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Research about Idaho

Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including Idaho.

At least 631 records · Page 35Linked to original sources
USGS1995

Configuration of the water table, 1970 and 1992, and water-table change between 1970 and 1992 in the Boise area, Idaho

A comparison of 1970 and 1992 water-table configuration maps for the Boise area shows that the water table has declined about 10 feet in about 90 percent of the area. Declines exceeded 10 feet in about 50 percent of the area, 20 feet in about 10 percent of the area, and 30 feet in about 5 percent of the area. The largest declines were south of the Boise River between the Ridenbaugh and New York Canals. These declines may be caused in part by the decrease in discharge through irrigation canals during the drought of 1987-92. Small water-level rises were mapped in about 10 percent of the area--in the southeastern part of the Boise area and along the Boise River. This comparative study is the first step in reassessing shallow ground-water conditions in the Boise area in more than 20 years. The 1992 water table was mapped using water-level measurements made in about 170 wells.

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USGS1995

Methods to estimate annual mean spring discharge to the Snake River between Milner Dam and King Hill, Idaho

Many individual springs and groups of springs discharge water from volcanic rocks that form the north canyon wall of the Snake River between Milner Dam and King Hill. Previous estimates of annual mean discharge from these springs have been used to understand the hydrology of the eastern part of the Snake River Plain. Four methods that were used in previous studies or developed to estimate annual mean discharge since 1902 were (1) water-budget analysis of the Snake River; (2) correlation of water-budget estimates with discharge from 10 index springs; (3) determination of the combined discharge from individual springs or groups of springs by using annual discharge measurements of 8 springs, gaging-station records of 4 springs and 3 sites on the Malad River, and regression equations developed from 5 of the measured springs; and (4) a single regression equation that correlates gaging-station records of 2 springs with historical water-budget estimates. Comparisons made among the four methods of estimating annual mean spring discharges from 1951 to 1959 and 1963 to 1980 indicated that differences were about equivalent to a measurement error of 2 to 3 percent. The method that best demonstrates the response of annual mean spring discharge to changes in ground-water recharge and discharge is method 3, which combines the measurements and regression estimates of discharge from individual springs.

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USGS1995

Changes in soil hydraulic properties caused by construction of a simulated waste trench at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Idaho

In order to assess the effect of filled waste disposal trenches on transport-governing soil properties, comparisons were made between profiles of undisturbed soil and disturbed soil in a simulated waste trench. The changes in soil properties induced by the construction of a simulated waste trench were measured near the Radioactive Waste Management Complex at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) in the semi-arid southeast region of Idaho. The soil samples were collected, using a hydraulically- driven sampler to minimize sample disruption, from both a simulated waste trench and an undisturbed area nearby. Results show that the undisturbed profile has distinct layers whose properties differ significantly, whereas the soil profile in the simulated waste trench is. by comparison, homogeneous. Porosity was increased in the disturbed cores, and, correspondingly, saturated hydraulic conductivities were on average three times higher. With higher soil-moisture contents (greater than 0.32), unsaturated hydraulic conductivities for the undisturbed cores were typically greater than those for the disturbed cores. With lower moisture contents, most of the disturbed cores had greater hydraulic conductivities. The observed differences in hydraulic conductivities are interpreted and discussed as changes in the soil pore geometry.

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USGS1995

Data for and adjusted regional regression models of volume and quality of urban storm-water runoff in Boise and Garden City, Idaho, 1993-94

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires information on the volume and quality of urban storm-water runoff to apply for a permit to discharge this water into the Boise River under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Program. Concentrations of selected chemical constituents in storm runoff were determined from samples collected at four storm-sewer outfalls in Boise from October 1993 through June 1994 and at one outfall in Garden City from September through October 1994. Samples were analyzed for specific conductance, pH, alkalinity, water temperature, oxygen demand, fecal indicator bacteria, major ions, dissolved and suspended solids, nutrients, trace elements, and numerous organic compounds. The measurement of storm-runoff volume and mean concentrations of constituents were used to estimate storm-runoff loads. Previously developed U.S. Geological Survey regional regression models of runoff and 11 chemical constituents were evaluated to assess their suitability for use in urban areas in Boise and Garden City. Data collected in the study area were used to develop adjusted regional models of storm-runoff volumes and mean concentrations and loads of chemical oxygen demand, dissolved and suspended solids, total nitrogen and total ammonia plus organic nitrogen as nitrogen, total and dissolved phosphorus, and total recoverable cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc. Explanatory variables used in these models were drainage area, impervious area, land-use information, and precipitation data. Mean annual runoff volume and loads at the five outfalls were estimated from 904 individual storms during 1976 through 1993. Two methods were used to compute individual storm loads. The first method used adjusted regional models of storm loads and the second used adjusted regional models for mean concentration and runoff volume. For large storms, the first method seemed to produce excessively high loads for some constituents and the second method provided more reliable results for all constituents except suspended solids. The first method provided more reliable results for large storms for suspended solids.

