Spokane Valley–Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer
Definition
The Spokane Valley–Rathdrum Prairie (SVRP) Aquifer is a glacial outwash aquifer composed of highly permeable sand, gravel, and cobble deposits formed by ancient glacial meltwater floods. It underlies a significant portion of the Rathdrum Prairie in Kootenai and Bonner Counties in Northern Idaho and extends west beneath the Spokane Valley in Washington. The aquifer is one of the most productive and cleanest aquifers in the western United States. Wells drilled into the SVRP Aquifer typically reach water at relatively shallow depths and produce high GPM yields due to the high permeability of the gravel deposits. It is the primary water source for Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, Hayden, Rathdrum, and surrounding communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Spokane Valley–Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer Matters
How Trident Drilling Company Uses It
Trident Drilling's primary service area encompasses much of the SVRP Aquifer footprint in Kootenai, Bonner, and surrounding counties. The company uses this regional geological knowledge to provide accurate depth and yield estimates for properties within the aquifer's boundary.