Geology topics

Research about Yakima Indian Reservation

Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including Yakima Indian Reservation.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS1981

Digital-model simulation of the Toppenish alluvial aquifer, Yakima Indian Reservation, Washington

Increasing demands for irrigating additional lands and proposals to divert water from the Yakima River by water users downstream from the Yakima Indian Reservation have made an accounting of water availability important for present-day water management in the Toppenish Creek basin. A digital model was constructed and calibrated for the Toppenish alluvial aquifer to help fulfill this need. The average difference between observed and model-calculated aquifer heads was about 4 feet. Results of model analysis show that the net gain from the Yakima River to the aquifer is 90 cubic feet per second, and the net loss from the aquifer to Toppenish Creek is 137 cubic feet per second. Water-level declines of about 5 feet were calculated for an area near Toppenish in response to a hypothetical tenfold increase in 1974 pumping rates.

Washington↗

USGS1978

Sediment transport by irrigation return flows on the Yakima Indian Reservation, Washington 1975 and 1976 irrigation seasons

As determined from data collected at 10 sites on the Yakima Indian Reservation during the 1975 and 1976 irrigation seasons (April-September), seasonal sediment discharges in irrigation return flows ranged from 11,000 tons from Marion Drain and Satus Drain 302, to 400 tons from Coulee Drain. There was little variation between the sediment discharges of the 1975 and 1976 irrigation seasons except those from Satus Drain 302. Due to the lack of natural runoff during those seasons, no distinction could be made between sediment discharges from irrigated and nonirrigated areas. No significant or usable relationships were found between suspended-sediment concentration and concurrent water turbidity or discharge.

Washington↗