Ground-water supply for Mount Rainier National Park headquarters site near Ashford, Washington

Open-File Report 64-107
Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. National Park Service
By:

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Abstract

A water well was drilled recently at the new headquarters site of Mount Rainier National Park, Washington. The headquarters site is in the narrow bedrock-walled, alluvium-floored valley of the Nisqually River. The well was drilled to a depth of 96 feet in a terraced outwash deposit which underlies the site. Two confined aquifers were penetrated but only the lower aquifer was screened and developed.

The well was test pumped at various rates, the highest being 235 gallons per minute. During the first of two pumping tests, the specific capacity decreased abruptly. The decrease may have resulted from increased resistance to water movement caused by shifting of the sand and gravel adjacent to the well screen. The specific capacity of the well probably can be increased by additional development; however, because the well is capable of meeting the production requirements of the National Park Service additional development is not essential.

Ground-water levels in the valley alluvium fluctuate at least 16 feet in response to seasonal variations in recharge.

A sample of water taken from the well after 24 hours of pumping was of excellent chemical quality and is classified as soft.

Future ground-water development probably will be most successful in the central and southeastern parts of the headquarters site where the valley alluvium is thickest.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Ground-water supply for Mount Rainier National Park headquarters site near Ashford, Washington
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 64-107
DOI 10.3133/ofr64107
Year Published 1964
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Description ii, 26 p.
Country United States
State Washington
County Ashford
Other Geospatial Mount Rainier National Park
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