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Research about Tennessee

Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including Tennessee.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources
USGS1984

Movement of tractive sediment from disturbed lands

The Smoky Creek basin of the coal area of northeastern Tennessee shows extensive evidence of tractive movement of coarse sediment from mined tributary basins into the main channel. Coal-rich gravel bars and flood-plain debris are common below tributaries. Using a combination of techniques including channel-geometry and bar measurements, sediment sampling for rock-debris and coal size distributions, and botanical dating of flood events and geomorphic features, an average annual yield of 65 metric tons per square kilometer (187 tons per square mile) for tractively moved sediment has been calculated for the period 1977 to 1982. This value, 8 percent of the total sediment load, is probably an underestimate owing to the method of calculation. Slightly more than half of the traction load is coal, which moves through the basin within a few years. Rock debris, however, appears to require years to decades to move similar distances.

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USGS1983

Maps showing mines, quarries, and prospects, with analyses of samples, Gee Creek Wilderness, Polk and Monroe counties, Tennessee

This report is part of a series that assesses the mineral potential of the Gee Creek Wilderness (fig. 1). Other reports in the series describe the geology (Epstein, 1983a), geochemistry (Epstein, 1983b), and a summary interpretive report (Epstein, Gazdik, and Behum, 1983). During the recent U.S. Bureau of Mines field investigation, 21 samples were collected (fig. 2) and were submitted to the Bureau's Reno Metallurgy Research Center, Reno, Nev., for analysis. All samples were tested for 40 elements by semiquantitative spectrographic analyses. Additional testing by atomic absorption, neutron activation, and wet chemical techniques was performed for selected elements on some samples. Two shale samples were submitted to the Bureau of Mines, Tuscaloosa Metallurgy Research Center, Tuscaloosa, Ala., for the evaluation of ceramic properties.

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USGS1983

Water resources data, Tennessee, water year 1982

Water resources data for the 1982 water year for Tennessee consist of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams and springs; stage, contents, and water quality of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water quality of wells. This report contains discharge records for 112 gaging stations; stage only records for one lake gaging station; elevation and contents for 28 lakes and reservoirs; water quality for 70 stations and 77 wells; and water levels for 30 observation wells. Also included are 126 crest-stage partial-record stations and 23 low-flow partial-record stations. Additional water data were collected at various stream and spring sites not involved in the systematic data collection program and are published as miscellaneous measurements and analyses, or as seepage investigations of discharge and water quality. These data represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in Tennessee.

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USGS1983

Use of digital land-cover data from the Landsat satellite in estimating streamflow characteristics in the Cumberland Plateau of Tennessee

Characteristics of Streamflow at ungaged sites in coal-mining areas of the Cumberland Plateau may be estimated with regression equations that relate streamflow characteristics to the physiographic and climatic characteristics of the corresponding drainage basins. An experiment was performed to compare the accuracy of equations using basin characteristics derived from maps and climatological records (control group equations) with the accuracy of equations using basin characteristics derived from digital processing of Landsat spectral data as well as maps and climatological records (experimental group equations). Results of this experiment show that (with the exception of low flows and four of six annual peak logarithms) drainage area can explain more than 90 percent of the variance in all streamflow characteristics in both groups of equations. Seventeen of 39 experimental group equations that have two basin characteristics each are different from the corresponding control group equations. Five of the 17 differing experimental group equations have no counterpart in the control group because of lack of significance in control group basin characteristics, seven are slightly more accurate, and five are not measurably different in accuracy. When the equations in both groups are arranged into six flow categories, there is no substantial difference in accuracy between equations using basin characteristics derived from maps and climatological records (control group) and equations using basin characteristics derived from Landsat tapes as well as maps and climatological records (experimental group) for this particular study area, the Cumberland Plateau of Tennessee.

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USGS1983

Technique for estimating depth of floods in Tennessee

Estimates of flood depths are needed for design of roadways across flood plains and for other types of construction along streams. Equations for estimating flood depths in Tennessee were derived using data for 150 gaging stations. The equations are based on drainage basin size and can be used to estimate depths of the 10-year and 100-year floods for four hydrologic areas. A method also was developed for estimating depth of floods having recurrence intervals between 10 and 100 years. Standard errors range from 22 to 30 percent for the 10-year depth equations and from 23 to 30 percent for the 100-year depth equations.

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USGS1983

Base flow and ground water in upper Sweetwater Valley, Tennessee

The upper Sweetwater Valley area has a flow system with complex interaction between surface and ground water. A water budget study indicated that during dry years approximately three-fourths of the annual flow to Sweetwater Creek may be derived from ground-water sources. Hydrograph analysis showed seasonal variation of recharge to the ground-water flow system. Streamflow records were analyzed to estimate the frequency of low flow of Sweetwater Creek at river mile 16.7, and indicated the lowest average flow for 1 day in 20 years to be about 5.1 cubic feet per second. Two periods of base-flow measurements of Sweetwater Creek identified channel reaches with significant gains and losses of streamflow. Base flow measurements also showed interbasin transfer of water among sub-basins of the valley. Major flow surpluses were associated with areas in which the majority of flow originated at a spring. Topographically low areas adjacent to the main stem of Sweetwater Creek generally have surplus flow. Topographically higher areas generally have deficient surface outflow unless significant spring flow occurs in the basin. Ground-water recharge occurs by water draining into sinkholes, faults, and fractures. Ground-water flow is regionally diffused across formation strikes from the topographically low areas unless the water is exposed to highly permeable formations or impervious formations. Ground water infiltrates the highly permeable formations and flows along strike. Ground water encountering impervious formations may discharge at small springs at the contact, or may reroute along the contact if the upgradient rock is sufficiently permeable or has well developed secondary porosity. Groundwater discharges to streams at innumerable seeps and at a few large springs. Areas of ground-water flow up-gradient of large springs are hypothesized as likely areas of significant ground-water reservoirs.

