A groundwater-flow model for the Treasure Valley and surrounding area, southwestern Idaho

Bartolino, James R.; Vincent, Sean D.

doi:10.3133/fs20173027

Cited by 2 publications

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References 2 publications

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“…In 2016, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Idaho Water Resource Board and the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR), began a project to collect additional streamflow data (in the form of 10 new continuous streamgages and 3 additional synoptic streamflow-measurement sites) at 13 ditches and streams that serve as the primary outflow points for the expansive network of agricultural ditches and drains, develop a revised hydrogeologic framework, and create a groundwater-flow model of the Treasure Valley (Hundt, 2023). This is the third USGS report documenting the various components used to develop a groundwater-flow model: the first report described the project and summarized existing studies (Bartolino and Vincent, 2017), and the second report described the process used to build a three-dimensional hydrogeologic framework model (3D HFM) of the WSRP aquifer system (Bartolino, 2019a).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Groundwater-flow model of the Treasure Valley, southwestern Idaho, 1986–2015

Hundt,

Bartolino

2023

Scientific Investigations Report

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vii data release provide ample flexibility to improve the model for future uses. Adjustments and improvements could be made by refining the model in an area of interest, collecting additional calibration data, applying more rigorous boundary conditions, or re-estimating model parameters to optimize model performance for a specific model forecast.(3) new flux observations in the form of drain discharges;(4) agricultural pumping, canal seepage, and incidental recharge results from an agricultural and urban water supply and demand model that incorporates new land-use and evapotranspiration (ET) data; and(5) the newly developed hydrogeologic framework from the 3D HFM (Bartolino, 2019a).

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Groundwater-flow model of the Treasure Valley, southwestern Idaho, 1986–2015

Hundt,

Bartolino

2023

Scientific Investigations Report

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Section: Uranium In Treasure Valleymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Groundwater uranium is of concern to local water resource managers, especially as the main source of drinking water is groundwater (Bartolino & Vincent, 2017). The area is home to over 630,000 people, and the population is projected to reach 1.6 million by 2065 (Bartolino & Vincent, 2017;SPF Water Engineering, 2016). With over 34,000 total wells and more than 8100 domestic wells in Ada and Canyon Counties, effective management requires more knowledge of the spatial extent of uranium in the groundwater; such knowledge can also better constrain the uranium source and source release mechanism (Bartolino & Vincent, 2017;Idaho Department of Water Resources, 2019).…”

Section: Uranium In Treasure Valleymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Spatial Distribution of Elevated Uranium in the Treasure Valley Aquifer System, Southwest Idaho

Womeldorph¹

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Womeldorph for selfless support, advice, and encouragement throughout the process. I also want to thank all of my fellow graduate students at Boise State Geosciences for advice and encouragement. I would like to thank Monica Van Bussum, Megan Larson, and IDEQ for technical data support. Thomas Otheim was critical in helping with field work issues. I want to thank Kyle Radek, Josh Gabel, Jason Smith, and their colleagues at the City of Meridian for data, field access, and field support. vi ABSTRACT The Treasure Valley Aquifer System (TVAS) in southwestern Idaho contains well-documented uranium concentrations over the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency maximum contaminant level of 30 µg/L. With a population in the Treasure Valley projected to reach 1.6 million by 2065, in-depth horizontal and vertical spatial knowledge of the contaminant is needed. This study evaluates the horizontal and vertical spatial nature of uranium in the TVAS and interprets those observations to provide both a conceptual model of uranium behavior, and recommendations for water resource management. A large water quality dataset was compiled, and supplemented by data collected during a field sampling campaign, targeting increased vertical resolution in the aquifer system. To assess the questions posed by the study, statistical tests, spatial analyses, and chemical modeling were performed on the compiled and collected data. Uranium concentrations were found to be low in deep, reduced waters of the TVAS, and ranged from low to very high (0-240 µg/L) in the shallow, oxidized portions of the system. The contaminant exhibits high variability and elevated levels across the region but does not follow any significant horizontal spatial trends. Redox conditions were found to control uranium mobility throughout the system. Waters high in calcium and carbonates, which readily complex with uranium in the system, likely increase uranium mobility and contribute to elevated concentrations in oxic waters. Domestic well users are at risk for consuming elevated dissolved uranium due to limited monitoring and well depth completion in the shallow portion of the TVAS. To address this risk, vii measurements of alkalinity and dissolved oxygen can be used as a low-cost screening method for predicting the risk of elevated uranium. Groundwater with alkalinity greater than 150 mg/L and dissolved oxygen greater than 1 mg/L predicts the potential for elevated uranium (43% of these wells are above drinking water standard), while measurements below these values predict low potential for elevated uranium (100% of wells are below drinking water standard). Additionally, drilling deeper into reducing waters and increased uranium monitoring will protect from elevated uranium concentrations. viii TABLE OF CONTENT

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A groundwater-flow model for the Treasure Valley and surrounding area, southwestern Idaho

Cited by 2 publications

References 2 publications

Groundwater-flow model of the Treasure Valley, southwestern Idaho, 1986–2015

Groundwater-flow model of the Treasure Valley, southwestern Idaho, 1986–2015

The Spatial Distribution of Elevated Uranium in the Treasure Valley Aquifer System, Southwest Idaho

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