Project ID: 2004OK29B

Title: Springs in Time: Comparison of Present and Historical Flows

Project Type: Research

Focus Categories: Ecology, Groundwater, Surface Water

Keywords: Arbuckle-Simpson aquifer, ground-surface water interaction, springs, dewatering, temporal change, biomonitoring, invertebrate fauna

Start Date: 03/01/2004

End Date: 02/28/2005

Federal Funds: $25,000

Non-Federal Matching Funds: $52,674

Congressional District: OK - 4th

Principal Investigators:
Aondover Tarhule
University of Oklahoma

Elizabeth A. Bergey
University of Oklahoma

Abstract

Groundwater is an important commodity in Oklahoma, with extensive use by agriculture, industry, municipalities, and private landowners. Recently regional plans have been developed to further tap aquifers and streams for water sales to distant municipalities. This poses a risk to maintenance of minimum stream flows to protect stream invertebrate communities. This study will determine whether spring discharge in each of five aquifers is being impacted by groundwater mining and document the faunal biodiversity of Oklahoma springs that are at risk from groundwater mining based on historical and predicted future trends.

Progress/Completion Report PDF