HR: 08:40h
AN: H31H-03 INVITED     [Abstracts]
TI: The Role of Groundwater Hydrology in Water Resources Management in the Upper Klamath Basin, Oregon and California
AU: * Lite, K E
EM: Kenneth.E.Lite@wrd.state.or.us
AF: Oregon Water Resources Department, 725 Summer St. N.E., Salem, Or 97301 United States
AB: Much of the water controversy in the upper Klamath Basin has centered on federal issues such as the competition for surface water between agricultural users and endangered fish; however, state and locally controlled water allocation issues are also becoming an increasingly important part of the discussion. Groundwater, which is managed by the state in Oregon, is currently being used to supplement climate-related surface water shortages that are occurring within tributary sub basins, and as a replacement for surface water, which in turn is being preserved for in-stream uses on the Klamath River. Increased groundwater development has raised questions among resource-management agencies and the public. Key questions regard the potential effects of groundwater pumping to water levels in wells, and the effects of pumping on groundwater discharge to springs and streams. Other questions concern the sustainability of increased groundwater use, and how best to use groundwater during various stages of drought cycles. This presentation will highlight the progress that has been made by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Oregon Water Resources Department in quantifying a generalized hydrogeologic framework, estimating recharge rates, determining hydraulic head distribution, characterizing groundwater/surface water interactions, and estimating groundwater use within the upper basin. An understanding of the dynamic behavior of the groundwater system, which dictates how stresses propagate spatially and temporally, has been developed by studying the long and short-term fluctuations of the water table and of spring discharge in response to known climatic and human-caused stresses. A particularly rich dataset of groundwater pumping and water level response information has been analyzed in the area of the most recent and intense groundwater development. Results to date indicate that it is likely that some ground water can be used to augment surface water during dry periods. However, considerable work remains in finding the optimal balance between the rates, distribution, and timing of pumping, and acceptable impacts.
DE: 1829 Groundwater hydrology
DE: 1830 Groundwater/surface water interaction
DE: 1880 Water management (6334)
SC: Hydrology [H]
MN: Fall Meeting 2005