News Release

U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Geological Survey

Release: August 20, 2001

Contact:
Sue Kahle
253-428-3600, ext. 2616

Marijke van Heeswijk
253-428-3600, ext. 2625

John Clemens
253-428-3600, ext. 2635

Colville River Basin Ground-Water Study to Begin Next Week

A ground-water study that will start with a look at wells in the Colville River Basin is set to begin next week, according to the Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

Conducted in cooperation with the Stevens County Conservation District (SCCD) and the Colville River Basin Planning Unit, the study begins with measurements of water levels in wells throughout the basin. From these measurements, USGS scientists will be able to map the basin's water table to get a clear picture of how much ground water there is, where it is, and where it's going.

Four USGS and SCCD field crews are planning to visit about 200 water wells throughout the basin.

"We'll be working in the basin for about seven weeks, starting in late August," said Sue Kahle, USGS hydrologist and project chief for the study.

To get an accurate, scientific assessment of the basin's ground water resources, as many well measurements as possible are needed. The USGS and SCCD are asking individual well owners to help out by giving permission to the field personnel to measure the water levels in their wells.

"As a well owner, you play a big part in getting an accurate assessment," Kahle said. "Information from individual wells is the basis for understanding the ground-water system."

All field crew members carry official identification and will ask a well owner for permission to measure the water level in their well, Kahle said. The crews will begin measurement work the last week of August and will continue through mid-October.

For information about Stevens County Conservation District's water resources program, contact Linda Kiefer at (509) 685-0937, or on the Web at http://homepage.plix.com/sccd/.

The USGS serves the nation by providing reliable scientific information to describe and understand the Earth; minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources; and enhance and protect our quality of life.

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