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Proceedings

Citizens Workshop on Exempt Wells

Panel 3: Science Basics

Instream Flows 101

1. -Prof. Paul James, Central Washington University
   

- download:  Power Point  (pdf)

Prof. James presented an introduction to the ecological impacts of reducing instream flows. To keep rivers and streams healthy, the entire reach of the system must be considered.  Impacted rivers, especially those that dry up during the summer, do not regain health simply by adding water later. Interference with the instream flow effects temperature, salinity, and ultimately the microorganisms and fish, that create a healthy and vibrant river system.  Groundwater is often a major input to stream flow in the middle and lower reaches of rivers and streams.

Paul James is the Chair of the Central Washington University Biology Department, where he teaches Animal Biology, General Ecology, Wildlife & Fisheries Ecology, Ichthyology, Limnology, Research Methods & Techniques.   He earned his Ph.D. in Zoology at Oklahoma State University.  Paul has published several scholarly articles on fish and fish habitat.

Hydrogeology 101

1. -Tom Ring, Yakama Nation
   

- download:  Notes  (pdf)

Mr. Ring presented a basic introduction to Hydrogeology. Two scientific principles govern the flow of water: Darcy’s Law and the Continuity Equation.  When scientists build computer models they always rely on these principles.  When a well is drilled there is an initial period where adjacent surface waters are not affected, but when the cone of depression has reached the river, a change in rivers flows begins to occur.  Once the “cone” stops expanding and equilibrium is reached, 100% of the water being pumped by the well is affecting the river. 

Currently, the Yakima basin surface water rights are all fully appropriated and every year, during storage control (when water is being drawn from USBR reservoirs), all water from the reservoirs and other sources are used to meet existing water rights. Basic hydrogeologic principles show that any new water withdrawals by wells, whether permitted or exempt, will impact surface water in the basin.

Panel 4:  Legal Issues