Working Paper No. 44
COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN PROJECT
For Water Supply and Water Quality Management
PRELIMINARY REPORT
ON THE
ADEQUACY OF WATER
IN THE
YAKIMA RIVER BASIN, WASHINGTON
DATE; August 1963 DISTRIBUTION;
Prepared by DPP Project Staff X
Reviewed by JLA Cooperating Agencies
Approved by General
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
Public Health Service
Water Supply and Pollution Control Program, Pacific Northwest
Portland, Oregon
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This working paper contains preliminary data and information primarily
intended for internal use by the Columbia River Basin staff and
cooperating agencies, the material presented^in this paper has not
been fully evaluated and should not be considered as final.
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Preliminary Report
on the
Adequacy of Water
in the
Yakima River Basin, Washington
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
Public Health Service
Water Supply and Pollution Control Program, Pacific Northwest
Portland, Oregon
August 1963
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PREFACE
This report was originally intended to be a finished document
describing the adequacy of water in the Yakima Basin, Washington.
When a draft was finished, however, it appeared that no important
knowledge would be added to the water resources field by the report
and, secondly, the report was somewhat out of sequence with the
development and presentation of comprehensive studies in the Basin.
For these reasons, the report was never completed in finished form
but is compiled as a working paper for general use by the Columbia
River Basin Project personnel working in the Basin.
Donald P. Dubois
Sanitary Engineer
August, 1963
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
I. INTRODUCTION 1
A. Purpose of the Report 1
B. Description of the Basin 1
C. Economy of the Basin 2
II. SURFACE WATER SUPPLY 3
A. Regulation 3
B. Floods 5
C. Water Use 5
D. Summary 7
III. GROUND VJATER 9
A. Ground Water Supply 9
B. Ground Water Quality 12
IV. SURFACE WATER QUALITY 16
A. Water Quality Data Collection Programs 16
B. Factors Affecting Water Quality 18
C. Water Quality Parameters 20
1. Common Mineral Ions 20
a. Chloride 21
b. Hardness, Calcium, and Magnesium 22
c. Sulfates 24
d. Sodium and Potassium 25
2. Other Cheraical Parameters . . . 26
a. Alkalinity 27
b. Fluoride 29
c. Hydrogen Ion Concentration 29
d. Iron and Manganese 31
ei Nitrate 32
f. Oxygen 34
g. Phosphates 36
h. Silica 38
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Page
3. Physical Parameters 39
a. Color 39
b. Solids 40
c. Temperature 44
d. Turbidity 47
4. Biological Parameters .....48
a. Bacteria 48
b. Plankton 51
V. INTERPRETATION OF WATER QUALITY DATA 52
A. Physical and Chemical Constituents .52
1. Irrigation and Industrial Use 52.
2. Public Water Supply Use 52
3. Fish Habitat 53
4. Recreational and Aesthetic Value 54
B. Biological Constituents 54
1. Industrial Use 54
2. Public Water Supply Use 55
3. Recreation and Aesthetic Use 56
C. Adequacy of Water Data 56
VI. APPENDIX . 58-
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I. INTRODUCTION
A. Purpose of the Report
A number of individuals and organizations have gathered water
quality and quantity data in the Yakiraa Basin. A portion of these
data have been collected for the purpose of answering specific
questions; other data have been collected on a routine basis and
published without analysis or comment. The purpose of this report
is to bring these data together and interpret them so that they will
have greater meaning and be of greater usefulness. It is the opinion
of the Public Health Service that a periodic review should be made
of data collecting programs to see that the proper data are being
collected at proper time and distance intervals to provide adequate
information without needless duplication of effort.
B. Description of the Basin
The Yakima River system drains an area of some 6,000 square
miles of central Washington. The Yakima River and its main tribu-
taries originate on the eastern slope of the Cascade, mountain range
where the average annual precipitation exceeds 100 inches at several
points. From its source in the Cascade Range, the River flows in a
southeasterly direction for approximately 205 miles to its confluence
with the Columbia River near Richland. Precipitation in the lower
portion of the Basin is less than ten inches per year in most places.
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The slope of the river is fairly steep over most of its length;
ranging from over twenty feet per mile in the upper reaches to less
than two feet per mile for short stretches in the lower reaches. The
portion of the Basin above Cle Slum is forested with evergreen trees
as are the Naches and Tieton drainage areas above the confluence of
the two rivers. The remaining portion of the Basin is largely
treeless with vegetation consisting of sagebrush and various grasses.
The Yakima Valley is generally separated into three distinct
areas; that portion above Wilson Creek, the portion between Selah Gap
and Union Gap, arid the portion below Union Gap. The area between
Selah Gap and wilson Creek, a distance of twenty-five to thirty
river miles, is a steep-walled canyon.
C. Economy of the Basin
The 1960 population of the Yakima Basin totaled approximately
203,000. Table 1 shows the change in population between 1950 and
1960 for the three counties in the Yakima Basin as compared with
the total Oregon-Washington trend for the same period.
Table 2 of the Appendix shows the distribution of the employed
civilian labor force by industry in the Yakirna Basin for 1950 and
1960. It can be seen that the economy o£ the Basin is based largely
on agriculture and the llanford Atomic Works. The latter industry is
located only partially in the Basin and its economic effect is felt
largely in communities located outside the Basin. It is evident, also,
that the number of persons employed in agriculture and construction
is decreasing while employment in manufacturing and service industries
is increasing.
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2a
Table 1
Change in Population 1950-1960
Benton, Kittitas and Yakima
Counties
Compared v;ith Oregon- Washington SJ
Benton
Kittitas
Yakima
3-County Area
Oregon- Washing
1950 1960
51,370 62,070
22,235 20,467
135,723 145,112
209,328 227,649
ton 3,900,304 4,621,901
Rate of Increase,
Compounded Annually,
Percent
1.9
Decrease
0.7
0.8
1.7
a/ U. S. Census, as of April 1.
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II. SURFACE WATER SUPPLY
A. Regulation
Stream flow in the Yakima River Basin is sharply influenced by
man-made facilities. Six regulating reservoirs, with a total capacity
of slightly more than one million acre-feet are located in the Basin.
Numerous diversions for irrigation and power generation also markedly
influence flows in the river. Three of the reservoirs, Keechelus,
Kachess and Cle Elum, are enlargements of natural lakes, and are
located on the Yakima and tributaries to the Yakima River above the
town of Cle Elum. Bumping Reservoir is located on the Bumping River,
a tributary to the Naches, and is also an enlargement of a natural
lake. Tieton (now called Rimrock) Reservoir impounds Tieton River
water. Clear Creek Reservoir, with a capacity of only 5,300 acre-
feet is located on the Tieton River one mile above Tieton (Rimrock)
Reservoir and is not normally operated. Wenas Reservoir, located on
Wenas Creek, has a capacity of some 1,500 acre-feet and is used to
provide irrigation water in the Wen'as Creek Valley.
Regulation in the Basin is for the purpose of providing irriga-
tion waters in the quantity and at the time they are needed. Flood
control benefits are provided only as they do not interfere with
irrigation. The operating schedule consists of stopping releases
from four of the reservoirs at the end of the irrigation season so
that they may fill as rapidly as possible. A flow of twenty-five to
thirty cubic feet per second is maintained in the Cle Elum River
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below the dam to meet water supply needs of the City of Cle Elum.
Releases from storage may begin as early as April or as late as •
July, depending on runoff conditions.
Major diversion from the Yakima include the Kittitas High
Line Canal at Eastern, the Roza Canal some fifteen miles above Yakima,
the Uapato Canal five miles below Yakima, the.Sunnyside Canal eight
miles below Yakima, and the diversion for power and irrigation of
land in the Kennewick area at Prosser. The major diversion in the
Naches River sub-basin is from the Tieton River eight miles below
Tieton Dam.
Figure 1 indicates the average annual flow of the Yakima River
at Cle Elum, Umtanum (just above the Roza diversion), Parker (just
below the Wapato and Sunnyside diversions) and at Kiona. Except in
the case of the Kiona station, the period of record shown reflects
the flow as it applies today; that is, after major diversions have
been placed in operation to alter long term records. The Kennewick
Canal which by-passes the Kiona station was not placed in operation
until August, 1956. The Kennewick Canal has an average flow of
approximately 100 cfs.
As was mentioned earlier, there is a great deal of regulation of
the river and, hence, the relative proportion of stream flow for
various reaches of the river changes markedly with the season.
Figure 2 shown graphically the stream flow in the basin for the July
through September period.
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1.OOP's
Jan [ Feb [Mar [Apr | May uune I July I Aug(Sept
Oct| Nov
Dec
Jan'l Feb I Mar I Apr |May I June] July I Aug | Septi Oct I NovlDec
Cle Elum (1934-1960)
Umtanum (1934-1960)
FIGURE 1 - AVERAGE FLOW BY MONTH
Jan I Feb I Mar I Apr | May Junejjuly |Aug |Sept| Oct | Nov | Dec Jan | Feb | Mar iApr JMay | June I July I Aug |Sept | Oct JNov |Dec
Parker (1945-1960)
1,000's
Kiona (1945-1960) '
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YAK I MA RIVER FLOW
July iVouch S&pt
Prosstr
Scale? t" * 10,000dc*.
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B. Floods
Floods of various magnitude have plagued the Yakima Valley from
time to time. Major floods of unknown magnitude occurred seven times
in the Valley between 1862 and 1896. Stream gaging was initiated in
1896 and since that time eight major floods have occurred. The
December 1933 flood was the last flood of record in the lower Yakima
Valley. The Corps of Engineers estimated that, under conditions of
1949 land use and at 1950 prices, damages of approximately $3.25
million would occur in a flood equal to the 1933 flood. The largest
spring flood occurred in May of 1948 and under the circumstances
mentioned above damages of $2.44 million would result.
C. Water Use
Irrigation is the dominant water use in the Yakima River Basin.
Some 2,340,000 acre-feet per year of surface water is used for this
purpose. This over-shadows the municipal use of approximately 1,100
acre-feet and the industrial use of some 10,000 acre-feet of surface
water.
Water in the Yakima Basin as in most western river basins is
subject to the "doctrine of prior appropriation." The essence of
this doctrine is that an individual or group of individuals may ob-
tain a right for the use of water irrespective of their location in
the Basin and their right must be honored before subsequent rights
when adequate flow is not available to satisfy all rights.
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The total rights of storage and power users diverting water above
Sunnyside Dam are 2,680,400 acre-feet annually.-' Of this total,
2,232,200 acre-feet are for irrigation purposes alone and will be
used during the months of April through October. The average annual
discharge for the 58 years between 1897 and 1954 and 3,098,000 acre-
feet at the Parker gaging station.
The Bureau of Reclamation —' estimates that, with ultimate
development of irrigable land and existing storage facilities,
shortages of irrigation water would have occurred five times in the
past year.
