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Geology topics

C.J. Taylor

Publications and source records attributed to C.J. Taylor.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

Karst

Karst areas present unique hydrologic and hydrogeological characteristics that are often challenging to investigate. These characteristics are largely dependent on the extent of development of solution conduits within the underlying bedrock, and the resulting integration of surface and subsurface drainage components into a karst aquifer system. The investigation and characterization of karst aquifers typically require a multidisciplinary approach and the use of relatively specialized methods such as tracer testing, spring discharge monitoring, and various hydrograph separation or modeling techniques. Conventional methods of hydrologic or hydrogeologic investigation may be applied successfully for specific purposes; however, proper conceptualization of a given karst aquifer system is a requirement for effective analysis, modeling, and interpretation of karst hydrologic and hydrogeologic data.

Book chapter

Delineation of ground-water basins and recharge areas for municipal water-supply springs in a karst aquifer system in the Elizabethtown area, northern Kentucky

Ground-water basins and recharge areas for municipal water-supply springs for the Elizabethtown area, northern Kentucky, were delineated using a hydrogeologic-mapping approach, potentiometric map interpretation, anddye-tracing tests. Five distinct ground-water basins drained by major karst springs are present in the Elizabethtown area. These basins are composed of networks of hydraulically interconnected solution conduits and fractures. The boundaries of the basins for Elizabethtown and Dyers Springs-the primary sources of water for the city of Elizabethtown-weredelineated by the positions of inferred ground-water divides on an existing potentiometric contour map. The results of dye-tracing tests, plotted as straight- line flowpaths, were used to confirm the presence and location of inferred ground-water divides and to adjust the position of the basin boundaries. Recharge areas of 4.8 and 2.7 square miles weredelineated for Elizabethtown and Dyers Springs, respectively. Swallets that drain concentrated stormwater runoff from major highways are presentin the recharge areas for both municipal-supply springs. Each spring is therefore potentially vulnerable to stormwater-runoff contaminants oraccidental spills and releases of toxic or hazardous materials into certain highway drainage culverts.

Water-Resources Investigations Report

Directions of ground-water flow and locations of ground-water divides in the Lost River Watershed near Orleans, Indiana

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperations with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, conducted a study during October 1993-April 1994 to improve an understanding of the hydrology of the Lost River watershed near Orleans, Ind. Elements of the study included: (1) constructing a map of the composite ground-water potentiometric-surface of the study area, (2) injecting and recovering fluorescent dyes at karst features in the study area to help locate ground-water-flow paths and drainage divides, (3) compiling a bibliography of references describing the study area, and (4) constructing a map of karst features. The composite ground- water-potentiometric surface map and the eight dye traces done as part of this study indicate the approximate locations of the subsurface drainage divides near Orleans. Subsurface drainage near Orleans flows primarily southwest to a reemergence at Orangeville Rise, Orangeville, Ind. Dye clouds injected north of the Orangeville Rise drainage basin reemerged in the Hamer Cave outlet stream, Spring Mill State Park, Ind. The drainage divide that separates subsurface flow to Orangeville Rise from flow to Hamer Cave does not coincide with the surface-water drainage divide. Several factors may contribute to the flooding in Orleans, including: (1) an overtaxed storm sewer system, (2) location of the town in a karst valley, (3) a high runoff- rainfall relation for a 1oess- and residuum-covered area that drains into an occluded sinkhole near the center of Orleans, and (4) an overtaxed subsurface drainage system during periods of intense rainfall.

Indiana