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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Columbia, Missouri » Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #179752
Title: HYDROLOGIC CHARACTERIZATION OF TWO KARST RECHARGE AREAS IN BOONE COUNTY, MISSOURI

Author
item Lerch, Robert
item WICKS, C - UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
item MOSS, P - OZARK UNDERGROUND LAB

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/23/2005
Publication Date: 12/1/2005
Citation: Lerch, R.N., Wicks, C.M., Moss, P.L. 2005. Hydrologic characterization of two karst recharge areas in Boone County, Missouri. Proceedings of the Society; Selected Abstracts.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The Bonne Femme watershed, located in central Missouri, is a rapidly urbanizing area, and this study was undertaken to characterize the hydrology of two karst aquifers within this watershed before significant increases in impervious surface occur. The objectives of this study were to: 1) delineate the recharge area for Hunters Cave (HC); 2) quantify stream discharge at the resurgence of HC and Devils Icebox (DI) caves; and 3) characterize the chemical and physical status of the cave streams. The quantity and quality of the water at the resurgence of both cave streams was monitored from April 1999 to March 2002. Both recharge areas were determined to be of similar size (33.3 km**2 for HC and 34.0 km**2 for DI) and were formed in the same geologic strata. Average annual discharge was 1,900,000 m**3 at DI and 1,170,000 m**3 at HC. Average monthly discharge was 97,700 m**3 at HC and 158,000 m**3 at DI. However, median instantaneous discharge over the three years was 18% higher at HC (74 m**3/h) compared to DI (63 m**3/h). Turbidity and pH showed the largest differences between sites, reflecting the greater magnitude and duration of runoff events and the higher row-cropping intensity in the DI recharge area. The HC recharge area is characterized by limited sub-surface conduit development, small conduits, short flow paths from surface to resurgence, and predominantly allogenic recharge. The DI recharge area is characterized by extensive sub-surface conduit development, large conduits, long flow paths to the resurgence, and autogenic and allogenic recharge.