Geologic Cross-Section From Moscow, Idaho, to West of Pullman, Washington

Bush, John H.; Dunlap, Pamela; Reidel, Stephen P.

doi:10.1130/abs/2017am-296610

Cited by 1 publication

(10 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The fractured basalts and interbedded sediments are unconformably overlain by Quaternary aeolian Figure 2. Schematic geological cross-section of the Columbia River Plateau Regional Aquifer System in the South Fork Palouse River Basin (modified from [27,28]).…”

Section: Geologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this research, we review the last 50 + years of literature on both quantifying aquifer recharge and constraining the recharge source in this complex basin that is composed of fractured-basalt flows and interbedded sediments [27]. The South Fork Palouse River Basin of the Columbia Plateau (Figure 1) is characterized by a Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification of Mediterranean-influenced warm-summer humid continental climate) and low infiltration/percolation rates through the basalt flows that compose the majority of the subsurface stratigraphy [28]. The basin's groundwater resources have been subjected to overexploitation with declining groundwater levels since the 1930s [29].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Notably, a substantial portion of research efforts in this basin has focused on soil and surface water (e.g., [30][31][32][33][34]), or the vadose zone (e.g., [35][36][37][38]). Yet, the loess soils and vadose zone sediments are substantially different than the >1000 m of fractured basalt and interbedded sediments composing the aquifer system (Figure 2) [28]. This traditional view of examining surface water dynamics to estimate aquifer recharge can provide the conceptual framework for infiltrating water, but in basins where subsurface stratigraphy differs so greatly from surface geology, the subsurface characterization must be a priority.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This traditional view of examining surface water dynamics to estimate aquifer recharge can provide the conceptual framework for infiltrating water, but in basins where subsurface stratigraphy differs so greatly from surface geology, the subsurface characterization must be a priority. Within the basin, a recent focus on subsurface geology motivated a reexamination of potential recharge processes and the need for additional hydrologic tracers to be incorporated into any new groundwater flow model [27,28]. [27,28]).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Within the basin, a recent focus on subsurface geology motivated a reexamination of potential recharge processes and the need for additional hydrologic tracers to be incorporated into any new groundwater flow model [27,28]. [27,28]).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Pathways and Estimate of Aquifer Recharge in a Flood Basalt Terrain; A Review from the South Fork Palouse River Basin (Columbia River Plateau, USA)

Medici

Langman

2022

Sustainability

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Aquifer recharge is one of the most important hydrologic parameters for understanding available groundwater volumes and making sustainable the use of natural water by minimizing groundwater mining. In this framework, we reviewed and evaluated the efficacy of multiple methods to determine recharge in a flood basalt terrain that is restrictive to infiltration and percolation. In the South Fork of the Columbia River Plateau, recent research involving hydrologic tracers and groundwater modeling has revealed a snowmelt-dominated system. Here, recharge is occurring along the intersection of mountain-front alluvial systems and the extensive Miocene flood basalt layers that form a fractured basalt and interbedded sediment aquifer system. The most recent groundwater flow model of the basin was based on a large physio-chemical dataset acquired in laterally and vertically distinctive locations that refined the understanding of the intersection of the margin alluvium and the spatially variable basalt flows that filled the basin. Modelled effective recharge of 25 and 105 mm/year appears appropriate for the basin’s plain and the mountain front, respectively. These values refine previous efforts on quantifying aquifer recharge based on Darcy’s law, one-dimensional infiltration, zero-flux plane, chloride, storage, and mass-balance methods. Overall, the combination of isotopic hydrochemical data acquired in three dimensions and flow modelling efforts were needed to simultaneously determine groundwater dynamics, recharge pathways, and appropriate model parameter values in a primarily basalt terrain. This holistic approach to understanding recharge has assisted in conceptualizing the aquifer for resource managers that have struggled to understand aquifer dynamics and sustainable withdrawals.

show abstract

Section: Geologymentioning

confidence: 99%