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Ground-water resources and simulation of flow in aquifers containing freshwater and seawater, Island County, Washington

Water-Resources Investigations Report 87-4182
By: , , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/wri874182

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Abstract

Aquifers in Island County, Washington, that are intruded by seawater from Puget Sound contain chloride concentrations that exceed 100 mg/L. Chloride concentrations exceeded 100 mg/L in 24 % of the wells that were drilled below sea level and sampled in August 1981, but most of the chloride concentrations did not exceed 1,000 mg/L. Groundwater occurs in glacial deposits that have a maximum thickness of 3,000 ft; the deposits were divided into five aquifers and five confining units. Four overlapping digital models were calibrated, using time-averaged data, to simulate three-dimensional steady flow of fresh groundwater in multiple aquifers containing freshwater and seawater separated by a sharp interface. Model simulations indicate that most of the recharge is discharged from aquifers C and D as springs below sea levels, and only a small fraction of the recharge moves downward below aquifer C. Simulations also indicate that aquifers beneath the islands are not recharged by groundwater that moves from the mainland through aquifers beneath Puget Sound except in the area of northeast Camano Island. Between Whidbey and Camano Islands, the freshwater-seawater interface intersects the bottom of Puget Sound and prevents movement of fresh groundwater between the two islands. (USGS)
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Ground-water resources and simulation of flow in aquifers containing freshwater and seawater, Island County, Washington
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 87-4182
DOI 10.3133/wri874182
Edition -
Year Published 1988
Language ENGLISH
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey,
Description vi, 67 p. :maps ;28 cm.
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