Karst Hydrogeology and Hydrochemistry

of the Cave Springs Basin Near

Chattanooga, Tennessee

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

Water-Resources Investigations Report 96-4248

A Contribution of the Regional

Aquifer-Systems Analysis- Program

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Karst Hydrogeology and Hydrochemistry
of the Cave Springs Basin Near
Chattanooga, Tennessee
By Dianne J. Pavlicek

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

Water-Resources Investigations Report 96-4248

A Contribution of the Regional

Aquifer-Systems Analysis- Program

Nashville, Tennessee
1996
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BRUCE BABBITT, Secretary

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

GORDON P. EATON, Director

Any use of trade, product, or firm names in this publication is for

descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by
the U.S. Government.

For additional information write to: Copies of this report can be purchased from:

District Chief U.S. Geological Survey

U.S. Geological Survey Branch of Information Services
810 Broadway, Suite 500 Box 25286
Nashville, Tennessee 37203 Denver, Colorado 80225-0286
CONTENTS
Abstract .................................................................................................................................................................................. 1
Introduction............................................................................................................................................................. 1
Purpose and scope ....................................................................................................................................................... 2
Description of study area ............................................................................................................................................. 2
Geology................................................................................................................................... 2
Previous investigations ................................................................................................................................................ 6
Acknowledgments ..................... ...................................................................................... .................................. 7
Karst hydrogeology .... ...................................................................................................................................................... 7
Recharge ...................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Subsurface flow ........................................................................................................................................................... 7
Basin boundaries and aquifer thickness....................................................................................................................... 10
Dye-trace results .......................................................................................................................................................... 10
Low-flow discharge measurements in streams ................................................................................. ................. 17
Cave Springs discharge and ground-water withdrawals.............................................................................................. 17
Water balance............................................................................................................................................................... 17
Hydrochemistry ..................................................................................................................................................................... 22
Major ions .................................................................................................................................................................... 22
Calcium to magnesium ratios ...................................................................................................................................... 22
Water-quality trends ..................................................................................................................................................... 24
Summary................................................................................................................................................................................ 24
Selected references ................................................................................................................................................................ 28

FIGURES
1. Map showing physiographic. hydrologic. and cultural features in the Cave Springs area near
Chattanooga. Tennessee.............................................................................................................................................. 3
2. Geologic map and generalized section of the Cave Springs study area. Tennessee................................................... 4
3. Photograph of regolith and rock contact in the Newman Limestone along U.S. Highway 27.
near Soddy-Daisy. Tennessee.................................................................................................................................... 6
4 . Map showing location of springs. wells. and precipitation stations in the Cave Springs
study area. Tennessee.................................................................................................................................................. 8
5. Graphs showing continuous water levels in wells 1. 6. and 7 and rainfall data in the
Cave Springs study area. Tennessee ........................................................................................................................... 11
6. Graph showing continuous water levels in wells 1,6,7, and 17 in the Cave Springs
study area. Tennessee.................................................................................................................................................. 12
7. Low-stage potentiometric surface map of the Cave Springs study area.
Tennessee, for November 19-20, 1990 ....................................................................................................................... 13
8. High-stage potentiometric surface map of the Cave Springs study area.
Tennessee. for April 24-25. 1991................................................................................................................................ 14
9. Generalized hydrogeologic section. Cave Springs area. Tennessee ........................................................................... 15
10. Caliper and acoustic velocity logs of wells 3 and 18 in the Cave Springs study area. Tennessee.............................. 16
[Link] location of:
11. Streamflow discharge measurements from a seepage investigation
conducted on March 3, 1988, in the Cave Springs study area, Tennessee 18
12. Streamflow discharge measurements from a seepage
conducted on April 23, 1001, in the Cave Springs study area, Tennessee 19
13. Streamflowdischarge measurements from a seepage investigation
conducted on July 18. 1991. in the Cave Springs study area. Tennessee ......................................................... 20

...
111
14. Graph showing Cave Springs discharge and ground-water withdrawal by the Hixson
Utility District. in the Cave Springs study area. Tennessee ................................................................................... 21
15. Trilinear diagrams for analyses of selected ground-water samples and surface-water
samples from the Cave Springs study area. Tennessee ......................................................................................... 23
16. Map showing calcium:magnesium ratio of water from selected sites in the
Cave Springs study area. Tennessee....................................................................................................................... 25
17. Graphs showing Cave Springs discharge plus withdrawals and rainfall data, and
temperature and specific conductance of water in well 2 near Cave Springs, Tennessee ...................................... 26
18. Graphs showing discharge plus withdrawals and rainfall at Cave Springs, and temperature
and specific conductance of water in well 3 near Cave Springs, Tennessee .......................................................... 27

TABLES
1. Data for selected wells in the Cave Springs study area .......................................................................................... 9
2 . Water-quality data for selected ground-water sites in the Cave Springs study area............................................... 31
3. Water-quality data for selected surface-water sites in the Cave Springs study area .............................................. 35

iv
CONVERSION FACTORS, VERTICAL DATUM, AND ABBREVIATED WATER QUALITY UNITS

Multiply By To obtain

inch (in.) 25.40 millimeter

inch (in.) 2.54 centimeter
foot (ft) 0.3048 meter
mile (mi) 1.609 kilometer
square mile (mi²) 2.590 square kilometer
cubic feet per second (ft³/s) 448.831 gallons per minute
cubic feet per second (ft³/s) 0.02832 cubic meter per second
inch of runoff per square mile 0.07367 cubic foot per second
per year ([(in/mi²)/yr])
microsiemen per centimeter 1 micromho per centimeter
at 25 "Celsius (µS/cm)

Sea level: In this report, "sea level" refers to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929-a geodetic
datum derived from a general adjustment of the first-order level nets of the United States and Canada,
formerly called Sea Level Datum of 1929.

