Lost River Sub-Basin Ground Water Investigation
October 2004 Presentation
Introduction
1.
Introduction (text: title slide with photo)
Name
Project
2.
Project Area (Oregon map: shaded relief)
Southeast Klamath County, Oregon
3.
Project Area (Klamath shaded relief map)
920 square miles
Swan Lake, Poe, Yonna, and Langell Valleys
Background for Investigation
4.
Reason for Investigation
Early 1990s drought
36 ground water applications received
Protests to applications received
WR Commission directs OWRD to conduct investigation
5.
ADR Permits Issued
Issued 31 July 1996
Set criteria for OWRD to determine fate of the permits
1
6.
ADR Permit Condition A
River stage or Bonanza Big Springs flow
Not “significantly diminished” by water use under each permit
7.
ADR Permit Condition D
“Excessively declining” ground water level levels
Due to well use
8.
Investigation Purpose
Address ADR permit conditions A & D
Permit holders responsible for conditions B & C
Peer reviewers and other reviewers
Geography and Climate
9.
10.
Geography
Valleys
Communities
Lost River
Lakes
Average Annual Precipitation (contour map)
13 to 14 inches in the valleys
20 inches or more in the uplands
11.
Precipitation (annual bar graph)
average rainfall over 80 years = nearly 13.75 inches
minimum = 6.6 inches
maximum = 22.8 inches
2
12.
Precipitation (cumulative departure graph)
shows rainfall trends
13.
Monthly Precipitation (graph)
wettest months = November through January (about 2 inches)
driest months = July to September (half inch or less)
need irrigation water to grow crops
Irrigation and Ground Water Development
14.
USBOR Project (map)
15.
Water Rights in Oregon (map)
black = surface water rights
dark green = ground water rights
do have overlapping rights
16.
Ground Water Rights in the Sub-basin (map)
dark green = pre-1990
light green = ADR permits
both primary and supplemental rights
17.
Ground Water Right History in the Sub-basin (graph)
Ground water rights and new wells track very similarly
Trend overall from mid-1960s = essentially constant
Jump in early 1990s makes up lag in 1980s
3
18.
Ground Water Right Wells (map)
black = pre-1990
red = ADR permit related
Wells since ADR permit issuance not shown
19.
Ground Water Well History in Sub-basin (all uses graph)
30% of domestic wells located off Hwy 140 – Bly Mtn Cutoff Rd
18 to 25% of domestic wells located in or near Bonanza
Mosier domestic water use:
130 = households
350 = town population
115 ac-ft/yr = total town annual water volume use
46 irrigated acres total if 2.5 ft applied per year
38 irrigated acres total if 3.0 ft applied per year
0.88 ac-ft/yr per household
790 gal/day per household
0.55 gal/min per household
For 800 domestic wells in eastern Lost River sub-basin:
708 ac-ft/yr = total annual use
283 irrigated acres total if 2.5 ft applied per year
236 irrigated acres total if 3.0 ft applied per year
439 gal/min total
4
Geology
20.
Geologic Province (shaded relief map)
Transition from Basin and Range Province to Cascade Province
California, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Mexico
Long and narrow, north-south trending fault-block mountains
Separated by broad sediment filled basins
Sub-basin is in the Basin and Range Province
21.
DOGAMI Geologic Mapping (quadrangles on shaded relief)
Had to rely on others for geologic work
ORCA funds for DOGAMI geologic mapping
22.
DOGAMI Mapping (Jenks quadrangles on shaded relief)
Lots of units and structures
23.
Geologic Units (text: basin fill)
Valley fill
Lacustrine (lake), fluvial (stream), volcaniclastic
Some basalt dikes, sills, and flows
Some alteration (Lorella Hot Springs, Olene Gap)
Thickness from few to hundreds of feet
Buries major basalt units
5
24.
Geologic Units (text: basalt)
Numerous and discontinuous
Vary in chemistry and texture
Subaerial, some water interaction, submerged
Some sedimentary interbeds between units
Some secondary mineralization (note Cheyne & Smith wells)
Thickness from less than 50 to nearly 2,000 feet
Exposed mostly in uplands, Buried mostly in the valleys
25.
