Aquifer Briefing (3/29/11). On March 29, 2011 Dr. Joel Massman gave an informative presentation on aquifer modeling and specifically how the Bainbridge Island aquifer study and model related to Illahee Creek and the surrounding area.
Many Engineers and Hydrologists Attended. We were surprised at the number of engineers, hydrologists, and those working in the water industry, who attended the briefing, since the press releases sent to local papers did not get printed. Other educators and scientists also attended such that it seemed like the aquifer topic appealed primarily to those with scientific backgrounds and those with advanced degrees with at least 4 Ph.D's, including Dr. Massmann in attendance.
Illahee Residents - Low Numbers? We were also surprised that there weren't more Illahee residents in attendance, though a number of residents who could not attend provided questions to ask. There were a total of 14 signs placed throughout the Illahee community, and in the days preceding the briefing we were told by many that they like receiving the summaries of meetings so they don't feel they need to attend in order to be informed. We also heard some got the date wrong and showed up on Wednesday.
Bremerton Kitsap Access Television (BKAT). The briefing was video taped by BKAT for later showings, which will help those who could not attend on Tuesday. We will let you know when they will be shown on Channel 12.
Briefing Content. We do not have a copy of the Power Point of the briefing so this will be very short and succinct. The Bainbridge Island study did extend over onto the Kitsap Peninsula which takes in Illahee. The USGS gave Dr. Massmann access to their modeling software so he was able to use the model to extrapolate the affect of wells on the flows on Illahee Creek. The modeling exercise showed that there is a significant effect on the summer base flows of Illahee Creek from the various wells along Illahee Creek.
Many Questions Followed. Following the briefing questions from the audience and written ones from those who could not attend, were fielded by Dr. Massmann, with a few fielded by Dr. Matt Bachmann from the USGS. Comments from some Illahee residents were that the questions helped get the discussions down from the theoretical to the practical issues that local citizens are dealing with.
Responses (Answers) Later. We will publish some of the more pertinent and interesting questions and answers when we get a tape of the event. One question and response proved interesting which was -- When will the USGS Kitsap aquifer study be completed? The answer was in another 4 years. (Comment - That is the reason the Port wanted to have Dr. Massmann review the USGS BI Study could give us more information on Illahee Creek, which many residents consider already at a critical state with respect to low base flows.)
Comments from Other Attendees? We would like to hear from others who attended the briefing on their thoughts. We did receive emails the next day thanking those who arranged for the briefing, which would be the Port of Illahee with funding from the Department of Ecology.
Jim Aho
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