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Downloaded from fieldguides.gsapubs.org on August 1, 201 1 Field Guides Fire and water: Volcanology, geomorphology, and hydrogeology of the Cascade Range, central Oregon Katharine Cashman, Natalia I. Deligne, Marshall W. Gannett, Gordon Grant and Anne Jefferson V. E. Field Guides 2009; 15;539-582 doi: 10.1130/2009.fld015(26) click www.gsapubs.org/cgi/alerts to receive free e-mail alerts when new articles Email alerting services cite this article click www.gsapubs.org/subscriptions/ to subscribe to Field Guides Subscribe click http://www.geosociety.org/pubs/copyrt.htm#gsa to contact GSA Permission request Copyright not claimed on content prepared wholly by U.S. government employees within scope of their employment. 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Notes 2009 Geological Society of America © THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA Downloaded from fieldguides.gsapubs.org on August 1, 201 1 The Geological Society of America Field Guide 15 1009 Fire and water: Volcanology, geomorphology, and hydrogeology of the Cascade Range, central Oregon Katharine V. Cashman Natalia I. Deligne Department of Geological Sciences, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon USA 97403, Marshall W. Gannett U.S. Geological Survey, Oregon Wa ter Science Cellter, Portland, Oregon 97201, USA Gordon E. Grant Pac{ficNorthwest Research Station , U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) , Forest Service, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, USA Anne Jefferson Department of Geography and Earth Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina USA 28223, ABSTRACT This field trip guide explores the interactions among the geologic evolution, hydrology, and fluvial geomorphology of the central Oregon Cascade Range. Key topics include the geologic control of hydrologic regimes on both the wet and dry sides of the Cascade Range crest, groundwater dynamics and interaction between surface and groundwater in young volcanic arcs, and interactions between rivers and lava flows. As we trace the Willamette and McKenzie Rivers back to source springs high in the young volcanic rocks of the Cascade Range, there is abundant evidence for the large permeability of young lava flows, as manifested in streams that dewater into lava flows, lava-dammed lakes in closed basins, and rivers that emerge from single springs. These dynamics contrast sharply with the older, lower permeability Western Cascades terrane and associated runoff-dominated fluvial systems. On the east side of the Cascades we encounter similar hydrologic characteristics resulting in complex interactions between surface water and groundwater as we follow the Deschutes River downstream to its confluence with the Crooked River. Here, deep canyons have cut through most of the permeable part of the geologic section, have been invaded by multiple large intracanyon lava flows, and are the locus of substan tial regional groundwater discharge. The groundwater and surface-water interaction in the Deschutes Basin is further complicated by surface-water diversions and an extensive network of leaking irrigation canals. Our west-to-east transect offers an unparalleled opportunity to examine the co-evolution of the geology and hydrology of an active volcanic arc. .. Cashman. K. Y. Deligne. N.!.. Gannett. M.W.. Grant, G.E .. and Jefferson. A 2009. Fire and water: Volcanology, geomorphology, and hydrogeology of the Cascade . Range. central Oregon, in O·Connor. J.E . Dorsey. R.J .. and Madin, I.P., eds., Volcanoes to Vineyards: Geologic Field Trips through the Dynamic Landscape of the Pacific Northwest: Geological Society of America Field Guide 15. p. 539-582. doi: 10.1 I 30/2009.f1dOI 5(26). For permission to copy, contact editing@geosociety. org. ©2009 The Geological Society of America. All rights reserved. 