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Surface-Water/Ground-Water Interaction of the Spokane River and the Spokane Valley/Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, Idaho and Washington

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Surface-Water/Ground-Water Interaction of the Spokane River and the Spokane Valley/Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, Idaho and Washington U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Surface-Water/Ground-Water Interaction of the Spokane River and the Spokane Valley/Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, Idaho and Washington Water Resources Investigations Report 03-4239 National Water-Quality Assessment Program U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Surface-Water/Ground-Water Interaction of the Spokane River and the Spokane Valley/Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, Idaho and Washington by Rodney R. Caldwell and Craig L. Bowers Water-Resources Investigations Report 03-4239 Helena, Montana October 2003 U.S. Department of the Interior GALE A. NORTON, Secretary U.S. Geological Survey Charles G. Groat, Director Any use of trade, product, or firm name in this publication is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government For additional information write to: District Chief U.S. Geological Survey 3162 Bozeman Avenue Helena, MT 59601-6456 Copies of this report can be purchased from: U.S. Geological Survey Information Services Box 25286, Federal Center Denver, CO 80225-0286 Information regarding the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program is available on the Internet via the World Wide Web using the URL: http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa FOREWORD and agricultural, urban, and natural sources of contam- ination. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is Each assessment is guided by a nationally committed to serve the Nation with accurate and consistent study design and methods of sampling and timely scientific information that helps enhance and analysis. The assessments thereby build local knowl- protect the overall quality of life, and facilitates effec- edge about water-quality issues and trends in a partic- tive management of water, biological, energy, and ular stream or aquifer while providing an mineral resources (http://www.usgs.gov/). Information understanding of how and why water quality varies on the quality of the Nation’s water resources is of regionally and nationally. The consistent, multi-scale critical interest to the USGS because it is so integrally approach helps to determine if certain types of water- linked to the long-term availability of water that is quality issues are isolated or pervasive, and allows clean and safe for drinking and recreation and that is direct comparisons of how human activities and suitable for industry, irrigation, and habitat for fish and natural processes affect water quality and ecological wildlife. Escalating population growth and increasing health in the Nation’s diverse geographic and environ- demands for the multiple water uses make water avail- mental settings. Comprehensive assessments on pesti- ability, now measured in terms of quantity and quality, cides, nutrients, volatile organic compounds, trace even more critical to the long-term sustainability of metals, and aquatic ecology are developed at the our communities and ecosystems. national scale through comparative analysis of the The USGS implemented the National Water- Study-Unit findings (http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/ Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program to support natsyn.html). national, regional, and local information needs and The USGS places high value on the communi- decisions related to water-quality management and cation and dissemination of credible, timely, and rele- policy (http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/). Shaped by and vant science so that the most recent and available coordinated with ongoing efforts of other Federal, knowledge about water resources can be applied in State, and local agencies, the NAWQA Program is management and policy decisions. We hope this designed to answer: What is the condition of our NAWQA publication will provide you the needed Nation’s streams and ground water? How are the insights and information to meet your needs, and conditions changing over time? How do natural thereby foster increased awareness and involvement in features and human activities affect the quality of the protection and restoration of our Nation’s waters. streams and ground water, and where are those effects The NAWQA Program recognizes that a most pronounced? By combining information on national assessment by a single program cannot water chemistry, physical characteristics, stream address all water-resource issues of interest. External habitat, and aquatic life, the NAWQA Program aims to coordination at all levels is critical for a fully inte- provide science-based insights for current and grated understanding of watersheds and for cost-effec- emerging water issues and priorities. NAWQA results tive management, regulation, and conservation of our can contribute to informed decisions that result in Nation’s water resources. The Program, therefore, practical and effective water-resource management depends extensively on the advice, cooperation, and and strategies that protect and restore water quality. information from other Federal, State, interstate, Since 1991, the NAWQA Program has imple- Tribal, and local agencies, non-government organiza- mented interdisciplinary assessments in more than 50 tions, industry, academia, and other stakeholder of the Nation’s most important river basins and aqui- groups. The assistance and suggestions of all are fers, referred to as Study Units (http://water.usgs.gov/ greatly appreciated. nawqa/nawqamap.html). Collectively, these Study Units account for more than 60 percent of the overall water use and population served by public water Robert M. Hirsch supply, and are representative of the Nation’s major Associate Director for Water hydrologic landscapes, priority ecological resources, FOREWORD iii CONTENTS Page Foreword................................................................................................................................................................................ iii Abstract.................................................................................................................................................................................. 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Purpose and Scope....................................................................................................................................................... 5 Acknowledgments ....................................................................................................................................................... 5 Description of Study Area ..................................................................................................................................................... 6 Physiography, Land Use, and Climate......................................................................................................................... 6 Hydrogeologic Setting................................................................................................................................................. 6 Study Design and Methods.................................................................................................................................................... 7 Well Inventory ............................................................................................................................................................. 9 Monitoring Wells......................................................................................................................................................... 9 Streamflow and Calculated Losses.............................................................................................................................. 9 Water-Level, River-Stage, Water-Temperature, and Specific Conductance Monitoring............................................. 9 Water-Quality Sample Collection and Analysis .......................................................................................................... 12 Quality Assurance/Quality Control ............................................................................................................................. 13 Surface-Water/Ground-Water Interaction.............................................................................................................................. 14 Conceptual Model........................................................................................................................................................ 14 Spokane River Streamflow Losses .............................................................................................................................. 15 Ground-Water Levels and Flow Directions ................................................................................................................. 18 Water Temperature....................................................................................................................................................... 23 Water Chemistry .......................................................................................................................................................... 24 Specific Conductance ........................................................................................................................................ 25 Major Ions.......................................................................................................................................................... 25 Trace Elements .................................................................................................................................................
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