Basalt Flows (figure of compound and sheet flows)
CRB example of sheet flow (extensive, distinct units & aquifers)
Klamath has compound flows (discontinuous, better connections)
26.
Faults Mapped (faults on shaded relief)
Numerous faults (higher density in DOGAMI mapped areas)
Basin fill in valleys hides many faults
27.
Buried Geologic Structure (top of basalt contour map)
Top of basalt contours
Shows structures buried under basin fill
Show Lorella, Yonna Valley, Poe Valley, Swan Lake Valley
28.
Geologic Cross Sections (cross-section lines)
6
29.
Geologic Cross-section (S. Langell Valley)
Rather simple
Trap door fault
30.
Geologic Cross-section (Lorella)
Complex
Structure important influence on ground water
31.
Geologic Cross-section (Bonanza)
Complex
Most structure has little influence on ground water
32.
Geologic History (text: oldest exposed rocks)
Bryant Mountain and Gift Butte
Age dates = 7.3 and 8.2 million years
Thin horizontal sheets
Erupted over subdued topography
Show interaction with water
Lacustrine interbeds between some flows
Assumed to underlie the entire sub-basin
7
33.
Geologic History (text: master basin & range faulting)
Commenced about 7 million years ago
Created low hills and broad valleys
Erosion started
Deposition in developing basins
Lacustrine mudstone (volcanic ash)
Fluvial sandstone
No volcanic activity within sub-basin
34.
Geologic History (text: volcanic activity resumes)
Rock sample dates:
Oldest sample = 5.4 million years
Most samples = 4.6 to 3.8 million years
Non-master faulting:
Commenced about 4.5 million years ago
Buttes and uplands within valleys
Eruptions:
Erupt along master faults and within valleys
Flow onto sediments, into basin against highs
Locally ponded and/or interacted with water
8
35.
Geologic History (text: Pleistocene to present)
Lake Modoc:
Pluvial (rain, wet climate)
Inundates sub-basin, Klamath Lake, Tule Lake
Elevation fluctuated, maximum = 4,240 feet
Lacustrine (lake) deposits
Miller Creek gravel delta, other alluvial fans
Lake Modoc recedes:
Klamath, Tule, Swan, and Alkali Lakes remain
Lost River established
Subsequent sedimentary deposition
No evidence of volcanism within the sub-basin
Ground Water
36.
Ground Water Data Collection (project wells map)
237 wells
37.
Ground Water Data Collection (text)
Project wells (237 wells)
10 wells for recording water levels every 2 hours
40 wells for monthly water levels
153 wells for synoptic water levels
34 wells for additional geologic data
State observation wells (9 wells)
Water well reports (driller well logs)
Owner submitted data
9
38.
Ground Water Occurrence (text)
Basin Fill Sedimentary Rocks and Sediments
Sandstone or sand, gravel
Volcanic cinders, pumice
Fractured claystone, or basalt within sediment
Basalt
Broken, fractured, brecciated, creviced
Porous, honeycomb, vesicular, bubbly
Volcanic cinders, pumice
Interbeds of sandstone or sand Basalt
39.
Ground Water Production (text: basin fill)
Basin Fill
Well yield from 44 water well reports
>10 gallons per minute at 35 wells
>50 gallons per minute at 14 wells
>100 gallons per minute at 7 wells
Specific capacity from 7 water well reports
Never exceeded 10 gpm per foot of drawdown
40.
Ground Water Production (text: basalt)
Well yield from 199 water well reports
>100 gallons per minute at 171 wells
>1,000 gallons per minute at 117 wells
<50 gallons per minute at 19 wells
Specific capacity from 115 water well reports
>10 gpm per foot of drawdown at 101 wells
>100 gpm per foot of drawdown at 51 wells
10
41.
Hydrualic Properities (text: basalt)
Transmissivity:
Less than 50,000 ft2/day (375,000 gpd/ft)
More than 100,000 ft2/day (750,000 gpd/ft)
Storage Coefficient:
Generally less than 10-3
Most close to 10-4
Sub-Area
Compartment
South Langell Valley
N.A.
Northeast
Southeast
Terrace
N.A.
Central Portion
South Poe Valley
Lorella
Bonanza
Swan Lake Valley to
Poe Valley
42.
