Effects of the Eruptions of Mount St. Helens on Physical, Chemical, RECEIVED and Biological Characteristics of U.S.G,S AUG 2 i 1996 Surface Water, Ground Water, WATER Kco. J , .^^ o L'i"" and Precipitation in the Western ROLLA, MQ. United States United States Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 2438 Effects of the Eruptions of Mount St. Helens on Physical, Chemical, and Biological Characteristics of Surface Water, Ground Water, and Precipitation in the Western United States By DOUGLAS B. LEE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 2438 U. S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BRUCE BABBITT, Secretary U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Gordon P. Eaton, Director Any use of trade, product, or firm names in this publication is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1996 For sale by the U.S. Geological Survey Information Services Box 25286, Federal Center Denver, CO 80225 Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Lee, Douglas B. Effects of the eruptions of Mount St. Helens on physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of surface water, ground water, and precipitation in the Western United States by Douglas B. Lee p. 124 cm. -- (U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper: 2438) Includes bibliographical references. Supt.ofDocs.no.: I 19.3:2438 1. Volcanic ash, tuff, etc. Environmental aspects Northwest, Pacific. 2. Volcanic ash, tuff etc. Environmental aspects Colorado. 3. Water Pollution Northwest, Pacific. 4. Water Pollution Colorado. 5. Saint Helens, Mount (Wash.) Eruption, 1980 Environmental aspects. I. Title II. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 2438. TD427.V64L44 1996 551.48'09797'84 dc20 96-19199 CIP PREFACE The volcanic eruptions of Mount St. Helens in A collection of detailed discussions on individual 1980 affected lakes, rivers, streams, the Columbia lakes or rivers constitutes the bulk of this report. River Estuary, ground water, and precipitation in the The narratives have been written in a "case-study" Western United States. Because of the sheer breadth format in an endeavor to describe the unique of these effects, studied by hundreds of scientists attributes or environmental features of a lake or over a large geographic area encompassing thousands river. The case-study format was used to facilitate of square miles, the compilation of a source book compilation of the different effects impinging on a or review of the available information was needed. particular ecosystem. The source book covers the myriad of subjects Most researchers wrote about specialized topics involved in characterizing the physical, chemical, according to their particular discipline and seldom and biological changes in many diverse situations. expanded on many different aspects of various Data and conclusions from scores of reports and phenomena that occurred. The case-study format scientific papers are reviewed in this report, which seeks to consolidate the diverse types of information rapidly grew to substantial length because of the pertaining to a particular lake or river, so that any wide spectrum of materials. This report, when used relation among the many different facts may emerge. in conjunction with the original source documents, In a few cases, perhaps, an understanding of how provides a retrospective overview of research and empirical observations are related to one another accomplishments. In the event of a future eruption, can be reached, to facilitate identifying and defining individuals responsible for initiating and recommend­ cause-and-effect relations. At the end of each ing new studies will be provided with common collection of case studies, a summary of the effects grounds for discussion, from which additional ques­ of the eruption on physical, chemical, and biological tions and problems can be identified. Because of the characteristics of water quality is provided. report's unusual size, some readers perhaps can bene­ Persons who do not need details on any fit from suggestions on how best to use this document. particular lake or river and who may desire only to The intended audience is very broad, including review phenomena common to a large category of scientists with diverse backgrounds and interests. water bodies will probably profit most by turning For the benefit of all interested persons, extensive directly to a summary section. If additional details references are cited. In many cases, discussions of are desired, the reader of this report might then original papers may be sufficiently detailed to allow proceed to the applicable case study in question. the reader to evaluate the desirability of obtaining A researcher endeavoring to find quantitative data either the cited document or its abstract. In a manner on specific topics might decide to scan various of speaking, one might usefully regard this literature case-study histories in this report to extract the review to be a compilation of abstracts and proceed appropriate information and pertinent references. to use it in that fashion. An overall summary and conclusions section, such as might be written for a much shorter document The first part of this report describes the effects with fewer topics and then placed at the end of that of the eruption on lakes. Those lakes are divided document, was considered impractical for this report into three categories that define the levels of change and is therefore not included. caused by the eruptions. The effects of the eruptions on rivers, streams, and the Columbia River Estuary are separate major subdivisions, as are the topics of effects on ground water and precipitation. Douglas B. Lee Preface Hi CONTENTS Preface........................................................................................................__ \\\ Abstract ....................................................................................................................................,.........................^ Introduction ....................................................................................................,..............^...............,.......,,......,,,...........m .............2 Effects of the Eruption on Lakes ................................................................................................................................................3 Composition and Effects of Volcanic Ash on Water Quality ...........................................................................................4 Case Studies of Lakes Outside the Blast Zone Category I ............................................................................................8 Merrill Lake ...........................................................................................................................................................A^ McBride Lake ........................................................................................................................................................10 June Lake .......................................................................... Blue Lake ........................................................................................................................_ Bumping Lake ........................................................................................................................................................12 Fish Lake and Upper and Lower Indian Postoffice Lakes...................................................................................... 12 Coeurd'Alene Lake ...............................................................................................................................................14 Soap Lake ............................................................................._ Lake Lenorc ...........................................................................................................................................................15 Liberty Lake ...........................................................................................................................................................16 WaluptLake .................................................................................................................^^ Amber Lake ............................................................................................................................................................ 17 Sprague Lake ..........................................................................................................................................................18 Warden Lake ..........................................................................................................................................................19 Summary of Volcanic Effects on the Water Quality of Category I Lakes ..................................................................... 19 Physical Characteristics .........................................................................................................................................19 Chemical Characteristics ........................................................................................................................................20 Major Cations: Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, and Potassium ...................................................................20 Dissolved Iron and Manganese .....................................................................................................................20 Sulfate ...........................................................................................................................................................21