Hydrogeology, Geochemistry, and Groundwater Study within the Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory, 2006-2010

The primary objectives of the study were to: (1) characterize the ground water geochemistry in a pristine, mountain setting underlain by felsic gneiss and evaluate changes over time and space within the local groundwater system; (2) evaluate the hydraulic communication between the shallow regolith and deeper bedrock flow systems and the local flow dynamics between ground and surface water in both recharge and discharge areas; (3) evaluate the regolith-bedrock transition zone and its role as a preferential groundwater flow pathway; (4) characterize aquifer properties in the regolith and bedrock in selected areas; (5) determine the age of groundwater and time of travel from a recharge area to a discharge area; and (6) track water level fluctuations over time, in response to fluctuations in evapotranspiration, rainfall, and seasonal climate.