round-Water Basin Catchment Delineation by Dye Tracing, Water Table Mapping, Cave Mapping, and Geophysical Techniques: Bowling Green, Kentucky

A GIS map showing the approximate ground-water flow routes within the karst aquifer in the vicinity of Bowling Green, Kentucky was prepared based upon dye tracing, cave mapping, cave locating by microgravity and electrical resistivity, and water table measurements. The research was performed by the faculty, professional staff and students of the Center for Cave and Karst Studies from 1976 to the present and was directed by Nicholas Crawford. The numerous dye traces are shown as red lines with arrows on the map. Water table elevation contours are shown as blue lines. They were estimated from measurements taken at water wells and storm water drainage wells that are only cased to bedrock and then extend as open holes below the water table, cave streams, springs, and perennial surface streams. The approximate ground-water basin catchment boundaries, based upon dye traces and water table elevations, are shown as dashed green lines. The map identifies the approximate ground-water flow routes to springs and the approximate ground-water basin catchment areas for: (1) Lost River Rise, (2) Graham Springs, (3) Hobson Grove Springs, (4) Double Springs, (5) Mt. Ayr Blue Hole and Bluff Springs, and (6) Harris Spring. Included on the map are dye traces and water table contours northeast of Barren River performed by James Quinlan and Joe Ray (1981, revised 1989). This compilation of karst ground-water data into one map was prepared to assist the City of Bowling Green in meeting the US Environmental Protection Agency Phase II Storm Water Management Plan requirements and to assist Bowling Green with emergency response to any future spills of hazardous liquids.