Transmissivity
(ft2/day)
600,000
50,000
2,050
12,000
334,201
150,000
7,260
Storage
Coefficient
0.00025
0.00030
0.00030
0.00015
0.00096
0.00040
0.00058
Ground Water Temperatures (temperature histograms)
Temperature distribution similar for basalt and basin fill
Higher temperatures = presence of deep circulation heated water
43.
Hydraulic Connections (hydrographs: Yonna basalt & basin fill)
Ground water in basalt and basin fill = connected
Especially where at basin fill bottom and where fill = thin
44.
Hydraulic Connections (hydrographs: S. Poe basalt & basin fill)
Less obvious when thick, but still connected
Note S. Langell Valley aquifer test
Note Balin
Note Swan Lake Valley and Pine Flat
11
45.
Hydraulic Connections (GW & SW: Lost River seepage run map)
12 river reaches
235 inflow and outflow sites
46.
Hydraulic Connections (GW & SW: Lost River seepage run flow)
Malone Dam S. Langell Valley to Stevenson Park W. Poe Valley
River gained total flow in each reach from
< 10 cubic-feet per second (S. Langell Valley)
>130 cubic-feet per second (W Poe Valley)
Greatest inflow from springs at Bonanza then west Poe Valley
Limited inflow by seepage through the basin fill
47.
Hydraulic Connections (GW & SW: Lost River seepage run EC)
Electrical conductivity
Supports flow data
48.
Hydraulic Connections (GW & springs: Kilgore Spring)
49.
Hydraulic Connections (GW & springs: Bonanza Big Springs)
Influences Affecting Ground Water Levels
50.
Influences Affecting Ground Water Levels (text: title)
51.
Ground Pumping Influence (hydrograph: basalt)
Basalt in S. Langell Valley (below 304 feet of sediment)
Greater drawdown in 2001 due to pumping for USBOR
12
52.
Ground Pumping Influence (hydrograph: sediment)
Sediment in S. Langell Valley (well <105 feet)
53.
Precipitation Trend Influence (hydrograph & cum. Departure)
Long term GW levels & cumulative departure = similar
54.
Precipitation Trend Influence (Big Springs & cum. Departure)
Periodic Bonanza Big Springs flow measurements
Varying data quality
Spring flow & cumulative departure = similar
55.
Barometric Pressure Influence (graphs)
Aquifer tests showed
Water level in wells declined when the barometric pressure rose
Water level in wells rose when the barometric pressure fell
Barometric pressure fluctuated about 0.40 feet
GW fluctuated about 0.45 feet
Barometric efficiency = 30 to 50%
56.
Earth Tide Influence (graph)
Aquifer test: one well showed
Small GW level fluctuations inverse to southern Oregon ocean tides
Earth’s crust responds to the moon’s gravitational pull
Fluctuated about 0.1 feet
13
57.
Canal Leakage Influence (hydrograph)
Primarily Lorella area
Rise when the canals flow and decline when canals are empty
Not seen in other areas
Aquifer properties help dissipate the canal influence
Climate and ground water use masks the canal influence
58.
River Stage Influence (hydrograph: Big Springs Park)
59.
Irrigation Event Influence (hydrograph)
Upper portion of sediments
Short term irrigation, precipitation, and snowmelt events
Dampened and lost with depth
60.
Combined Influence: Canal Leakage & GW Pumping (graph)
Ground water pumping superimposed on canal influence
61.
Combined Influence: Precip. Trend & GW Pumping (graph)
Annual GW level rise with above average precip, then decline
Seasonal GW pumping influence superimposed
14
Ground Water level Trend, ADR Condition D
62.
Ground Water Level Trend (Yonna hydrograph)
Nine state observation wells in sub-basin
State observation well in Yonna Valley
Trend shown = typical for sub-basin
63.
Ground Water Level Trend (SE. Poe hydrograph)
Do have an exception
SE Poe Valley (Schaupp Road)
64.
Ground Water Level Trend Results (text)
At 7 of 9 state observation wells
Late 1990s water levels are similar to 1960s
1 to 2 ft decline: Yonna, S. Swan Lake, and S. Langell Valleys
3 foot decline near Lorella
At 8th state observation well
Data begins in the 1980s
Late 1990s water levels are similar to initial 1980s
At 9th state observation well in southeast Poe Valley
20 foot decline in two 10 foot steps
A 10 foot step in the 1960s
A 10 foot step in the late 1990s
Geographically limited
15
65.
