A Geochemical Analyses of Surface Water/Groundwater Interactions near a Proposed Groundwater Recharge Site in Northern Kittitas Valley

Presenter Information

Christopher Nenninger

Document Type

Oral Presentation

Campus where you would like to present

SURC Ballroom C/D

Start Date

15-5-2014

End Date

15-5-2014

Keywords

Groundwater, Geochemistry, Isotopes

Abstract

This research project examines the extent of connection between groundwater and surface water near a proposed infiltration pond site in Northern Kittitas Valley. The Yakima River Basin (YRB) is in a situation where all of the surface water rights have been issued. As a result, during low water years, junior water right holders do not get their full allotment of water. In order to address this issue, members of the City, County, State, and Federal Government, as well as representatives from the Yakama Nation, environmental groups, and irrigation districts in the YRB came together in order to formulate a solution, the Yakima River Basin Integrated Water Resource Management Plan. Part of that plan is groundwater storage. The first step is a pilot project where water is diverted during high flow to infiltration ponds around Kittitas Valley and Wapato. This research focuses on using geochemistry to understand surface water/groundwater interaction near a proposed infiltration pond site in eastern Kittitas Valley. To accomplish this, samples are taken from surface and ground water near the site and analyzed for cation, anion, and isotope geochemistry. Anion and cation data for this project is obtained using the Dionex DX 500 Ion Chromatograph in CWU's Chemistry Department. Stable isotope data for this project is obtained using the Geology Department's Thermo Finnegan Delta XP Mass Spectrometer. The results of these analyses will be presented and used to determine the source regions of groundwaters and the extent to which they are recharged by nearby surface water.

Poster Number

39

Faculty Mentor(s)

Gazis, Carey

Additional Mentoring Department

Geological Sciences

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May 15th, 8:30 AM May 15th, 11:00 AM

A Geochemical Analyses of Surface Water/Groundwater Interactions near a Proposed Groundwater Recharge Site in Northern Kittitas Valley

SURC Ballroom C/D

This research project examines the extent of connection between groundwater and surface water near a proposed infiltration pond site in Northern Kittitas Valley. The Yakima River Basin (YRB) is in a situation where all of the surface water rights have been issued. As a result, during low water years, junior water right holders do not get their full allotment of water. In order to address this issue, members of the City, County, State, and Federal Government, as well as representatives from the Yakama Nation, environmental groups, and irrigation districts in the YRB came together in order to formulate a solution, the Yakima River Basin Integrated Water Resource Management Plan. Part of that plan is groundwater storage. The first step is a pilot project where water is diverted during high flow to infiltration ponds around Kittitas Valley and Wapato. This research focuses on using geochemistry to understand surface water/groundwater interaction near a proposed infiltration pond site in eastern Kittitas Valley. To accomplish this, samples are taken from surface and ground water near the site and analyzed for cation, anion, and isotope geochemistry. Anion and cation data for this project is obtained using the Dionex DX 500 Ion Chromatograph in CWU's Chemistry Department. Stable isotope data for this project is obtained using the Geology Department's Thermo Finnegan Delta XP Mass Spectrometer. The results of these analyses will be presented and used to determine the source regions of groundwaters and the extent to which they are recharged by nearby surface water.