Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area

The Oregon DEQ declared the Lower Umatilla Basin GWMA in 1990 because nitrate-nitrogen concentrations in many area groundwater samples exceed the federal safe drinking water standard. A 4 year interagency hydrogeologic investigation to determine the extent of contamination and to identify potential sources of contamination was conducted. The DEQ and local area residents and governments formed a committee to develop the action plan to address the contamination concerns in the basin.
Detailed Map of the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area PDF News Release: EPA Issues Results of Contaminant Testing on Boardman Air Force Range - October 2004 News Release: Well Sampling Finds Nitrate and Perchlorate in Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater - March 2004

 Action Plan

• Action Plan - December 1997 PDF
  
  
• 2008 Annual Progress Report for the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area PDF
• 2007 Annual Progress Report for the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area PDF
• Second Four-Year Evaluation of Action Plan Success and 2005/2006 Annual Progress Report - October 2008 PDF
• Appendices PDF
• 2004 Progress Report - March 2006 PDF
• 2002/2003 Progress Report - November 2004 PDF
• First Four-Year Evaluation of Action Plan Success and 2001 Annual Progress Report - November 2002 PDF
• 2000 Annual Progress Report - October 2001 PDF

 Reports

• Third Trend Analysis of Food Processor Land Application Sites in the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area – June 2011 PDF
  • Tables PDF
  • Figures PDF
  • Appendices PDF
  
  
  
• Estimation of Nitrogen Sources, Nitrogen Applied, and Nitrogen Leached to Groundwater in the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area - June 2011
PDF


• Second Trend Analysis of Food Processor Land Application Sites in the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area - August 2007 PDF
• Tables PDF
• Figures PDF 4.5mb
• Appendices PDF 3mb

• 2003 Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area Synoptic Sampling Event Report - May 2006 PDF
  • Tables PDF
  • Figures PDF 6.5mb
  • Appendix 1: Sample Results PDF
  • Appendix 2: Sources of Additional Information for Nitrate and Perchlorate PDF 1.1mb

• Trend Analysis of Food Processor Land Application Sites in the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area - December 2004 PDF
  • Tables PDF
  • Figures PDF 4.0mb
  • Appendix 1: Principles of Trend Analysis PDF
  • Appendices 2-7: Graphs PDF 1.1mb

