Groundwater levels on steady decline

ODESSA- Groundwater levels in Lincoln County are declining due to various predicaments.

In 2021 The Washington State Department of Ecology and Office of Columbia River provided funds to the Lincoln County Conservation District.

The funds were to help characterize water levels in Lincoln County Aquifers.

A study was conducted June 2017 through June 2021.

The report found 33 wells displaying declining water levels, most of which are in the Grand Ronde aquifer in Pullman. The overall objective of the project was to conduct a two-year study that will compile existing groundwater level data.

Data was used to identify areas of concern with respect to declining groundwater level and begin collecting new groundwater level data.

With the results of this study the county and LCCD hoped to identify and implement water resource management efforts in the county for its residents.

Five wells, predominantly in the Wanapum aquifer, displayed increasing water levels.

18 wells, most of which are also in the Wanapum aquifer, did not display any statistically measurable trend.

“The towns that are not on the Columbia Basin River have some interesting challenges,” Principal Hydrologist Kevin Lindsey said.

Lindsey said these declines have been happening for a number of years, but solutions are hard to find.

“That is the conundrum,” he said. “Aging infrastructures do not last that long and options are limited.”

“We could stop pumping, but that isn’t always possible,” he said. “Another option is to store water.”

The date compiled will help form the framework for the County’s future water supply management efforts, including the proposed Sustainable Water Supply Study.

A Coalition stakeholder’s meeting will take place in Moses Lake Thursday, Aug. 18.

The meeting will have updates concerning groundwater levels.