Ground Water Level Trend ADR Condition D Results (text)
No “excessively declining ground water levels”
Defined in OAR 690-08-001 (6)
Any “ongoing lowering” of the ground water level that:
Precludes, or could preclude, the perpetual use of the reservoir;
Average downward trend of 3 or more ft/yr for at least 10 years;
Average annual lowering of the water level by 1% or more of
the initial saturated thickness over a 5 year period; or
Results in water quality deterioration
Water quality deterioration at Bonanza Big Springs = periodic
Ground Water Sub-Areas
66.
Ground Water Sub-Areas (hydrograph)
Identified by ground water levels and trends
Note Lorella
67.
South Langell Valley Sub-Area (map and hydrograph)
68.
Lorella Sub-Area (map and hydrograph)
16
69.
Lorella Sub-Area Compartments (map and hydrograph)
Bryant Mountain to Dead Indian Hill terrace north
Bryant Mountain to Dead Indian Hill terrace middle
Bryant Mountain to Dead Indian Hill terrace south
near Keller Bridge
west of Wolf Flat terrace
Wolf Flat terrace
Lorella northeast
Lorella southeast
near Miller Creek
70.
Bonanza Sub-Area (map and hydrograph)
71.
Swan Lake Valley to Poe Valley Sub-Area (map and hydrograph)
72.
Swan Lake Valley to Poe Valley Sub-Area Compartments
(map and hydrograph)
Central (main) sub-area portion
Compartments
north Swan Lake Valley compartment
south Poe Valley compartment
east Poe Valley compartment
73.
Shasta View (map)
17
Ground Water Flow
74.
Ground Water Flow (sub-basin potentiometric map)
Recharge = local, both the uplands and valleys
Basalt GW generally flows to the valleys from uplands
Steeper gradient from uplands
Flow in Valleys = down valley toward or parallel to the Lost River
Flatter gradient in valleys
Especially Bonanza sub-area
Exception = Lorella and Swan Lake
Generally higher transmissivity
Discharge
Most at fault-related valley springs in or near Lost River
S. Langell Valley
Bonanza Big Springs
W. Poe Valley
Limited discharge
Through the basin fill
Stratigraphically controlled springs above the valley floor
Occasional hot springs
Fault controlled
Water absorbing heat during deep circulation along faults
Note divides between sub-areas
Note GW channeling in W. Swan Lake & W. Pinr Flat
Fault = drain, not barrier
Note Poe Valley Compartments
Note Shasta View
75.
Ground Water Flow (Lorella potentiometric map)
Compare canal influenced GW to adjacent sub-areas
18
76.
Lorella Ground Water Flow (double completion hydrograph)
Double completion well
About 400 feet separate water bearing zones (400 cement )
Canal influenced above
Lower resembles Bonanza sub-area (weak yield)
Appear unconnected
However, do see influence indicating weak connection
Drawdown Calculations
77.
Drawdown Calculation Purpose (text)
Purpose = address ADR permit condition A
GW pumping from basalt affect on Lost River and springs is directly
proportional to the GW drawdown in basalt at the river and springs.
Larger drawdowns cause larger affects
GW discharge to a river via springs and seepage decreases as the
ground water level above river stage f
Discharge ceases when the GW level equals river stage
Reverse flow (river loss to GW) begins and increases as the GW level
falls below river stage
19
78.
Drawdown Calculation Conducted for Each ADR Well (text)
Drawdown at nearest Lost River site in the same sub-area
An individual drawdown
Represents maximum GW drawdown at river by well
Drawdown at spring within the same sub-area
Bonanza Big Springs (Bonanza sub-area)
Kilgore Spring (south Langell Valley sub-area)
High Spring (Swan Lake to Poe Valley sub-area)
Drawdowns calculated for springs included
Individual drawdown (each sub-area ADR well)
Cumulative drawdown (all sub-area ADR wells)
79.
Drawdown Calculation: Time Period (text)
Continuous pumping well at the maximum permitted rate
30 days
184 days
Pro-rated pumping of well
30 days
184 days
Pro-rated pumping rate = ___total volume allowed___
total period of use allowed
80.
