HR: 0800h
AN: H31C-0386 INVITED     [Abstracts]
TI: Proposed Ozark Plateaus Province Hydrologic Observatory
AU: * Davis, R K
EM: ralphd@uark.edu
AF: University of Arkansas, Department of Geosciences 113 Ozark Hall University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701 United States
AU: Brahana, J V
EM: brahana@uark.edu
AF: University of Arkansas, Department of Geosciences 113 Ozark Hall University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701 United States
AU: Matlock, M D
EM: mmatlock@uark.edu
AF: University of Arkansas, Biological and Agricultural Eng. ENGR 203 University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701 United States
AU: Chaubey, I
EM: chuabey@uark.edu
AF: University of Arkansas, Biological and Agricultural Eng. ENGR 203 University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701 United States
AU: Pavlowsky, R T
EM: rtp138F@smsu.edu
AF: Dept. of Geography and Geology Southwest Missouri State University, Temple Hall 321 901 S. National Ave. Southwest Missouri State Univ., Springfield, MO 65804 United States
AU: Gilzow, F
EM: floyd@whiteriverbasin.org
AF: Upper White River Basin Foundation, 215 S Second Street, Suite 1B PO Box 6218, Branson, MO 65616 United States
AB: The Upper White River, which drains about 40 percent of the Ozarks Ecoregion, is the main drain for the Ozark Plateaus and is characteristic of rivers draining other karst areas within the United States and the world. The proposed Ozark Plateaus Hydrologic Observatory (OPHO) encompasses twelve 8-digit hydrologic units covering about 67,000 km2 in parts of three states (Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma). Six major U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoirs are within the OPHO including four on the main stem of the White River and one on the Illinois River. Karst features are prominent in the Salem, Ozark, and Springfield Plateaus of the OPHO, and include numerous solutionally enlarged fractures, caves, sinkholes, and sinking streams. Within the basin are numerous and diverse biological communities, representing influences from 1) eastern deciduous forest, 2) Great Plains prairies, 3) arid southwest, and 4) relicts of northern species from the Pleistocene Ice Age. Also contain in the OPHO is a diverse and unique array of mussels, an imperiled river organism (38 species), and crayfish. In the extensive karst regions of the OPHO are found largely endemic subterranean organisms also dependent on good water quality: for example, the Ozark Cavefish, Bristly Cave Crayfish and the recently federally- listed Tumbling Creek Cave Snail. Mantled karst aquifers characteristic of the Ozark Plateaus Region represent a coupled atmospheric/surface water/groundwater system that is highly susceptible to external forcing. Little attenuation of contaminants occurs as water moves from surface sources into and through the mantled karst aquifer to discharge naturally at springs and streams throughout the Ozark Plateau Region, and to wells. Because of the very open character of the aquifer, extremely dynamic biogeochemical cycling of nutrients occurs. Upper White River Reservoir development, filling and operation historically have altered and continue to alter the hydrologic and ecosystems within the Ozark Plateaus Region. Additionally, large-scale animal production (poultry, swine, and cattle) results in forcing that causes negative surface water and groundwater quality impacts within the Ozark Plateaus Region. While, a rapidly expanding urban/suburban population is creating a new set of forces with feedbacks that impact the quantity and quality of surface water and groundwater in the Ozark Plateau Region which are only now beginning to show, and may not be fully realized for decades.
DE: 1800 HYDROLOGY
SC: Hydrology [H]
MN: 2004 AGU Fall Meeting