Principal Contact(s): Name, title, address, phone, email address.

Kenneth L. Pierce, Geologist, USGS, MS 980, Box 25046, Federal Center, Denver, CO, 80225 (303) 236-1244, kpierce@usgs.gov

Karl K. Kellogg, Geologist, MS 913, Box 25046, Federal Center, Denver, CO, 80225, (303) 236-1305, kkellogg@usgs.gov

Mike O'Neill, Geologist, MS 905, Box 25046, Federal Center, Denver, CO, 80225 (303) jmoneill@usgs.gov

Stephan Custer, Associate Professor of Geology (hydrogeologist), Earth Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, 59717-3480, (406) 994 6906, uessc@montana.edu

The two National Wildlife Refuges on which we will focus our studies will be at Grays Lake, eastern Idaho, Red Rocks Lakes, southwestern Montana, and preliminary reconnaissance at Benton Lake NWR, near Great Falls, Montana. These studies will partner closely with simultaneous studies of the climate history, vegetation patterns, and bird and mammal communities.

Problem/Hypothesis: Explain the scientific or collaborative approach proposed to address the issue.
We want to answer the following questions (1) What geologic and tectonic factors created the basins in which the wetlands occur? (2) In what ways does the geology currently control the overall dynamics of the wetlands, or more specifically, what are the structural and stratigraphic controls on hydrologic pathways feeding the wetlands? (3) Which geologic variables are most important in maintaining a dynamic wetland environment? (4) How are surficial geologic materials important in understanding more detailed soil identification and formation as the foundations for plant growth in the wetland?

Such questions are important because the hydrologic, bedrock geologic, geomorphologic, and biologic processes interact to create the wetland ecosystems. The geologic maps, when combined with the hydrology, are key to the character of the soils in which the wetland plants are rooted. The geologic and geomorphic framework is critical to understanding key processes such as ground-water recharge and discharge, runoff, erosion, sediment yield, and material properties which influence or control plant growth that sustains wetlands. An understanding of the geologic and geomorphic framework is critical to development of decision-support systems, which will help manage complex wetland dynamics.

Adaptative management of wetlands requires knowledge and modeling of processes that sustain the wetlands. We propose to map and define the surficial and bedrock geology and, with Stephan Custer (MSU), develop a three-dimensional conceptual hydrologic model for the formation and maintenance of wetlands. A conceptual model is an essential early step in the development of any quantitative hydrologic model and must be constructed in collaboration with geologists, climatologists, biologists, managers and the decision-support team.

Objectives: Please be as concrete as possible in stating your objectives and the methods you are proposing to address them.
The object of this study is to formulate a clear understanding of the basin history, geomorphic development, and hydrologic flow patterns. This will be accomplished by

• Compilation of existing geologic data and more local reconnaissance mapping, where needed, of the hydrologic basin at a scale of 1:50,000,
• Locate springs and areas of groundwater discharge and their structural and stratigraphic controls
• Assess rates of past and currently active basin-forming and filling process by carbon dating of wetland peat, tephrochronology of basin sediments, and morphologic ages of fault scarps and mountain fronts,
• Determine character, distribution, and age of surficial materials. This will be useful for detailed soils mapping.
• Develop conceptual hydrological models for wetland areas in cooperation with Stephan Custer
• Explore how geologic, geomorphic, hydrologic, and biologic data can be integrated to better understand and model a complex wetland ecosystem. Arrange for field conferences where geologists, biologists, hydrologists explain wetland landscapes from their own perspectives and learn from each other to develop a more complete understanding of the ecosystem we are studying.

Expected Results/Products: Please be explicit concerning data sets, models, written reports, publications, etc. which will be developed.

Scientists/Cooperators: Name, title, address, phones and email for each.

Map showing location of Grays Lake and Red Rocks Lakes National Wildlife Refuges.
 
 
 
 

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