WATER QUALITY VARIATIONS OF HILLABAHATCHEE CREEK WATERSHED, HEARD COUNTY, GEORGIA: A STUDY OF THE ROLES OF LAND USAGE AND SEASONAL VARIATION

Hillabahatchee Creek heads in western Heard County flows southeast across mostly rural land (agriculture and forestry) and empties into the Chattahoochee River. Where Hillabahatchee Creek flows across the Brevard Fault zone the dendritic stream pattern is transformed into a rectangular pattern. Within the fault zone some stream valleys widen to form areas of extensive farmland. Determining the water quality of Hillabahatchee Creek is important because it adds relatively clean water to the polluted Chattahoochee River, the watershed contains important cattle and tree farms, it is a potential future source of drinking water, and the watershed serves as a recreational area. This study of Hillabahatchee Creek is part of the West Georgia Watershed Assessment. Research methods consist of measurement of temperature, DO, pH, conductivity, and turbidity in the field. Sample stations are located on the Hillabahatchee Creek and its principle tributaries. Laboratory measurements were made for TSS, BOD, COD, total phosphorus, nitrogen (ammonia-N, TKN, and nitrate-nitrite-N), hardness, fecal coliform, total Cd, total Pb, total Cu, and total Zn. Field checks and satellite images are used to assist in determination of land usage in the watershed. Sediment may be the single most important water quality problem occurring in Hillabahatchee Creek. High sediment (TSS and turbidity) measurements are associated with clear cuts, dirt roads, construction areas, and some farmland.