Thesis
Use of stream response functions and stella software to determine impacts of replacing surface water diversions with groundwater pumping withdrawals on instream flows within the Bertrand Creek and Fishtrap Creek watersheds, Washington State, USA
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2007
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/102811
Abstract
A numerical groundwater model was used to study the impacts of replacing surface water diversions with groundwater pumping wells within the Bertrand and Fishtrap watersheds, Whatcom County, Washington, USA. A regional steady-state groundwater flow model was calibrated to locally-observed conditions, using stream flow measurements, groundwater level data, and streambed hydraulic conductivity collected as part of this study. Stream response functions were calculated for individual wells placed at varying distances from the streams, to determine the impact these replacement wells might have on the instream flows of Bertrand and Fishtrap Creeks. Response ratios ranged from 0 to 1.0, with high ratios occurring in close proximity to the creeks and within areas of high aquifer hydraulic conductivity. Response ratios less than 1.0 indicate that groundwater pumping wells will have less of an impact on stream flow than taking the same amount of water directly from a surface water diversion. On the basis of this modeling study, replacing surface water diversions with groundwater pumping withdrawals may be a viable alternative for increasing summer stream flows.
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Details
- Title
- Use of stream response functions and stella software to determine impacts of replacing surface water diversions with groundwater pumping withdrawals on instream flows within the Bertrand Creek and Fishtrap Creek watersheds, Washington State, USA
- Creators
- Erik Brian Pruneda
- Contributors
- Michael E. Barber (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Identifiers
- 99900525058101842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis