From 1986 to 2009, the USGS studied various aspects of watershed health in the Yakima River Basin. The results from these studies have been published and are available online.
In 1991 the U.S. Geological Survey initiated the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program to assess the status and trends in the quality of freshwater streams and aquifers, and to provide a sound understanding of the natural and human factors that affect the quality of these resources. As part of the program, investigations were conducted in 59 areas throughout the Nation to provide a framework for national and regional water-quality assessment. Together, these areas accounted for 60 to 70 percent of the Nation's water use and population served by public water supplies, and covered about one-half of the land area of the Nation.
Prior to the implementation of the full-scale NAWQA program, in 1986, the USGS implemented a pilot program to test and refine the concepts for the nationwide program. The Yakima River Basin in south-central Washington was selected for one of four surface-water pilot studies. The Yakima Basin pilot program showed that agricultural practices in the basin greatly increased concentrations of suspended sediment, nutrients, trace metals, pesticides, and fecal-indicator bacteria in streams that received irrigation-return flows. Additionally, more than 50 pesticides and breakdown products were identified in water, sediment, and fish in the lower basin.
During a second cycle of the Yakima River Basin NAWQA study, which extended from 1999 through 2002, USGS scientists analyzed surface water for pesticides, nutrients, trace elements, fecal-indicator bacteria, and ecological health, as measured by biological diversity. The data gathered enabled scientists to assess the health of the aquatic system and to examine the processes that affected water quality in the basin. The information gained during this study enabled irrigators, water managers, regulators, and the public make informed decisions about the use of the surface-water resource of the Yakima River Basin.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Assessment of Eutrophication in the Lower Yakima River Basin, Washington, 2004-07
Assessment of Eutrophication in the Lower Yakima River Basin, Washington, 2004-07
Occurrence and distribution of dissolved trace elements in the surface waters of the Yakima River basin, Washington
Concentrations and loads of suspended sediment and nutrients in surface water of the Yakima River basin, Washington, 1999-2000 [electronic resource] : with an analysis of trends in concentrations
Fecal-indicator bacteria in the Yakima River Basin, Washington: An examination of 1999 and 2000 synoptic-sampling data and their relation to historical data
Surface-water-quality assessment of the Yakima River basin in Washington: Spatial and temporal distribution of trace elements in water, sediment, and aquatic biota, 1987-91
Surface-water-quality assessment of the Yakima River basin, Washington: Overview of major findings, 1987-91
Distribution of fish, benthic invertebrate, and algal communities in relation to physical and chemical conditions, Yakima River basin, Washington, 1990
Surface-water-quality assessment of the Yakima River Basin in Washington; spatial and temporal distribution of trace elements in water, sediment, and aquatic biota, 1987-91
The relationships among three habitat scales and stream benthic invertebrate community structure
Distribution of phytobenthos in the Yakima River basin, Washington, in relation to geology, land use and other environmental factors
Surface-water-quality assessment of the Yakima River basin in Washington: major-and minor-element data for sediment, water, and aquatic biota, 1987-91
Surface-water-quality assessment of the Yakima River basin in Washington: Analysis of major and minor elements in fine-grained streambed sediment, 1987
Below are partners associated with this project.
From 1986 to 2009, the USGS studied various aspects of watershed health in the Yakima River Basin. The results from these studies have been published and are available online.
In 1991 the U.S. Geological Survey initiated the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program to assess the status and trends in the quality of freshwater streams and aquifers, and to provide a sound understanding of the natural and human factors that affect the quality of these resources. As part of the program, investigations were conducted in 59 areas throughout the Nation to provide a framework for national and regional water-quality assessment. Together, these areas accounted for 60 to 70 percent of the Nation's water use and population served by public water supplies, and covered about one-half of the land area of the Nation.
Prior to the implementation of the full-scale NAWQA program, in 1986, the USGS implemented a pilot program to test and refine the concepts for the nationwide program. The Yakima River Basin in south-central Washington was selected for one of four surface-water pilot studies. The Yakima Basin pilot program showed that agricultural practices in the basin greatly increased concentrations of suspended sediment, nutrients, trace metals, pesticides, and fecal-indicator bacteria in streams that received irrigation-return flows. Additionally, more than 50 pesticides and breakdown products were identified in water, sediment, and fish in the lower basin.
During a second cycle of the Yakima River Basin NAWQA study, which extended from 1999 through 2002, USGS scientists analyzed surface water for pesticides, nutrients, trace elements, fecal-indicator bacteria, and ecological health, as measured by biological diversity. The data gathered enabled scientists to assess the health of the aquatic system and to examine the processes that affected water quality in the basin. The information gained during this study enabled irrigators, water managers, regulators, and the public make informed decisions about the use of the surface-water resource of the Yakima River Basin.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Assessment of Eutrophication in the Lower Yakima River Basin, Washington, 2004-07
Assessment of Eutrophication in the Lower Yakima River Basin, Washington, 2004-07
Occurrence and distribution of dissolved trace elements in the surface waters of the Yakima River basin, Washington
Concentrations and loads of suspended sediment and nutrients in surface water of the Yakima River basin, Washington, 1999-2000 [electronic resource] : with an analysis of trends in concentrations
Fecal-indicator bacteria in the Yakima River Basin, Washington: An examination of 1999 and 2000 synoptic-sampling data and their relation to historical data
Surface-water-quality assessment of the Yakima River basin in Washington: Spatial and temporal distribution of trace elements in water, sediment, and aquatic biota, 1987-91
Surface-water-quality assessment of the Yakima River basin, Washington: Overview of major findings, 1987-91
Distribution of fish, benthic invertebrate, and algal communities in relation to physical and chemical conditions, Yakima River basin, Washington, 1990
Surface-water-quality assessment of the Yakima River Basin in Washington; spatial and temporal distribution of trace elements in water, sediment, and aquatic biota, 1987-91
The relationships among three habitat scales and stream benthic invertebrate community structure
Distribution of phytobenthos in the Yakima River basin, Washington, in relation to geology, land use and other environmental factors
Surface-water-quality assessment of the Yakima River basin in Washington: major-and minor-element data for sediment, water, and aquatic biota, 1987-91
Surface-water-quality assessment of the Yakima River basin in Washington: Analysis of major and minor elements in fine-grained streambed sediment, 1987
Below are partners associated with this project.