What will the upcoming USGS ground water flow model for Chimacum Creek tell us?
The USGS is now in the early phases of developing a computer model of ground water flow in the Chimacum sub-basin. This model will provide a complex, 3-dimensional representation of the interactions of the ground water and surface water systems. The model should be useful for comparing various water withdrawal alternatives, in order to identify options that may have the least impact to Chimacum Creek. It may also be useful for evaluating potential ground water storage or other mitigation alternatives. The model will not provide information regarding what instream flows should be established for Chimacum Creek. The ground water model will be designed and calibrated using existing data, primarily the conceptual model of the Chimacum Creek sub-basin that is described in the USGS 2002-2005 investigation report.
