HYDROGEOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF APPALACHIAN SPRINGS ALONG PETER’S MOUNTAIN IN MONROE COUNTY, WV

Groundwater flow in eastern Monroe County, WV is controlled by the folded and faulted rocks of the Appalachian Mountains. The extensive use of spring water for public, private and commercial supply requires better knowledge of water quantity and its susceptibility to surface influences. The main objective of this research is to identify areas of contamination concern and quantify the groundwater available for consumption and use in the Peter’s Mountain area to protect this widely used water source.

More than 30 springs have been mapped in the study area and are located primarily in three geologic settings (1) sandstone-shale contact springs on Peter’s Mountain, (2) karst springs in the carbonate valleys, and, (3) warm springs located near the St. Claire thrust fault. Water analyses are completed for 16 springs and a subset of 5 indicator springs are sampled more frequently for pH, temperature, conductivity, major ions, TOC, strontium isotopes, and contamination indicators (E. coli and total coliforms using the Colilert® system). Chemical analyses indicate two distinct waters—carbonate signatures with Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺ ratios near one and shale-sandstone signatures with much higher Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺ ratios. Total coliforms and E. coli counts are higher in karst valley springs than in the higher ridge springs. The total discharge leaving the study area – the composite of five stream locations - was 2.32 m3/sec on 10/9/16 and 2.07 m3/sec on 12/4/16. More than 50% of the discharge was from a single location in December (Indian Creek). Onset Hobo® data loggers were placed in the 16 springs to measure temperature every 10 minutes, while three public supply springs also have loggers that measure specific conductance. Springs located near the sandstone-shale contact on the flanks of Peter’s Mountain show little temperature variation (<10%) in response to rainfall between November 2015 and April 2016. More variable and rapid responses to rainfall are seen in springs typically located in limestone units where sinkholes are common.

This project is in collaboration with the Indian Creek Watershed Association (ICWA).