Impacts on Surface Waters
 
Generalized ground-water-flow pattern in the Columbia Plateau aquifer system.
 
 
 
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Columbia Institute for Water Policy
             Contents
•  Odessa Summary Points
•  Introduction
•  The Odessa Aquifers
•  Columbia Basin Project
•  1971 WSU Study
•  Cascading Wells
•  Impacts on Crab Creek
•  Odessa Economics
•  Solutions
IMPACTS ON CRAB CREEK Overpumping of the Odessa Aquifers is also causing surface water depletion. The upper basalt aquifer system in the Odessa Subarea feeds Upper Crab Creek, an intermittent stream deeply incised into the Columbia basalts. Map: Upper Crab Creek, (source: WRIA 43 Upper Crab-Wilson, Washington Dept of Ecology) According to the local watershed assessment, Crab Creek receives a substantial portion of its flow from the Wanapum basalt aquifers. It is unknown to what extent the groundwater pumping is contributing to low flows and de-watering of Crab Creek, however, the Odessa Aquifers do discharge to Crab Creek and other small streams in the area. The decline in basalt aquifer levels is likely having some effect on streamflow. Photo: Dry bed of Upper Crab Creek in Odessa, WA. Scarce waters provide important habitat on the semi-arid Columbia Plateau. Even ephemeral and intermittent streams, potholes and springs provide for the seasonal cycles of plants and animals. But the state of Washington does not manage water resources in this region to ensure that habitat is protected. Diagram: Coulee cross section, (WRIA 43 Technical Assessment of Crab Creek, Kennedy Jenks 2005); see also Dep’t of Ecology’s Crab Creek website http://www.ecy.wa.gov/apps/watersheds/wriapages/43.html IMPACTS ON THE COLUMBIA RIVER Groundwater in the lower basalt aquifers beneath the Odessa Subarea flows and discharges to the Columbia River. Although state law requires the Department of Ecology to consider the “natural interrelationships between ground and surface waters,” the state has not assessed the impact of Odessa groundwater pumping on surface waters. Diagram: Groundwater flow patterns beneath the Columbia Plateau. To enlarge diagram, click here. (Source: Whiteman, K. J., et al., The hydrogeologic framework and geochemistry of the Columbia Plateau Aquifer System, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper No. 1413-B (1994))http://www.ecy.wa.gov/apps/watersheds/wriapages/43.htmlhttp://www.ecy.wa.gov/apps/watersheds/wriapages/43.htmlhttp://www.waterplanet.ws/pdf/wpoa20061018.pdfhttp://pubs.er.usgs.gov/usgspubs/pp/pp1413Bshapeimage_4_link_0shapeimage_4_link_1shapeimage_4_link_2shapeimage_4_link_3
“Full recognition shall be given in the administration of water allocation and use programs to the natural interrelationship of surface and ground waters.”
                RCW 90.54.020(9), Washington Water Resources Act of 1971  
 
“To the extent that any underground water is part of or tributary to the source of any surface stream or lake, or that the withdrawal of ground water may affect the flow of any spring, water course, lake, or other body of surface water, the right of an appropriator and owner of surface water shall be superior to any subsequent right in or to ground water.”
                RCW 90.44.030, Washington Ground Water Code