Project Number:
DNR-224
Funding Year:
2014
Contract Period:
7/1/2014 - 6/30/2017
Funding Source:
DNR
Investigator(s):
PIs:- Kenneth Bradbury, Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey
- Susan Swanson, Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey
Abstract:
Background/Need: This project directly addressed the need for comprehensive and widespread information on spring hydrology in Wisconsin to assess impacts of high-capacity wells on spring flow rates and to characterize the susceptibility of certain spring types to impacts as a result of
groundwater drawdown.
Objectives The broad objectives of the project were (1) to create a springs database for the State of Wisconsin by conducting field surveys of springs with historical flow rates of 0.25 ft3/s or more and (2) to establish reference springs in representative hydrogeological and ecological
settings for long-term monitoring and characterization of the vulnerability of common types of springs to groundwater withdrawals or changes in recharge.
Methods For the purposes of the inventory, a spring is defined as a discrete point of groundwater discharge flowing at approximately 0.25 ft3/s or more at the time of the survey. The field protocol for the spring field surveys reflects the goals of the project and is informed by
existing and well-established practices for the characterization and management of spring resources. It results in a comprehensive set of spring characteristics that describe spring coordinate data, access, environmental conditions on the day of the field survey, site disturbance,
geology, geomorphology, spring type, flow rate, water quality, and vegetative cover. Site photos and sketches complement the spring characteristics. Reference springs were established at six locations that are representative of different hydrogeological and ecological settings in the state. Each reference spring discharges water at 1 ft3 /s or more, is easily accessible, and is on public
land. Reference springs were initially surveyed using the protocol described above. Additionally, they were visited biannually in April and October for water quality sampling and analysis of major ions and stable isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen. Reference spring monitoring will
continue through August 2019.