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Ground-water and surface-water conditions in the Chicod Creek Basin, North Carolina, before, during, and after channel modifications

Proceedings of the AWRA Symposium on Coastal Water Resources, Wilmington, N.C.
By R.R. Mason, Jr.

Abstract

An eleven year study of the effects of channel modifications on streamflow, stream quality and shallow groundwater levels was conducted in the 60 sq mi Chicod Creek basin in North Carolina's eastern Coastal Plain. Stream channels throughout the basin underwent selective channel excavation and clearing of channel blockages to increase drainage efficiency and reduce flooding. Streamflow, water quality, and groundwater level data were collected during three phases of the project: (1) the period prior to channel modifications (1975-1978); (2) the period during which modifications were underway (1978-1981); and (3) the period immediately following completion of channel modifications (1981-1986). Only groundwater and surface water conditions are considered in this report. Analysis of the collected data indicates changes in some groundwater and surface water characteristics. Water levels in the surficial aquifer within 150 ft of a tributary to Chicod Creek declined as much as 0.4 ft during modifications before returning to initial levels. At distances greater than 250 feet from the stream, groundwater levels did not change. Streamflow characteristics at base flow increased substantially during the modifications. After modifications, base flows at Juniper Branch decreased slightly but did not return to initial conditions to the same extent as nearby groundwater levels. Base flows also increased at Chicod Creek during modifications but, unlike Juniper branch, minimum flows appear to have continued to increase slightly. The adjusted mean stream flow velocity at a control cross section at Chicod Creek increased after modification from 0.17 ft/s to 1.5 ft/s, an increase of 110%.

Mason, R.R., Jr., 1988, Ground-water and surface-water conditions in the Chicod Creek Basin, North Carolina, before, during, and after channel modifications, in Lyke, W.L., and Hoban, T.J., Proceedings of the AWRA Symposium on Coastal Water Resources, Wilmington, N.C., May 22-25, 1988: Bethesda, Md., American Water Resources Association, p. 419-427.