Rights to divert waters of the Yakima River were adjudicated by
the Court in 1945. The Court decision, known as the Consent Decree,
set forth the amount of water each user or district is entitled to
receive and classified the rights into proratable and non-proratable
rights. Non-proratable rights are those which were established first
and in the case of a water shortage would be supplied first. Pro-
ratable rights, as the name implies, would receive an amount less than
their normal total in case of a water shortage. Fifty-seven percent
of the water rights for irrigation in the Yakima River above
Sunnyside Dam are proratable.
I./ U. S. Bureau of Reclamation 1956 Report.
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D. Summary
In the above discussion, it is apparent that summer flows
including releases from storage are essentially completely appropriated
and that shortages can be expected to occur periodically with utlimate
development of present irrigation projects and no increase in storage.
As was pointed out in the opening section of the report, very low
flows exist in certain reaches of the river during certain seasons.
Low flows in the river reach below the storage dams occur during the
reservoir filling period in the fall. These low flows create a hazard
to the spawning of salmon by preventing fish passage and preventing
the development of eggs laid in the stream bed before subsistence of
the water level. Low summer flows in the lower reacjhes_ar_e also
detrimental to fish passage, both_£r.om-.a...quantity standpoint and
from a temperature and quality^_standpoint. The low flows in this
reach affect water quality and temperature by insufficient dilution
of warm and highly mineralized irrigation return flows and to a lesser
extent municipal and industrial wastes.
The adequacy of the water supply would be increased by a Bureau
of Reclamation proposal to increase the capacity of Bumping Reservoir
from its present 32,600 acre-foot capacity to 420,000 acre-feet.
Under the proposed plan, some 100,000 acre-feet of the storage would
be provided for irrigation and flood control and approximately 320,000
acre-feet would be provided for quality control and to maintain minimum
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flows for fish passage. With the increased storage capacity, a
minimum of 50 cfs could be provided all of the streams below reser-
voir and diversions except at the Wapatox power diversion on the
Naches River where a 43 cfs minimum would be provided during the
winter months. A minimum average monthly flow of 230 cfs would be
allowed to pass Sunnyside diversion dam during the summer months.
It is also estimated that water shortages for irrigation would be
less severe during dry years and that a 8,000 to 10,000 cfs reduc-
tion in flood flows at Parker could be effected.
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III. GROUND WATER
A. Ground water supply
The ground water resources of the Yakima Basin are an important
.complement to the surface water resources of the area. All of
the municipalities in the Basin except Roslyn and Easton utilize
ground water for municipal water supply purposes. Cle Blum,
Ellensburg, Richland and Yakima obtain a portion of their supply
from surface water. In addition, ground water is used extensively
for individual industrial and domestic purposes and for irrigation.
Well logs for over four hundred wells in the Yakima are on file
with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. The
U. S. Geological Survey lists the 1951 ground water withdrawals in
the Basin as:. ~
Irrigation 23,900 acre-feet per year
Industrial 14,600 acre-feet per year
Municipal 7,800 acre-feet per year
Domestic 5,365 acre-feet per year
Total 51,665 acre-feet per year
Surface water rights for irrigation projects approximated one
hundred times the amount of ground water used for irrigation in 1951.
In certain areas, of the Basin, however, irrigation with ground water
plays a more important role.
\_l "Geyhydraulic Evaluation of Streamflow Records in the Yakima
River Basin, Washington", Jack E. Sceva, U. S. Geological Survey,
Water Resources Division.
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The area of most intense ground water use is in the Ahtanum
Valley. Some twenty-five percent of the total number of wells in
the Basin (as indicated by the recorded well logs) are located in
this area and the area leads all others in ground water use,
according to the U. S. Geological Survey figures. — Approximately
6,300 acre-feet per year of ground water is used in this area,
mainly for irrigation. The area of the Ahtanum Valley where ground
water development has taken place is approximately one hundred
square miles.
It is estimated that withdrawals from the basalt (deep) forma-
tion could be increased somewhat without exceeding the long term
yield. It is recommended — that any additional wells be spaced as
far as possible from other wells to prevent interference. Any future
major increase in withdrawals from the unconsolidated alluvium (near
surface) should be given careful consideration before being attempted.
Increased withdrawals from this formation would tend to lower the
water table which would be desirable from the standpoint of drawing
water logged areas and would reduce the water loss from non-
beneficial evaporation and plant transpiration. However, in areas
near surface waters, additional water would tend to leave the stream
and enter the ground, then reducing stream flows. This lessening of
stream flow may not occur, however, until after the irrigation
_!/ This material abstracted from "Geology and Ground Water
Resources of the Ahtanum Valley, Yakiina County, Washington", by
Bruce L. Foxworthy, U. S. Department of the Interior, Geological
Survey, Open-file Department, August 1959.
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season. Secondly, evaporation and transpiration from new irrigated
areas would increase. The net result of these factors seems to be
that an increase in irrigated land, using ground water, could be
accomplished if properly planned without seriously depleting the
ground or surface supply.
The main area of ground water use in the Wenas Creek Valley is
in the lower portion of the Valley. Some 2,200 acres were irrigated
with an estimated total of 4,000 acre-feet in 1948. Only about fifty
acre-feet was used in the upper portion of the Valley. It is further
estimated that not over one hundred acre-feet of ground water is used
for stock watering and domestic use. Thus, the total ground water
use in the Valley was approximately 4,150 acre-feet in 1948. It was
reported i' that there was (in 1949) "no indication that the safe
yield of the water-bearing formations had been reached." It was
also indicated that no decline in water levels had been recorded in
the upper Ellensburg formation of the lower valley which is the
main water producer. It was estimated that some 10,000 acre-feet
per year of water could be pumped from this formation without
appreciable perennial lowering of the water table. It was cautioned,
however, that adequate data on part water levels had not been avail-
able and stated that an accurate record of pumpage and water levels
should be maintained to establish a better estimate of the safe
yield of the Baain.
J./ Unpublished report entitled "Geology and Ground Water Re-
sources of the Wenas Creek Valley, Yakima County, Washington," by
J. E. Sceva, F. A. Watkins, Jr., and W. N. Schlax, Jr., 1949 (USGS),
in cooperation with the Division of Hydraulics, Washington State
Department of Conservation.
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llOL
The U. S. Geological Survey has not made detailed surveys of
other areas in the Yakiraa Basin. Information available in the
files of the Division of Water Resources of the State of Washington
indicates that in general the more productive wells needed to
supply irrigation and municipal water are in either the relatively
deep basalt formations or in shallow alluvial formations, generally
near surface waters.
Since detailed information on the geology and occurrence of
ground water is not available, specific statements on the adequacy
of the supply cannot be made. In general, the conditions stated for
the Ahtanum Valley—that withdrawals from shallow depths will have to
be considered in light of possible effects on surface supplies--applies
to the entire Basin.
The ground water supply appears to be adequate to meet municipal
needs and it is probable that ground water will continue to supply
the needs of at least the smaller municipalities, since it is usually
less expensive to drill the relatively deep wells required rather
than construct and operate water treatment plants. Because of the
depth of wells required to obtain adequate supplies without affecting
surface water supplies, it is doubtful that extensive new irrigation
development will depend on ground water.
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B. Ground Water Quality
In general, ground waters can be expected to be more highly
mineralized than surface waters. This is the result of dissolving
and leaching from the soil of chemical constituents as the water
percolates downward to the aquifer. The chemical make-up of the
formation through which the water passes will be reflected in the
chemical make-up of the ground water. Shallow ground water such as is
i
found in the alluvial areas in the Yakima Valley will also reflect the
factors causing changes in water quality which take place immediately
above or adjacent to the point of measurement. Ground water with-
drawn from shallow wells near surface waters will be similar to the
surface water in quality. The quality of shallow ground water will
also be affected by irrigation, septic tank drainage, etc.
Water from deep formations such as from the basalt formation in
the Ahtanum Valley in most cases travels long distances and is not
usually susceptible to localized effects from irrigation, septic
tanks, etc. Bacterial contamination of shallow wells in some
suburbs of Yakima has been reported by the Yakima County Health
Department.
Chemical analyses have been run by the U. S. Geological Survey
on seven wells in the Ahtanum Valley and in addition field determina-
tions of hardness and chloride were made on 37 additional wells.
These analyses showed a range in hardness from 49 to 265 mg/1 and
a chloride concentration range of 0.7 to 26 mg/1. The breakdown by
formation is as follows:
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Yakima basalt
Ellensburg formation
Cemented gravel
Unconsolidated alluvium
No. of
Samples
6
9
10
19
Cl
(ppm)
1.2-8
6-26
5-26
0.7-14
Hardness
as CaC03
54-95
75-240
' 120-265
49-148
More chemical analyses for the seven wells are listed in
Table 3 of the Appendix. It has been found that the concentration
of various chemical constituents is related much more closely to
the rock material in which the water occurs than to the depth or
geographic location of the well. Water from the basalt is generally
lower in chloride and hardness concentration than water from other
aquifers and the hardness of water in the shallow alluvial formations
increases in the down-valley direction. Some wells tapping the
basalt aquifer reportedly contain small amounts of hydrogen sulfide.
Complete chemical analyses were run on seven groundwater sup-
plies in the Wenas Creek Valley and hardness and chloride determina-
tions made on 48 additional samples. These tests showed a range in
hardness from 55 mg/1 to 360 mg/1. Water from the basalt had the lowest
average hardness and that from the upper Ellensburg formation the
highest. The chloride concentration varied from 1.8 to 54 mg/1.
Table 3 of the Appendix lists complete chemical analyses for 27
ground water supplies in the Yakima Basin, including the detailed
analyses from the Ahtanum and Wenas Valleys.
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Ground water is in most cases more highly mineralized than the
surface water in the Basin. Dissolved solids, a good indicator of
mineralization, averaged 135 mg/1 at Kiona and reached a maximum of
236 mg/1 at that point. Table 3 shows that 24 of the wells had a
dissolved solids content more than 135 and that 10 had a reading
higher than 236. There appears to be a relatively general increase
in the common cations (positive) and that in most cases bicarbonate
and chloride ion concentrations were higher than the average coiacen-
tration at Kiona but that the sulfate concentration was more often
lower. Silica concentrations were almost always higher than those
normally found in the surface waters. Only about one-quarter of the
samples showed water than would be classified as hard (over 150 mg/1
as CaCO-j) while the remainder was soft or moderately hard. The
dissolved solids concentration exceeded the Drinking Water Standards
recommended maximum of 500 in only one instance. Other chemical
constituents were well within the Standards.' The ground water can,
therefore, be considered as good to adequate for domestic purposes
from a physical and chemical standpoint. The hardness of several of
the waters is high enough to make softening economically justifiable.
