Chamokane Framework and Model Project

Project Summaries


	Project Home \| Publications and Products \| Project Summaries \| Partnerships \|

9722-D6Y - Water Resources of the Unconsolidated Ground-Water System of the Chamokane Creek Basin, Stevens County, WA

Objective - This proposal describes a water-resources analysis of the Chamokane Creek Basin to be conducted in two phases. The objectives of Phase 1 are to characterize the hydrogeologic setting and ground- and surface-water interactions within the basin in order to obtain an adequate data set to be used during the construction and calibration of a ground-water flow model in Phase 2. The objective of Phase 2 is to create a predictive tool to evaluate the possible regional impacts of different ground-water use scenarios.

Relevance and Benefits - This study is consistent with the national USGS mission and goals and to water-resource issues identified in the Center's Science Plan. The study addresses ground-water availability and sustainability, and surface-water and ground-water interactions as related to water-resource management, which are priority issues for both the Strategic Directions of the Water Resources Division 1999-2008 and the USGS Washington Water Science Center's Science Plan. This study also will provide resources managers in the Chamokane Creek Basin with a numerical flow model to assist in protecting its natural resources.

Approach - Existing and new ground-water and surface-water data will used to characterize the hydrogeologic framework and flow system in the Chamokane Creek Basin. A numerical ground-water flow model will be constructed to simulate potential impacts on ground-water and surface-water resources in the Chamokane Basin, and the model will be transferred to the BIA and Spokane Tribe for continued assessment of water-use scenarios in the basin.