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| Title | Relationship Between Ground Water and Surface Water in the Quilceda Creek Watershed | |
| Month-Year Published | October 1996 | |
| Online Availability |
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| Short Description |
The Quilceda Creek watershed in central Snohomish County is experiencing rapid growth and development. The physical and chemical character of Quilceda Creek, a Class A stream, will be impacted by this growth. This study investigates the relationship between Quilceda Creek and the surficial aquifer in a seven square mile study area in the Marysville Trough. We were primarily interested in whether ground water is an important component of streamflow and whether ground water influences the water quality of Quilceda Creek. (Also see abstract below) | |
| Publication Number | 96-333 | |
| Author(s) | Larson, A. and P. Marti | |
| Print Availability | ||
| Number of pages | 33 + app (56 total) | |
| Keywords | bacteria, chemical, chloride, county, creek, fecal coliform, flow, Ground Water, groundwater, metals, nitrate, nitrogen, non-point source, pesticides, pH, phosphorus, point source, runoff, ship, sodium, specific conductance, stream, study, surface water, temperature, water, water quality, watershed, wells | |
| Abstract | Long Description |
The Quilceda Creek watershed in central Snohomish County is experiencing rapid growth and development. The physical and chemical character of Quilceda Creek, a Class A stream, will be impacted by this growth. This study investigates the relationship between Quilceda Creek and the surficial aquifer in a seven square mile study area in the Marysville Trough. We were primarily interested in whether ground water is an important component of streamflow and whether ground water influences the water quality of Quilceda Creek. Eighteen wells and seven surface water stations were sampled in May, August, and December 1995. Samples were collected and analyzed for fecal coliform bacteria, nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), major cations (calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium) and anions (chloride, sulfate, and bicarbonate), TDS, TOC, metals, volatile organics, and pesticides. Field measurements of water temperature, pH, and specific conductance were also made. The depth to ground water is shallow, ranging from as little as one foot to 29 feet below ground surface. Ground water within the study area is a major contributor to streamflow of Quilceda Creek, accounting for 46 to 60% of the streamflow during times when surface runoff is absent (not raining). Although ground water interacts with Quilceda Creek throughout its length, ground water recharge from precipitation is greatest in the northern portion of the study area and ground water discharge to Quilceda Creek is greatest in the southern portion. Fecal coliform bacteria appear to be primarily a surface water problem. Bacteria entering the creek are probably from non-point sources near the stream channel. Ground water is an important source of TDS, nitrate and chloride to Quilceda Creek as well as a minor source of TOC, ammonium, and phosphorus. |
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