The bacterial quality of the deep wells is good and, in all cases of
municipal use, chlorination is the only treatment required. Waters
withdrawn from shallow formations, especially in built-up areas
utilizing septic tanks as a means of sewage disposal, are subject
to bacterial contamination. The Yakima County Health Department
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reports shallow wells with a degree of bacterial contamination in the
area surrounding Yakima. State Health Department figures through
1950 show a higher incidence of enteric diseases such as typhoid
fever, paratyphoid fever, dysentary, diarrhea, and enteritis in
Yakima County than in the remainder of the State. The data further
show that the incidence of these diseases is higher in the rural
areas of the county than in the City of Yakima. Drinking polluted
water is often the cause of these enteric diseases and,: thus, it is
probable that the use of unchlorinated water from shallow wells by
rural households contributes to the relatively high incidence of
enteric diseases. From this information, it must be concluded that
the bacterial quality of shallow ground water supplies in built-up
areas and where irrigation causes a marked increase in the water
level should be highly suspect, and disinfection should be practiced
by all users.
In general, the quality of ground waters in the Basin is ade-
quate for the majority of the Basin's industrial uses, such as cooling
and washing. Ground waters to be used in. all but low pressure boilers
should be softened and the silica content reduced to prevent exces-
sive scaling.
The ground water appears to be completely adequate for
irrigation use.
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IV. SURFACE WATER QUALITY
This section of the report attempts to present water quality
data in a readily usable, clear, and concise manner. The data
used in this section were collected by a number of agencies for a
number of different purposes. The available data are explained and
an interpretation of the quality of the water for various purposes
is made.
A. Water Quality Data Collection Programs
The cooperative U. S. Geological Survey-Washington Pollution
Control Commission program for the collection of water quality data
has been in operation since approximately July 1, 1959. Yakima River
samples are collected daily at Kiona and Parker and composited over
a one to four week period and analyzed for physical and chemical
constituents by the U. S. Geological Survey. Samples are collected
once each month on the Yakima River at Cle Elum and on the Naches
River near its confluence with the Yakima River. Determination of
chemical and physical constituent concentration is also made on
these samples. The monthly samples are analyzed by the Pollution
Control Commission for dissolved oxygen and coliform MPN.
The U. S. Geological Survey began collecting water quality data
in the Basin before the cooperative working arrangement with the
Washington Pollution Control Commission was established. Daily
samples composited over one to four week periods and analyzed for
chemical and physical characteristics were collected during the
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period January 1953 to September 1956 for Cle Elura and December 1952
until June 1959 at Kiona.
A sampling station near the mouth of the Yakima River was estab-
lished by the Public Health Service in the spring of 1961 as part
of its National Water Quality Network. Physical and chemical analyses
are made on grab samples collected weekly. In addition, co11form
\ '
MPN's and radioactivity samples are collected weekly and sent to
the Robert A. Taft Sanitary Engineering Center in Cincinnati for
analysis. Semi-monthly samples are collected and sent to Cincinnati
for determination number and types of algal organisms and other plank-
ton. A carbon filter is also in operation at the Richland station.
Some 4,000 to 5,000 gallons of water are filtered through the carbon
filter each month. Approximately once a month, the filter is changed;
the used filter being sent to the Sanitary Engineering Center for the
removal and analysis of material contained in the filter. Examination
of this material reveals something of the extent and nature of
various groups of pollutants including such material as organic
pesticides.
Several agencies have collected water quality data in the Yakima
Basin for the purpose of answering specific questions. These surveys
were often short term, intensive investigations in which water quality
at a fairly large number of points-was examined. The most notable
of these was the survey conducted by the Washington Pollution Control
Commission in the summer of 1951. Eighty-three stations were sampled
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six to twelve times each, and up to thirteen different tests were
performed on each sample. Professor R. 0. Sylvester conducted
the 1951 survey for the Pollution Control Commission and, during
1954, 1955, and 1956, collected samples throughout the Columbia
River Basin including the Yakima Basin to assess water quality condi-
tions for the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Professor Sylvester
received a Public Health Service research grant to study the rela-
tionships of agricultural practices and water quality;and he and
graduate students have collected a considerable amount of data and
written two papers. on_the__ irrigation return flows,their effect on
water quality, character, etc. (Unpublished Master's Thesis by
Fred Poe and "The Character and Significance of Irrigation Return
Flows in the Yakima River Basin".)
The Public Health Service and Washington Pollution Control Com-
mission conducted an intensive three-day sampling program during
critical flow conditions in September of 1961. A subsequent and
less extensive study was made in February 1962.
B. Factors Affecting Water Quality
Water quality in the upper reaches of the river system is very
high. Surface water is generated mainly from snow melt and there
is very little human development in the area. The uppermost point of
the river system receiving wastes is at Ronald on the Cle Elum River.
From this point downstream to the mouth, the Yakima River and its
tributaries receive periodic discharges of municipal and industrial
wastes as well as drainage from irrigated agricultural areas.
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Twenty-seven communities in the Basin have sewerage systems
serving approximately 120,000 people. Each of these communities,
with the exception of Ronald, Roslyn, South Cle Elum and West
Richland, have at least primary treatment plants, and the majority
(nineteen) have intermediate or secondary plants. Seventeen of the
treatment plants are listed by the Washington Pollution Control Com-
mission as having adequate treatment facilities, while ten need
expansion or improvement.
It is difficult to assign a population equivalent to the indus-
trial waste load reaching the Yaklma River system because of the wide
seasonal variation in industrial activities and waste treatment
practice. The largest industrial waste production occurs during the
fruit and vegetable canning season in the late summer months, but
treatment by land disposal and lagoons with little or no overflow
reduce discharges of these wastes to watercourses to a bare minimum.
During winter months, a number of food processing plants such as a
sugar refinery, apple and potato processors, vinegar makers, etc.,
are in operation. Land disposal cannot be practiced during the
winter months and lagoon overflow is increased by the excess of
precipitation over evaporation. The net effect is a considerably
greater stream loading during the winter months than during summer.
months. Because of greater stream flows and lower temperatures,
the effect on the river is, however, less severe during winter
months.
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20
During the summer months when the majority of wastes entering
the river system are from domestic and commercial sources, the popu~;
lation equivalent discharged is in the neighborhood of 55,000 to
60,000. The wintertime population equivalent reaching the river
probably reaches a maximum of over 200,000. There will, of course, be
transition periods where waste loading to the stream will be at some
intermediate value.
Return irrigation flow contributes to the degradation of the
Yakima River waters by increasing the concentration of dissolved
and suspended material in the stream. There are some 600,000
potentially irrigable acres in the Yakima Basin of which 400,000
to 450,000 are presently irrigated. Yakima River water is reused
for irrigation several times in its passage downstream; the mineral
content being increased each time as material is leached out of and
dissolved from the soil and evaporation and transpiration. The
majority of the irrigation return flow enters the river in the reach
between Yakima and Prosser.
C. Water Quality Parameters
1. Common Mineral Ions
The most abundant chemical materials found in the Yakima River
and most other natural waters are bicarbonate, chloride, sulfate,
. \
calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium ions. In the upper portion
of the Yakitna Basin, the concentration of these common ions is very
low and the concentration remains fairly constant throughout the
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21
year during varying flows in the river. As the stream flows toward
its confluence with the Columbia River, the concentration of these
ions is increased by the addition of wastes and,more importantly, by
waters which have been used for irrigation. Figure 3 shows the
type of relationship that exists between the concentration of the
common ions and flow for the upper portion of the basin at Cle Elura
and the lower portion at Kiona. The increasingly greater concentrations
of the common ions at Kiona as the flow is reduced is the result of the
lack of high quality water to dilute the more highly mineralized
wastes from cities, industries, and most importantly, irrigated
areas. Figure 4 shows how the concentration of the common ions
increases in the downstream direction during the late summer months.
Note the rapid increase between Zillah and Prosser, the reach which
receives the major portion of irrigation return drainage.
The following sections present a discussion of each of the com-
mon ions.
a. Chloride
Chloride ion can be an important consideration in
selecting a water supply since it imparts a salty taste when present
in a sufficient concentration. Sources of chloride in water include
natural rock and soil formations and domestic and industrial wastes.
The Drinking Water Standards recommend a maximum of
250 mg/1 of chloride in drinking water; however, water supplies with
a concentration of over 1,000 mg/1 have been utilized without
apparent ill effect when necessary.
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CJ
d
o
o
H-l
o
c
o
o
§
o
(JO
e
•rl
CO
U
C
FIGURE 3
Cle Elum Station
Increasing Flovj
-------
FIGURE 4
"TJo uo Tic
200
o
03
TO
Cd
td
O
>-<
o
60
p
3
,c
03
O
O
M
(U
n
03
o
a
o
Location on River
(Miles from mouth)
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22
Chloride ion concentration in the Yakima River ranges
from an average of approximately 1 mg/1 at Cle Elum and at the mouth
of the Naches to approximately 2 mg/1 at Parker and 4.5 at Kiona.
It should be noted that the greatest increase takes place in the
reach below Yakima. Domestic sewage usually increases the chloride
content of the carrying water by approximately 15 mg/1. Considering
the background chloride concentration and the amount of sewage
entering the Yakima River in comparison with the river discharge,
it must be concluded that domestic sewage is not the principal con-
tributing factor. Individual samples of irrigation return water
showed chloride concentration ranging from 2 to over 30 mg/1, thus
indicating that the major chloride contribution is from irrigation
return flow.
It is apparent that Yakima River waters are well
within the limits set for high quality drinking water and, additionally,
all but possibly a very few industries would find the water of satis-
factory quality with respect to chloride ion content.
b. Hardness. Calcium, and Magnesium
Waters with hardness in the range of zero to 50 or
75 mg/1 are generally considered "soft", while those with a hardness
of 75 to 150 are .considered "moderately hard". Hard water requires
the use of more soap than soft waters and, in addition, hard waters
may leave a scale deposit on hot water pipes, water heaters, boilers,
etc. In addition, hard waters may interfere with industrial processes
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23
such as food processing and some manufacturing processes. High
pressure boiler water must be especially soft to prevent scaling.
Hardness (expressed as calcium carbonate) due to
calcium and magnesium in the Yakima River increases from an average
of 22 mg/1 at Cle Elum to approximately 45 mg/1 at Parker and 76
mg/1 at Kiona. It should be noted that the increase in hardness
between Cle Elum and Parker, a distance of 76 river miles, is less
than the increase between Parker and Kiona, which are only 68 miles
apart. This condition is due to dilution by the soft (26 ppm)
Naches River water above Parker and to the drainage into the river
below Parker of hard water. Hardness in the lower portion of the
river increases greatly as the flow decreases. This can be explained
by the fact that, during high flows, the runoff is mainly from the
ground surface and consequently there is little time for the water
to dissolve calcium, magnesium, and other hardness-producing minerals
from the soil.
Hardness Calcium Magnesium
Ave. Min. Max. Ave. Min. Max. Ave. Min. Max.
