Spring and summer streamflow forecasts...

have been published for 1 April 2012, and as expected, show that drainage basins in the Pacific Northwest are well above average due to the late season and record-breaking precipitation that occurred in March.  But down here, in southern Utah in the heart of the Colorado River basin, runoff is anticipated to be well below average.  Typical for a La Niña year, which is exactly what was predicted.

UPDATE: Idaho water supply strong heading to summer. But you already knew that having read this blog post.

It's field work Friday...

yet again, and I'll head out the door shortly for the Rathdrum Prairie in Idaho to check groundwater levels in the aquifer.  There's a torrential downpour going on so it's a good day for recharge, but not so great for field work.

It's field work Friday...

again on a foggy mid-winter morning as I head out to check groundwater levels in the Rathdrum Prairie aquifer.  I need to remember to check the current snowpack reports for the Selkirk Mountains to see what to expect in the runoff (recharge) season ahead.

RELATED:  Here's the streamflow forecast map as of 1 February 2012 for the western US. Looks like the snowpack in the Spokane River basin lies between 70 - 109% of normal, depending on specific location in the watershed.

I shot some eagles...

today with my long lens, and here's the bounty for the efforts.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I did while visiting Beauty Bay this late morning (click images to enlarge):

Two of more than thirty I spied today:

A juvenile in flight:

And an adult:

Artsy view of a perch:

And a tricked-out cell tower:

Image details: Canon EOS 30D with 400 mm EF lens on monopod.

It's field work Friday...

again, the first of the year.  After completing my monthly rounds measuring groundwater levels in the Rathdrum Prairie aquifer, I'll head over to Wolf Lodge Bay on Lake Coeur d'Alene to see if the bald eagles are still hanging out.

I also note that it's Friday the 13th, so I'll be extra careful during my field activities today.

The snowcapped Lost River Range...

in central Idaho provided a photogenic backdrop during my long drive today.  The closure of I-15 at the Montana border due to icy conditions and gusty winds diverted me to a slower, but highly scenic, alternative route north (click to enlarge):

Borah Peak, the highest summit in Idaho at 12,668 ft, lies ensconced in this range in the distance.  It is also the location of a large earthquake in 1983.  While I've not yet climbed this lofty peak, it is on my "to do" list.  Perhaps next summer.

A very unlucky year...

at the Lucky Friday mine in Idaho: Three miners hospitalized in Lucky Friday rock burst.

It's field work Friday...

today, the last of the calendar year, as I check the dipsticks in the Rathdrum Prairie aquifer.

It's field work Friday...

on a snowy early morning, so I'm gearing up and leaving soon for my monthly rounds of groundwater level measurements on the Rathdrum Prairie aquifer.  More snow is predicted through the day, and some local ski areas open this weekend.  Given the snowy winter forecast, I predict a good runoff next spring, which translates into good aquifer recharge.

It's field work Friday...

on the Rathdrum Prairie, and this time environmental science/geology student SD will accompany me on my monthly rounds.  We'll measure groundwater levels in four irrigation wells this morning now that they've shut down for the season.

Ice Age Floods trail creation...

is proceeding at a glacial pace.

Although it's certainly a worthwhile project, in these difficult economic times one should understand that it's not exactly a state or federal funding priority.

It's field work Friday...

after a binge of extensive summer travel, where I missed making groundwater level measurements on the Rathdrum Prairie, Idaho, during the month of August.  Time to get back into the monthly routine.

It's field work Friday...

as I slip in under the wire to make groundwater level measurements on the Rathdrum Prairie during the month of July due to my recently relentless travel schedule.

The BNSF Railway re-fueling depot...

at Hauser, Idaho was a controversial project when it was proposed and built, especially since it lies atop the Spokane Valley - Rathdrum Prairie sole source aquifer.  Two tanks hold a total of 500,000 gallons of diesel fuel to dispense to locomotives along the main rail line (click to enlarge):

The fuel is brought to the facility in 30,000 gallon tank cars that are individually off-loaded to the larger storage tanks seen above:

My environmental science seminar students toured the complex today in order to examine the environmental protections integrated into the facility.  Above ground storage tanks, double-lined piping, epoxy-sealed concrete platforms with two HDPE liners beneath them, are all designed to minimize accidental releases to the underlying aquifer.  Special thanks go to BNSF for allowing us to visit the operating industrial facility.

Field work Friday...

on the Rathdrum Prairie, Idaho yielded groundwater level measurements showing the highest water table elevation in the aquifer in the past decade.  It's a great year for aquifer recharge.

It's field work Friday...

yet again and I expect to measure still higher groundwater levels in the Rathdrum Prairie in northern Idaho as compared to last month.  The Spokane River is swollen with spring runoff, and its losing relationship with the underlying aquifer is the primary source of recharge to the regional groundwater system.

Time is fleeting...

at the Lucky Friday Mine: Rescue efforts continue, still no sign of trapped miner.

24 April UPDATE: Hecla: Trapped miner died in ground collapse.

Miner still missing...

at the Lucky Friday Mine: Camera reveals no sign of trapped miner.  Here are additional links to a statement from Hecla Mining Company and a diagram of the accident site.

Rescue crews dig...

for a trapped miner at the Lucky Friday Mine.  All mines are dangerous, deep ones particularly so.

RELATED:  Here's a previous post about the same mine.

19 April UPDATE:  Rescue efforts continue.

It's field work Friday...

on the Rathdrum Prairie, and I anticipate finding rising groundwater levels in my monitoring wells due to the above average precipitation we've received this late winter and spring.  Here's the latest summary for the area from the National Weather Service:  March 2011 Weather Watcher (.pdf file).