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M. A. Jones

Publications and source records attributed to M. A. Jones.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS2009

Hydrogeologic Framework of the Yakima River Basin Aquifer System, Washington

The Yakima River basin aquifer system underlies about 6,200 square miles in south-central Washington. The aquifer system consists of basin-fill deposits occurring in six structural-sedimentary basins, the Columbia River Basalt Group (CRBG), and generally older bedrock. The basin-fill deposits were divided into 19 hydrogeologic units, the CRBG was divided into three units separated by two interbed units, and the bedrock was divided into four units (the Paleozoic, the Mesozoic, the Tertiary, and the Quaternary bedrock units). The thickness of the basin-fill units and the depth to the top of each unit and interbed of the CRBG were mapped. Only the surficial extent of the bedrock units was mapped due to insufficient data. Average mapped thickness of the different units ranged from 10 to 600 feet. Lateral hydraulic conductivity (Kh) of the units varies widely indicating the heterogeneity of the aquifer system. Average or effective Kh values of the water-producing zones of the basin-fill units are on the order of 1 to 800 ft/d and are about 1 to 10 ft/d for the CRBG units as a whole. Effective or average Kh values for the different rock types of the Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Tertiary units appear to be about 0.0001 to 3 ft/d. The more permeable Quaternary bedrock unit may have Kh values that range from 1 to 7,000 ft/d. Vertical hydraulic conductivity (Kv) of the units is largely unknown. Kv values have been estimated to range from about 0.009 to 2 ft/d for the basin-fill units and Kv values for the clay-to-shale parts of the units may be as small as 10-10 to 10-7 ft/d. Reported Kv values for the CRBG units ranged from 4x10-7 to 4 ft/d. Variations in the concentrations of geochemical solutes and the concentrations and ratios of the isotopes of hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon in groundwater provided information on the hydrogeologic framework and groundwater movement. Stable isotope ratios of water (deuterium and oxygen-18) indicated dispersed sources of groundwater recharge to the CRBG and basin-fill units and that the source of surface and groundwater is derived from atmospheric precipitation. The concentrations of dissolved methane were larger than could be attributable to atmospheric sources in more than 80 percent of wells with measured methane concentrations. The concentrations of the stable isotope of carbon-13 of methane were indicative of a thermogenic source of methane. Most of the occurrences of methane were at locations several miles distant from mapped structural fault features, suggesting the upward vertical movement of thermogenic methane from the underlying bedrock may be more widespread than previously assumed or there may be a more general occurrence of unmapped (buried) fault structures. Carbon and tritium isotope data and the concentrations of dissolved constituents indicate a complex groundwater flow system with multiple contributing zones to groundwater wells and relative groundwater residence time on the order of a few tens to many thousands of years. Potential mean annual recharge for water years 1950-2003 was estimated to be about 15.6 in. or 7,149 ft3/s (5.2 million acre-ft) and includes affects of human activities such as irrigation of croplands. If there had been no human activities (predevelopment conditions) during that time period, estimated recharge would have been about 11.9 in. or 5,450 ft3/s (3.9 million acre-ft). Estimated mean annual recharge ranges from virtually zero in the dry parts of the lower basin to more than 100 in. in the humid uplands, where annual precipitation is more than 120 in. Groundwater in the different hydrogeologic units occurs under perched, unconfined, semiconfined, and confined conditions. Groundwater moves from topographic highs in the uplands to topographic low areas along the streams. The flow system in the basin-fill units is compartmentalized due to topography and geologic structure. The flow system also is compartmentalized for the CRBG units but not to as large

Scientific Investigations Report↗
USGS2008

Hydrographs showing ground-water level trends for selected wells in the Yakima River basin aquifer system, Washington

Selected ground-water level hydrographs for the Yakima River basin aquifer system, Washington, are presented in an interactive web-based map to illustrate the existence or lack of trends in ground-water levels and, thus, potential variations in ground-water availability in the area. Hydrographs are linked to points corresponding to the well location on an interactive map of the study area. Ground-water level data and well information from Federal, State, and local agencies were obtained from the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information System. Selected data points were excluded from hydrographs to emphasize long-term term trends over short-term effects of human activity (such as pumping a well) and seasonal fluctuations in ground-water levels.