Cle Elum 22 35 4.6 9.5 0.8 3.4
Parker 45 70 7.0 16 1.8 5.8
Kiona 76 145 11 25 3.2 14
The hardness of Yakima River water in the upper portion of the
Basin is low enough that all but a few industries would find the
water satisfactory without softening. Water in the lower portion of
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24
the Basin during low flow conditions would require softening by
several types of industries. The water in all portions of the river
would be adequate for domestic use without softening.
c. Sul fates
Sulfate ion is one of the most common anions (vege-
tative) found in surface waters. It is commonly dissolved from soil
and rock formations by ground and surface waters. When present in a
sufficient concentration in drinking water, sulfate ion has a
cathartic effect on humans. The Drinking Water Standards recommend
a maximum of 250 mg/1 when better supplies are available; however,
drinking water with a sulfate content of several hundred parts per
million has been used without apparent damage to health. Waters
containing appreciable amounts of sulfates tend to form hard scales
in boilers, thus reducing the value of such water for many industrial
purposes.
The sulfate content of Yakima River water is well
below the 250 mg/1 recommended drinking water limit. The average
concentration varies from approximately 2.0 mg/1 at Cle Elum to
about 4 at Parker and approximately 12 at Kiona. The relatively
large increase below Parker can be attributed to the discharge of
relatively high sulfate content water from small streams and irriga-
tion return drains. The sulfate content of some of these discharges
may. average over 50 mg/1. The sulfate content of the Yakima River in
the lower reaches varies widely with the flow; that is, it is higher
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25
at low flow than at high flow. This does not hold true for the
upper reaches of the river.
Sulfate concentrations are well below the levels
considered undesirable for domestic and industrial purposes.
d. Sodium and Potassium.
Sodium and potassium are chemically similar and are
widely distributed in the earth's crust. Consequently, they are
commonly found in surface and ground waters.
The Drinking Water Standards do not specify maximum
allowable concentrations of sodium or potassium. Excessive quantities
of sodium in drinking water may be harmful to persons suffering from
cardiac or circulatory ailments. New interest is being shown in the
40
potassium content of water since an isotope (K ) is radioactive and
is an important contributor to background radiation. Sodium plus
potassium concentrations above approximately 50 to 100 mg/1 impair
the usefulness of water for some industrial purposes. These con-
centrations cause foaming in boiler waters. Plants require small
amounts of both sodium and potassium for proper growth, but in
excessive concentrations they react with soil to reduce soil
permeability.
Sodium and potassium concentrations in the Yakima River are
quite low, The average concentration ranges from about 1.5 mg/1 at
Cle Elum to 5.5 mg/1 at Parker at 15 mg/1 at Kiona. Again, the
greater increase in the lower reaches must be attributed to irrigation
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26
return flow and the more highly mineralized creeks in that area.
The sodium concentration in these drains at times reaches 50 to 60
mg/1 of sodium. The average potassium concentration varies from
0.5 mg/1 at Cle Elum to 1.5 at Parker and 3 at Kiona, with maximum
of about 10 mg/1 occuring in irrigation return drains. It is apparent
that these concentrations are well below the levels associated with
boiler water forrsinG and other industrial limitations.
the godiuni content of irrigation waters is usually
expressed as either the percent sodium —' or the sodium absorbtion
2/
ratio. — The percent sodium value average 16 and 26 at Cle Elum
and Kiona, respectively, and the sodium absorbed ratio average 0.2
' I/
and 0.6 at these two stations. One source—^' indicates that water
with a percent sodium less than 20 be rated as "excellent" and water
with a percent sodium of 20-40 be rated as "good". Using the sodium
absorbed ratio, the same source indicates that water with an SAR less
than 10 be rated excellent. From these guides, it can be seen that
Yakima River water is highly satisfactory for irrigation purposes.
2. Other Chemical Parameters
The chemical parameters discussed in the following section
are more difficult to discuss as a group than the common ions described
I/ % Na = (Ma + K) 100 (all in meq/1)
Ca + Mg + Na + K
2/ SAR Ha (all in meq/1)
3/ Ground Water Hydrology. David K. Todd, 1959.
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27
in the previous section. The appropriate chemicals will, therefore,
be discussed individually and appropriate figures and tables used
where needed.
a. Alkalinity
The alkalinity of water is defined as its capacity
to neutralize acid. Alkalinity in natural water is usually due to
carbonate (COo"), bicarbonate (HC03~), hydroxide (OH") ions and
occasionally to borate, silicate and phosphate ions and organic
substances. Bicarbonate represents the major form of alkalinity
and is derived naturally from the action of carbon dioxide on the
carbonates of calcium and magnesium such as limestone, dolomite,
magnesite, etc. Wastes added to a stream may also increase the
alkalinity. The relative proportions of bicarbonate, carbonate,
and hydroxide alkalinity that exist in a certain water are dependent
upon the pH and, to a lesser extent, on the temperature of the water.
At a pH less than 8.3, there will be only small concentrations of
carbonate and OH~.
The alkalinity of water has little direct effect on
the value of the water but may have a secondary effect in that high
alkalinities will increase the dissolved solids. The 1946 Drinking
i
Water Standards set recommended limits for the various forms of
alkalinity in finished water, but these limits have been omitted in
the 1962 edition.
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28
Total alkallnities (expressed as mg/1 of calcium
carbonated) in excess of approximately 50 to 100 limit the use of
water for some industrial purposes such as certain food and
beverage production operations. ~*
The U. S. Geological Survey measures the carbonate and bicar-
bonate ion concentration at Cle Elum, Parker and Kiona on the Yakima
River. Average concentration of bicarbonate ion were 29, 58 and
100 mg/1, respectively, at these points, while the presence of
carbonate ion was detected very rarely. In sanitary engineering
practice, it is common to express alkalinity as mg/1 of calcium
carbonate. In this case, the bicarbonate alkalinity, and since
there is no carbonate alkalinity or hydroxide alkalinity, the total
alkalinity is equal to the bicarbonate ion concentration divided by
1.22. Thus, the total alkalinity at Cle Elum, Parker and Kiona
averages 24, 48, and 82 mg/1 as €3003. The alkalinity of the Naches
River at its confluence with the Yakima averaged approximately
30 rag/1 (as CaCO^)—approximately the same as the Yakima River at
Cle Elum.
Alkalinity values are low enough throughout most
of the Yakima River so as to not limit the majority of uses of
the water.
Bicarbonate Ion Concentrations
Cle Elum
Parker
Kiona
Average
29
58
100
Minimum
23
39
57
Maximum
46
87
195
I/Water Quality Criteria . California Water Pollution Control Board.
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29
b. Fluoride
Fluorine is a highly reactive element which exists
in nature as fluoride ion. Fluoride ion is found in many types of
rock and soil, and it is from these materials that fluoride finds its
way into surface and ground water.
The presence of approximately 1.0 mg/1 of fluoride
ion in drinking water has been shown to significantly reduce the inci-
dence of dental caries in humans. However, as the concentration of
fluoride increases above 1.5 mg/1, increased incidence of tooth
disfiguration in the nature of mottled enamel (dental fluorosis)
is detected.
U. S. Geological Survey records of fluoride content
at Cle Elum and Kiona and the Washington Pollution Control Commis-
sion records for the Parker station indicate a relatively constant
value of 0.1 mg/1 with occasional readings of 0.0, 0.2 and 0.3 mg/1.
These levels are too low to be significant benefit for the reduction
of dental caries.
c. Hydrogen Ion Concentration
The pH of Yakima River water tends to be raised by
soluble carbonates originating in the soil and by the photosynthetic
activities of algae. The pH tends to be lowered by dilution from
low pH surface water and by the absorbtion of carbon dioxide
emanating from decomposing organic matter.
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30
The desirable pH of water depends greatly upon the
use intended for the water. Stream water with a pH in the range of
6.5 to 8.5 is generally considered normal and satisfactory. A pH
range of 6.0 to 9.0 is hot uncommon.
Maximum and minimum pH values noted in available data
for the Yakima River during the past five years were 6.1 at Cle Elum
in August 1961 and 8.9 at West Richland during the summer. pH values
at any station vary with the seasons of the year, stream flow and time
of day. There is, however, a detectable increase in pH as the stream
flows toward the Columbia, the average summer pH at the mouth of the
river being approximately ten percent higher than at Cle Elum. This
increase can be attributed to the increasing presence in the stream
of alkaline materials leached from the soil and to the increasing
algal population as the mouth of the river is approached. Algal
growth is especially dependent on phosphates and nitrates, both of
which show a significant downstream increase. A measure of the
effect of algal activity on pH can be obtained by comparing the
values measured in daylight with those measured at night. During
daylight hours, algae utilize carbon dioxide in the water and produce
oxygen, the process being reversed at night.
Data obtained by Professor Sylvester during the
summer of 1951 show that daytime pH's exceed nighttime pH1s by as
much as 0.8 in the reach just below Yakima.
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31
The pH data available are generally not sufficiently
complete to confidently identify the effects of any one waste source
on the stream. The 1951 and 1961 data do show a sharp drop in pH at
Yakima with a rapid recovery. This may be attributed to dilution by
Naches River water, to carbon dioxide released in the decomposition
of organic matter discharged in the area, or to a combination of the
two.
pH values found In the Yakima River are In a ttfnge
which is satisfactory for most uses.
d. Iron and Manganese
Iron and manganese are undesirable in water supplies
i
used for domestic and many industrial purposes because they discolor
material coming in contact with the water and may cause taste and
odor problems.
The 1961 Drinking Water Standards recommend a maximum
i
I
of 0.3 mg/1 and 0.05 mg/1 for iron and manganese, respectively.
The recommended minimum iron concentration for many
industries, including food processing, is in the 0.1 to 0.2 mg/1
range.
The iron concentration of Yakima River water is measured
periodically at the cooperative U. S. Geological Survey-Washington
Pollution Control Commission sampling station. The average concen-
trations have been generally below 0.05 mg/1 with a maximum of 0.32
mg/1 reported on one occasioa. A very small number of samples were
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32
analysed for manganese by Professor Sylvester in the 1954-1956 period.
No manganese was detected in these tests.
Iron and manganese levels are sufficiently low So
as to not impair legitimate water use.
e. Nitrate
The decomposition of organic material containing
nitrogen proceeds through several steps including ammonia nitrogen
M i.
(NH3), nitrite nitrogen (N02), and nitrate nitrogen (N03) with liber-
ation of nitrogen gas (N~) under some conditions. This cycle may
proceed partially in reverse order when no free oxygen is present
(anaerobic conditions). Analytical methods are available to measure
each of these constituents. Unless a detailed study of a water
sample is being made, the usual practice is to measure only one or
possibly two of the compounds in the nitrogen cycle. Nitrate
is most commonly measured on a routine basis. Nitrate is the end
product of the nitrogen cycle and is the form which can readily
be used by most plants as a nutrient in their growth. Since it is
the final product of the cycle, its relative abundance compared to
other forms of nitrogen tells something of the "age" of the pollution.
Nitrates found in surface and ground waters are most
frequently the result of the decomposition of organic material; either
naturally occurring organic material, such as decaying vegetation, or
sewage and industrial waste. Another source of nitrates in surface
and ground waters and one which is of special interest in the Yakima
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33
Basin is from fertilizers applied to the land for agricultural pur-
poses. Many of these fertilizers contain nitrates for quick utili-
zation by agricultural plants.
