INVESTIGATION OF THE SHALLOW GROUNDWATER SYSTEM: WORMSLOE STATE HISTORIC SITE, CHATHAM COUNTY, GEORGIA

The Wormsloe State Historic Site is located in southeastern Chatham County, Georgia approximately 10 miles southeast of downtown Savannah, GA. The study site is situated on the southern portion of the Isle of Hope, a marsh island located between the mainland and Skidaway Island with elevations reaching approximately 16 feet above mean sea level (MSL). A network of four monitoring wells has been installed across the island for the purposes of monitoring groundwater levels and providing geochemical data to characterize the shallow groundwater system. The monitoring wells were installed using direct-push technology (Geoprobe_™) and are constructed of 1-inch internal diameter (I.D.) PVC pipe. The monitoring wells extend to 18 feet below land surface (BLS) with screened intervals situated at 8 to 18 feet BLS. Lithological data was collected by continuous soil sampling performed using a macrosampler device (Geoprobe_™). Groundwater samples are being collected via low-flow sampling techniques to evaluate water quality and the groundwater facies are being determined by plotting Piper Diagrams. Groundwater level, temperature and specific conductivity data are being collected from the monitoring well network using automated “level logger” technology (Solinst Edge_™). Groundwater levels are being plotted against precipitation data to evaluate seasonal recharge and also being evaluated against tidal data to determine tidal influence on the system. The research is being performed for the purposes of evaluating the shallow groundwater system as a potential resource, assessing the risks associated with sea level rise and salt water intrusion and to support ecological conservation efforts at the site. The ecological conservation efforts include the re-introduction of gopher tortoises and the establishment of long leaf pine habitat. In addition, the research will facilitate an understanding of the occurrence of groundwater at the historic site and assist in constructing a hydrologic history of the property that has been occupied continually since the initial colonization of Georgia in 1733.