Regional Identification of Saline-Seep Recharge Areas, Stillwater and Yellowstone Counties, Montana

摘要

Saline seep causes lost grain production, impassable roads, flooded basements, and stock deaths throughout the Northern Great Plains. The problem can be reduced by flexible cropping in the groundwater recharge area. The recharge area for each saline seep can be identified most efficiently on a regional scale. Saline seep recharge areas were identified in a 600 sq. mi. area in Stillwater and Yellowstone counties, Montana. The area was examined for regional soil and geologic factors which might control the problem. The principal control is the presence of a large internally-drained basin. The surface-water drainage basin contributing to each saline seep coincides with the recharge area for that seep. This relationship exists because the groundwater flow system is shallow and controlled by local topography. Problem areas were clarified by visual observation of plant communities and surface salt; and study of the specific electrical conductance of the water and soil.