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USGS1994

Idaho's surface-water-quality monitoring program: results from five sites sampled during water years 1990-93

In 1990, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Division of Environmental Quality, implemented a statewide water-quality monitoring program in response to Idaho's antidegradation policy as required by the Clean Water Act. The program objective is to provide water-quality managers with a coordinated statewide network to detect trends in surface-water quality. The monitoring program includes the collection and analysis of samples from 56 sites on the Bear, Clearwater, Kootenai, Pend Oreille, Salmon, Snake, and Spokane Rivers and their tributaries (fig. 1). Samples are collected every year at 5 sites (annual sites) in drainage basins where long-term water-quality management is practiced, every other year at 19 sites (biennial sites) in basins where land and water uses change slowly, and every third year at 32 sites (triennial sites) where future development may affect water quality. Each year, 25 of the 56 sites are sampled. This report discusses results of sampling at five annual sites. During water years 1990-93 (October 1, 1989, through September 30, 1993), samples were collected six times per year at the five annual sites (fig. 1). Onsite analyses were made for discharge, specific conductance, pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, bacteria (fecal coliform and fecal streptococci), and alkalinity. Laboratory analyses were made for major ions, nutrients, trace elements, and suspended sediment. Suspended sediment, nitrate, fecal coliform, trace elements, and specific conductance were used to characterize surface-water quality. Because concentrations of all trace elements except zinc were near detection limits, only zinc is discussed.

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USGS1994

Water resources data, Idaho, water year 1993: Volume 2. Upper Columbia River Basin and Snake River Basin below King Hill

Water resources data for the 1993 water year for Idaho consists of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage, contents, and water quality of lakes and reservoirs; discharge of irrigation diversions; and water levels and water quality of ground water. The two volumes of this report contain discharge records for 189 stream-gaging stations and 39 irrigation diversions; stage only records for 4 stream-gaging stations; stage only for 7 lakes and reservoirs; contents only for 23 lakes and reservoirs; water-quality for 61 stream-gaging stations, 489 wells, and 6 lake sites; daily totals for 1 precipitation gage; and water levels for 571 observation wells. Additional water data were collected at various sites not involved in the systematic data collection program and are published as miscellaneous measurements. These data represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in Idaho, adjacent States, and Canada.

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USGS1994

Bathymetric map of Coeur D'Alene Lake, Idaho

The U.S. Geological Survey investigated nutrient and trace-element enrichment in Coeur d'Alene Lake, northern Idaho, during 1991-92. The objectives of the investigation were to characterize limnology, quantify hydrologic and nutrient budgets, and develop a nutrient-load/lake-response model. The model required bathymetric data to compute mass balances of water and nutrients within many depth layers in the lake. A review of historical bathymetric data for the lake (Funk and others, 1973; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1977; Milligan and others, 1983) revealed a need for contoured bathymetric data. Therefore, to augment past studies, the U.S. Geological Survey collected extensive bathymetric data and developed a bathymetric map of Coeur d'Alene Lake.

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USGS1994

Tritium, stable isotopes, and nitrogen in flow from selected springs that discharge to the Snake River, Twin Falls-Hagerman area, Idaho, 1990-93

In 1990-93, water from 19 springs along the north side of the Snake River near Twin Falls and Hagerman contained from 9.2+0.6 to 78.4+5.1 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) of tritium. The springs were placed into three categories based on their locations and tritium concentrations: Category I was the upstream most and contained from 52.8+3.2 to 78.4+5.1 pCi/L of tritium; Category 11 was downstream from those in Category I and contained from 9.2+0.6 to 18.6+1.2 pCi/L; and Category III was the farthest downstream and contained from 28.3+1.9 to 47.7+3.2 pCi/L. Differences in tritium concentrations in the Category I, II, and III springs are a function of the ground-water flow regime, land use, and irrigation practices in and hydraulically upgradient from each category of springs. A comparatively large part of the water from the Category I springs is derived from recharge in heavily irrigated areas in which the irrigation water largely is diverted from the Snake River. A large part of the recharge for Category II springs occurs as much as 140 miles upgradient. Tritium concentrations in Category III springs indicate an intermediate proportion of the recharge is from excess applied-irrigation water. The concept that recharge from excess applied- irrigation water from the Snake River has affected tritium in the aquifer is supported by isotopic and nitrogen data. Deuterium and oxygen-18 isotopic values, and nitrite plus nitrate as nitrogen concentrations in the flow of some springs has been impacted by irrigation.

