliable if detailed information were available about the source of the water flowing through the North and South Weirs and if the presence of a bedrock depression near the RW well field could be determined by drilling a new well. The depth to bedrock, the nature of the sediments above the bedrock, and the age and temperature of ground water in the depression could be evaluated as part of the drilling process.


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