USBR Columbia River pump exchange project: potential water quality impacts on the lower Yakima River

Date

2001-01

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Washington State Dept. of Ecology

Abstract

Poor upstream water quality was concluded to be the foremost determinant of water quality conditions in the last 47 miles of the lower Yakima River evaluated in this study. Changes in operational flows at Chandler Canal cannot overcome the water quality degradation occurring upstream. The QUAL2E model mainly predicted some dilution effects on water quality parameters due to increased water volumes associated with the operational changes. Reduced settling of chlorophyll a and total suspended solids was also predicted due to increased velocities of flows. These effects were especially apparent in the Prosser Dam to Chandler Return reach. The proposed operational change at Columbia Canal diversion is predicted to have no noticeable impact on water quality conditions downstream of that diversion.

Description

123 page report, pdf, 1.8Mb.

Keywords

Columbia River, Lower Yakima River, Environmental monitoring, Water quality, Water temperature

Citation

Carroll, J., & Joy, J. (2001). USBR Columbia River pump exchange project: potential water quality impacts on the lower Yakima River (No. 01-03–000). Washington State Department of Ecology.

DOI