V.J. May | USGS Science

USGS1985

Base-flow characteristics of segments of the Piney River, and East and West Piney Rivers, Dickson and Hickman Counties, Tennessee

Base-flow profiles based on discharge measurements made during a seepage investigation on August 28, 1984, define losing and gaining reaches of segments of the Piney River, and East and West Piney Rivers, Dickson and Hickman Counties, central Tennessee. A similar profile defines losing and gaining reaches for the average 3-day minimum discharge, 20-year recurrence interval, and the variability of that discharge along the river channels. The average 3-day minimum discharge, 20-year recurrence interval, ranged from 2.4 cubic feet per second for the site on East Piney River to 45.6 cubic feet per second at the Vernon gage, farthest site downstream in the study area. On the Piney River, the lowest 3-day, 20-year discharge, occurs at river mile 23.5, 0.1 river mile downstream from the confluence of the East and West Piney Rivers. Comparison of discharge measurements to recorded August discharges at the Vernon gage shows that the measurements represent base-flow conditions in the Piney River basin. The measurements and analyses can be used to formulate water management plans for use during droughts. (USGS)

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USGS1981

Hydrology of area 18, Eastern Coal Province, Tennessee

The Eastern Coal Province is divided into 24 hydrologic reporting areas. This report describes the hydrology of area 18 which is located in the Cumberland River basin in central Tennessee near the southern end of the Province. Hydrologic information and sources are presented as text, tables, maps, and other illustrations designed to be useful to mine owners, operators, and consulting engineers in implementing permit applications that comply with the environmental requirements of the ' Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. ' Area 18 encompasses parts of three physiographic regions; from east to west the Cumberland Plateau, Highland Rim, and Central Basin. The Plateau is underlain by sandstones and shales, with thin interbedded coal beds, of Pennsylvanian age. The Highland Rim and Central Basin are underlain by limestone and dolomite of Mississippian age. Field and laboratory analyses of chemical and physical water-quality parameters of streamflow samples show no widespread water quality problems. Some streams, however, in the heavily mined areas have concentrations of sulfate, iron, manganese, and sediment above natural levels, and pH values below natural levels. Mine seepage and direct mine drainage were not sampled. Ground water occurs in and moves through fractures in the sandstones and shales and solution openings in the limestones and dolomites. Depth to water is variable, ranging from about 5 to 70 feet below land-surface in the limestones and dolomites, and 15 to 40 feet in the coal-bearing rocks. The quality of ground water is generally good. Locally, in coal-bearing rocks, acidic water and high concentrations of manganese, chloride, and iron have been detected. (USGS)

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