Chemical concentrations are given in milligrams per liter (mg/L). Water temperature is given in degrees
Celsius (ºC), which can be converted to degrees Fahrenheit (ºF) by the following equation:

ºF = 1.8(ºC)+ 32

V
KARST HYDROGEOLOGY AND HYDROCHEMISTRY OF THE CAVE
SPRINGS BASIN NEAR CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE
By Dianne J. Pavlicek

Abstract
The Cave Springs ground-water basin, located near Chattanooga, Tennessee, was chosen as
one of the Valley and Ridge physiographic province type area studies for the Appalachian Valley-
Piedmont Regional Aquifer-System Analysis study in 1990. Karstic Paleozoic carbonate rocks,
residual clay-rich regolith, and coarse alluvium form the aquifer framework. Recharge from
rainfall dispersed over the basin enters the karst aquifer through the thick regolith. The area
supplying recharge to the Cave Springs Basin is approximately 7 square miles. Recharge frorn
North Chickamauga Creek may contribute recharge to the Cave Springs Basin along losing
reaches.
The flow medium consists of mixed dolomite and limestone with cavernous and fracture
porosity. Flow type as determined by the coefficient of variation of long-term continuous specific
conductance (18 and 15 percent) from two wells completed in cavernous intervals about 150 feet
northeast of Cave Springs, indicates an aquifer with conduit flow. Flow type, based on the ratio
(6: 1) of spring flood-flow discharge to spring base-flow discharge, indicates an aquifer with diffuse
flow. Conduit flow probably dominates the aquifer system west of Cave Springs Ridge from the
highly transmissive, unconfined, alluvium capped aquifer and along losing reaches of North
Chickamauga Creek. Diffuse flow probably predominates in the areas along and east of Cave
Springs Ridge covered with the thick, clay-rich regolith that forms a leaky confining layer.
Based on average annual long-term precipitation and runoff records, the amount of water
available for recharge to Cave Springs is 11.8 cubic feet per second. The mean annual long-term
discharge of Cave Springs is 16.4 cubic feet per second which leaves 4.6 cubic feet per second of
recharge unaccounted for. As determined by low-flow stream discharge measurements, recharge
along losing reaches of North Chickamauga Creek may be an important source of unaccounted-
for-recharge to the Cave Springs Basin.
Selected ground-water samples in the study area are characterized by calcium bicarbonate
type water and calcium magnesium bicarbonate type water. Calcium bicarbonate type water
characterizes Lick Branch and Poe Branch. North Chickamauga Creek water is calcium
magnesium sulfate type water and reflects interaction with the pyrite-containing siliciclastic rocks
of the Cumberland Plateau or acid mine drainage. Seasonalhigh spring discharge is associated with
lower specific conductance and lower temperatures, which lag in response to increasing spring
discharge by approximately 2 months. Seasonal decrease in spring discharge is accompanied by an
incident increase in specific conductance and temperature increase, which leads by about 4 months.

INTRODUCTION
Ground water is an important resource for domestic, municipal, and industrial supply throughout the
Valley and Ridge physiographic province, which extends from Alabama to Pennsylvania. The aquifer
systems in the Valley and Ridge and Piedmont Provinces, however, are not regionally continuous. As part
of a Regional Aquifer-SystemsAnalysis (RASA) study of the two provinces,representative areas that typify
the flow systems were selected for 'type-area' investigations to characterize the hydrogeology and

1
hydrochemistry. In February 1990, the Cave Springs ground-water basin near Hixson, Tennessee, was
selected for one of these areal studies.
Cave Springs, a dominant feature of the Cave Springs ground-water basin, is one of the most
productive spring systems in Tennessee and is a single spring used by the Hixson Utility District to supply
about 5 million gallons of water per day for domestic and municipal use. Aquifers in the Cave Springs area
are characterized by fractures and solution openings in a karstic carbonate system. Ground-water
Occurrence and flow in the Cave Springs system are typical of spring basins in the carbonate aquifers in the
Valley and Ridge physiographic province, and the results of this investigation are intended to provide
information on similar karst basins.

Purpose and Scope

This report describes the hydrogeology and hydrochemistry of the Cave Springs Basin. Three test
wells were drilled to define the potentiometric surface and the aquifer framework. Continuous water-level
data were collected at three wells to determine response time to rainfall events. A continuous record of Cave
Springs discharge and specific-conductance data were used to determine the flow type, whether conduit or
diffuse, in the Cave Springs Basin. A quantitative dye-trace was performed to determine potential
connection, ground-water travel time, and flow paths to Cave Springs. Low-flow stream discharge was
measured to identify intervals where gains or losses in discharge occur. Water-quality data were collected
at 16 wells and 3 surface-water sites to determine major ion chemistry. A continuous record of Cave Springs
discharge, specific conductance, and temperature were used to characterize water-quality trends.

Description of Study Area

Cave Springs is close to the interface of the Appalachian Plateaus and the easternmost part of the
Cumberland Plateau Section, which are dominated by siliciclastic rock, and the Valley and Ridge
physiographic provinces, which are dominated by carbonate rock (fig. 1). Walden Ridge of the Appalachian
Plateaus physiographic province, has altitudes of as much as 1,700 ft above sea level, and borders the study
area to the west. At the base of Walden Ridge along the Cumberland Escarpment and throughout the Cave
Springs Basin, altitudes range from about 700 to 900 ft above sea level. The Tennessee River forms the
eastern boundary of the study area. Land use in Cave Springs Basin is primarily residential.
A humid, temperate climate is characteristic of the study area. In 1990, the average annual
temperature in Chattanooga was 62.8 ºF (+3.3 ºF departure from normal) and annual total precipitation was
68.56 in. (+15.96 in. departure from normal) (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1990).

Geology

The geology of the Cave Springs area includes Paleozoic carbonate rock formations with karst
features, clay-rich regolith and alluvium. Solution openings have developed in the carbonate units. The
rocks have also been fractured and structurally deformed by faulting associated with the formation of the
Appalachian Mountains.
Sedimentary rocks ranging in age from Cambrian through Pennsylvanian underlie the study area
(fig. 2). Siliciclastic rocks of Pennsylvanian age predominate on the Cumberland Plateau. Carbonate rock
units ranging in age from Mississippian through Cambrian predominate in the Valley and Ridge Province.
Carbonate units of significance within the Cave Springs Basin study area include, from youngest to oldest:
the Mississippian Newman Limestone (limestone), the Ordovician Chickamauga Limestone (shaly arid
nodular limestone), the Ordovician Knox Group (dolomite and minor limestone), the Cambrian and

