Impact of potential phosphate mining on the hydrology of Osceola National Forest, Florida

Water-Resources Investigations Report 78-6
By: , and 

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Abstract

Potentially exploitable phosphate deposits underlie part of Osceola National Forest, Fla. Hydrologic conditions in the forest are comparable with those in nearby Hamilton County, where phosphate mining and processing have been ongoing since 1965. Given similarity of operations, hydroloigc effects of mining in the forest are predicted. Flow of stream receiving phosphate industry effluent would increase somewhat during mining, but stream quality would not be greatly affected. Local changes in the configuration of the water table and the quality of water in the surficial aquifer will occur. Lowering of the potentiometric surface of the Floridan aquifer because of proposed pumpage would be less than five feet at nearby communities. Flordian aquifer water quality would be appreciably changed only if industrial effluent were discharged into streams which recharge the Flordian through sinkholes. The most significant hydrologic effects would occur at the time of active mining: long-term effects would be less significant. 

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Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Impact of potential phosphate mining on the hydrology of Osceola National Forest, Florida
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 78-6
DOI 10.3133/wri786
Year Published 1978
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Description ix, 159 p.
Country United States
State Florida
Other Geospatial Osceola National Forest
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