YBSA Monthly Report October, 2011
YBSA Monthly Report
October, 2011
Summary of the Yakima River Basin Groundwater Assessment Study: The United States
Department of the Interior U.S. Geologic Survey Team presented a summary of the Yakima
River Basin Groundwater Assessment Study. The Study was designed to fully describe the
groundwater flow system and its interaction with and relation to surface water. It also provides
baseline information for a management tool of the system.
The Study used information gathered back to 1901. The evaluation of the sedimentary deposits,
those aquifers above the basalt layers, in the 6 reaches of the Yakima River Basin were the most
important. An evaluation of river-aquifer exchanges was compiled for each reach. Groundwater
models were developed for the water period from 1960 and 2001 and are available online.
Groundwater usage in both the sedimentary and basalt layers was also evaluated.
The assessment found that sedimentary pumping reduces the flow of the Yakima River at
Richland, near the confluence of the Yakima and Columbia Rivers, by 140,000 a/f and an
addition of 40,000 a/f is reduced due to basalt pumping. The Study showed exempt wells reduce
the flow in the Yakima River by about 10 cfs (7150 a/f) which is reduced from 37 cfs (26450 a/f)
due to return flow to the sedimentary deposits.
It was pointed out that in the Yakima River Basin Integrated Plan the Wymer Storage Project
would provide 162,000 a/f of storage which is less than the water reduced by groundwater
pumping which was 180,000 a/f. If the existing 886 pending applications for new wells were
approved an additional 237,000 a/f water could have been withdrawn from the aquifers.
The Groundwater Assessment Study Teams consisted of USGS, USBR, Washington State
Department of Ecology, and the Yakama Nation. For more information on the USGS study go to
the Yakima Groundwater Project website at http://wa.water.usgs.gov/projects/yakimagrw/
Early Implementation Proposal: The Early Implementation Request (October, 2011) approved
by the YRBWE Workgroup consisted of:
1. Programmatic Actions, Operational Actions, and Small Infrastructure Projects in the
amount of $7.4 million.
2. Large Infrastructure Projects (Storage Projects) in the amount of $11.9 million for project
environmental review, permitting, and feasibility design. Interbasin transfer of water was
not included..
3. Groundwater Infiltration (Pilot Study) $1.6 million for a total request of $20.8 million.
The total cost of the Workgroup Plan is $4 to $5.8 billion.
PEIS Information: An update on the Programmatic EIS was provided to the Workgroup. A
PEIS evaluates the effects of broad proposals or planning-level decisions that may include any or
all of the following:
* A wide range of individual projects.
* Implementation over a long time frame; and/or
* Implementation across a large geographic area.
The Draft PEIS will be available in November, 2011 and a 45 day comment period will
commence. The Final PEIS will be completed in January, 2012. Two alternatives will be
presented, no action or the Integrate Plan with all 7 elements.
Climate Change: As reported in the Department of Ecology “Washington Environment 2010”
climate change poses a significant threat to our economy. Since we rely heavily on hydropower,
power generation is not as significant a source of “greenhouse gas” as in other states.
Pumped Storage/Wind Integration is an example of clean energy that produces power, creates
jobs, and provides water for fish and agriculture.
Climate Change Happens
ADJUST
Dinosaurs Didn’t
For additional information see www.ybsa.org