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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%.
Citation:
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.
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