2
E
E z 0
E z 0
 35

3 MILES
A A'
KILOMETERS

Sea Sea
level level

SECTION ALONG A-A' Modified from G.O. Swingle

No vertical exaggeration and others, 1964

Figure 2.--Geologic map and generalized section of the Cave Springs

study area, Tennessee.
4
 EXPLANATION
GEOLOGIC UNITS

Vandever Formation

Newton Sandstone

Whitwell Shale

Sewanee Conglomerate PENNSYLVANIAN

Signal Point Shale

Warren Point Sandstone

Raccoon Mountain Formation

Pennington Formation

Newman Limestone MISSISSIPPIAN

Fort Payne Formation

DEVONIAN
Chattanooga Shale

Rockwood Formation

Sequatchie Formation

Chickamauga Limestone

Chepultepec and Longview

Dolomites and Newala
Formation
Copper Ridge Dolomite

[Cc] Conasauga Group

-? CONTACT--Dashed where approximate, Queried where

extent of contact indeterminate
THRUST FAULT--Approximately located. Sawteeth on
upthrown block
A-A' LINE OF SECTION
K O KLIPPE Note: Stratigraphic nomenclature
o f Tennessee Division of Geology
45 STRIKE AND DIP OF BEDS nomenclature differs from
U.S. Geological Survey usage.
5
Ordovician Knox Group undifferentiated (dolomite and minor limestone), and the Cambrian Copper Ridge
Dolomite (dolomite and chert).
A thick regolith consisting of a red, clay-rich residuum or terra rosa was formed by prolonged, in situ
chemical weathering (Carroll and Starkey, 1959; Hack, 1965; Mills and others, 1987). The regolith is
composed of insoluble residual constituents (clay minerals and chert) weathered from the carbonate rock,
and predominates along and east of Cave Springs Ridge. However, regolith-free rock with solution enlarged
joints crops out along the west side of Cave Springs Ridge. Within the study area, data from test holes
indicate that the regolith covering the Copper Ridge Dolomite ranges in thickness from 124 to 128 ft and
that the thickness of regolith covering the upper Knox Group ranges from 16 to 127 ft. A contact between
regolith and rock at an abandoned quarry in the Newman Limestone along Cave Springs Ridge shows a
variable regolith thickness from about 1 to 20 ft (fig. 3). In the Cave Springs area, thick clay-rich regolith
acts as a leaky confining layer and is important as a ground-water storage reservoir (DeBuchananne and
Richardson, 1956).
Coarse alluvium eroded from the siliciclastic rocks of the Cumberland Plateau covers the Newman
Limestone west of Cave Springs Ridge, particularly in the vicinity of North Chickamauga Creek. The
alluvium commonly consists of gravel, cobbles, and boulders.
Thrust faults formed during the Alleghenian mountain building trend northeast to southwest through
the study area and the Valley and Ridge physiographic province (Rodgers, 1970; Hatcher and others, 1989).
Three thrust faults occur in the Cave Springs area (fig. 2). Cave Springs issues from the Newman Limestone
between two of these thrust faults. Fracturing likely is more concentrated in carbonate rock wedges between
these two or other closely spaced thrust faults.

Previous Investigations

Rodgers (1953) compiled and described the geology of East Tennessee. DeBuchananne and
Richardson (1956) described the ground-water resources of East Tennessee. Sun and others (1963) analyzed
84 springs in East Tennessee in terms of magnitude and variability of discharge. Swingle and others (1964)

Figure 3.--Regolith and rock contact in the Newman Limestone along

U.S. Highway 27, near Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee (1 inch equals approximately
30 feet).

6
mapped in detail the geology of the Daisy 7-1/2 minute quadrangle and summarized the mineral resources
of the area. Data from 171 large springs predominantly within the Valley and Ridge physiographic province
were analyzed by Hollyday and Smith (1990). The hydrology of the Cave Springs area was initially
described by Bradfield (1992).

Acknowledgments

The author thanks property owners in the study area for granting permission to drill test wells.
Extensive discussions with Neven Kresic (U.S. Geological Survey, Visiting Scholar, University of
Belgrade, Yugoslavia), James Quinlan (Quinlan & Associates, Inc.), and Albert T. Rutledge (U.S.
Geological Survey) aided the author in completing this study.

KARST HYDROGEOLOGY
The Cave Springs area is characterized by karst terrane. Carbonate units including the Newman
Limestone, Chepultepec and Longview Dolomites, and Newala Formation, and the Copper Ridge Dolomite
have small- and large-scale solution openings and sinkholes (nomenclature follows Tennessee Division of
Geology usage). Ground-water movement occurs as conduit flow in the carbonate bedrock and as diffuse
flow through the overlying regolith. Recharge to the ground-water system is primarily dispersed over the
basin from precipitation and secondarily concentrated at sinkholes and losing streams.

Recharge

Recharge to the ground-water system in karst terrane varies over a continuum between dispersed and
concentrated (Smart and Hobbs, 1986). Recharge within the Cave Springs Basin is primarily dispersed by
entering the ground-water system through thick regolith. The significance of recharge associated with
sinkholes in the basin is not known. Recharge from losing stream reaches along North Chickamauga Creek
and other streams could contribute to the ground-water system. Sinking or disappearing streams, which are
characteristic of a mature karst system, have not been observed in the study area.

Subsurface Flow

Subsurface flow in karst terrane occurs over a continuum between conduit and diffuse end members.
Conduit flow refers to ground-water flow through solution openings with diameters ranging from inches to
tens of feet. Flow is usually turbulent and velocities are commonly on the order of feet per second. Diffuse
flow refers to ground-water flow in small fractures and pores with small, interconnected openings. Diffuse
flow can be described by Darcy's Law and has relatively low velocities (Schuster and White, 1971).
Fracture and cavernous porosity occurs in the Cave Springs area. Fractures enlarged by solution have
been observed in the field along Cave Springs Ridge above Cave Springs where regolith-free Newman
Limestone crops out. Geophysical logs from wells throughout the basin commonly indicate cavernous
porosity in most of the carbonate formations. Wells 1 and 2 at the Hixson Utility District pumping facility,
located about 150 ft northeast of Cave Springs, intercepted an extensive cavernous interval 65 to 70 ft below
land surface (fig. 4; table 1). The full extent of this possible conduit is not known. There is also a vadose
cave (a cave occurring above the water table) southeast of the pumping facility that trends approximately
260 ft along strike.
The subsurface flow type cannot be determined by only the type of opening at a spring orifice.
Because a spring appears to flow from a conduit does not mean that the aquifer is dominated by conduit flow
(Quinlan and others, 1991). The subsurface-flow type can be estimated from (1) the coefficient of variation

7
 30"
3
5
' 1 5'

07' 30''
0 3 MILES
0 1 2 3 KILOMETERS

EXPLANATION
B-B' HYDROGEOLOGIC SECTION OBSERVATION WELL AND
NUMBER
PUBLIC-WATER SUPPLY SPRING OBSERVATION WELL EQUIPPED
WITH RECORDER
DOMESTIC-WATER SUPPLY SPRING PRECIPITATION STATION
DOMESTIC-WATER SUPPLY WELL SURFACE-WATER
V SAMPLING SITE
Figure 4.--Location of springs, wells, and precipitation stations in the
Cave Springs study area, Tennessee.
8
Table 1. Data for selected wells in the Cave Springs study area
[gal/min, gallons per minute; gal/min/ft, gallons per minute per foot; >, greater than; ---,no data]

Esti-
Well Depth Bottom of Specific
mated capacity Pumping
num­ Station of casing
yield
Water-bearing zones
ber number well (feet below land during (depth. in feet) (gal/min/ft of rate
(fig. 4) (feet) surface) drawdown) (gal/min)
(gal/min)

1 351 I48085135301 71 61 3,000 65-70 .

