Geology topics
Research about Washington
Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including Washington.
Salt-water fishery resources and shoreline development in the southern Hood Canal area, Washington
No abstract available.
Public recreation resources and facilities in the southern Hood Canal area, Washington
No abstract available.
Map showing engineering characteristics of geologic materials, western Whatcom County, Washington
No abstract available.
Preliminary assessment of potential hazards from future volcanic eruptions in Washington
No abstract available.
Estimation of stream discharges preferred by steelhead trout for spawning and rearing in western Washington
Determined during the study of selected stream reaches used for spawning and rearing by steelhead trout were (1) stream discharges that cover the greatest areas of the streambeds with water at both the depths and the velocities preferred by spawning steelhead; (2) discharges that cover selectively reduced streambed areas with water at both the depths and velocities preferred by spawning steelhead; (3) discharges that cover the greatest streambed areas with water at velocities preferred by spawning steelhead; (4) rearing discharges that cover the streambed, but not the banks of the channel, with water; and (5) average wetted perimeters of the channels at water stages corresponding to the rearing discharges. These discharges and wetted perimeters were determined by measurements at 54 study reaches on 18 streams representative in size and location of those used by steelhead for spawning and rearing. Using multiple-regression techniques and the measured discharges and wetted perimeters, equations were developed for estimating the spawning and rearing discharges and the wetted perimeter for rearing at unmeasured stream sites. The independent parameters used were drainage area, mean altitude of the basin, reach altitude, reach slope, and average width of reach at toe of bank. Standard errors of estimate for the equations ranged from 26 to 50 percent for discharges corresponding to the greatest areas of preferred depths and velocities, from 32 to 46 percent for discharges corresponding to reduced areas of preferred depths and velocities, from 44 to 68 percent for discharges corresponding to the greatest areas of preferred velocities, from 46 to 57 percent for rearing discharges, and from 20 to 41 percent for the rearing wetted perimeter.
Reconnaissance of the water resources of the upper Klickitat River Basin, Yakima Indian Reservation, Washington
Large quantities of ground water and surface water are available in Washington County. Major sources of ground water are the Gosport Sand and Lisbon Formation undifferentiated, the Miocene Series undifferentiated, and alluvium and low terrace deposits. The Miocene, the most productive source of ground water, will yield 0.5 to 1.0 mgd (million gallons per day) per well and is a potential source of larger supplies in most of the county. The quantity of potable water available is governed largely by geologic structures. Average flows of the Tombigbee and Mobile Rivers in the southeast corner of the county are 18,200 and 39,400 mgd. Average runoff originating in the county is about 1,100 mgd or 1 mgd per square mile. Water in aquifers tapped by wells generally contains less than 500 mg/l (milligrams per liter) dissolved solids. The water generally is soft to moderately hard. Water in streams is soft to moderately hard and low in dissolved solids. Estimated water use in 1966 was 43.5 mgd of which 10.9 mgd was ground water and 32.6 mgd was surface water. Lava flows underlie the entire basin, and unconsolidated sedimentary deposits overlie the lavas in the Camas Prairie-Glenwood area and in small areas elsewhere. A spring supplies water to much of the Camas Prairie-Glenwood area through a public system, so not many wells are used now. About 56 million gallons (110 acre-feet) of ground water was used in 1974. The unconsolidated deposits yield from 1 to 500 gallons per minute of water to wells, and the basalt can yield more than 100 gallons per minute and possibly several thousand gallons per minute to deep wells. Ground-water recharge and discharge on the reservation is estimated to average 550,000 acre-feet per year.
Table of data on water quality of Baker Lake near Mount Baker, Washington
On March 10, 1975, volcanic activity on Mount Baker increased dramatically in the form of new or greater emanations of heat, steam and other gases, and ash from a known fumarole field in Sherman Crater (fig. 1). The greater heat output from the crater increased subglacial melting and subsidence of ice in the center of the crater (Frank and others, 1975). Flow of acid-rich waters into Boulder Creek, which drains that part of Mount Baker, apparently increased also. Boulder Creek discharges into Baker Lake (fig. 1), which is a reservoir used primarily for power generation but also for recreation, sport fishery, and salmon migration. This apparent increase in acidity of Boulder Creek water has raised questions about possible detrimental effects on Baker Lake.
