Assessment of Groundwater Storage in the Kennewick Irrigation District
Date published: July 2023
Authors: Carey A. Gazis (CWU Geology)s
Reference:
Gazis, Carey A. “Assessment of Groundwater Storage in the Kennewick Irrigation District.” Washington State Department of Ecology, July 2023.
Abstract:
This study uses geochemistry to further understand the Badger Coulee aquifer and to characterize groundwater in the larger Kennewick Irrigation District (KID) region. Statistical analysis of geochemical data reveal five hydrochemical groups. Two of these groups have high nitrate values indicating high inputs from irrigation water containing fertilizer, while another group has isotopic signatures that indicate a large surface water contribution but has low nitrate, suggesting that those waters have high proportions of canal leakage. The estimate of overall artificially recharged water for all of Badger Coulee ranges from 74,000 acre-feet to 132,000 acre-feet.
Basalt groundwaters in the study region fall into two hydrochemical groups. One group is isotopically light, has little or no nitrate, and is likely pristine basalt water that is older and receives little modern recharge. Another group of basalt groundwaters is higher in nitrate and isotopically similar to Yakima River water (and KID water). A cluster of these basalt groundwaters were found on the western side of the study area along the Yakima River. The presence of surface water in the basalt aquifers suggests that it is possible to design a managed aquifer recharge system that uses surface water infiltration.
Contact person/agency: Washington State Department of Ecology
File Format: pdf
Associated Data:
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