Excessive concentrations of nitrate in drinking water have been
associated with the occurrence of methempglobinemia in infants.
The U. S. Public Health Service Drinking Water Standards, therefore,
limit the allowable nitrate concentration in drinking water to 45 mg/1
(as N0-j) or approximately 10 mg/1 as N. Much lower concentrations
of nitrate in combination with phosphate and other necessary materials
stimulate the growth of algae and other aquatic plants to such an
extent that they become a nuisance.
The average nitrate concentration in the Yakima River increased
from approximately 0.1 mg/1 (as N) in the Easton-Cle Elum area to
approximately 0.2 mg/1 in the Yakima area. The average concentration
at Kiona is approximately 0.4 mg/1. Data collected during September,
1961 show concentrations close to those stated above for stations
from Zillah upstream but show a sharp increase below Zillah to a
maximum of approximately 2.5 mg/1 (as N) at Kiona. Irrigation return
drains discharging to the river below Zillah have shown nitrate con-
centrations as high as 6.0 mg/1.
These data indicate that irrigation return flow contributes the
major portion of the nitrate load to the river and that municipal and
industrial.wastes discharged in the Yakima area are of relatively less
importance as far as nitrates are concerned.
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34
The nitrate concentration in the Yakima River is
well below the level considered dangerous to public health and would
interfere with few industrial processes. The concentration is,
however, adequate to support a profuse aquatic growth.
f. Oxygen
The dissolved oxygen concentration of a stream is
influenced by (1) the organic load and consequent use of dissolved
oxygen in decomposition of the organic material; (2) the width-depth
relationship and turbulence which governs its physical reaeration
capacity; (3) water temperature which limits the amount of oxygen
which will remain in solution and, further, governs the rate of
decomposition; (4) the algal population since algae produce an
excess of oxygen during daylight hours and require oxygen during
darkness; (5) turbidity since the presence of turbidity reduces
the transmittance of light and thus reduces the algal activity.
The threshold concentrations of dissolved oxygen at
which fish and other forms of aquatic life are adversely affected
varies widely with species, age, water temperature, presence of
other material in the water, etc. Generally speaking, the more
desirable game fish such as salmon and trout require higher oxygen
concentrations than do scrap fish such as suckers, tench, bullheads,
etc. It is the opinion of many that concentrations below approximately
6.0 mg/1 are at least potentially detrimental to game fishes. In many
eastern and midwestern areas, an objective of 5 mg/1 minimum dissolved
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35
oxygen has been set. In the western part of the country, a 6 rag/1
minimum is more often the objective.
Minimum dissolved oxygen values in the Yakiraa River
above Ellensburg range from approximately 7.5 to 9.0 mg/1 during
the critical summer months. These values correspond to 75-90
percent of saturation. Average summer daytime concentrations are
in the range of 9.0 to 10.0 mg/1 with saturation values of 90 to
100 percent. These values present a picture of essentially unpol-
luted water with only a small amount of oxygen demanding organic
matter, probably naturally occurring aquatic life and little stimu-
lation of algal growth by nutrients and fertilizers which would
tend to give super-saturated conditions during daylight hours.
Dissolved oxygen data collected in September 1961 show a drop of
approximately 0.7 mg/1 in the minimum reading just below the point
where Wilson Creek discharges to the Yakima River. In its travel
from Wilson Creek to the sampling station at Selah Gap, the dissolved
oxygen concentration recovered to a level approaching that in the
River above Ellensubrg. Nighttime dissolved oxygen concentrations
in the Yakima River below the City of Yakima dropped progressively
to a low point at Granger where a minimum reading of 6.5 mg/1 was
observed. In this same reach of the river, a general increase in
the average daytime dissolved concentration was noted. These condi-
tions are the same as were observed by the Washington Pollution Control
Commission in their survey during the summer of 1951, except that a
low of 5.5 mg/1 was observed at Granger.
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36
Below Granger, the dissolved oxygen concentration
recovers to a level where minimum values are again in the range of
8 to 9 mg/1. Daytime values remain high, especially in the area
below Prosser where readings of over 150 percent of saturation have
been observed during summer months.
Generally speaking, the minimum dissolved oxygen
values observed in the Yakima River are satisfactory to sustain
nearly all types of aquatic life. The minimum values do, however,
approach potentially harmful levels.
g. Phosphates
Phosphorous is present in inorganic compounds and,to
a lesser extent, in organic compounds in wastes and receiving waters.
The inorganic compounds of interest in water quality consideration are
the orthophosphates and the polyphosphates; the latter being molecularly
dehydrated and capable of being reverted back to orthophosphates in
water. When examining water quality data, care must be taken to
determine the form of phosphorous being measured (ortho-, poly-, or
the combination of both) and whether or not the phosphorous in sus-
pended matter is included.
Major sources of phosphates in streams are domestic
and industrial wastes and runoff from land areas rich in phosphates.
The increased use of synthetic detergents in the last few years has
increased the amount of phosphorous in domestic sewage since many of
these detergents contain a large amount of phosphorous. Runoff from
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37
agricultural areas fertilized by compounds containing phosphorous may
be rich in phosphates.
The occurrence of phosphorous compounds in wastes and
receiving waters is receiving increased attention as their role in
the production of algal blooms becomes better understood. Research
has shown that blooms do not occur when sufficient nitrogen and
phosphorous are not present. The concentration of phosphorous
below which algal blooms do not occur has been established as
approximately 0.01 mg/1
Soluble orthophosphates measured as phosphate (POA~)
range from .001 or .002 mg/1 in the Easton area to 0.05 - .10 mg/1
in the Yakima area. In the reach of the river between Zillah and
Mabton, the phosphate concentration during the irrigation season
increases rapidly to a level of 0.2 to 0.25 mg/1; then remains
fairly constant at that level to the mouth of the river. Work by
Professor Sylvester indicates that the combination of orthophosphates
in solution and suspension may be two to three times higher than
soluble phosphate alone for water in the lower reaches of the river.
This can be attributed to the uptake of soluble phosphorous by
aquatic organisms.
Sampling conducted in the Fall of 1961 shows that the soluble ortho-
phosphate level increases gradually from the headwaters down to
Zillah, increases rapidly between Zillah and Mabton, then declines
slightly between Mabton and the mouth of the river. This shows
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38
quite clearly that irrigation return flows contribute the major por-
tion of the phosphates since most of the irrigation return drain
discharge to the river between Zillah and Mabton. The slight
decline at the lower end of the river can be attributed to the
uptake of soluble phosphorous by aquatic organisms.
The phosphate concentrations found in the Yakima
River are below levels known to be harmful for domestic and indus-
trial use. The concentration in the lower reaches of the river is,
however, high enough to support large plankton populations.
h. Silica
Silica (Si(>2) is present in natural surface water in
concentration ranging from 5 to over 50 mg/1. Silica is suspended
or dissolved in water as the water percolates through or otherwise
comes in contact with such materials as silica sands and quartz.
The Drinking Water Standards do not limit the concen-
tration of silica permitted in water supplies. Silica is, however,
detrimental to certain industrial processes. Silica is particularly
undesirable in boiler feed waters, since it forms deposits in
piping and on turbine blades. Silica is a necessary constituent
in some aquatic organisms, especially diatoms where the compound is
used in the skeletal structure.
\l J.M.
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39
Recommended maximum silica concentrations for boiler
feed waters — range from 1 mg/1 for boilers operated at 400 psi
and over to 40 mg/1 for low pressure boilers. Some pulp and paper
making processes require maximum silica concentrations of 20 mg/1.—
Data on silica concentrations in the Yakima River are
available for three years at Cle Elum and Klona and for one year at
Parker. Average concentrations were 8 mg/1 at Cle Elum, 15 mg/1 at
Parker and 25 mg/1 at Kiona. Extremes were a low of 5.0 at Cle Elum
and a high of 39 mg/1 at Kiona. As with other mineral constituents
in the Yakima River, the concentrations of silica tend to vary
inversely with the flow.
3. Physical Parameters
a. Color
The term "color" refers to the color of the water
after suspended solids have been removed. Natural color may be
imparted to water in its contact with organic debris such as leaves,
conifer needles and decaying wood or by some iron compounds. Certain
industrial wastes such as textile dyeing and wood pulping wastes also
impart color to water.
The presence of natural color in water has little
sanitary significance. However, highly colored drinking waters are
undesirable from the aesthetic standpoint and, further, -some indus-
trial processes require water with a low color content.
I/ Water Quality Criteria. California Water Pollution Control
Board.
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40
Incomplete color data for the Yaklma show that color
increases from an average of approximately 5 ppm at Cle Elum to an
average of 15-20 ppm in the lower reaches of the river. A reading
of 40 ppm was noted at Enterprise while maxima in upstream stations
were in the 20-25 ppm range. The lack of data precludes an analysis
to determine the relationship between color and streamflow, season,
etc.
b. Solids
There are several designations of "solids" depending
upon the analytical method used in making the determination. Total
solids (also referred to as "total residue") is the term applied to
the material remaining in a vessel after all water has been evaporated
and the material dried at a certain temperature. . This material con-
tains minerals and other compounds whic h were formerly dissolved as
well as silt particles, plankton, etc., which were in a suspended
state. The temperature at which the residue is dried will affect the
weight of the residue by: (1) varying degrees of volatization of
of organic matter, (2) varying degrees of evaporation of chemically
combined water, and (3) chemical changes such as liberation or com-
bination of gases brought about by the heating. Common drying tempera-
tures are 104 and 180 degrees Centigrade.
Total solids are often broken down to suspended
solids and dissolved solids (filtrable and non-filtrable residue).
The basis of this breakdown is a filtration process, the filter being
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41
a crucible or filter paper. The material retained on the filter
after evaporation and drying is the suspended or non-filtrable resi-
due, while that passing through the filter is termed dissolved solids
or non-filtrable residue upon evaporation and drying. In addition
to the analytical limitations described for solids, the filtration
step adds further limitations to the reproducibility of the results.
The term dissolved solids is not strictly accurate because the classi-
fication includes colloidal matter not removed by the filter.
In addition to the classification mentioned above,
there are fixed and volatile solids which indicate the relative
abundance of inorganic and organic material. Settleable solids,
used most frequently with regard to wastes, indicates the amounts
of solid material which will settle from suspension in a prescribed
time.
The U. S. Public Health Service Drinking Water
Standards recommend that the concentration of dissolved solids in
drinking water not exceed 500 mg/1. Water with concentrations some-
what higher than this are used where higher quality water is not
available. Waters with a very high (well in excess of 500 mg/1)
dissolved solids content may have a laxative effect on new users
and, in general, will affect the palatability of the water. No
lasting harmful physiological effects have been noted, however, from
the use of waters with a high dissolved solids content.
