Start Date
11-4-2013
End Date
11-8-2013
Abstract
The hydrogeologic controls, flow velocities, flow direction, groundwater delineation, and physical characteristics in a joint controlled dendritic conduit-spring system have been characterized. The known conduit branches from Magic Springs past C My Shovel (CM) Cave with 4475 meters (m) of measurable passages and tributaries. Surface entrance to CM Cave is located 1360 m upstream from discharge at Magic Springs.
Four storm events were measured characterizing the dynamics. The rise time and half flow period time (t0.5) occur in less than one day. The conduit volume exceeds one half million m3. The conduit-spring system drains within 3.7 to 7.5 days. This system is thermally ineffective with little radial heat flux into the conduit walls.
The field components of this study includes a karst density survey, four dye traces, continuous monitoring of dynamic parameters, water-level stage height, and discharge at Magic Springs.
Hydrographs and chemographs show patterns interpreted as pulses of dilute water recharging through exposed caves, sinkholes, and sinking streams. These pulses are superimposed on baseflow from the joint controlled dendritic conduit-spring system.
The dye tracing results identified groundwater piracy across surface water divides. The storm velocities at Magic Springs ranged between 8,700 and 15,120 m/d with baseflow characteristics below 3000 m/d.
Included in
Hydrogeologic Controls on the Occurrence and Movement of Groundwater Discharged at Magic Springs in the Spring Branch Creek Drainage Basin: Spring Branch, Texas
The hydrogeologic controls, flow velocities, flow direction, groundwater delineation, and physical characteristics in a joint controlled dendritic conduit-spring system have been characterized. The known conduit branches from Magic Springs past C My Shovel (CM) Cave with 4475 meters (m) of measurable passages and tributaries. Surface entrance to CM Cave is located 1360 m upstream from discharge at Magic Springs.
Four storm events were measured characterizing the dynamics. The rise time and half flow period time (t0.5) occur in less than one day. The conduit volume exceeds one half million m3. The conduit-spring system drains within 3.7 to 7.5 days. This system is thermally ineffective with little radial heat flux into the conduit walls.
The field components of this study includes a karst density survey, four dye traces, continuous monitoring of dynamic parameters, water-level stage height, and discharge at Magic Springs.
Hydrographs and chemographs show patterns interpreted as pulses of dilute water recharging through exposed caves, sinkholes, and sinking streams. These pulses are superimposed on baseflow from the joint controlled dendritic conduit-spring system.
The dye tracing results identified groundwater piracy across surface water divides. The storm velocities at Magic Springs ranged between 8,700 and 15,120 m/d with baseflow characteristics below 3000 m/d.
