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Hydrologic Conditions that Influence Streamflow Losses in a Karst Region of the Upper Peace River, Polk County, Florida

Project Chief: Patricia A. Metz
Cooperator: Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD)
Period of Project: October 2002 – September 2008

Problem Statement

Photograph showing the streamflow losses into Dover Sink.

The upper Peace River from Bartow to Fort Meade, Florida, described in the last decade as a groundwater recharge area, reflect a reversal from historical groundwater discharge patterns that existed in the 1950s. Historically, the flood plain along the upper Peace River contained artesian wells and a second magnitude spring (Kissengen Spring) that discharged an average of 20 million gallons per day (Mgal/d) into the Peace River. However, hydrologic conditions began to change as early as the 1930s, with an increase in groundwater use for mining and agriculture. Because of this increased water use, a 40-foot (ft) decline in groundwater levels over a 20-year period resulted in the cessation of flow of the artesian wells and Kissengen Spring.

The upper Peace River is located in an area of the State where river and flood plain channels are characterized by extensive karst development with numerous fractures, crevasses, and sinks that have been eroded in the carbonate river channel. Because of the reversal in groundwater head gradients, river water is lost to the underlying groundwater system through these karst features. The karst features along the upper Peace River play an important role in the loss of streamflow. A number of studies have documented these karst features, but little was known about the timing, duration, and the amount of streamflow that is lost to these features over varying hydrologic conditions

Objectives

1. Conduct a retrospective analysis of the upper Peace River basin;
2. Identify, locate, and characterize karst features in the low-water channel and flood plain;
3. Quantify the streamflow losses and gains;
4. Assess the hydraulic connection of the river with the underlying aquifers.

Photograph showing a gage in Gator Sink.

Approach

To define areas where streamflow losses and gains in the upper Peace River occurred, seepage runs were conducted along a 13 mile (mi) segment of the river, from Bartow to Fort Meade. To evaluate streamflow conditions along the upper Peace River, 10 USGS continuous gaging stations located along the river and adjoining tributaries were used to measure seasonal changes in flow. To understand the groundwater flow patterns along the upper Peace River, 12 monitoring wells equipped with continuous recorders were used to define water-level trends in the surficial aquifer, intermediate aquifer system, and the Upper Floridan aquifer. Continuous water-level recorders also were placed on two prominent karst features, Dover and Gator Sinks, which were used to help understand the hydrologic responses of these features to streamflow losses.

Information Product

Seepage runs conducted along the upper Peace River, from Bartow to Fort Meade, indicated that the greatest streamflow losses occurred along a 2-mi section of the river beginning about 1 mi south of the Peace River at Bartow gaging station. Along the low-water and flood plain channel of this 2-mi section, there are about 10 prominent karst features that influenced streamflow losses. Losses from the individual karst features ranged from 0.22 to 16 cubic feet during 2002 - 2007. Along the upper part of this 2-mi section (Reach 1), the largest and most consistent streamflow losses occurred at the Ledges Sink, with measured losses ranging from 1 to 8 cubic feet per second. At the end of this 2-mi section (Reach 2) is Dover Sink, the most influential karst feature along the upper Peace River. Dover Sink had measured losses ranging from 2 to 16 cubic feet per second. The largest measured flow loss for all the karst features in Reaches 1 and 2 was about 50 cubic feet per second, or about 32 million gallons per day, on June 28, 2002.

Streamflow losses were related to the decline in the potentiometric surfaces of the intermediate aquifer system and the Upper Floridan aquifer below the riverbed elevation during below-average rainfall conditions in both Reaches 1 and 2. When groundwater levels were at their lowest level, at the end of the dry season (May and June), there was an increased potential for streamflow losses. During this study, the largest streamflow losses occurred at the beginning of the summer rainy season when discharge in the river increased and large volumes of water were needed to replenish unfilled cavities and void spaces in the underlying aquifers.

Information Product

Metz, P.A., and Lewelling, B.R., 2009, Hydrologic Conditions that Influence Streamflow Losses in a Karst Region of the Upper Peace River, Polk County, Florida: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2009-5140, 82 p.