..

2 351148085135302 73 73 3,000 65-70 .

.. .
..

3 351148085135303 398 82 >300 160, 190,260

4 350937085131401 242 42 15 199
5 351041085123701 322 150 300 180,270 31.5 300

6 351239085125001 103 95 400 59-71, 75-93,98-103 .

..

7 35 1248085131601 162 90 100 131-142, 151-157

8 351249085110101 223 182 400 201-220 245 235
9 35 122808s10100 1 142 97 200 95-131 0.2 250
10 351356085102501 302 132 1 150-200 .
..

11 351335085091701 250 250 40 200-250

12 351158085111701 202 202 200 170-200
13 351328085115501 101 101 50 70-90
14 351326085103701 171 171 50 165-171
15 351320085074001 280 280 50 78

16 35 1250085110201 312 182 200 185-235, 275, 289

17 35 1252085110001 222 167 500 130-140, 170, 195-198
18 351147085133101 480 235 25 320,417
19 35 1 150085140501 202 126 600 95-100, 127-129

20 351320085132001 202 167.5 200 170-174, 178-186

21 351338085122801 202 62.5 600 80-86, 100-113, 125-128, 185-188
22 351407085114701 202 120 600 121-126, 135-138. 150-155

of continuous specific conductance expressed as a percentage and (2) the ratio of flood-flow to base-flow
discharge from a spring. A direct relation exists between water hardness and specific conductance when
calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate ions predominate (White, 1988, p. 136). Springs with conduit flow in
the Appalachians of central Pennsylvania have water with highly variable hardness values (coefficient of
variation, 10 to 24 percent; Schuster and White, 1971). Diffuse flow springs have water with stable hardness
values (coefficient of variation, less than 5 percent).
Specific conductance was monitored from October 25, 1990, through September 30, 1991, at wells 2
and 3 at the Hixson Utility District pumping facility. A pump placed 66 ft below land surface in well 2
supplied water to a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) flow-through monitor which measured specific
conductance at 15-minute intervals. Specific-conductance data at well 3, approximately 35 ft north of well
2, was measured by another flow-through monitor which received a continuous flow of water pumped from
a cavernous interval at a depth of 170 ft below land surface, A statistical analysis of the mean daily specific
conductance was conducted to estimate subsurface-flow type. The coefficients of variation of specific
conductance in water from wells 2 and 3 were 18 percent and 15 percent, respectively, which are typical
values for an aquifer with conduit flow.

9
 White (1988) and Quinlan and others (1991) reported that subsurface flow-type can be determined
from the ratio of flood-flow to base-flow discharge. The peak annual discharge at Cave Springs for the 1991
water year (October 1990 to October 1991) was 44 ft³/s; the lowest discharge was 7.4 ft³/s. A 6:1 ratio of
flood-flow discharge to base-flow discharge at Cave Springs indicates an intermediate- to slow-response
spring system dominated by diffuse flow.
Inconsistent results in determining the flow type of the Cave Springs Basin is caused by to the
complexity of the hydrology of the ground-water basin. Areas west of Cave Springs Ridge are covered by
a veneer of alluvium, whereas areas along and east of Cave Springs Ridge within the Cave Springs Basin
are covered predominantly by thick, clay-rich regolith (fig. 3). Continuous water-level data collected at
wells 1, 6, and 7 exhibit a relatively quick and parallel response to recharge events (fig. 5 ) , indicating
unconfined conditions. Well 1 is located on Cave Springs Ridge and is completed in the Newman
Limestone. Wells 6 and 7 are located in the stream valley of North Chickamauga Creek, in a wedge of
Newman Limestone bounded by thrust faults. This may be the most intensely fractured segment in the study
area and, therefore, a zone with high transmissivities. In contrast, continuous water-level data collected at
well 17, east of Cave Springs Ridge (fig. 6), indicate a slow, steady response to recharge that is typical of
leaky confined conditions.
Conduit flow predominates along and west of Cave Springs Ridge as determined by the coefficient of
variation of specific conductance. Significant amounts of recharge to the ground-water system occur west
of Cave Springs Ridge and along losing reaches of North Chickamauga Creek. Diffuse recharge and flow
under semiconfined conditions predominate in the area east of Cave Springs Ridge as determined from
flood-flow/base-flow discharge ratios and water-level fluctuations.

Basin Boundaries and Aquifer Thickness

The approximate boundary of the Cave Springs Basin was determined from potentiometric-surface
maps prepared for low- and high-stage water levels (figs. 7 and 8). The southeastern boundary is formed by
a ground-water divide, and the northeastern boundary is a ground-water divide that approximately
corresponds to a surface-water divide. Ford and Williams (1989) caution that in karst areas, ground-water
divides often deviate substantially from surface watersheds. Thus, placement of the northeast boundary is
tentative. Basin boundaries to the northwest and west appear to be associated with stream divides. The
southeastern basin boundary shifts with seasons due to aerial variation in recharge. Based on these
approximations and the high-stage potentiometric surface, the area supplying recharge to Cave Springs is
about 7 mi².
Aquifer thickness in the Cave Springs study area can be estimated from geophysical-log information
from test wells 3 and 18, the deepest wells in the study area. Test well 3 penetrates the saturated zone about
350 ft and test well 18 penetrates the saturated zone about 300 ft (fig. 9). Geophysical logs from both wells
(fig. 10) indicate karst features at and near the bottom of the wells. Such features can indicate active ground-
water flow (Ford and Williams, 1989). Aquifer thickness inferred from the geophysical-log information is
at least 350 ft. More wells are needed to define the aquifer thickness more precisely.