Washington↗
USGS2008

Extent and depth to top of basalt and interbed hydrogeologic units, Yakima River Basin aquifer system, Washington

The hydrogeologic framework was delineated for the ground-water flow system of the three basalt formations and two interbeds in the Yakima River Basin, Washington. The basalt units are nearly equivalent to the Saddle Mountains, Wanapum, and Grande Ronde. The two major interbed units between the basalt formations generally are referred to as the Mabton and Vantage. The basalt formations are a productive source of ground-water for the Yakima River Basin. The Grande Ronde unit comprises the largest area in the Yakima River Basin aquifer system. This unit encompasses an area of about 5,390 mi2 and ranges in altitude from 6,900 ft, where it is exposed at land surface, to a depth of 2,800 ft below land surface. The Wanapum unit encompasses an area of 3,450 mi2 and ranges in altitude from 5,680 ft, where exposed at land surface, to a depth of 2,050 ft below land surface. The Saddle Mountains unit, the least extensive, encompasses an area of 2,290 mi2 and ranges from 4,290 ft, where exposed at the surface, to a depth of 1,840 ft below land surface.

Washington↗
USGS2006

Hydrogeologic framework of sedimentary deposits in six structural basins, Yakima River basin, Washington

The hydrogeologic framework was delineated for the ground-water flow system of the sedimentary deposits in six structural basins in the Yakima River Basin, Washington. The six basins delineated, from north to south are: Roslyn, Kittitas, Selah, Yakima, Toppenish, and Benton. Extent and thicknesses of the hydrogeologic units and total basin sediment thickness were mapped for each basin. Interpretations were based on information from about 4,700 well records using geochemical, geophysical, geologist's or driller's logs, and from the surficial geology and previously constructed maps and well interpretations. The sedimentary deposits were thickest in the Kittitas Basin reaching a depth of greater than 2,000 ft, followed by successively thinner sedimentary deposits in the Selah basin with about 1,900 ft, Yakima Basin with about 1,800 ft, Toppenish Basin with about 1,200 ft, Benton basin with about 870 ft and Roslyn Basin with about 700 ft.

Scientific Investigations Report↗
USGS2003

Flood plain and channel dynamics of the Quinault and Queets Rivers, Washington, USA

Comparison of historic channel migration rates, modern planform conditions, and overall sediment, wood, and flow conditions and interactions for the Quinault River and Queets River in the western Olympic Peninsula, Washington, reveals decadal- to century-scale interactions between gravel-bed channels and forested flood plains in temperate maritime environments. The downstream alluvial portions of these two rivers can be divided into three reaches of different slope, flow, sediment, and wood regimes: (i) the upper Quinault River is aggrading behind Lake Quinault, a natural lake that traps most sediment and wood transported from the Olympic Mountain headwaters. (ii) The lower Quinault River, downstream of Lake Quinault, transports only sediment and wood derived from reworking of flood-plain deposits and contributed from valley margins. (iii) The Queets River has unimpeded movement of sediment and water from the mountainous headwaters to the Pacific Ocean. Measurements of channel planform characteristics and historic migration rates and patterns show that these three reaches have correspondingly distinct channel and flood-plain morphologies and dynamics. The aggrading and sediment-rich upper Quinault River has the widest flood plain, widest active channel, greatest number of low-flow channels and flanking gravel bars, and an average channel migration rate of 12.7±3.3 m/year between 1900 and 1994. The comparatively sediment-poor lower Quinault River has the narrowest flood plain, narrowest active channel, and lowest channel migration rate (4.0±1.2 m/year); and most flow is through a single channel with few adjacent gravel bars. The Queets River has attributes intermediate between the lower and upper Quinault Rivers, including an average channel migration rate of 7.5±2.9 m/year. Flood-plain turnover rates are similar for all three reaches, with channels eroding the flood plain at the rate of about 0.2% of the flood-plain area per year, and with corresponding flood-plain half-lives of 300 to 500 years. Observations from this study and previous studies on the Queets River show that channel and flood-plain dynamics and morphology are affected by interactions between flow, sediment, and standing and entrained wood, some of which likely involve time frames similar to 200–500-year flood-plain half-lives. On the upper Quinault River and Queets River, log jams promote bar growth and consequent channel shifting, short-distance avulsions, and meander cutoffs, resulting in mobile and wide active channels. On the lower Quinault River, large portions of the channel are stable and flow within vegetated flood plains. However, locally, channel-spanning log jams have caused channel avulsions within reaches that have been subsequently mobile for several decades. In all three reaches, log jams appear to be areas of conifer germination and growth that may later further influence channel and flood-plain conditions on long time scales by forming flood-plain areas resistant to channel migration and by providing key members of future log jams. Appreciation of these processes and dynamics and associated temporal and spatial scales is necessary to formulate effective long-term approaches to managing fluvial ecosystems in forested environments.