Ground magnetic and VLF studies at Midnite uranium mine, Stevens County, Washington
Ground magnetic and E-mode VLF measurements were made at more than 200 stations at the Midnite uranium Mine, Stevens County, Washington. The equipment was found to be light and foolproof, and each set of data was collected in one day, exclusive of surveying and marking the station points. The maps of contoured magnetic and VLF data resembled geologic maps of the area, showing many common features, as well as a few unique features on each map. Each showed some evidence of a small normal fault cutting the region; taken together, the evidence for this fault was judged to be much stronger, so that further structural details were inferred. Because of soil cover and inadequate outcrops, the presence of this fault had hitherto been unsuspected. A target area for further uranium mineralization north of the fault was indicated by this quick, inexpensive geophysical survey. The drilling program which Midnite Mine management had underway at that time had already outlined a mineralized zone in the indicated area.
Availability of ground water in the area surrounding the Trident submarine construction facility, Kitsap County, Washington
This report provides general information on the water resources--with emphasis on ground-water occurrence and availability--in that part of Kitsap County (referred to as Trident Impact Area) that would be most affected by the development of the Trident submarine-construction facility at Bangor. Ground water occurs principally in a lower, confined aquifer near and below sea level and an upper, unconfined aquifer above sea level; both aquifers are extensive beneath the study area and are composed of sand and gravel layers separated by poorly permeable silt, clay, and till layers. Locally throughout the area efficiently constructed wells tapping each of the two aquifers are capable of yielding 100 to 1,300 or more gallons per minute. The estimated 1970 water use in the study area averaged about 13 million gal/day (gallons per day); of this amount about 9 million gal/day came from surface-water sources--from a large reservoir outside the study area--and about 4 million gal/day came from ground water pumped from the two aquifers. Anticipated water use soon will be about 18 to 21 million gal/day; virtually all the additional quantity required (about 5 to 8 million gal/day) above present use must come from ground-water sources. Preliminary evaluation of the aquifers suggests that an additional 1.5 million gal/day can be developed from the upper aquifer and 7 million gal/day from the lower aquifer. Existing wells tapping the lower aquifer might yield additional water and increase the total yield in the area by 3.5 million gal/day, and new wells drilled in selected areas could produce an additional 3.5 million gal/day from this aquifer. However, additional, large-scale ground-water withdrawal from the lower aquifer could induce saltwater intrusion into wells situated in coastal areas. Recommended future studies include additional data collection, monitoring of chloride concentrations in water from large-yield coastal wells, confirmation of well yields and capacities, and test-well drilling and analysis.
Reconnaissance of ground-water resources of the Squaxin Island Indian Reservation, Washington
A supply of fresh ground water for the Squaxin Island Indian Reservation exists in saturated deposits underlying the 3.09-square-mile island, whereas surface-water supplies are practically nonexistent. Four test wells tapped a water-hearing zone of sand and gravel and had yields ranging from 27 to 170 gallons per minute, with drawdowns of about 5 feet to about 65 feet. Except for high concentrations of iron and manganese (which can be treated and reduced for domestic use), the water quality is good. Conditions for drain-field waste disposal (such as from septic tanks) are probably good in at least the northern two-thirds of the island. The potential for seawater encroachment into the water-bearing zones underlying the island is unknown but may be great in places. The danger of inducing encroachment can be minimized by maintaining pumping levels above sea level, using a network of several wells pumped intermittently into a storage facility, and spacing these wells to spread out the effects cf pumping. Monitoring of the water quality in all wells would help indicate early signs cf increasing chloride content that warn of impending seawater encroachment. In the northern half of the island, where ground-water conditions are the most favorable, wells 100 tc 200 feet deep may yield 25 to 100 gallons per minute with minimum chances of seawater encroachment. The southern half of the island has a smaller apparent potential for ground-water development and an increased possibility of seawater encroachment.
