A COMPARISON OF THE HYDRAULIC GEOMETRY OF TWO KARST CONDUITS; PARKS RANCH CAVE, EDDY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO

This study compares the hydraulic geometry of an elliptical and rectangular karst conduit in Parks Ranch Cave, Eddy County, New Mexico. It is proposed that there will be a difference in the hydraulic geometry of the conduits. The cross-sectional area of each station was measured. Scallops were measured in groups of 24 at increasing depth intervals of 10 centimeters. The scallop lengths were used to help find the average velocity of the water that formed them. Discharge, area and scallop Reynolds numbers between each stage height at both stations was calculated. A difference in the rate at which discharge increased was noted. There was a change in discharge between the two passages. The change in discharge appeared to be related to velocity, water depth, and the passage geometry.