Volcanologist David A. Johnston writing field notes at Coldwater II observation station May 17, 1980, the evening before he was killed by the lateral blast of the Mount St. Helens eruption. Earlier in the day, Johnston had collected volcanic gas samples from a fumarole high on the unstable northern side of the volcano (see fig. 20.). This photograph was taken by Harry Glicken, who was relieved of his observer duties at Coldwater II by Johnston and who brought this film out of the area the night before the fatal eruption. Among those who lost their lives in the May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens was an exceptional colleague, volcanologist David Johnston. David was special not only because he was the first member of the U.S. Geological Survey to die in a volcanic eruption but also because of his capabilities and his dedication to his science. He knew well the personal risks involved in studying active volcanoes. Yet, his belief in the need to better understand volcano behavior led him to vigorous service in the "front lines" at Mount St. Helens. Through it all, he displayed a rare combination of inventiveness and originality in his scientific observations and interpretations. On the morning of May 18, David was alone at the Coldwater II observation station, 5.7 miles from the mountain's summit, measuring the volcano's bulging northern side. He was among the first to see the beginning of the eruption and tried to send a warning to the control center. "Vancouver, Vancouver, this is it!," he shouted into his radio. Then, as the black, billowing front of the lateral blast raced toward him, he tried a second message, which was garbled by atmospheric disturbance from the eruption. Then-nothing. The lateral blast obliterated Coldwater II observation station. Ironically, the location was (and is again) considered to be much safer than some of the sites on the mountain itself that David and his colleagues visited regularly. We dedicate this report to David Johnston, an untimely loss to his science as well as to his friends. Photographs used to depict various events or features discussed in the text were selected, insofar as it was practical, to reflect the first occurrence or discussion of the specific event or feature. Better illustrations of several subjects, however, are provided by photographs that were not strictly equivalent in time. Other illustrations are enhanced by paintings by U.S.

The Pacific Northwest Region's groundwater reservoirs are capable of providing large additional freshwater supplies; these reservoirs become more important as undeveloped surface-storage sites and unapportioned surface-water supplies dwindle. Withdrawals of fresh water from all surface and underground sources are increasing; they may rise from the rate of 30 billion gallons per day in 1970 to about 60 billion gallons per day in 2020. By 1975 the withdrawal of ground water had increased 70 percent over the 1970 rate and accounted for 22 percent of total freshwater withdrawal. Substantial increases in groundwater withdrawal must continue if projected water demands are to be met in the future. Large variations exist in the availability of and needs for ground water in the region, largely because of the great variety oflandforms, climate, and earth materials. More than one-half the region is underlain by rock materials capable of yielding ground water to wells at moderate to large rates; six extensive areas are identified as major groundwater reservoirs. The most significant current problems pertaining to one or more ofthese groundwater reservoirs are: (1) Progressively declining water levels; (2) water-quality problems; (3 l waterlogging; (4) inadequate information; and (5) competition for available supplies. In the future these same problems are expected to persist and generally worsen (especially water-quality deterioration) in most of the major reservoir areas. Management opportunities in the region include: (1) Development of new supplies and additional uses of ground water; (2) protection and enhancement of water quality; (3) reduction of waterlogging; (4) energy development from some groundwater reservoirs; (5) improving access to the ground water; (6) increased use of underground space for storage and disposal; and (7) greater use of advanced management and conservation techniques. Conjunctive use of surface and ground water to provide greater available supplies probably is the most promising water-management opportunity. However, if the full potential of the groundwater resources is to be realized, important constraints, including present water-right structures and serious deficiencies in information, must be overcome.

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Increased volcanic activity on Mount Baker, which began in March 1975, represents the greatest known activity of a Cascade Range volcano since eruptions at Lassen Peak, Calif., during 1914-17. Emissions of dust and increased emanations of steam, other gases, and heat from the Sherman Crater area of the mountain focused attention on the possibility of hazardous events, including lava flows, pyroclastic eruptions, avalanches, and mudflows. However, the greatest undesirable natural results that have been observed after one year of the increased activity are an increase in local atmospheric pollution and a decrease in the quality of some local water resources, including Baker Lake. Baker Lake, a hydropower reservoir behind Upper Baker Dam, supports a valuable fishery resource and also is used for recreation. The lake's feedwater is from Baker River and many smaller streams, some of which, like Boulder Creek, drain parts of Mount Baker. Boulder Creek receives water from Sherman Crater, and its channel is a likely route for avalanches or mudflows that might originate in the crater area. Boulder Creek drains only about 5 percent of the total drainage area of Baker Lake but during 1975 carried sizeable but variable loads of acid and dissolved minerals into the lake. Sulfurous gases and the fumarole dust from Sherman Crater are the main sources for these materials, which are brought into upper Boulder Creek by meltwater from the crater. In September 1973, before the increased volcanic activity, Boulder Creek near the lake had a pH of 6.0-6.6; after the increase the pH was as low as about 3.5. Most nearby streams had pH values near 7. On April 29, in Boulder Creek the dissolved sulfate concentration was 6-29 times greater than in nearby creeks or in Baker River; total iron was 18-53 times greater than in nearby creeks; and other major dissolved constituents were generally 2-7 times greater than in the other streams. The short-term effects on Baker Lake of the acidic, mineral-rich inflow depend mainly on (1) the rate of flow and the character of Boulder Creek water at the time; (2) the relative rate of inflow of the feedwater from other streams; and (3) whether the reservoir is temperature-stratified (summer) or homothermal (winter). A distinct layer of Boulder Creek water was found in the lake in September 1975 extending at least 0.3 miles (0.5 km) downreservoir. The greatest opportunity for water from Boulder Creek to persist as a layer and extend farthest before mixing with the other reservoir water is when Baker Lake is strongly stratified and Boulder Creek flow rate is large in relation to other feedwater. Baker Lake probably could assimilate indefinitely the acid loads measured during 1975, by dilution, chemical neutralization, and buffering of the acid-rich Boulder Creek water. Minor elements found in Boulder Creek water included arsenic, selenium, and mercury; however , none of these would reach the limits recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for public water supplies unless their concentrations i...

Groundwater development on Long Island has followed a pattern that has reflected changing population trends, attendant changes in the use and disposal of water, and the response of the hydrologic system to these changes. The historic pattern of development has ranged from individually owned shallow wells tapping glacial deposits to largecapacity public-supply wells tapping deep artesian aquifers. Sewage disposal has ranged from privately owned cesspools to modern large-capacity sewage-treatment plants discharging more than 70 mgd of water to the sea. At present (1965), different parts of Long Island are characterized by different stages of groundwater development. In parts of Suffolk County in eastern Long Island, development is similar to the earliest historical stages. Westward toward New York City, groundwater development becomes more intensive and complex, and the attendant problems become more acute. The alleviation of present problems and those that arise in the future will require management decisions based on the soundest possible knowledge of the hydrologic system, including an understanding of the factors involved in the changing pattern of groundwater development on the island.