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42
Certain industrial processes including the manufacture
of high grades of paper and textiles, and boiler feed water may
require water with a dissolved solids concentration in the 50 to
200 mg/1 range. Most other industrial processes can utilize waters
of a high dissolved solids content.
The Drinking Water Standards do not set limits for
suspended solids as such. However, suspended solids are related to
turbidity and a high suspended solids concentration will produce a
high turbidity. High suspended solids content, of course, affects
the aesthetic quality of a drinking water and may cause a health
hazard by entrapping, and thus insulating, pathogenic organisms from
the effects of chlorine and increases the cost of water treatment by
necessitating the construction of facilities to remove the suspended
matter.
Excess concentrations of suspended solids are harmful
to many industrial processes. Again, limiting values are almost
always set in terms of turbidity rather than suspended solids.
/
Material settling from suspension in streams can have
an adverse effect on aquatic life. The deposited material blankets
bottom life, thus interrupting the food chain, and may covnr and
suffocate fish eggs and young. Excess quantities of material in
suspension may also have a clogging and abrasive effect on the
gills of fish.
-------
43
Agencies collecting water quality data in the Yakitna
Basin measure different solids constituents, thus making a direct
comparison of results difficult. Dissolved solids, evaporated and
dried at 180 degrees Centigrade, are measured at the cooperative
Washington Pollution Control Commission-U. S. Geological Survey
sampling stations at Cle Elum, Parker, and Kiona. The average con-
centrations at these points are 35, 70 and 135 mg/1, respectively,
with a maximum of 236 mg/1 at Kiona and a minimum of 27 mg/1 at
Cle Elum. Samples collected during the summers of 1951 and 1961
were analyzed for total solids. The results of these surveys showed
total solids concentrations (evaporated and dried at 103 degrees
Centigrade) of 20 to 70 mg/1 in the River above Yakima with a sharp
rise to 300-350 mg/1 in the reach below Yakima. Suspended solids
accounted for less than ten percent of the total in most cases.
The sharp increase in total solids noted in the reach
of the stream below Yakima can be attributed to municipal and indus-
trial wastes discharged in the area and probably to a greater extent
to irrigation return flow. No samples for total or suspended solids
have been collected during periods of heavy runoff, but it could be
expected that they would show a relatively larger portion of sus-
pended material than during the dry summer months.
The solids content of Yakiraa River water is well below
the level affecting its use as a source of domestic water, but in the
lower reaches of the river, certain industries would find the solids
concentration too high.
-------
44
c. Tempera ture
Water temperature is an important consideration when
assessing the sanitary quality of water. Although in the past not
commonly considered as a "pollutant", high water temperatures can
seriously impair the usefulness of the water for many purposes.
Temperature has an important effect on the biochemical
activity in streams. Over the temperature range found in natural
bodies of water, there is an approximate doubling of the biochemical
activity with each ten degree Centigrade rise in temperature
(van1t Hoff rule). This means that organic wastes will be stabilized
in a much shorter time in warm water than in cold water and that
there will be a need for greater dissolved oxygen supply and/or
reaeration capa city in a stream. It should be remembered too that
the dissolved oxygen saturation value decreases as the temperature
increases.
Most fish have optimum temperatures at which they
live and grow best and beyond which they are harmed or killed. The
limiting temperature beyond which salmon will either be killed or
move to other waters appears to be approximately 75 degrees Fahren-
heit. A temperature of 83 degrees Fahrenheit has been reported to
!/
be the upper limit for some trout species. Other fish, such as
large mouth bass, pumpkin seed sunfish, and other species have been
\l Water Quality Criteria.
-------
45
found alive and apparently in satisfactory condition in water at
I/
89 degrees Fahrenheit.
High water temperatures tend to stimulate the growth
of algae and other aquatic plants. Most species of algae have an
optimum temperature for maximum growth and reproduction.
Temperature affects the suitability of water for
drinking purposes. When the temperature exceeds 60-65 degrees F,
the water is considered objectionable for drinking by most consumers.—
Many industrial processes have limiting temperatures requirements.
Examples are: 55 degrees F. for barley malting, 60 degrees F. for
many farms and dairy factors, and 75 degrees F., for use in steel
mills."" Water to be used for cooling should, of course, be as cool
as possible for maximum beneficial use.
Records of daily water temperatures are available for
Kiona, Cle Elum and Parker and, in addition, data gathered during the
summer of 1955 in the lower Yakima valley is tabulated in the
Appendix of this report. , The four year average temperature at
Cle Elum ranged from 35 degrees F. in January and February to 54
degrees F. in July. Extremes recorded during this period were 32
and 61 degrees. Six years of record at the Kiona station show the
yearly average minimum of 37 degrees F. occurring in January and
the average maximum of 73 degrees F. occurring in July. Extremes
recorded were 32 degrees F. and 81 degrees F. Daily records are
available for only ten months at the Parker station. These show a
-------
46
minimum yearly average of 35 degrees F. in January and a maximum
average of 61 degrees F. in June. Records are not available for
July and August.
Recording thermographs were installed at three sta-
tions in the Lower Yakima Valley during the summer of 1955 to pro-
vide a continuous record of air and water temperatures. The sta-
tions were located at the Wapato-Donald Bridge (No. 1), the
Chandler power drop below Prosser (No. 2), and at the mouth of the
river (No. 3).
The purpose of the survey was to determine the effect
of irrigation return flow on Yakima River water temperature and to
attempt to correlate air and water temperatures. Station No. 1 is
above the point where significant irrigation return flows reach the
river, while Station No. 2 (and No. 3) is below major return flows.
The flow time between Station Nos. 1 and 2 was approximately thirty-
five hours, and between Nos. 2 and 3, nine hours. The data showed an
average temperature increase of 14 degrees F. between Stations Nos. •
1 and 2, and 1.5 degrees between Stations 2 and 3. The majority of
the increase between Stations Nos. 1 and 2 was attributed to irri-
gation return flow warmed in the canals, ditches, and during its
application to warm soil. A high correlation between air and water
temperature was noted.
It is apparent that water temperatures in the lower
Yakima River reach levels detrimental to several uses during the
low flow-high air temperature period in the late summer.
-------
47
d. Turbidity
Turbidity is caused by suspended organic and inorganic
particles in water and is a measure of the light scattering or
absorbing power of the solution. Turbidity is measured and reported
in "turbidity units" rather than milligram per liter or parts per
million, the units commonly used in water quality work.
Turbidity in streams may result from a wide variety
of sources, including land erosion by surface runoff, stream bank
erosion, municipal and industrial wastes, municipal street cleaning
operations, etc. The sanitary significance of turbidity rests in
its effect on ease of operation and efficiency of water treatment
plants and the damage caused to aquatic life by the blanketing
of stream beds with settled material.
The Drinking Water Standards turbidity in the
finished water is to 5 turbidity units and a number of industrial
users require water with a maximum turbidity of 1 to 20 units.
Turbidity values averaged approximately 2-5 in the
Cle Elum area and 10-20 in the lower reaches of the river where a
maximum of 110 was recorded. Values somewhat higher may occur
during periods of rapid runoff.
The limited amount of turbidity data available for
the Yakima indicates significantly higher turbidity values in the
lower reach of the river as compared to the upper reaches. This is
quite probably due mainly to surface runoff from farm lands. This
-------
48
contention is further verified by the fact that higher than average
turbidity values were recorded during rainy periods. The data show
a poor correlation between stream discharges and turbidity. This
may be explained by the fact that highest stream flows occur in the
late spring and are due to snow melt in the high mountains where
ground cover is adequate to prevent excessive erosion.
Turbidity concentrations are sufficiently high to
require treatment for domestic and many industrial uses throughout
most of main stem of the Yakima River.
4. Biological Parameters
a. Bacteria
The bacterial quality of water is most frequently
gaged by the number of coliform bacteria found in a given volume of
water. The coliform bacteria concentration in a water sample is
usually expressed as the "most probable number" (HPN) per one
hundred milliliters of the water-
The Public Health Service has published recommendations
based on bacterial content concerning the degree of treatment that
should be provided waters to be used for drinking. A summary of
these recommendations is as follows:
Group I - Water Requiring No Treatment. Underground waters not
subject to any possibility of contamination and meeting all
requirements of the Drinking Water Standards.
-------
49
Group II - Water Requiring Simple Chlorinatlon or Its
Equivalent. Underground and surface waters subject to a
low degree of contamination where the coliform bacteria
content averages not more than 50 per 100 ml in any month.
Group III - Waters Requiring Complete Rapid-Sand Filtration
or Its Equivalent. Together with Continuous Postchlorination.
All waters requiring filtration to remove turbidity, color,
etc., and waters polluted by sewage to such an extent to be
inadvisable to groups I and II. The coliform bacteria con-
tent should, however, not average more than 5,000 per ml in
any one month. In addition, the 5,000 figure should not be
exceeded in more than 20 percent of the samples in any month.
Group IV - Waters Requiring Auxiliary Treatment in Addition to
Complete Filtration and Postchlorination. Waters meeting the
requirements of Group III except that the coliform bacteria
content exceeds 5,000 per 100 ml in more than 20 percent of the
samples in a month. To meet Group III standards, the coliform
content must not exceed 20,000 per 100 ml in more than 5 per-
cent of the samples in any month.
Many industries, especially food processing industries,
require water of bacterial quality equal to or higher than for
drinking purposes. In addition to the health hazard in using waters
-------
50
of unsatisfactory bacterial quality for food processing, economic
losses caused by food spoilage would occur.
Uniform bacterial quality standards have not been
developed for waters to be used for irrigation. In general, waters
used to irrigate human foodstuffs, especially those to be eaten raw,
should be of high quality. The State of Utah has developed a
tentative standard of 5,000 coliform bacteria per 100 ml maximum
I/
for general irrigation.
Bacterial limits for natural bathing waters vary
greatly in different parts of the country. The Pacific Northwest
Pollution Control Council has developed a recommended limit of 240
coliform organisms per 100 ml for the Northwest. This limit is in
general accepted by Pacific Northwest States.
Coliform bacteria concentrations are measured once
a month at Cle Elum and Parker on the Yakima River and on the Naches
River at Naches by the Washington Pollution Control Commission.
Records for one year only are available. They show an average MPN
per 100 ml of 125 at Cle Elum, 10,900 at Parker, and 660 at Naches
with maxima, of 930, 460,000 and 2,300, respectively. Results of
summer surveys conducted during the summers of 1951 and 1961 corres-
ponded closely and showed the coliform MPN increasing from approxi-
mately 100 per 100 ml at Easton to 2,500-4,000 below Ellensburg,
then dropping to approximately 1,000 just above Yakima. Immediately
below Yakima, the MPN jumped to 25,000-50,000 level, dropped back to
-------
51
1,500-2,500 level, then fluctuated generally between 1,000 and 5,000
in the remainder of the stream.
