West West Branch Hydrogeology and Geophysics

Laura Sherrod - 2012

The resistivity results upstream of the flow loss show a high resistivity layer at the stream bed (right).  This zone represents a location of minimal water loss from the surface water to the ground water.  However, further downstream, the resistivity transitions to a low value, representing flow loss into the subsurface.  There is a large zone of low resistivity directly upstream of the location at which all surface water disappears (below).  Stream flow is from right to left in these resistivity images.	Resistivity results upstream of the section of flow loss in the West West Branch
Resistivity results at the section of flow loss in the West West Branch	The combined method of discharge measurements, resistivity surveys, and visual observation has pinpointed the location of flow loss in this section of stream.  However, these results only represent times of low flow in this region and must be compared with times of high water flow for a more complete image of the watershed hydrogeology.  Additional water loss may occur in downstream segments of the stream channel during times of high discharge.

Wayne Lehman, Jarred Swiontek, Chuck Cravotta, and Cataia Ives search for a location to take discharge measurements.	Wildlife abounds in the headwaters where water quality has not yet been degraded by AMD issues.  However, water quantity in these locations can be a problem.	Spring 2012 presented low flow in the stream channels.
Rick Jayne waits for the water quality measurements to stabilize.	A sample of water taken from the Phoenix Park Discharge will later be analyzed by Dr. Levine's chemistry students.	Rick Jayne at the bank of a dry tributary of the West West Branch.