Vashon Island - Maury Island Image

Vashon-Maury Island Water Resources Evaluation

The Vashon-Maury Island Water Resources Evaluation is a project designed to describe and assess the water resources of the island. This project will provide a better understanding of how different activities can adversely affect the island's water quality and quantity and lead to an updated, more accurate water supply budget for the island.

Why is this project being done?	Much concern has been expressed about the sustainability of the water supply on Vashon-Maury Island since all of the drinking water is derived locally (i.e. there is no conduit that links mainland water supplies to the island). This project will update the island's water budget and make recommendations that will help assure the sustainability of the Vashon-Maury Island water supply. A water budget for the island was originally completed in 1983 when a Water Resources study was commissioned by the KC Department of Planning and Community Development. This water budget was updated for the 1998 Groundwater Management Plan.
What will the project do?	This project consists of four major project components: monitoring, modeling, data management, and project coordination. Monitoring - The monitoring component involves groundwater, surface water, and climate monitoring on Vashon-Maury Island. Modeling - The modeling will proceed in three phases, with each phase building on the previous phase. For the first phase, a groundwater flow model will be built and then it will be linked to a surface water model in phase II. The models will be thoroughly documented, go through a peer review, and be available to the public over the web. Data Management - This component involves the collection and analysis of all the required data along with the development of an interactive website to allow for easy public assess to the data. Project Coordination - The information derived from this project is being coordinated with the watershed planning effort that is currently on-going (Kitsap Watershed Planning WRIA 15).
How can I get involved?	The Vashon-Maury Island Groundwater Protection Committee (GWPC) is the main point of contact for project input. Quarterly update presentations will be given at the Committee's meetings on Vashon Island. There will also be an opportunity to provide feedback and input on project details at these meetings. For specific questions about the work being done, please contact Eric Ferguson at 206-263-6512. Don't hesitate to contact the Vashon-Maury Island Basin Steward Lori Larkin for more information on any or all issues related to the natural resources of the island.
Want more information on the project status?	The status of ongoing activities and other project news is given quarterly at the GWPC. Previous presentations, data summaries, monitoring and modeling activites have been presented in a variety of reports found here.

» Project Documents

» Project News

Related Information:

Vashon-Maury Island

Groundwater Management

Water and Land Resources Topics

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