The most striking feature of the data is the sharp increase
in the MPN below the City of Yakitna. Municipal wastes from the city are
given primary treatment with chlorination. The high MPN below the city
can be attributed to inadequate chlorination of the treatment plant efflu-
ent, the discharge of untreated domestic and industrial wastes to the
river, or the combination of these factors. MPN's higher than the river
MPN occur in a number of small streams or irrigation return drains in the
lower Yakima valley. Most of the municipal wastes discharged to these
watercourses are chlorinated and, again, the high MPN's can be attributed
to inadequate chlorinating, untreated municipal and industrial wastes, and
runoff from irrigated areas, livestock feeding areas, etc.
Complete treatment would be required for municipal and
some industrial water supplies if the main stem of the Yakima River is
to be used as a source of water.
b. Plankton
Heavy growths of plankton and higher forms are found in
the Yakima River from Roza diversion dam to the mouth. The photosynthesis
and respirational activities of these organisms cause a.wide diurnal
fluctuation in dissolved oxygen, pH, alkalinity, C02, etc., in the
Yakima River. The abundance of such organisms causes nuisance problems
which would be magnified greatly if the lower Yakima were ever to be used
for water supply purposes. CRBP Working Paper No. 13 sets forth the
results of certain biological investigations in the Basin.
-------
52
V. INTERPRETATION OF WATER QUALITY DATA
A. Physical and Chemical Constituents
i
1. Irrigation and Industrial Use
The chemical quality of Yakima River water Is satisfactory
for the majority of industrial uses throughout the full length of the
river. A number of industrial uses which require especially high
quality water--such as high pressure boilers, certain products,
etc.--would, however, require special treatment of the waters
found in the lower reaches of the river. It seems that, in the
absence of some other over-riding consideration, industries
requiring high quality water would tend to locate in the upper por-
tion of the basin or.in some other basin with higher quality water.
The dissolved solids concentrations of the Yakima River at Kiona
average, for example, 29 percent higher than the Columbia below
its confluence with the..Yakima. Furthermore, the maximum yearly
concentration averages some 56 percent higher.
2. Public Water Supply Use
The turbidity and color concentration which occur periodi-
cally in the Yakima River would make necessary treatment of the water
for use in municipal systems in all but possibly the uppermost reaches
of the river. The high temperature of water found in the lower
.reaches would, during the summer months, make the water objection-
able for domestic use.
-------
53
The concentration of chemical constituents that have been
measured are within the requirements set forth in the PHS Drinking
Water Standards throughout the full length of the river. Certain
elements and compounds such as arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium,
copper, cyanide, lead, selinium, and silver have not been adequately
measured to determine compliance with the Standards.
A secondary effect on municipal and, in some instances,
industrial supplies resulting from the nitrate and phosphate con-
centrations in the river is a taste and odor problem caused by
algae. It was noted earlier in the report that the concentration
of these two key compounds is sufficient in the tower reaches of
the river to produce sizable algae populations. These growths may
well include species which generate taste and odor problems in the
stream.
3. Fish Habitat
The dissolved oxygen content of the river has not been
measured at levels which are known to be detrimental to fish life.
Minimum values in the ranges of 5.5 to 6.5 mg/1 have, however, been
detected. This content is considered by some authorities to be at
least potentially harmful. The effect on fish of relatively high
temperatures, reaching a maximum of approximately 80 degrees P.,
should be of greater concern than the dissolved oxygen levels found
in the Yakima River.
-------
54
During the growing seasons, a variety of chemical sub-
stances are applied to lands in the Yakima Basin for such purposes
as insect control in forests, insect and weed control on agri-
cultural lands and weed control in irrigation return drains. Many
of these chemicals are known to kill fish and organisms on which
the fish feed at very low concentrations. The concentration of
these materials is not known to damage aquatic life in the Yakima
River, but with the rapid increase in the use of such pesticides in
agriculture, it would seem that monitoring for these compounds would
be advisable.
The largest factor affecting the fish habitat remains to
be, however, the low flow situation occurring in certain headwater
and main stem reaches.
4. Recreational and Aesthetic Value
The conditions of temperature, turbidity, and algal pop-
ulation found in the lower reaches of the Yakima River impair its
recreational and aesthetic value during the summer months. Condi-
tions are, however, very favorable to these values in the portion
of the Basin above Yakima.
B. Biological Constituents
1. Industrial Use
The bacterial concentrations found in the Yakima River
below Yakima would make necessary complete treatment including
disinfection before the water would be usable for certain industries,
-------
55
such as some food processing industries, requiring waters of high
bacterial quality. Most industries would, however, find the
bacterial quality, especially in the upper reaches, satisfactory
for their use.
The usefulness of Yakima River water for industrial pro-
cesses incorporating the water in a product could be impaired by
tastes and odors produced by plankton growths during certain periods
in the lower portion of the river. Further, localized problems of
screen clogging, etc., could occur. Little data are presently avail-
able on the occurence, numbers, and types of plankton present in the
river. It is known, however, that the nutrient concentrations,
temperatures, and other necessary factors are adequate to sustain
abundant plankton populations, and the limited data available show .
relatively high plankton population during certain summer periods.
2. Public Water Supply Use
The coliform bacteria content of the Ynkima River is such
that a minimum treatment consisting of chlorination only would be
required in all areas and, throughout the majority of the river,
complete treatment would be required. In the reaches of the river
immediately below Yakima, the bacteria concentration found in the
river would preclude its use as a municipal water supply, even with
complete treatment, if the Public Health Service recommendations are
followed.
The existing and potential problems associated with plankton
were mentioned earlier.
-------
56
3. Recreation and Aesthetic Use
The bacterial concentrations in the headwater areas are
very low and should permit all types of recreational activity,
including swimming. Throughout the main stem and especially in that
portion below the Yakitna, the bacterial concentration exceeds the
recommended maximum of 240 per 100 ml for swimming during summer
periods. Recognizing that certain portions of the lower river may
have a low coliform content because of the die-off of populations
found upstream, it would seem desirable to examine individual
tion areas separately to determine Che adequacy of the wafceu
various recreational usco«
C. Adequacy of Water Data
The adequacy of water data can only be evaluated in light of
the use intended for the data. Here, the evaluation is made of the
adequacy of the data to gain a general understanding of the Basin's
water resources, its present and potential values and limitations.
The Subcommittee on Hydrology of the Columbia Basin Inter-Agency
Committee has published a study in which existing and recommended
hydrologic data collection stations are listed. Their recommendations
call for an increase from 32 to 46 in stream gaging stations, an
increase from 8 to 16 in snow survey courses, and no increase in the
present number (20) of hydroclimatic stations. The recommended number
of water quality sampling stations has been exceeded by recent
installations.
-------
57
Considerably more detailed data are needed to define the
nutrients—algal population relationship--and to determine the
present and potential effect of their relationship on water use.
The existing system of collecting routine chemical and physical
data seems to be adequate with the possible exception of sample
scheduling. The present practice is to collect and composite
samples at the Parker and Kiona stations until a significant change
in conductivity is noted. A new composite is then begun. The two
stations are not now correlated in such a manner that the periods of
collection coincide; hence, it is difficult to make direct compari-
sons between the two stations.
An important data collection requirement not now being fully
met is for more information on the occurrence, concentrations, and
effect of organic pesticides in the Basin. The PHS station at
Richland collects this type of information, but peak concentrations
which may occur in the Basin cannot be detected because of the
diluting effect of the uncontaminated water.
Bacteriological investigations are needed to better define the
problems of rural water supply contamination and to explore in general
the effect of existing bacterial concentrations on the use of water
in the Basin.
-------
APPENDIX
-------
Appendix-1
Table 2
Distribution of Employment in theYakima Basin. 1950 -
Compared with the Distribution of Employment in Washington and Oregon
Percentage Distribution
Industry Group In Yakima In Washington
.__ Basin and Oregon
Goods 41.8 33.4
Agriculture 24.4 10.5
Forestry and fisheries 0.1 0.7
Mining 1.0 0.4
Manufacturing, total 16.3 21.8
Lumber, wood prod., furn. & fix. ... 1.6 10.0
Food and kindred 3.0 2.5
Chemicals and related 9.5 0.7
Printing and publishing 0.8 1.3
All other manufacturing 1.4 7.3
Services . 56.8 65.1
Construction 11.9 7.9.
Transp., Comm., Utilities 7.1 8.9
Trade (wholesale and retail) 17.1 20.6
All other services 20.7 27.7
Industry not reported . . . . 1.4 1.5
Employed labor force, total ........ 100.0 100.0
a./ Kittitas and Yakima Counties and the portion of Benton County
within the Yakima Basin.
-------
TABLE 3
Location
Near
Sunnyside
Near
Toppenish
Upper
Ahtanum
Valley
Lower
Ahtanum
Valley
In Yakima
Wanas
Valley
Selah
Well
Depth
(ft)
99
160
863
146
11
384
1078
18
30
213
85
Spring
127
60
385
400
115
Spring
131
Derap
61
•••
69
.._
--
60
63
__
--
--
—
59
--
--
55
--
--
52
54
Color
5
•. «.
0
5
10
0
8
25
25
5
15
__
--
--
--
--
--
--
5
pH
7.9
„ _
7.8
7.7
7.3
7.9
7.9
7.2
7.2
7.3
7.3
7.6
8.3
7.7
7.2
7.5
7.4
7.7
7.9
M.C.
Hard
24
_ _
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
32
35
0
11
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total
Hard
179
87
42
80
49
54
57
117
107
141
130
158
183
256
50
1C7
78
57
338
Dis.
Solids
315
136
158
155
111
149
114
205
209
251
221
262
309
445
167
205
162
156
559
Si02
57
32
68
54
47
53
38
51
52
61
39
66
58
53
42
59
61
53
57
Fe
.01
.05
.08
.02
.11
.05
.24
.02
.03
.03
.02
.02
.02
.03
.13
.03
.07
.06
.00
Ca
48
22
13
16
10
13
12
24
23
30
34
32
42
GO
12
23
16
12
84
Mg
14.0
7.9
2.2
9.7
5.8
5.3
6.6
14.0
12.0
16.0
11.0
19. 0:
19.0
26.0
7.2
12.0
9.2
6.6
31.0
,.
17,0)
6.S!
ID-®
10.©
5.6
17.®
7.2
1&.',0;
4..Q-
4,8;
4.,3.
6..3.
CO 3
0
' 0
0
: 0
0
0
. 0
0
0
0
0
1 0
0
I °
0
0
\ o
0
0
i
HC03
190
113
105
116
74
113
85
180
160
133
116
193
210
442
124
146
116
104
459
so4
44.0
5.1
0.3
4.4
24.0
0.4
4.4
5.1
8.0
29.0
21.0
18.0
21.0
20.0
9.8
10.0
3.3
9.2
50, a
Cl
11.0
2.7
1.0
3.0
0.7
1.8
1.2
2.5
11.0
18.0
26.0
9.1
20.0
5.2
2.0
5.2
2.4
1.8
13-0
F
0.4
0.0
0.6
0.2
0.2
0.5
0.3
0.3
0.2
0.3
0.3
0.2
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.2
0.2
0.4
0.6.