Dye-Trace Results

A quantitative dye-trace was started on August 20, 1991, to determine the potential connection,
ground-water travel time, and flow paths to Cave Springs. Nine pounds of 20-percent Rhodamine WT were
injected into well 6, and 5 pounds of 75-percent Fluorescein were injected into well 7. Monitoring to detect
dye was conducted at Cave Springs and Rogers Springs. Samples were retrieved and analyzed with a filter
fluorometer on a weekly basis. Selected samples were analyzed with a scanning spectrofluorophotometer as
a check for low dye concentrations. As of January 31, 1992, no dye had been detected and the test was
 690
W

a
680
W I
> Well 6 I
Missing
a
670 , record .
I
W
.. ....
, ....
... .. .
.
. .
660 . ....., ..... .. Well 1

Well 7
a 650

640

3.0 I I I I I I I I

2.7 -

2.4 -

2.1

1990 1991

Figure 5.--Continuous water levels in (A) wells 1, 6, and and

rainfall data in the Cave Springs study area, Tennessee.

11
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0
 30'
35015'

07'30'
0 3 MILES

0 1 2 3 KILOMETERS

EXPLANATION

-650- - POTENTIOMETRIC-SURFACE CONTOUR - ­

Shows altitude a t which water level
stands in tightly cased wells. Dashed
where inferred. Contour interval
10 feet. Datum is sea level
APPROXIMATE BOUNDARY OF CAVE
SPRING RECHARGE AREA
654, WELL AND MEASURED WATER-
LEVEL ALTITUDE
Figure 7.--Low-stage potentiometric surface map of the Cave Springs
study area, Tennessee, for November 19-20, 1990.
13
 5' 30'
5'

07'30'
0 3 MILES
1 2 3 KILOMETERS

EXPLANATION level stands in

-650-- POTENTIOMETRIC-SURFACE CONTOUR -Shows
altitude a t which water level stands in tightly
cased wells. Dashed where inferred. Contour
interval 10 feet. Datum is sea level
APPROXIMATE BOUNDARY OF CAVE
SPRING RECHARGE AREA
WELL AND MEASURED WATER-
LEVEL ALTITUDE
Figure 8.- -High-stage potentiometric surface map of the Cave Springs
study area, Tennessee, for April 24-25, 1991.
14
 700 V V \ V
\
600 Mn Ocn
I
500 -
400
\
\ I
300 - \
200 -
\
\
\
100 -

SEA LEVEL

0 2,000 FEET

VERTICAL EXAGGERATION X 5
Note: See figure 4 for location of section

EXPLANATION

Mn NEWMAN LIMESTONE THRUST FAULT, ARROWS INDICATE

RELATIVE MOVEMENT
Ocn KNOX GROUP
ARROWS INDICATE GENERAL DIRECTION
Ccr COPPER RIDGE DOLOMITE OF GROUND-WATER MOVEMENT
_--- GEOLOGIC CONTACT, APPROXIMATE WATER TABLE--Represents average
conditions

Figure 9.- -Generalized hydrogeologic section, Cave Springs area, Tennessee.

 Well 3 Well 18
(Surface altitude 708 feet) (Surface altitude 854 feet)
MICROSECONDS MICROSECONDS
INCHES PER FOOT INCHES PER FOOT
4 5 6 7 8 9 600 300 0 0 2 4 6 8 400 200 0
0

50

100

W
150

200
K

250

300
W

350
W

400

450

500
CALIPER ACOUSTIC CALIPER ACOUSTIC
VELOCITY VELOCITY

Figure 10.--Caliper and acoustic velocity logs of wells 3 and 18 in the Cave Springs
study area, Tennessee.
terminated. The dyes may have dispersed before reaching the spring, may have discharged at unknown
point(s), or may have been traveling slowly through the system when the test was terminated.

Low-Flow Discharge Measurements in Streams

Low-flow stream discharge was measured in the study area to identify intervals of gains or losses in
discharge and to determine seasonal variation in discharge (Riggs, 1972). Gains in streamflow indicate
discharge from the ground-water system, whereas losses in streamflow indicate recharge to the system.
Discharge measurements from a low-flow investigation were conducted on March 3, I988 (fig. 1 I ) (Lowery
and others, 1989). Analysis of the data indicates that gaining reaches occur along North Chickamauga Creek
and Lick Branch, and a losing reach occurs along North Chickamauga Creek. A comparison of low-flow
measurements collected on April 23, 1991, and July 18, 1991 (Mercer and others, 1992) (figs. 12 and 13),
reveals predominantly negligible discharge during July. The downstream segments of North Chickamauga
Creek were gaining flow in both April and July. The losing reach of North Chickamauga Creek revealed in
the March 1988 and April 1991 investigations could be an important source of recharge to the ground-water
system.

Cave Springs Discharge and Ground-Water Withdrawals

Cave Springs discharges into a pool from a manmade structure underlying a railway at the base of
Cave Springs Ridge. Flow from the pool reaches North Chickamauga Creek through a short tributary. The
mean of 28 spring-discharge measurements from 1928 to I954 is 17.5 ft³/s (Sun and others, 1963; Hollyday
and Smith, 1990). Cave Springs is a second-order magnitude spring (average discharge is 10 to 100 ft³/s).
Mean daily discharge from Cave Springs for the period June 1 , 1990, to September 30, 1991, (fig. 14) was
14.2 ft³/s with a standard deviation of 9.9 ft³/s. Maximum discharge for the same period was 42.0 ft³/s. Mean
daily spring discharge during the relatively dry I988 water year was 10.3 ft³/s, and maximum discharge was
31 ft³/s. During the relatively wet 1989 water year, mean daily spring discharge was 19.5 ft³/s and maximum
discharge was 34 ft³/s (Bradfield, 1992).
Daily withdrawals from the Cave Springs ground-water system by the Hixson Utility District from
June 1, 1990, to September 30, 1991, ranged from about 4.5 ft³/s to about I 2 ft³/s (fig. 14), and averaged
7.9 ft³/s. The hydrographs of figure 14 indicate no visible effect of the utility district's withdrawals on
discharge from Cave Springs.

Water Balance

The water balance describes the recharge, discharge, and change in storage in a hydrologic system.
When considering long-term average conditions in an unstressed system, the change in storage is zero; thus,
the water balance equation can take the form:

P = Q + E (1)

where,

P is average annual precipitation, in inches;

Q is average annual runoff, in inches; and
E is average annual evapotranspiration, in inches (Freeze and Cherry, 1979).

17
 85'07' 30'
'
5
3 15'

07' 30'
0 1 2 3 MILES
I I
I I
0 1 2 3 KILOMETERS
EXPLANATION
STREAMFLOW MEASUREMENT SITE--Number
indicates discharge, in cubic feet per
second

Figure 11.- -Streamflow discharge measurements from a seepage

investigation conducted on March 3, 1988, in the Cave Springs
study area, Tennessee (Lowery and others, 1989).