Modeling coliform-bacteria concentrations and pH in the salt-wedge reach of the Duwamish River Estuary, King County, Washington
Total- and fecal-coliform bacteria, plus pH, alkalinity, and dissolved inorganic carbon are water-quality parameters that have been added to an existing numerical model of water quality in the salt-wedge reach of the Duwamish River estuary. The coliform bacteria are modeled using a first-order decay (death) rate, which is a function of the local salinity, temperature, and daily solar radiation. The pH is computed by solving a set of chemical-equilibrium equations for carbonate-bicarbonate buffered aqueous solutions. Concentrations of total- and fecal-coliform bacteria computed by the model for the Duwamish River estuary during June-September 1971 generally agreed with observed concentrations within about 40 and 60 percent, respectively. The computed pH generally agreed with observed pH within about a 0.2 pH unit; however, for one 3-week period the computed pH was about a 0.4 unit lower than the observed pH.
Uranium and trace element data on stream sediments in the Midnite Mine area, Stevens County, eastern Washington
Seventy-two stream sediment samples were collected near the Midnite mine in southern Stevens County, eastern Washington. The -82 mesh fraction of these samples was analyzed for acid extractable U, Fe, Mn, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Co, Mo, Cd, Cr, Ag, V, and Se and total Fe, Mn, Hg, As, and organic C. Sample site locations and descriptions, the methods of sample collection, preparation and analysis, and the analytic data are presented.
Potential hazards from future eruptions of Mount St. Helens volcano, Washington
Mount St. Helens has been more active and more explosive during the last 4,500 years than any other volcano in the conterminous United States. Eruptions of that period repeatedly formed large volumes of pumice, hot pyroclastic flows, domes, and, during the last 2,500 years, lava flows. Some of this activity also resulted in mudflows that moved tens of kilometres along the floors of valleys that head at the volcano. This report describes the nature of these phenomena and their threat to people and property; the accompanying maps show areas likely to be affected by future eruptions of Mount St. Helens. Explosive eruptions which produce large volumes of pumice affect large areas because winds carry the lightweight material hundreds of kilometres from the volcano. Because of prevailing winds, the 180° sector east of the volcano will be affected most often and most severely by future eruptions. However, the pumice from any one eruption probably will fall in only a small part of that sector. Pyroclastic flows and mudflows also can affect areas far from the volcano, but their effects are limited because they follow valleys. Mudflows and possibly pyroclastic flows moving rapidly down Swift and Pine Creeks could displace water in Swift Reservoir, which could cause disastrous floods farther downvalley.
Water resources of the Satus Creek Basin, Yakima Indian Reservation, Washington
The Satus Creek basin lies on the east flank of the Cascade Range in south-central Washington. The basin is entirely within the Yakima Indian Reservation and is bordered and drained on the east by the Yakima River. Average annual precipitation ranges from about 35 inches in the western upland to less than 10 inches in the eastern lowland. This amounts to a yearly total of about 562,000 acre-feet, most of which falls in the upland. Much of the precipitation falls as snow, and the streamflow from the upland reflects this fact, having a high sustained runoff during the snowmelt months of April, May, and June. In 1973 about 176,000 acre-feet of water was carried by canals for irrigation of about 19,000 acres in the lowland; of this quantity, about 173,000 acre-feet was imported from the adjoining Toppenish Creek basin. This high application rate of about 9.25 acre-feet of water per acre is largely responsible for severe waterlogging problems in many parts of the lowland. Also contributing to the problem are the fine-grained sedimentary deposits that generally overlie the alluvial sand and gravel aquifers in the lowland and retard downward percolation of applied water into those units. In other areas the upward discharge from aquifers in the underlying Yakima Basalt of the Columbia River Basalt Group contributes to waterlogging. Relieving artesiar heads by pumping, combined with reduced application and improved drainage, could alleviate the waterlogging, and free water for use in the irrigation of presently nonirrigated parts of the basin. Young volcanic rocks (basalt) in the southwestern, upland part of the basin appear to contain significant ground-water reservoirs. These rocks receive nearly 70,000 acre-feet a year in recharge from precipitation and, although much of this water is what sustains the high base flows of the streams draining the rocks, the remaining water offers potential for development as a high-altitude source for irrigation water.
Resume of the regional geology of the Grand Coulee area, Washington
No abstract available.