Geomorphology↗
USGS1999

Geologic framework for the Puget Sound aquifer system, Washington and British Columbia

The Puget-Willamette study area is composed of two distinct subareas, the Puget Sound Lowland and the Willamette Lowland. The study area for this report is the Puget Sound Lowland, which is located in western Washington and in a small part of southwestern British Columbia, Canada. The lowland encompasses an area of about 17,610 square miles and contains about 2,615 square miles of saltwater. The unconsolidated Quaternary deposits that compose the Puget Sound aquifer system underlie about 7,183 square miles of the study area. The extent of the Puget Sound aquifer system is delineated by its lateral and basal boundaries above the Tertiary and older rock units, called the basement confining unit, and the lateral extent of the glacial drift from the last glaciation, the Fraser Glaciation. The unconsolidated Quaternary deposits which compose the aquifer system consist of alluvium, glacial, and interglacial deposits. Of the unconsolidated deposits at the land surface, 1,570 square miles are covered by alluvium, 2,293 square miles are covered by coarse-grained deposits, and about 3,320 square miles are covered by fine-grained deposits. The alluvium and coarse-grained deposits generally compose the aquifer units, and the fine-grained deposits generally compose the semi-confining to confining units. Four glaciations and three interglaciations are recognized in the Puget Sound Lowland. As a result, the unconsolidated Quaternary deposits consist of one to four regional drift sequences and as many as eight local ones. These sequences are generally separated by unconformities and by interglacial fluvial and lacustrine deposits. These sequences produce an alternating pattern of coarse- and fine-grained deposits from land surface to depths of more than 3,000 feet. The unconsolidated Quaternary and Recent deposits within the lowland were grouped into local aquifer units and semiconfining and confining units based on their lithologic and hydraulic characteristics. These units were then grouped into regional aquifer units in order to assess the ground-water resources and describe the ground-water flow on a regional basis. The designated regional hydrogeologic units are the alluvial valley aquifers, the surficial semiconfining unit, the Fraser aquifer unit, the confining unit, and the Puget aquifer.

British Columbia, Oregon, Washington↗
USGS1998

Hydrogeologic framework of the Puget Sound aquifer system, Washington and British Columbia

This report presents the generalized hydrogeologic framework of the Puget Sound aquifer system in Washington and British Columbia. The framework includes a conceptual model of the division of the aquifer system into regional hydrogeologic units for describing on a regional basis the ground-water flow in the system. The conceptual model is based on an analysis of historical data and on results of cross-sectional numerical models of ground-water flow.

British Columbia, Washington↗
USGS1998

Hydrology and quality of ground water in northern Thurston County, Washington

Northern Thurston County is underlain by as much as 1,800 feet of unconsolidated deposits of Pleistocene Age that are of glacial and nonglacial origin. Iterpretation of approximately 1,140 drillers' logs led to the delineation of seven major geohydrologic units, four of which are significant aquifers. Precipitation ranges from about 35 to 65 inches per year across the study area. Estimates of recharge indicate that the ground-water system of the Ground Water Management Area (GWMA), a subset of the study area, receives an average of about 28 inches per year. Ground water generally moves toward marine water bodies and to major surface drainage channels. At least 33,000 acre-feet per year of ground water discharges as springs from the GWMA. Approximately 21,000 acre-feet of water was withdrawn from the ground-water system of the GWMA through wells in 1988. Total ground-water use in the GWMA in 1988 was approximately 37,000 acre-feet. About 16,000 acre-feet of water that discharges naturally through springs was used together with water withdrawn by wells for domestic supply, agricultural, commercial, industrial, institutional, and aquaculture and livestock uses. Generally, the chemical quality of the ground water was good and 94 percent of the water samples were classified as soft or moderately hard. Of the few water-quality problems encountered, the most widespread anthropogenic problem appeared to be seawater intrusion. However, a comparison with data from 1978 indicated that the degree and extent of intrusion had not changed significantly since that time. Agricultural activities may be responsible for the presence of nitrate in ground waters at some individual wells, but septic tanks in areas of high housing density are likely responsible for elevated nitrate concentrations near the Cities of Lacey and Tumwater. The close correlation of nitrate concentrations with detergent concentrations supports the theory that the nitrate originates in septic systems, the only likely source of the detergents. Most water-quality problems in the study area, however, are due to natural causes. Iron concentrations are as large as 21,000 micrograms per liter, manganese concentrations are as large as 3,400 micrograms per liter, and connate seawater is present in ground water in the southern part of the study area.