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USGS1993

Accumulation and effects of lead and cadmium on wood ducks near a mining and smelting complex in Idaho

A study of wood ducks ( Aix sponsa ) was conducted along the Coeur d'Alene River system in northern Idaho in 1986 and 1987. Most of this area has been subjected to severe contamination from lead and other metals from mining and smelting since the 1880s. In 1986, a preliminary study of wood duck nesting was conducted in the contaminated area; incubating hens captured in nest boxes were bled and weighed. Blood samples were used to determine lead and cadmium concentrations and physiological characteristics. In 1987, an intensive study of wood ducks involved trapping and monitoring nest boxes in the contaminated area. Blood and tissue samples were also taken from wood ducks from a reference area without known contamination from metals. Lead levels in blood and tissues of most wood ducks from the contaminated area frequently exceeded those considered hazardous to birds; maximum levels (wet weight) of lead were 8 μg g −1 in blood and 14 μg g −1 in liver. Changes in physiological characteristics constituted the only evidence of potentially adverse effects from lead. In the contaminated area, nesting success (55% unadjusted, 35% Mayfield estimate) was less than in other areas where predation was low and nest boxes were used; but lead concentrations and physiological characteristics of blood were similar in successful and unsuccessful hens. Values of ALAD, hemoglobin, and body mass were negatively correlated with blood concentrations of lead, whereas protoporphyrin was positively correlated with lead levels in the blood. Some of the protoporphyrin values (1,091 μg dl −1 in a male and 756 μg dl −1 in a female) equalled those associated with lead toxicosis in experimental birds. ALAD activity was low in most birds from the contaminated area; values of 0 were obtained from 11 birds. Lead levels in blood, ALAD, protoporphyrin, and hemoglobin were significantly different between birds from the contaminated and reference areas. Concentrations of lead in ingesta of wood ducks ranged from 0.9 to 610 μg g −1 in the contaminated area and 0.2 to 0.6 μg g −1 in the reference area. Levels of cadmium in kidneys of wood ducks ranged from 1μg g −1 to 20 μg g −1 in the contaminated area and from only to 0.1 μg g −1 to 1 μg g −1 in the reference area. Cadmium concentrations were less than known effect levels.

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USGS1993

Water resources data, Idaho, water year 1992: Volume 1. Great Basin and Snake River Basin above King Hill

Water resources data for the 1992 water year for Idaho consists of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage, contents, and water quality of lakes and reservoirs; discharge of irrigation diversions; and water levels and water quality of ground water. The two volumes of this report contain discharge records for 194 stream-gaging stations and 42 irrigation diversions; stage only records for 4 stream-gaging stations; stage only for 7 lakes and reservoirs; contents only for 24 lakes and reservoirs; water-quality for 50 stream-gaging stations, 400 wells, and 11 lakes; daily totals for 1 precipitation gage; and water levels for 475 observation wells. Additional water data were collected at various sites not involved in the systematic data collection program and are published as miscellaneous measurements. These data represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in Idaho, adjacent States, and Canada.

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USGS1993

Water resources data, Idaho, water year 1992: Volume 2. Upper Columbia River Basin and Snake River Basin below King Hill

Water resources data for the 1992 water year for Idaho consists of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage, contents, and water quality of lakes and reservoirs; discharge of irrigation diversions; and water levels and water quality of ground water. The two volumes of this report contain discharge records for 194 stream-gaging stations and 42 irrigation diversions; stage only records for 4 stream-gaging stations; stage only for 7 lakes and reservoirs; contents only for 24 lakes and reservoirs; water-quality for 50 stream-gaging stations, 400 wells, and 11 lakes; daily totals for 1 precipitation gage; and water levels for 475 observation wells. Additional water data were collected at various sites not involved in the systematic data collection program and are published as miscellaneous measurements. These data represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in Idaho, adjacent States, and Canada.

Idaho↗
USGS1993

Water resources data, Idaho, water year 1993: Volume 1. Great Basin and Snake River Basin above King Hill

Water resources data for the 1993 water year for Idaho consists of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage, contents, and water quality of lakes and reservoirs; discharge of irrigation diversions; and water levels and water quality of ground water. The two volumes of this report contain discharge records for 189 stream-gaging stations and 39 irrigation diversions; stage only records for 4 stream-gaging stations; stage only for 7 lakes and reservoirs; contents only for 23 lakes and reservoirs; water-quality for 61 stream-gaging stations, 489 wells, and 6 lake sites; daily totals for 1 precipitation gage; and water levels for 571 observation wells. Additional water data were collected at various sites not involved in the systematic data collection program and are published as miscellaneous measurements. These data represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S.Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in Idaho, adjacent States, and Canada.

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