Drawdown Calculation: Hydrualic Properties Used (text)
Sub-Area
S. Langell Valley
Transmissivity Storage
(ft2/day)
Coefficient
600,000
0.00025
Lorella
Northeast
Southeast
Terrace
50,000
2,050
12,000
0.00030
0.00030
0.00015
Bonanza
334,201
0.00096
Swan Lake to Poe Valley
Central Portion
South Poe Valley
150,000
7,260
0.00040
0.00058
20
81.
Drawdown Calculation: Results (text)
Spring
Drawdown: Pro-Rated Pumping
30 days
184 days
Kilgore Spring
S. Langell Valley
1.74 feet
2.14 feet
Bonanza Big Springs
Bonanza
3.07 feet
4.11 feet
High Spring
W. Poe Valley
1.78 feet
2.62 feet
Conclusions
82.
Conclusions: 1 to 4 (text)
1. Ground water occurs in both basalt and basin fill. They are
hydraulically connected
2. No “excessively declining ground water levels”
3. Long-term GW level trends generally correlate to climate.
Exception is in southeast Poe Valley
4. Short-term GW level trend (annual decline and recovery) correlate
to pumping and precipitation
83.
Conclusions: 5 & 6 (text)
5. Study area can be divided into four sub-areas. Two sub-areas can
be divided into compartments.
6. Water level data from 1999 through 2002 show no summer GW
pumping impact propagating beyond sub-area or compartment
boundaries.
This does not imply future ground water uses will not propagate to
neighboring areas in the long-term.
21
84.
Conclusions: 7 to 9 (text)
7. GW in basalt is hydraulically connected to the Lost River via
springs and diffuse seepage through overlying basin fill.
8. The most efficient connection between GW in basalt and the Lost
River occurs at fault controlled valley floor springs where basalt is
at or near land surface.
9. The least efficient connection between GW in basalt and the Lost
River is through basin fill overlying the basalt.
85.
Conclusions: 10 & 11 (text)
10.Springs responding to seasonal GW pumping from basalt were
located in the same sub-area or compartment as the seasonal GW
use.
This does not imply future ground water uses will not propagate to
neighboring areas in the long-term.
11.The effect of pumping GW from basalt upon surface water is
proportional to:
amount of GW drawdown caused by the pumping and
efficiency of the connection between the GW in basalt and SW
86.
Conclusions: 12 (text)
12.High basalt transmissivities exist in the Bonanza and south Langell
Valley sub-areas and central Swan Lake Valley to Poe Valley subarea.
Smaller, but very rapid GW level responses at springs and other sites within
the same sub-area or compartment.
Impact upon spring discharge is large given the higher transmissivities and
direct connection between the basalt and springs.
Most of the ADR permit wells are located in these areas, especially the
Bonanza sub-area.
22
87.
Conclusions: 13 (text)
13.Low basalt transmissivities, compartmentalization generally exist
in the Lorella sub-area and in south and eastern Poe Valley.
Greater GW level drawdown in these areas.
Short-term impact upon surface water is small given:
lower transmissivities,
compartmentalization, and/or
thicker basin fill making GW-SW connection inefficient
88.
Conclusions: 14 (text)
14.GW discharge at Kilgore Spring (S. Langell Valley) and High
spring (W. Poe Valley):
Stopped flowing during the summer of 2001.
Due to lower GW levels in basalt caused by drought and increased GW
pumping that season.
Fewer ADR permit wells are in these sub-areas.
89.
Conclusions: 15 (text)
15.GW level in the basalt at Bonanza Big Springs from 1997 through
2002:
Nearly met the river stage in the summer of 1997 and 2000,
Below the river stage in the summer of 2001 and 2002 .
23
90.
Conclusions: 16 (text)
16.The calculated total GW drawdown in basalt at Bonanza Big
Springs by pro-rated pumping the Bonanza sub-area ADR permit
wells shows:
The combined pumping of the Bonanza sub-area ADR permit wells is
sufficient to terminate Bonanza Big Springs flow (lower the ground water
level to or below river stage) in most years.
Under current management of the Lost River.
Many ADR permit wells are in the Bonanza sub-area.
24