HYDROGEOCHEMICAL PROCESSES AND WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF FIVE PENNS CREEK HEADWATER STREAMS

A detailed study of water analysis was performed on five headwaters streams of Penns Creek, a tributary of the Susquehanna River. The five streams are Henstep, Coral Run, Lick Run, Green Gap, and Little Weikert and are located in Bald Eagle State Park of the Valley and Ridge Province. The focus of this study includes an assessment of water quality of each individual stream and their similarities and differences, asking questions such as: 1) How do the geomorphology and the vegetation impact these streams? 2) How can similarities and differences be identified? 3) How can the geochemistry of the stream bed sediments be linked to the water quality? To answer these questions, physical and chemical as well sediment and hydrology data were measured and analyzed. The collection of this data was done using a flow meter, YSI multi-parameter, a spectrophotometer, and an ion chromatography system (ICS). In addition, a sonde was deployed at each headwater simultaneously. Along with this data, soil sample analysis and Water Quality Index (WQI) were performed to further explain how the water chemistry and geomorphology interactions. The difference in temperature range among the five streams indicate the impact of topography, elevation, and length of the stream have on the streams. Primary results show that the WQI for each stream was categorized as excellent water quality (91-100). Overall, the temperature of the water found in Little Weikert was lower than the other streams due to the elevation. Little Weikert is located at a higher altitude than the rest of the streams. Little Weikert also flows along a low slop for longer stretch very close to the water table for the entirety of its length, allowing it to be continuously fed by the groundwater. Comparing the five stream temperatures showed a good correlation between most sites yet the best correlation was found between Lick, Coral and Little Weikert. The conductivity of Green Gap was observed to be higher which can be attributed to the fact that the concentrations of both magnesium and calcium were relatively higher than the other streams.