N03
2.3
2.0
0.2
1.6
1.0
0.1
0.2
1.8
1.5
2.7
6.0
3.1
1.6
6.2
0.1
2.1
0.7
0.3
7.0
1 '
»*
.07
__
...
__
—
—
--
__
--
—
—
_»
—
—
-_
--
--
—
— —
•>*
Continued S
ro
1
-------
TABLE 3 (Continued)
Location
Yakima
Firing
Center*
Prosser
North of
Benton
City
North of
Richland
Ellensburg
Well
Depth
(ft)
550
550
502
599
740
420
228
1209
Temp
0F
62
68
66
63
60
__
_-
55
Color
5
0
0
0
5
5
5
0
pH
7.6
7.8
7.7
7.5
7.8
7.7
9.2
7.4
N.C.
Hard
0
0
0
0
0
38
0
0
Total
Hard
152
83
Dis.
Solids
272
174
Si02
49
49
Fe
.03
.04
Ca
33
16
Mg
17.0
11.0
Benton County
56
68
67
182
39
Kit
83
229
248
236
262
130
t i t i
151
59
50
46
51
18
3 S
58
.05
.12
.06
.68
.05
C c
.02
14
17
16
38
9.2
3 U
18
5.1
6.1
6.6
.21
3.8
n t -
9.2
Na
30.0
18.0
43.0
54.0
46.0
13.0
25.0
f
8.6
K
4.9
3.7
12
9.8
10
4.8
£.8
2.0
C03
0
0
0
0
0
0
16
0
HC03
225
147
187
221
202
176
58
120
S04
L9.0
0.6
4.8
0.1
0.6
4.3
2.1
1.3
Cl
8.4
3.9
6.5
11.0
9.5
7.5
10.0
2.0
F
0.6
0.5
0.6
0.9
0.7
0.2
1.0
0.2
NO 3
4.6
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.1
4.5
0.3
0.8
P04
..
•"•
.11.
.08
.09
__
._
.25
*Averages of several wells.
(0
3
O.
-------
Appendix-4
Yaklma River Flow Data
(cfs)
1955
Date
July
30
31
August
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Plow at
Parker
. 808
sr2<
876
888
648
536
380
620
609
662
574
420
, 623
350 ,
592
748
836
800
654
707
724
612
469
568
462
480
355
364
463
336
402
443
324
1% Day Lag
at Parker
'
810
844
882
768
592
458
500
615
636
618
497
522
487
471
620
792
818
727
.681
715
668
541
519
515
471
418
359
414
400
369
423
Flow at
Kiona
2230
2260
2270
V2260
2100
1900
1800
1910
1840
1720
1660
1530
1560
1490
1750
1810
1840
1720
1710
1780
1730
1750
1850
1790
1790
1740
1690
1780
1780
1790
1840
Difference
(Return)
1420
1416
1388
1492
1508
1542
1330
1295
1204
1102
1163
1008
1073
1019
1130
1092
1022
993
1029
1065
1062
1209
1331
1275
1319
1322
1331
1366
1380
1420
1417
-------
Appendix-5
Yakima River Flow Data
(Continued) (cfs)
1955
Date
Sept.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Flow at
Parker
443
329
494
608
441
426
426
402
453
461
318
232
287
250
374
414
452
694
808
496
508
283
204
156
312
261
189
240
260
565
421
352
1% Day Lag
at Parker
384
409
551
525
434
426
414
428
457
390
275
240
249
312
413
433
578
751
652
502
396
244
180
234
287
225
215
250
413
493
Flow at
Kiona
1830
1780
2050
2050
1940
1950
1960
1950
2000
1980
1910
1890
1880
1920
2010
2100
2500
2570
2450
2320
2180
2020
1960
1980
1980
1940
2000
2000
2060
2240
Difference
(Return)
1446
1371
1499
1525
1506
1524
1546
1522
1543
1590
1635
1650
1631
1608
1597
1667
1922
1719
1898
1818
1784
1776
1780
1746
1693
1715
1785
1750
1547
1747
-------
Appendix-6
STATION NO. I
Donald-Wapato Bridge
Water and Air Temperatures in Degrees, of Fahrenheit
August
September
19S5
Date
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Water Tetnp.
Max.
65
62
61
62
64
64
64
62
62
63
62
62
58
59
59
59
60
60
61
60
58
59
58
57
56
56
57
57
57
57
57
Min.
57
56
53
53
55
56
56
55
53
53
55
53
51
51
51
52
52
52
53
53
50
51
50
49
48
48
48
49
49
50
49
Avg,
61
59
57
57
59
60
60
58
57
58
58
58
54
55
55
55
55
56
56
56
54
55
54
52
52
53
52
53
53
53
53
Air Temp.
Max.
84
79
80
86
90
95
92
85*
85
90
87*
81
81
84*
87*
85*
86
87*
88
82
81*
83*
81
80
77
78
83
81
88
89
86
Min.
61
60
56
54
55
57
62
55
55
55
69
62
55
55
61
62
59
59
^68
60
51
60
59
57
53
55
53
60
53
59
54
Avg.
73
70
68
69
72
76
77
70
70
72
78
71
68
70
74
74
68
74
78
71
68
72
70
69
65
67
68
71
70'
74
70
Water Temp.
Max.
56
57
58
58
57
57
55
54
55
56
55
53
48
47
47
48
48
49
50
50
'46
45
48
48
47
46
44
45
45
45
Min.
48
50
51
51
50
50
51
49
48
48
47
46
47 .
45
43 '
43
42
43
44
45
42
40
41
43
41
41
43
41
39
39
Avg.
52
53
54
54
53
53
53
51
52
52
51
49
48
46
45
46
45
45 -
47
47
44
43
44
45
44
43
44
43
42
42
Air Temp.
Max.
88*
89
92
91
91
91
87
76
82
84
82
78*
65
65
64
67
70
76
80
67
64
65
72
71
73
70
58
64
68
69
Min.
53
55
•62
58
56
58
71
63
53
53
59
47*
50*
50 .
46
46
46
51
46
47
47
37
46
43
40
38
55
45
39
41
Avf»
71
72
77
75
73
74
79
70
67
68
71
63
57
57
50
56
58
64
63
57
56
51
59
57
56
54
56
60
53
55
!
-------
Appendix-7
STATION Nd, 2
Chandler
Water and Air Temperatures in Degrees of Fahrenheit
1933
Ba£§
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Wftf@f fgffi^i Aif temp, Wai
MSK,
74
74
73
73
75
76
75
75
75
76
77
74
73
74
74
74
74
76
75
74
74
74
73
72
70
71
71
71
71
73
72
Min.
67
66
65
64
64
66
67
67
66
66
67
66
6k
64
65
65
65
66
67
66
64
65
65
64
63
62
62
63
62
63
74
.Jtojy,
70
70
69
69
69
71
71
71
71
71
72
70
68
69
69
69
70
71
71
70
69\
69
69
68
66
66
66
67
67
68
68
Max,
88
86
84
87
96
99
97
87
88
95
95
85
90
90
89
92
98
94
89
86
92
98
85
80
84
85
84
89
94
Min.
60
48
45
46
50
52
57
53
48
50
54
48
46
46
49
51
50
53
56
53
51
53
53
52
47
43
43
43
47
46
45
.J^tL-,
74
67
es
67
73
76
77
70
68
73
75
66
66
68
70
70
71
75
75
71
69
72
75
68
63
63,
64
64
68
67
69
Max.
73
72
72
72
72
71
71
67
69
69
69
68.
64
61
60.
62
62
62
63
63
60
60
61
60
61
60
' 58
70
59
60
€? TSmp,
Min,
63
64
65
65
65
56
65
64
62
62
62
61
61
60
56
57
56
57
57
59
57
55
56
55
54
54
57
55
54
54
Avg.
68
68
60
68
69
68
68
66.
66
66
65
65
63
60
58
59
59
59
60
61
59
58
58
57
57
57
57
57
57
57
-
Air, Tewp
Mast.
96
97
94
92
94
96
92
80
89
89
87
75
68
68
72
72
74
83
74
66
66
70
70
73
79
62
68
70
Min.
46
48
54
68
52
57
59
58
53
51
54
44
46
54
43
50
38
41
43
52
43
33
43
36
34
44
56
43
35
36
3
Avg
71
73
74
80
73
76
76
69
71
70
71
69
60
61
55
61
54
57
57
63
54
49
57
53
53
61
59
55
51
53
-------
Appendix-8
STATION NO. 3
Richiand
Water and Air Temperatures in Degrees of Fahrenheit
August
September
iqs1} Water Temp.
Date
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Max.
75
74
74
75
76
78
77
77
76
77
77
77
75
74
74
74
75
76
76
76
75
74
73
73
72
71
72
71
72
73
73
Min.
69
68
66
67
68
69
70
69
69
69
70
70
68
68
69
68
67
69
70
70
68
68
67
67
65
65
66
66
66
66
67
Avg.
72
71
70
71
72
74
74
73
73
73
74
74
72
71
72
71
71
73
73
73
72
71
70
70
69
68
69
69
69
70
70
Air Temp.
Max.
95
91
87
88
94
100
104
100
91
94
100
101
90
90
95
92
96
99
95
88
92
94
91
87
81
89
92
89
98
102
Min.
67
54
52
54
56
61
64
59
57
60
62
55
57
54
57
58
56
60
67
59
55
56
55
54
55
49
51
61
54
57
57
Avg,
81
73
70
71
75
81
84
80
74
77
81
78
74
72
76
77
74
78
83
77
72
74 .
" 75
73
71
65
70
77
73
78
80
Water Temp.
Max.
74
74
75
73
74
72
72
70
71
70
69
66
65
60
63
63
64
64
64
63
61
62
61
62
61
60
60
60
61
Min.
66
68
69
68
68
69
68
65
66
66
64
65
61
58
59
59
59
60
60
61
57
58
58
57
57
59
58
57
57
Avg.,
70
71
72
71
71
71
70
68
69
68
67
66
63
59
61
61
62
62
62
63
59
60
60
60
59
60
59
59
59
Air Temp.
Max.
§8
99
101
101
99
101
101
96
84
91
95
90
83
78
69
73
74
79
85
75
71
73
76
75
76
81
68
68
69
Min.
S3
S5
61
65
60
62
64
60
55
54
56
48
50
56
50
51
44
48
46
56
48
37
48
40
40
45
57
48
42
40
Avft,
76
77
81
83
80
82
83
78
70
73
76
69
67
67
64
60
59
61
63
71
62
54
61
58
58
61
69
58
55
55
-------
A
Proposed
Bumping
Enlargement
VICINITY MAP
SCALE IN MILES
50^25 0 30 I00 ,50
WM Irrigated Area
Major Diversions
Major Drains
YAKIMA RIVER BASIN
GENERAL MAP
!U.S.DEPARTMENTOFHEALfH,EDUCATION,a WELFARE^
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
RE6ION IX PORTLAND,OREGON
FIGURE
------- |