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USGS1982

Precipitation data for burial grounds 5 and 6, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee, 1976-1980

As part of a hydrogeologic investigation, precipitation data were collected at two stations, one each in Burial Grounds 5 and 6 at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee. Daily, monthly, and annual values are reported herein for the period from January 1976 through December 1980. During this period, annual values ranged from about 25 percent above to about 25 percent below the calculated mean of 51.96 inches at Burial Ground 5 and 49.60 inches at Burial Ground 6.

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USGS1982

Installation and sampling of observation wells and analyses of water from the shallow aquifer at selected waste-disposal sites in the Memphis area, Tennessee

Observation wells were installed and sampled at six abandoned waste-disposal sites in the Memphis area that have been identified as having received unknown quantities and types of industrial wastes. These sites are: (1) Bellevue Dump, (2) Brooks Road Dump, (3) Hollywood Dump, (4) Jackson Pit Dump, (5) Millington Dump-Landfill, and (6) Old Ordnance Dump. Ten wells were installed adjacent to and downgradient from these sites in the shallow water-table aquifer. This aquifer is made up chiefly of the alluvium and fluvial (terrace) deposits of Quaternary age, but locally may include sand in the uppermost part of the Jackson Formation and Claiborne Group of Tertiary age. Water samples were collected from these 10 wells and from two other wells in the shallow water-table aquifer at the Hollywood Dump. Most wells were sampled twice --initially in the early summer when water levels were high and again in the fall when water levels were low. Other wells were sampled only once in either summer or fall. The water was analyzed for common constituents, selected trace constituents, and selected organic compounds.

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USGS1982

Effects of urbanization on the magnitude and frequency of floods on small streams in Tennessee - Basic data report no. 2

Peak stages, discharges, and rainfall recorded at 22 gaging stations on streams draining small (less than 25 mi super 2) urbanized basins across Tennessee are presented. The gaged basins are in 17 different municipalities with populations ranging between 5,000 and 100,000. The report gives a description of each gaged site along with a data sheet on which peak stages, discharges, and corresponding rainfall are listed. The description gives the station location, type of gage, basin characteristics, and general remarks. (USGS)

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USGS1981

Geologic, hydrologic, and chemical data from test wells in the Dickson area, Tennessee

Seventeen test wells were drilled at 12 sites in south central Dickson County, Tenn. Most of the sites were selected on the basis of carefully developed concepts of groundwater occurrence. These wells range from 20 to 400 feet deep and average 276 feet deep. The yields range from 0 to 300 gal/min and average 69 gal/min, with 6 wells yielding more than 100 gal/min. The water-bearing zones in rock that yield more than 50 gal/min are all between 100 and 200 feet below land surface. Sulfur gas was detected in two of the wells and large concentrations of iron were present in other wells. Capacity tests were conducted on those wells which yield more than 100 gal/min. The specific capacities of these wells range from 1.36 to 8.11 and average 3.46 gal/min for each foot of drawdown.

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USGS1981

Chemical character of ground water in the shallow water-table aquifer at selected localities in the Memphis area, Tennessee

The City of Memphis depends solely on ground water for its water supply. About 97 percent of inventoried pumpage in the Memphis area, which totaled about 194 Mgal/d in 1979, is from the Memphis Sand. This aquifer generally has been believed to be separated from the shallow water-table aquifer (alluvium and fluvial deposits) by a relatively thick and wide-spread confining bed consisting chiefly of clay. Studies by the Geological Survey in recent decades, however, have indicated that part of the recharge to the Memphis Sand probably is derived by vertical leakage from the shallow water-table aquifer through the confining bed and that locally "windows" of sand exist in the confining bed through which any contaminants in the shallow water-table aquifer could enter the Memphis Sand (See Criner and others, 1964, p. 30; Bell and Nyman, 1968, p. 7-8; Parks and Lounsbury, 1976, p. 26-27). More recently, additional evidence of vertical leakage being a component of recharge to the Memphis Sand was provided during the calibration of a digital computer model of the aquifers in the Memphis area. For this calibration a leakage factor, averaging about 20 percent over the Memphis area, had to be applied to the model in order to simulate known historic water levels in the Memphis Sand (J. V. Brahana, 1980, oral commun. ). This discovery has heightened concern about the possibility of contaminants being in the shallow water table aquifer, and thus, the potentiality for any contaminants to enter the Memphis Sand. Areas where the shallow water-table aquifer is most susceptible to contamination are those that have been or are being used for waste disposal. Historically, Memphis and Shelby County along with private concerns and industries have used dumps and landfills in two geologically and topographically different areas -- the flood plains of nearby streams and abandoned gravel pits in upland areas. These dumps and landfills have received a large variety of wastes including ashes, construction and demolition materials, garbage, rubbish, street refuse, and chemical and industrial wastes. Most of these dumps and landfills were closed in the early 1970's at the beginning of state regulation of waste disposal practices. Nevertheless, leachates from these waste disposal facilities presumably have been and are entering the shallow water-table aquifer.

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