Barton Springs Groundwater
Characterization Project
BACKGROUND
The Barton
Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer, a karst ground-water
system located in southern Travis and northern Hays
counties, provides vital water resources to the people
of Austin and to endemic species, including the Barton
Springs salamander (Eurycea sosorum, a federally-listed
endangered species). Austin is one of the most rapidly
urbanizing cities in the United States, and the impact
of urbanization in the Barton Springs watershed is
beginning to be seen, particularly following rain
events. This investigation will improve the resolution
of water quality data for the Barton Springs portion
of the Edwards Aquifer, and will interpret the data
to expand our general understanding of the aquifer's
response to natural and anthropogenic phenomena.
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OBJECTIVES
The principal objective of this project
is to produce a comprehensive characterization of water quality
in the Barton Springs portion of the Edwards Aquifer. The study
will estimate water and contaminant balances, and the results
will enhance understanding of geochemical and hydrological
processes within the aquifer. Because the springs are
integrators of spatial and temporal variations within the
aquifer, sampling will focus on discharge from the four
orifices of Barton Springs under both baseflow and stormflow
conditions. Samples will also be collected from the five creeks
recharging the aquifer.
The resulting database will serve as a benchmark upon which evaluation
of future trends can be based. Samples will be collected at a timescale
that provides maximum understanding of temporal variation.
Using the stream discharge, spring discharge, and chemical data obtained,
quantitative balances of water, ions, and contaminants will be estimated.
The balances will be used to evaluate to what extent the water balance
has changed since 1986 as a result of urbanization; where loading of
different contaminants is occurring; and to what extent contaminants are
being stored or attenuated within the aquifer.
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Real-Time Data |
| Streamflow
Stations used to Estimate Recharge to the Barton Springs
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08155500
- Barton Springs at Austin, TX |
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08155200
- Barton Creek at US 71 |
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08155400
- Barton Creek above Barton Springs at Austin, TX |
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08158920
- Williamson Creek at Oak Hill |
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08158930
- Williamson Creek at Manchaca Rd, Austin, TX |
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08158840
- Slaughter Creek at FM 1826 |
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08158860
- Slaughter Creek at FM 2304 near Austin, TX |
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08158819
- Bear Creek near Brodie Lane near Manchaca, TX |
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08158810
- Bear Creek bl FM 1826 nr Driftwood |
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08158827
- Onion Creek at Twin Creeks Road near Manchaca, TX |
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08158700
- Onion Creek nr Driftwood |
gs-w-txpublic-info@usgs.gov