Washington↗
USGS1996

Thickness of unconsolidated deposits in the Puget Sound lowland, Washington and British Columbia

The Puget-Willamette Lowland is located in western Washington, western Oregon, and a small part of southwestern British Columbia, Canada. The Puget-Willamette Lowland study area is composed of two distinct subareas, the Puget Sound Lowland and the Willamette Lowland. This report presents the results of mapping the thickness of the unconsolidated deposits in the Puget Sound Lowland. The thickness of the unconsolidated deposits ranges from a discontinuous veneer in areas of bedrock outcrop to more than 3,600 feet. Available information shows that the unconsolidated deposits are thickest in the Fraser-Whatcom, Everett, Seattle, and Tacoma Basins. The mapped thickness of the unconsolidated deposits in the Tacoma Basin is probably underestimated because of the scarcity of wells penetrating the full thickness of the unconsolidated deposits and the lack of sufficient marine-seismic data.

British Columbia, Washington↗
USGS1994

Hydrology and quality of ground water in northern Thurston County, Washington

Northern Thurston County is underlain by as much as 1,000 feet of unconsolidated deposits of Pleistocene Age, that are of both glacial and nonglacial origin. Interpretation of 17 geologic sections led to the delineation of 7 major geohydrologic units, 3 of which constitute aquifers in the area. Precipitation ranges from about 35 to 65 inches per year across the study area. Estimates of gross recharge from precipitation indicate that the ground-water system of the area receives about 25 inches per year. The net recharge to the system (recharge from precipitation minus withdrawals from wells) is the equivalent of about 23 inches per year. Ground water generally moves toward marine bodies and to major surface drainage channels. Leakage from Lake St. Clair, which lies in a compound kettle within permeable glacial outwash, is almost 24 feet per year per unit area. Leakage from the lake may make up part of the water that discharges at McAllister Springs, north of the lake. Of the few water-quality problems encountered, the most widespread is seawater intrusion, which is caused by the activities of man. Most water-quality problems in the study area, however, are due to natural causes. Iron concentrations are as large as 21,000 micrograms per liter, manganese concentrations are as large as 3,400 micrograms per liter, and connate seawater is present in ground water in the southern pan of the study area.

Washington↗
USGS1985

Occurrence of ground water and potential for seawater intrusion, Island County, Washington

The data from a study of groundwater availability and quality in Island County, Washington, are presented. Increased groundwater withdrawals associated with the population increase in Island County have caused concern about groundwater availability and potential seawater intrusion. The most widely used aquifer lies near sea level. Locally, available data indicate that one or more water-bearing zones lie above the sea-level aquifer. Pumpage in 1979 was about 1.67 billion gallons, about 90% of which was pumped from the sea-level aquifer. Most large producing wells in the county have pumping water levels near or below sea level, so that if pumping continues for a long enough time, seawater intrusion would result. Chloride concentrations in water samples taken in July 1978, April 1980 and August 1980 indicate that seawater intrusion is occurring in northeastern and southern Camano Island and in central Whidbey island. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1982

Preliminary survey of ground-water resources for Island County, Washington

Increased ground-water withdrawals associated with the population increase in Island County have caused concern about ground-water availability and potential seawater intrusion. The most widespread and widely used aquifer lies near sea level. Locally, available data also indicate that one or more water-bearing zones lie above the sea-level aquifer. Pumpage in 1979 totaled about 1.67 billion gallons; about 90% was pumped from the sea-level aquifer. Most large producing wells in the county have pumping water levels near or below sea level, so that if pumping continued for a long enough time, seawater intrusion would result. Sampling of chloride concentrations in July 1978, April 1980, and August 1980 indicated problem areas mainly in northeastern and southern Camano Island and in central Whidbey Island. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