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List of Reports & Abstracts

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Automated downhole monitoring at Southwest Harbor (WHS 2005)

Pilot testing of a permanganate injection system (WHS 2005)

Evaluating ASR using Columbia River water (WHS 2005)

Anatomy of a Sinking Chlorinated Solvent Plume (WHS 2003)

Comparison of Actual Evapotranspiration Estimates to a Soil Moisture Budget and Plant Growth (WHS 2003)

Hydrogeologic Characteristics of the Columbia River Basalts near Goldendale, Washington (WHS 2003)

Geology of the Brightwater Tunnel corridor (NGS 2004 / GSA 2003)

Abstract

Evaluating ASR using Columbia River Water, Kennewick, Washington

Presented at the 5th Annual Washington Hydrogeology Symposium, April 12–14, 2005, by Steve Germiat and Tim Flynn

Watershed planning efforts for WRIA 31 (the Rock-Glade watershed) indicate that water storage will be an important water management strategy to meet future water demand in the watershed. Approximately 90 percent of the WRIA 31 population resides within the City of Kennewick, which projects a 140 percent increase in water demand by the year 2021. Water required to meet Kennewick’s summer peak demand is currently drawn from the Columbia River at the time that flows are naturally lowest and of greatest importance for in-stream resources. Water storage can help alleviate this timing problem between seasonal water supply availability and demand in this arid watershed, as well as provide a cost effective means to address short term peak demands.

Aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) is a promising water-storage option since the Columbia River Basalt aquifers are highly productive, yet have seen substantial long-term water level decline from large irrigation withdrawals in parts of the WRIA. This overdraft represents a minimum available aquifer storage capacity. All streams in WRIA 31 are ephemeral, thus the Columbia River is the only feasible source of excess water for a storage project of any size there. Diverting peak winter Columbia River flows, storing that water in the subsurface, and subsequently recovering it for summer use could reduce direct diversions from the river in the summer. This project, funded by an Ecology watershed planning grant, provides a feasibility-level assessment of applying ASR to meet Kennewick’s municipal (multipurpose) needs.

Candidate ASR sites are located near Kennewick’s existing and planned water supply infrastructure. The hydrogeologic conceptual model for each site is focused toward local geologic structural controls on groundwater flow and quality. The environmental assessment estimates potential impacts associated with applying ASR in the candidate areas. Outcomes of the feasibility project include an ASR pilot testing plan, and system characterization which will provide the supporting documentation if the City pursues submittal of an ASR application to Ecology.

ASR using Columbia River source water, particularly where water treatment capacity currently exists, can be a technically viable means of managing the available water resource to support community and economic growth. Because of seasonal timing advantages afforded by water storage, it also helps make additional in-stream water available during critical flow periods. Because of hydrologic similarities across WRIA 31, knowledge gained through this project in Kennewick provides a starting point for evaluating ASR opportunities elsewhere in the WRIA.