18
 85'1 85'07'
1 5'

0 1 2 3 MILES

I I I I
0 1 2 KILOMETERS

EXPLANATION
STREAMFLOW MEASUREMENT SITE--Number
indicates discharge, in cubic feet per
second

Figure 12.--Streamflow discharge measurements from a seepage

investigation conducted on April 23, 1991, in the Cave Springs
study area, Tennessee (Mercer and others, 1992).

19
 30"
15'

07'
0 3 MILES

0 1 2 3 KILOMETERS

EXPLANATION
STREAMFLOW MEASUREMENT SITE--Number
indicates discharge, in cubic feet per
second

Figure 13.--Streamflow discharge measurements from a seepage

investigation conducted on July 18, 1991, in the Cave Springs
study area, Tennessee (Mercer and others, 1992).

20
 DISCHARGEAND WITHDRAWAL, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND
0 0 0 0
I I
 To determine the water balance: of the Cave Springs Basin, average annual long-term data for
precipitation and runoff are provided from nearby locations. Average annual precipitation at Chattanooga,
Tennessee, during 1951-80 was 52.6 inches (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1990). For
the same time period, average annual runoff at Sewee Creek, a basin with similar geology and karst features
about 45 miles northeast of the Cave Springs Basin, was 22.9 inches. Substituting these values in equation 1,
the annual evapotranspiration rate for the Cave Springs Basin is estimated to be 29.7 inches.
If the average amount of water available for recharge to the Cave Springs Basin is assumed to be
22.9 in./yr based on Sewee Creek data, and the recharge area of the Cave Springs Basin is approximately
7 mi², then by conversion, 11.8 ft³/s of water is available for recharge. For 1988-91, the mean discharge of
Cave Springs was 16.4 ft³/s. If this time period is representative of long-term conditions, based on
hydrograph separation of streamflow records in the region (A.T. Rutledge, U.S. Geological Survey, written
commun., 1992), then this method leaves a difference between mean discharge and available recharge of
4.6 ft³/s unaccounted for. Potentially important sources of excess recharge to the Cave Springs Basin during
1988-91 are recharge from losing reaches in North Chickamauga Creek (figs. 11 and 12) and other ground-
water flow that could cross the northern surface-water divide. This analysis did not include (1) water use
(primarily by Hixson Utility District. 7.9 ft³/s) and (2) small interbasin flow systems. These factors
contribute to the apparent discrepancy between estimated recharge and discharge.

HYDROCHEMISTRY
Water chemistry is an important factor in evaluating and describing the hydrology of the study area.
Water samples from selected ground- and surface-water sites were analyzed for major ions. Specific
conductance and temperature at wells 2 and 3 were recorded continuously from June 1990 to
September 199 I .

Major Ions

The major ion chemistry of ground- and surface-water samples collected during 1990-91 are
presented on trilinear diagrams (fig. 15). These ions include: calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium,
chloride, sulfate, carbonate, and bicarbonate. Only samples with a charge balance less than or equal to
5 percent are plotted on the diagram. Cation and anion concentrations are plotted on the diagrams as
percentages of total milliequivalents per liter (Hill, 1940; Piper, 1944). The grouping of data into regions on
the diagram are used to identify the water composition types (Back, 1961; Freeze and Cherry, 1979).
Tables 2 and 3 include the results of all analyses.
Ground-water samples collected from selected wells in the study area were predominately calcium
bicarbonate and calcium-magnesium bicarbonate type waters reflecting the limestone and dolomite rock
composition. Surface-water samples collected at Poe Branch and Lick Branch were calcium bicarbonate
type waters indicating base-flow and possible spring-flow contributions from a carbonate aquifer. Water
from North Chickamauga Creek is a calcium magnesium sulfate type suggesting a possible mixed
contribution of flow from a carbonate aquifer, the Pennsylvanian formations, and acid-mine drainage. North
Chickamauga Creek originates on the Cumberland Plateau flowing across Pennsylvanian siliciclastics,
shales, and coal seams until reaching the base of the Cumberland Escarpment (fig. 1). Pyrite within
Pennsylvanian shales and coal is a probable source of sulfate. Acid mine drainage in the upper reaches of
North Chickamauga Creek also could be a source of sulfate (Farmer, 1980).

Calcium to Magnesium Ratios

The ratio of calcium to magnesium, as molar equivalents per liter, indicates the mineralogy of the
rocks that have influenced the ground-water chemistry. For water in contact with dolomite, the molar

22
 CALCIUM CHLORIDE, FLUORIDE, NITRITE + NITRATE
PERCENT

Percentages are computed

from total milliequivalents
per liter

Branch
Lick Branch

CALCIUM CHLORIDE, FLUORIDE, NITRITE + NITRATE

PERCENT

Figure 15.--Trilinear diagrams for analyses of selected (A) ground-water samples

and (B) surface-water samples from the Cave Springs study area, Tennessee.

23
calcium to magnesium ratio is one. For water in contact with limestone, observed calcium-magnesium ratios
vary from 2 to 10, and 6 is a common ratio (White, 1988). In the study area, calcium to magnesium ratios
range from 2: 1 to 13:1(fig. 16) indicating a mixed limestone and dolomite to limestone mineralogy.

Water-Quality Trends

Changes in recharge and discharge are often accompanied by changes in water quality. Water-quality
characteristics that vary include ions in solution, specific conductance, pH, temperature, and suspended
sediment. This discussion focuses on temperature and specific-conductance variations.
Ground-water temperature and specific conductance for water from wells 2 and 3 at Cave Springs
were continuously monitored during June 1990 through September 1991 (figs. 17 and 18). Data were
recorded at 15-minute intervals by flow-through monitors which received a continuous flow of water
pumped from 66 ft below land surface in well 2 and 170 ft below land surface in well 3. Total discharge
(spring discharge and withdrawals) from Cave Springs and precipitation data collected at the Hixson Utility
District pumping facility are shown for comparison (figs. 17 and 18).
Specific conductance in water from wells 2 and 3 (figs. 17 and 18) shows similar trends between
November 1990 and September 1991. However, specific conductance in well 3 was slightly higher than in
well 2 during December 1990 through May 1991. Ground-water temperature had an inverse relation for
wells 2 and 3 during June through July 1990, and during February through March 1991. In both instances,
ground water from the deeper well was warmer than that from the shallower well (well 2). The ground-water
temperature increased in well 3 while it decreased in the shallower well.
The specific conductance and temperature of ground water at Cave Springs is compared to total
discharge and precipitation to identify seasonal patterns. High discharge from Cave Springs during the
winter and spring is associated with increased precipitation, lower temperature, and lower specific
conductance. Decreases in temperature and specific conductance follow the increase in discharge by
approximately 2 months. Specific conductance and temperature increase during summer and fall as
precipitation and discharge from the spring decrease. Seasonal decrease in discharge occurs almost
coincident with an increase in specific conductance. The ground-water temperature increase leads the
decrease in discharge by almost 4 months.

