thumbnail

Mapping Karst Groundwater Flow Paths and Delineating Recharge Areas for Springs in the Little Sequatchie and Pryor Cove Watersheds, Tennessee

Scientific Investigations Report 2024-5089
Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
By:
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20245089

Links

Abstract

The Little Sequatchie River and Pryor Cove Branch, in southern Tennessee, drain the eastern escarpment of the Cumberland Plateau to the Sequatchie River near the southern end of the Sequatchie Valley. The Little Sequatchie River is the largest tributary to the Sequatchie River by drainage area, covering over 120 square miles. The hydrology of the two drainage areas has been largely altered by karst processes, which has caused the majority of the streams to sink at the contact between the Mississippian Pennington Formation and the underlying Mississippian Bangor Limestone. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, initiated a study in 2021 to map the karst groundwater pathways in both watersheds in order to delineate recharge areas for several springs. One of these springs, Sequatchie Cave, represents a significant habitat for two Species of Greatest Conservation Need, the Glyphopsyche sequatchie (Sequatchie caddisfly) and the federally endangered Marstonia ogmorhaphe (royal marstonia). Springs and springflow-dominated streams in the Little Sequatchie River valley and Pryor Cove also provide water for agricultural practices and serve as a drinking water source for nearby communities. During the study, a total of 25 dye injections were conducted over eight rounds from January 2022 through March 2023. Dye traces from these injections helped to delineate recharge areas for six major springs, ranging from 7.3 to 65.2 square miles in area. The majority of the dye traces remained subsurface (from sinkpoint to recovery site) for long distances, with karst groundwater travelling nearly 8 miles before resurfacing. The dye traces also had rapid traveltimes, often travelling hundreds to thousands of feet per hour. The goal of this project was to provide scientific data related to karst groundwater pathways and spring recharge areas to aid State and Federal agencies in making informed decisions to protect and preserve this unique and vulnerable karst system.

Suggested Citation

Miller, B.V., 2024, Mapping karst groundwater flow paths and delineating recharge areas for springs in the Little Sequatchie and Pryor Cove watersheds, Tennessee: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2024–5089, 67 p., 1 pl., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20245089.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

ISSN: 2328-031X (print)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Methodology
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • Summary
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Mapping karst groundwater flow paths and delineating recharge areas for springs in the Little Sequatchie and Pryor Cove watersheds, Tennessee
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2024-5089
ISBN 978-1-4113-4590-4
DOI 10.3133/sir20245089
Year Published 2024
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center
Description Report: viii, 67 p.; 1 Plate: 28.82 x 39.26 inches; 1 Figure: 11.00 x 17.00 inches; 3 Data Releases
Country United states
State Tennessee
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details