USGS INL Project Office
Recent Activities
Data collected by the USGS Project Office at INL is used to describe hydrologic and geochemical conditions and to evaluate the effects of waste disposal and other activities at the INL on the geohydrologic system. Much of the data has been incorporated into interpretive reports. Data is available to the public via the National Water Information System (NWIS).
The following actions were performed in Fiscal Year 2005:
- Approximately 180 water samples were collected from approximately 170 deep and shallow wells. The water was analyzed for selected chemical and radiochemical constituents to aid in the definition of contaminant plumes and water chemistry. Water samples will be analyzed by the DOE's Radiological and Environmental Sciences Laboratory (RESL), and by the USGSs National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL) in Denver, Colorado. If flow occurs in the Big Lost River and other selected streams, water samples periodically will be collected and submitted to the RESL and NWQL Laboratories for radionuclide and chemical analyses to determine the effect that surface-water flow has on the chemistry of ground water beneath the INL.
- More than 700 depth-to-water measurements were taken in approximately 200 wells and a selected number of auger holes were made during FY2005 to denote changes in storage and hydraulic gradient in the Snake River Plain aquifer and perched-water systems. Five continuous recorders detected short-term water-level fluctuations and identified recharge events.
- USGS continued security modification of wells as concern has increased in recent years regarding the protection of the environment and the integrity of the ground-water data set. The USGS INL Project Office continued well rehabilitation, pump replacement and other well maintenance as required.