539 Downloaded from fieldguides.gsapubs.org on August 1, 201 1 540 Cashman et at. INTRODUCTION AND TRIP OVERVIEW (left), one can see the foothills of the Westem Cascades, and, if the day is clear, an occasional glimpse of the large stratovolcanoes The Cascade Range of Oregon is the result of -40 fnillion along the crest of the High Cascades. Along the way, we will cross years of evolution of an active volcanic arc located on the leading several large riversdraining the Coast and Cascade Ranges. edge of a continental plate downwind of an enormous source of At Eugene, we will turneast and follow the McKenzie River. moisture-the PacificOcean. The focus of our trip will be the a major tributary of the Willamette River. The McKenzie River interplay among these factors, particularly as expressed in the and its tributaries. Lost Creek and White Branch, will lead us to recent (Quaternary) history and styles of volcanism associated the crest of the Cascade Range at McKenzie Pass. The stops on with the convergent plate margin just offshore,the flow paths and Day 1 are intended to display aspects of the regional geology, volumes of groundwater systems located within the range, and climatology, and landscape history, including the striking con the geomorphic evolution of rivers that have developed on both trast between the Westem and High Cascades geology, topogra sides of the Cascade Range crest. phy and dissection patterns, features and styles of Holocene lava This is very much a "West- and East-side story." The north flows, westside Cascade Range spring systems, and various ero trending Cascade Range is perpendicular to the path of the pre sional processes, including glacial erosion and mass movements. vailing westerly winds. creating a strong orographic lift and rain We will spend the night at the H.1. Andrews Experimental Forest, shadow effect. Precipitation on the windward western slopes of a National Science Foundation (NSF)--funded Long-Term Eco the Cascades ranges from2000 to over 4000 mm per year. On the logical Research site, which is surrounded by magnificent old leeward east side, precipitation drops tenfold to around 300 mm growth forest. per year, resulting in one of the steepest precipitation gradients On the morningof the second day. we will continue along the in the United States. The topography. hydrogeology, vegetation, McKenzie River to its source at Clear Lake, stopping to observe and landscape evolution reflectthis sharp contrast in precipitation spectacular waterfalls, lava-filled canyons, and dry riverbeds. At and provide a unique natural laboratory for examining both geo Clear Lake, which owes its origin to a lava flow that dammed the logic and climatic controls on landscape development. river. we will board rowboats for the sh0l1 crossing to the Great Our trip will begin in Portland and proceed south through the Spring, a high-volume cold spring emanating from the base of Willamette Valley toward the headwaters of the Willamette River a late Holocene lava flow, and discuss different river and lava (Fig. 1). As we travel south on Interstate 5, to the west (right) across flowin teractions. We will then drive over Santiam Pass, stopping the broad valley floor ri ses the Oregon Coast Range, an uplifted to observe a range of young volcanic structures and styles and and dissected continental shelf of early Tertiary age. To the east another very large spring and river system, the Metolius River. 124'O'W 123'40'W 123'20'W 45'O'N 45'O'N 44'40'N 44'40'N 44'20'N 44'20'N 44'O'N 44'O'N 124'O'W 123'40'W 123'20'W 123'O'W 122'40'W 122'20'W 122'O'W 121'40'W 121'20'W 121'O'W Figure I. Map of northwestern Oregon showing fieldtrip route and locations of individual stops for each day, plus areas cov ered by more detailed maps for each day of the field trip. Downloaded from fieldguides.gsapubs.org on August 1, 201 1 Vo lcanolog); geomorphology, and hydrogeologyof the Cascade Range 541 We will end the day at Bull Flat and Tumalo Dam, with an intro been locally altered by hydrothermal processes, particularly in duction to the east side story. Overnight will be in Bend. Oregon. the contact aureoles surrounding granitic stocks. The landscape The third and final day of our trip will begin with a focus on has been covered repeatedly by montane glaciers, dissected by lava and river interactions in the vicinity of Lava Butte, a Holo rivers, and is prone to frequent mass wasting by landslides, debris cene cinder cone that was the source of lava flowsthat encroached flows,and earthflows. Consequently. the topography is extremely on, and temporarily dammed, the Deschutes River. We will then rugged, ranging in elevation from 200 to 1800 m, with sharp dis travel n0l1h along the Deschutes River from Bend, where the river sected ridges, and steep slopes of 30° or more. Stream channels is hundreds of meters above the water table, to Lower Bridge, range from high-gradient bedrock channels to alluvial gravel to where the liver is at the same elevation as the regional water table, boulder-bed rivers. and on to Pelton Dam. where the river has cut entirely through the In the Western Cascades, outcrops are commonly obscured permeable part of the geologic section and, hence.