SUMMARY
In 1990, the Cave Springs Basin was selected as a type area for the Regional Aquifer-Systems
Analysis program of the U.S. Geological Survey. This area characterizes a typical karstic carbonate ground-
water system in the Valley and Ridge physiographic province.
Karstic Paleozoic carbonate rocks, clay-rich regolith, and alluvium form the ground-water system of
the Cave Springs Basin. Residual clay-rich regolith, which acts as a leaky confining layer, occurs along and
east of Cave Springs Ridge and is important as a storage reservoir. Alluvium eroded from the siliciclastic
rocks of the Cumberland Plateau occurs in the valley of North Chickamauga Creek west of Cave Springs
Ridge. Alleghenian event thrust faults trend northeast to southwest. Fractures associated with thrust faults
may enhance transmissivity.
Recharge from precipitation is dispersed over the basin and enters the karst aquifer through thick
regolith. It is not known if recharge associated with sinkholes is significant. Low-flow stream discharge
measurements indicate that North Chickamauga Creek may contribute significant amounts of concentrated
ground-water recharge to the Cave Springs Basin along losing reaches of the creek.
The aquifer in the Cave Springs Basin consists of a mixed dolomite-limestone with fracture and
cavernous porosity. Flow type determined by the coefficient of variation of the mean daily specific
conductance from October 25,1990, through September 30,1991, for wells 2 and 3 indicates an aquifer with
conduit flow. However, flow type based on the ratio (6:1) of spring flood-flow discharge to spring base-flow

24
 5' 30'
1 5'

30"
0 3 MILES

0 1 2 3 KILOMETERS

EXPLANATION

PUBLIC-WATER SUPPLY SPRING OBSERVATION WELL

DOMESTIC-WATER SUPPLY SPRING 5: 1 CALCIUM:MAGNESIUM

RATIO

Figure 16.--Calcium:magnesium ratio of water from selected sites

in the Cave Springs study area, Tennessee.
25
WATER TEMPERATURE, IN DEGREES CELSIUS

/%--

SPECIFIC CONDUCTANCE, IN MICROSIEMENS DISCHARGE AND WITHDRAWAL, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND
PER CENTIMETER AT 25 DEGREES CELSIUS
 3.0 I I I I I I I I 55

50
2.7 I

45
2.4

40
2.1
W 35
I
1.8
z 30
z 1.5
25

zQ 1.2
20

0.9
15

0.6

0.3 5

0.0 0

18.0 I I I I I I I I I I I I 300

17.4 282

16.8 264
W

16.2
W Missing 4
E
record \
15.6

z Temperature
15.0
w"
E

14.4
W Specific
conductance I
13.8
I
t
W
13.2

12.6

12.0

ure 18.--(A) Discharge plus withdrawals and rainfall at Cave Springs, and
temperature and specific conductance of water in well 3 near
Cave Springs, Tennessee.
27
discharge indicates an aquifer with diffuse flow. The type of subsurface flow in the study area ranges from
rapidly moving conduit flow to slower diffuse flow.
Inconsistent results in characterizing the flow type may be caused by a mix of conduit and diffuse flow
and the hydrologic complexity of the study area. Areas along and east of Cave Springs Ridge are covered
by thick clay-rich regolith. The low relief areas along North Chickamauga Creek west of Cave Springs
Ridge are covered by coarse alluvium. Continuous water-level data collected at well 17, east of Cave
Springs Ridge, indicate a slow response to recharge. Ground-water levels in wells 1, 6, and 7 west of Cave
Springs Ridge, responded relatively quickly to recharge events. Wells 1,6, and 7 are located in a wedge of
Newman Limestone between two closely spaced thrust faults in what may be an intensely fractured and
highly transmissive zone. Well 7 is also in an area overlain by coarse alluvial deposits in North
Chickamauga Creek.
Conduit flow characteristics indicate that recharge to Cave Springs may occur along and west of Cave
Springs Ridge. This recharge is associated with the proposed highly transmissive wedge of Newman
Limestone and losing reaches of North Chickamauga Creek. Flow characteristics indicate that diffuse flow
dominates over the recharge area east of Cave Springs Ridge.
Boundaries of the Cave Springs Basin were approximated from potentiometric-surface maps. The
northeastern boundary is a ground-water divide which appears to coincide with the surface-water divide,
and the southeastern boundary is formed by a ground-water divide. To the west and northwest, basin
boundaries appear to be associated with stream divides. The area supplying recharge to the Cave Springs
Basin is approximately 7 mi².
Ground-water flow paths in the Cave Springs Basin are generally along strike from northeast to
southwest. A dye-trace test was conducted to determine ground-water travel-time and flow paths to Cave
Springs. No dye was detected after monitoring for 5 months and the results were inconclusive. The dyes
may have discharged at unknown points, may have dispersed before reaching the spring, or may not have
reached the monitored springs before the test was terminated.
Cave Springs is defined as a second-order magnitude spring. During June 1, 1990, to September 30,
1991, the mean daily discharge from Cave Springs was 14.2 ft³/s with a standard deviation of 9.9 ft³/s; the
maximum discharge was 42.0 ft³/s. Ground-water withdrawals during this time period by the Hixson Utility
District averaged 7.9 ft³/s.
Ground-water from selected wells in the area is characterized by calcium bicarbonate and calcium
magnesium bicarbonate type water. Calcium to magnesium molar ratios reflect the mixed limestone and
dolomite aquifers of the Cave Springs Basin. Lick Branch and Poe Branch are characterized by a calcium
bicarbonate type water. North Chickamauga Creek is characterized by a calcium magnesium sulfate type
water. The sulfate is probably derived from pyrite contained within Pennsylvanian formations in the upper
reaches of North Chickamauga Creek.
Ground-water temperature and specific conductance from wells 2 and 3 correlate with seasonal
changes in precipitation and total discharge from Cave Springs. Lower specific conductance and lower
temperatures are associated with higher discharge and precipitation during winter and spring. During
summer and fall, precipitation and spring discharge decrease and ground-water temperature and specific
conductance increase.

