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UPPER KLAMATH BASIN GROUND-WATER STUDY

Study Approach

This study will be carried out in phases, such that each phase builds upon the information developed during previous phases. Phase I activities include gathering and evaluating existing data, collecting preliminary data, developing detailed work plans for phase II, and developing a modeling approach for phase III. Phase II activities include intensive data collection, development of a conceptual model of the ground-water flow system, and construction of a preliminary model to test concepts. In phase III, a numerical ground-water flow model will be constructed, calibrated, and used to simulate ground-water conditions under various management scenarios and a long-term hydrologic monitoring program will be designed for the basin. In phase IV, the model will be coupled with optimization techniques to identify optimal water management solutions for conjunctive use of ground-water and surface-water. The major tasks and estimated duration of each phase of the study are summarized in the table below.

Phase
Duration 
(months)
Major Tasks
I
12
--Compile available geohydrologic data and organize in project database

--Construct project web-page and publish fact-sheet on study  

--Evaluate accuracy, reliability, and usefulness of existing data 

--Begin preliminary data collection 

--Begin field-inventorying wells 

--Design detailed work plans for phase II tasks 

--Design modeling approach for phase III
II
30-40
--Collect data

--Construct watershed models for basin 

--Develop detailed conceptual model of hydrologic system  

--Construct preliminary ground-water model 

--Refine modeling approach for phase III
III
20-30
--Construct and calibrate steady-state and transient ground-water flow models 

--Use ground-water model to simulate hydrologic effects of management scenarios 

--Design long-term hydrologic monitoring network for basin
IV 
12-18
--Couple ground-water model with optimization model

--Develop set of optimal management scenarios 

--Refine design of long-term hydrologic monitoring network

Data management and distribution will be very important in this study. A data-management plan for the study will be developed as part of phase I. Basic measurements gathered or compiled for wells, surface-water flows, and water use will be entered into a project data base. The project data base will use the ARC-INFO geographic information system (GIS). This widely used GIS stores location information on data collection sites. This allows data to be integrated and analyzed with other spatially distributed information such as land use, geology, or soils. At the conclusion of the study all basic data will be archived in the USGS National Water Information System for future reference. Other project data will be archived using appropriate formats and media to insure that future studies will be able to locate and use these data.

Project progress and plans as well as initial findings will be presented to cooperators and other interested parties at quarterly meetings to be held in the basin. Basic data, such as stream discharge and ground-water levels, will be available to cooperators as soon as possible after it is verified. Basic geohydrologic data, GIS data files, models, and ancillary information developed during the study will be discussed in its preliminary form with project cooperators at quarterly meetings so that this information can be used in the management of Upper Klamath basin resources as soon as it is feasible.

Data collection will be conducted in accordance with standard USGS quality assurance protocols such as those described for collection of ground-water data in Brunett and others (1997; U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 97-11).  

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Contact: Marshall Gannett < mgannett@usgs.gov>

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