Streamflow and Nutrients from a Karst Watershed with a Downstream Embayment: Chapel Branch Creek
Publication: Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 19, Issue 2
Abstract
Understanding sources of streamflow and nutrient concentrations are fundamental for the assessment of pollutant loadings that can lead to water quality impairments. The objective of this study was to evaluate the discharge of three main tributaries, draining different land uses with karst features, as well as their combined influences on total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) levels in reservoir-like embayment (R-E) on a stream entering Lake Marion, South Carolina. From 2007–2009, hydrology, TN, and TP data were collected from the 1,555-ha Chapel Branch Creek (CBC) watershed. In general, monthly streamflow in all tributaries was found to be of rainfall, and as little as 0.1% in the smallest tributary. The third tributary flowed into a cave system and discharged via a cave spring (CS) into the embayment while gaining a sustained groundwater flow from a second cave (GW) system. The CS flow was substantially larger than the flow measured in the other tributaries. The small amount of rainfall that became surface flow and the large flow at the cave spring indicated a significant water loss from the surface watershed to subsurface flow or a groundwater source area substantially larger than the surface watershed. Nutrient concentrations in flows from tributaries draining various land uses were not significantly different () for most of the locations. A simple water balance was developed to estimate the R-E outflow to Lake Marion using measured discharges from three tributaries, change in storage computed using a bathymetric survey, daily lake level changes, rainfall, and computed evaporation. Mean monthly TN and TP concentrations in the embayment were substantially lower than the observed means from the two tributary outlets and the CS into the embayment, indicating a loss in the embayment. The second cave system at CS, representing an unknown subsurface drainage area, was the source of nearly 50% of TP loading, over 50% of flow, and over 70% of TN loading to CBC. These results may have implications in water quality management of the CBC watershed.
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Acknowledgments
This work was made possible by support from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control’s (DHEC) 319 Grant Agreement No. EQ-7-514 (Project No. 4OFY06) with the U.S. Forest Service Southern Research Station (SRS 06-CO-11330135-122), which provided support to the Belle W. Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science at Clemson University for conducting this study. The Santee Cooper Biological and Analytical Laboratory generously provided support for analyses and also important sampling and monitoring guidance throughout the project. South Carolina DHEC staff also provided ample guidance on the project. The authors would also like to acknowledge Liz Mihalik (former College of Charleston graduate student); Dr. Norm Levine (Associate Professor, College of Charleston); the town of Santee; Santee State Park; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Santee National Golf Course; Orangeburg County Soil and Water Conservation District (NRCS); South Carolina Department of Transportation (DOT); U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Andy Harrison, Hydrologic Technician, Matt Krasowski, and Roman Powers at U.S. Forest Service; David Joyner (former College of Charleston graduate student); and Weyerhaeuser Company for their various levels of support and contribution during the project.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 19 • Issue 2 • February 2014
Pages: 428 - 438
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Dec 19, 2011
Accepted: Jan 24, 2013
Published online: Jan 26, 2013
Discussion open until: Jun 26, 2013
Published in print: Feb 1, 2014
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