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30
Table 2. Water-quality data for selected ground-water sites in the Cave Springs study area

[°C, degrees Celsius; mg/L, milligrams per liter; µg/L, micrograms per liter; µS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter; c, less than; *, well outside boundary of figure 4;---,n o data]

Alkalinity,
water whole
total
Temper- Specific incremental Hardness, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium,
Well ature, conduct- pH titration total dissolved dissolved dissolved dissolved
number Station water ance (standard
(figure 4) number Date units)

4 16.0 42 7.4 272 220 64 2.2

of-17.91 292 220 67

5 351041085123701 227 7.7 14 2.1

06-17-91 17.6 7.5 36 15

11-04-91 .
.. 276 I 40 33 .90

06-11-90 15.0 7.5 67 84 27 3.9 1.8 .a

06-19-91 18.5 158 7.3 80 80 26 3.6 I .6 .60

I ... 238 7.7 I 39 6.0 1.9 I .n

06-13-90 14.0 177 8.0 6.2 2. I .4n

16.8 220 35 6.4 .50

I ... 214 I 34 .so

6.6 88 78 8.0 .70

06- I 18.6 209 7.9 32 7.1 60

11-07-91 8.0 94 98 28 6.7 .YO .xn

6 351239085125001 12-90 14.5 225 7.8 I28 140 50 .40

7 35 13I60 I I 2-90 14.5 8.6 75 60 5.5 .40

Table 2. Water-quality data for selected ground-water sites in the Cave Springs study area-continued

Alkalinity,
water whole
total
Temper- Specific incremental Hardness, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium. Potassium,
Well conduct- titration total dissolved dissolved dissolved
number water (standard as as as as as
(figure 4) number Date units)

06-18-91 19.2 212 7.9 116 24

11-05-91 ... 209 7.7 124 24 13

24 06-18-90 15.0 7.7 I 89 .50

17.5 7.6 96 22
... i 88 98

351326085101701 06-14-90 15.0 8.2 90

06- I 7.8 92 90

11-05-91 7.9 90 .50 .60

06-14-90 15.5 297 7.7 43 3.2

06-21-91 353 7.3 I I 66 5.6 4.0

11-07-91 .
.. 356 7.6 169 64 5.4 3.2

35 1432085063701 06-19-90 289 8.0 150 36 15 .60 I

I 292 7.8 I82 37 1.1

287 7.9 I 36 .60 I .2

06-19-90 15.0 256 7.6 36 90

06-20-91 211 30 79

11-06-91 234 7.8 I34 32 1.5

* I 06-19-90 14.5 7.9 95 50

i 8.5 7.8 22 I!

11-06-91 ... 7.9 21 1.2

 Table 2. Water-quality data for selected ground-water site in the Cave Springs study area-continued

Solids,
Silica, Barium. sum of Alkalinity,
Well Chloride. Sulfate, Fluoride, dissolved dissolved Iron. Manganese, constituents, laboratory
number Station dissolved dissolved dissolved as dissolved dissolved dissolved dissolved as
(figure 4) number Date as as as Mn) as

4 7.3 7.2 10 7 224

I 6.8 7.5 ... 8 3 ... 213

5 351041085123701 4.2 27 IO 7.6 IO I

I 4.6 7.5 ... 25 2 ... 156

11-04-91 2.5 ... ...

2 351148085135302 06-11-90 1.1 8.1 28 6 88 72

06-19-91 9.5 ... 3 86 63

11-08-9I 6.6 ... ... I32

351 11701 06-13-90 3.8 7.4 8 9 I 26

8-91 3.9 3.5 ... 6 2 ... 120 102

11-05-91 3.1 7.5 ...

23 351207085093701 06-13-90 4.8 1.1 6.6 7 13 31 91 83

9 351228085101001 06-18-91 3.6 6 I I15

1 2.3 72 .
.. IO 103 93

6 351219085125001 4.3 8.0 I30

7 351248085 1601 06-12-90 .20 4.2 7.3 3 53 71 63

8 35 1249085110101 I 2.5 I .4 5 1

11-05-91 I .6 I .4 8.7 ... I ox

W
 Table 2. Water-quality data for selected ground-water site in the Cave Springs study area-continued

sum of
Solids, Alkalinity,
Silica, Barium,
Well Chloride, Sulfate, Fluoride, dissolved dissolved Iron, Manganese, constituents, laboratory
number Station dissolved dissolved dissolved as as dissolved dissolved dissolved dissolved as
(figure 4) number Date as as as as as Mn) as

I 43 8 95

... 3 ... 100 95

1.7 ... ... 94

35 I I 7.3 5 IO ... 94

06-19-91 7.5 ... ... ...

I 7.5 ...

13 3513280851 15501 06-14-90 6.2 2.0 8.4 <I 156

7.4 ... 4 ...

4.6 7.5 40 ... 196 162

351432085063701 06-19-90 13 8.1 I5

... 27 ...

11-06-91 1.2 7.9 ... 158 137

351522085071201 06-19-90 2.3 7.8 27 21 I24

I 7.5 ... 42 4 ...

11-06-91 1.8 I 8.8 ... ...

I 7.5 3 14 106

1.2 I ... 8 2 ...

1.8 7.2 ... ...

W
Table 3. Water-quality data for selected surface-water sites in the Cave Springs study area
[°C, degrees Celsius; m / L , milligrams per liter; µg/L, micrograms per liter; µS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter; <, less than; ---,
no data]

Alkalinity,
water whole
Water total increment Calcium, Sodium, Chloride,
temper- Specific titration, Hardness, total dissolved dissolved dissolved dissolved dissolved
Station name Station conductance (standard as as as as as as
(figure number Date units)

North Chickamauga Creek 035665302 06-14-90 17.0 42 5.2 4 2.6 1.2 0.80 0.50 1.1

Poe Branch 035665348 23.5 I30 7.2 52 55 3.1 2.5 1.1 .30

Rogers Spring 03566615 06-18-91 23.0 269 7.0 208 130 37 4.0 8.1
-08-91 312 7.4 44 3.1 4.5

Lick Branch 03566616 06-14-90 271 7.9 126 140 39 9.2 3.6 5.8

Solids,
Sulfate, Fluoride, Silica, Barium, Iron. Manganese, sum of Alkalinity,
dissolved dissolved dissolved dissolved dissolved dissolved dissolved constituents, laboratory
Station name Station dissolved
(figure number Date Mn)

Chickamauga Creek 035665302 06-14-90 4.1 68 340 68 19 24 3.0

Poe Branch 035665348 14-90 8.8 3.3 35 380 650 62 68

Rogers Spring 03566615 06-18-91 7.1 122

11-08-91 3.4 6.8 150

Lick Branch 03566616 3.4 3.8 21 85 44 146 134