• 1995 Report on Hydrogeology, Groundwater Chemistry and Land Uses in the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area
  • Title Page and Table of Contents PDF
  • Executive Summary PDF
  • Chapter 1: Investigative Overview PDF 7.9mb
  • Chapter 2: Hydrogeology PDF 9.1mb
  • Chapter 3: Land Use and Nitrogen Loading PDF 5.7mb
  • Chapter 4: Groundwater Chemistry PDF 21.7mb
  • References PDF 3.3mb
  • Color Plates
    • Plate 2.1: Well Locations and Place Names PDF
    • Plate 2.2: Geological Map Showing Structure Contours on Top of the Columbia River Basalt Group PDF 1.2mb
    • Plate 2.3A: Geologic Cross Sections (1 of 3) PDF
    • Plate 2.3B: Geologic Cross Sections (2 of 3) PDF
    • Plate 2.3C: Geologic Cross Sections (3 of 3) PDF
    • Plate 2.4: Water-Level Contours of the Alluvial Aquifer PDF
    • Plate 2.5: Well Density PDF
    • Plate 2.6: Irrigated Acreage and Permitted Alluvial Aquifer Wells PDF
    • Plate 3.1: Generalized Agriculture Areas PDF 1.3mb
    • Plate 3.2: General Industry, Food Processing Facilities, and Landfills PDF
    • Plate 3.3: Livestock Operations PDF
    • Plate 3.4: Sewage Treatment Facilities PDF
    • Plate 3.5: Density of Homes and Facilities Using Septic Drainfields PDF 1.0mb
    • Plate 3.6: Military Facilities PDF
    • Plate 3.7: Reported Accidents, Spills, and Leaks PDF
    • Plate 4.1: Groundwater Chemistry Sampling Sites PDF
    • Plate 4.2: Nitrate + Nitrite-Nitrogen Concentration Distribution in Alluvial Groundwater PDF
    • Plate 4.3: Maximum Nitrate + Nitrite-Nitrogen Concentrations Detected PDF
    • Plate 4.4: Total Dissolved Solids Concentration Distribution in Alluvial Groundwater PDF
    • Plate 4.5: Maximum Total Dissolved Solids Concentrations Detected PDF
    • Plate 4.6: Maximum Total Arsenic Concentrations Detected PDF
    • Plate 4.7: Maximum Total Sodium Concentrations Detected PDF
    • Plate 4.8: Maximum Chloride Concentrations Detected PDF
    • Plate 4.9: Maximum Total Phosphate Concentrations Detected PDF
    • Plate 4.10: Maximum Boron Concentrations Detected PDF
    • Plate 4.11: Maximum Bromide Concentrations Detected PDF
    • Plate 4.12: Maximum Total Vanadium Concentrations Detected PDF
    • Plate 4.13: Volatile Organic Compounds and Agricultural Pesticides Detected PDF
  • Appendices
    • Appendix 1A: State Agency Groundwater Sampling Selected 1984 to 1987 Data PDF
    • Appendix 1B: Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area Citizens Committee PDF
    • Appendix 1C: Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area Technical Advisory Committee PDF
    • Appendix 2A: Inventory of Project Wells PDF 2.4mb
    • Appendix 2B: Synoptic Water Level Data PDF 9.0mb
    • Appendix 2C: Summary of Aquifer Test for MORR 964 PDF 1.1mb
    • Appendix 3A: Nitrogen in Soil Background Discussion and General Soil Characteristics for the Lower Umatilla Basin PDF
    • Appendix 3B: Irrigated Agriculture Nitrogen Possibly Applied and Possibly Leached PDF
    • Appendix 3C: Food Processing Industry Land Application PDF
    • Appendix 3D: Livestock Nitrogen Produced and Land Applied PDF
    • Appendix 3E: Municipal Sewage Treatment Facilities Land Application and Infiltration PDF
    • Appendix 3F: Large On-Site Sewage Systems Infiltration PDF
    • Appendix 3G: Individual On-Site Sewage Systems Infiltration PDF 1.2mb
    • Appendix 3H: U.S. Army Umatilla Depot Activity Chronologic History, Remedial Investigation Sites, Sites with Soil and/or Groundwater Contamination PDF 1.7mb
    • Appendix 3I: Umatilla Butte Landfill Chronologic History, Wastes Disposed PDF
    • Appendix 3J: Union Pacific Railroad Accidents Reported to DEQ PDF
    • Appendix 3K: Accidents and Spills within the Lower Umatilla Basin Reported to DEQ PDF
    • Appendix 3L: Hazardous Waste Handlers within the Lower Umatilla Basin PDF
    • Appendix 3M: Underground Storage Tanks within the Lower Umatilla Basin PDF
    • Appendix 4A: Groundwater Chemistry Background Discussion PDF
    • Appendix 4B: Nitrogen Isotopes Background Discussion PDF
    • Appendix 4C: Groundwater and Surface Water Sampling Sites PDF 1.6mb
    • Appendix 4D: Reconnaissance Groundwater Sampling Plan PDF 1.9mb
    • Appendix 4E: Bimonthly Groundwater Sampling Plan PDF
    • Appendix 4F: Project Sampling Data Selected Inorganic Constituents (July 1990 - March 1993) PDF 3.8mb
    • Appendix 4G: Project Groundwater Sampling Data Detected Pesticides and Volatile Organic Compounds (July 1990 - December 1994) PDF
    • Appendix 4H: Constituent vs Constituent Graphical Analysis PDF 1.1mb