Base flow of streams in the outcrop area of southeastern sand aquifer: South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi

Water-Resources Investigations Report 83-4106
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Abstract

The base flow component of streamflow was separated from hydrographs for unregulated streams in the Cretaceous and Tertiary clastic outcrop area of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. The base flow values are used in estimating recharge to the sand aquifer. Relations developed between mean annual base flow and stream discharge at the 60- and 65-percent streamflow duration point can be used to approximate mean annual base flow in lieu of hydrograph separation methods for base flows above 10 cu ft/s. Base flow recession curves were used to derive estimates of hydraulic diffusivity of the aquifer which was converted to transmissivity using estimated specific yield. These base-flow-derived transmissivities are in general agreement with transmissivities derived from well data. The shape of flow duration curves of streams is affected by the lithology of the Coastal Plain sediments. Steep flow duration curves appear to be associated with basins underlain by clay or chalk where a low percentage of the discharge is base flow while flatter curves appear to be associated with basins underlain by sand and gravel where a high percentage of the discharge is base flow.

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Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Base flow of streams in the outcrop area of southeastern sand aquifer: South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 83-4106
DOI 10.3133/wri834106
Year Published 1983
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Contributing office(s) South Atlantic Water Science Center
Description iv, 17 p.
Country United States
State Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina
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