CONTROLS ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY OF SURFACE WATERS: A STUDY OF LAND USAGE AND WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS OF CENTRALHATCHEE CREEK, HEARD COUNTY, GEORGIA

Centralhatchee Creek is a significant tributary to the Chattahoochee River in west Georgia. Because of pollution of the Chattahoochee River, Centralhatchee Creek is the primary surface drinking water source in Heard County. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division lists the creek as partially supporting because of fecal coliform. Centralhatchee Creek watershed land usage is primarily forestry (commercial pine forest) and agriculture (cattle pasture and hay fields) with some residential. This study of Centralhatchee Creek is part of the West Georgia Watershed Assessment. Parameters measured in this study are temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, turbidity, TSS, BOD, COD, total phosphorous, ammonia-N, TKN, nitrate-nitrite-N, fecal coliform, hardness, and total Cd, Pb, Zn, and Cu. Field checks and satellite images are used to assist in determination of land usage in the watershed. In general, with the exception of fecal coliform, the water quality of Centralhatchee Creek is good. Dirt roads and construction of single-family homes in the central section of the watershed can add large amounts of sediment (higher turbidity and TSS) to Centralhatchee Creek during large rain events.