HYDROGEOLOGY AND HYDROLOGY OF THE KICKAPOO WATERSHED a research propose 0 ‘Trout Unlimited lo Laura Hewitt Center for Community Economic Development 1327 Univ. Ave ‘Madison, Wi Proposed by: Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, Univesity of Wisconsin-Extension 3817 Mineral Point Road Madison, Wi $3705 Principal Investigators Dr. KR. Bradbury Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, University of Wisconsin-Extension, Madison, Wisconsin, $3705, (phone 608-263-7921; Krbraddbu(@facstaffwise.edu) Dr. K.W. Potter Dept of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universit of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin (phone 608-262-0040; potter@eaefac.engr. wise edu) January 2, 1997HYDROGEOLOGY AND HYDROLOGY OF THE KICKAPOO WATERSHED Proposal INTRODUCTION “The objectives ofthis research are to assess the hydrogeologic and geomorphic characteristics of the Kickapoo River watershed to guide future protection and restoration of trout habitat. Previous geomorphic studies of the Kickapoo River will provide a starting point for this assessment. However, existing hydrogeologic and hydrologic data forthe Kickapoo River ‘watershed are limited, a8 are resources with which to conduct further research, In other Driftless ‘Area watersheds, we have developed a low-cost, yet statistically significant method for assessing kkey hydrologic characteristics, and we propose to use these techniques to rigorously quantify the hydrologic and geomorphic conditions of the Kickapoo River watershed. ‘Trout habitat is critically related to the amount of fine sediment in the channels and to temperature, whichis controled by the amount of groundwater flowing from springs and ditfse ‘groundwater sources into stream channels. In the Drifless Area, human modification of the landscape during the last century decreased the ability of sol to absorb cain water. The ‘resulting increase in surface runoff earried large volumes of sol from the uplands into the stream ‘channels and increased the magnitude of floods, causing increased erosion of stream banks. “These landscape changes also reduced groundwater recharge inthe area, in turn reducing the flow of groundwater to stream channels. This flow, which is commonly called baseflow, ‘maintains the eenperatare, chemistry and volume of streamflows during dry periods. Stream ‘ecosystems inthe Drifless Area evolved ina high-baseflow environment that existed before ‘these human landscape modifications occurred. For these reasons, a primary management “objective should be to restore the balance between flood flow and baselow that existed before human alteration of she landscape ‘Because the entre Kickapoo River watershed is too large tobe studied in great detail, a nested ‘scales approach wil be used in this study. Existing baseflow survey data collected by the United States Geological Survey, spring location records, and other available data will be used to design ‘2 reconnaissance survey of basellows throughout the upper watershed. This survey willbe used to identify subwatersheds that have higher and lower than average baseflow, and several of these ssubwatersheds wil be selected for more detailed study. Subwatersheds for detailed study will be selected in consultation with Trout Unlimited project personnel. The selection process wil aso ‘consider the results of local biotic research, as well as recommendations ofthe Wisconsin ‘Department of Natural Resources and discussions with local residents HYDROGEOLOGY Groundwater flow is the key to maintaining baseflow inthe Kickapoo watershed. However, there have been no significant previous studies of wroundwater movement or aquifer ‘characteristics in the watershed. The goal of this part of the study is to provide baseline data for assessment ofthe role of groundwater in the watershed, and will focus on the following, activities1. Compitation of iydrogeoiogic da forthe watershed. Te WGNHS wil identify and spatially locate existing well construction reports (WCRs) for public and private water supply. vwels inthe watershed. These data wil supplement the few geologic logs eval inthe area WCRS wil be assigned spatial eoocdinates and ther data ouch as geologic characteristics, water levels, and hrc est) willbe entered ina relational database fo ety data manipulation, In adcition we will conduc altermire search forall availble published and unpubishee hydrogeologe information about the study area 2. Construction ofa water-able map. Using the WCR database combined with field ‘observations we will construct a map of the water table surface forthe upper Kickapoo ‘watershed, and will delineate groundwater divides. The map willbe digitized for easy incorporation into various GIS coverages forthe basin. 3. Spring location survey. Springs are important discharge points fo the local and regional ‘groundwater low systems and tend tobe important integrators of groundwater characteristics (Glow, temperature, chemistry). We will compile spring locations and flow dat ftom the old ‘Wisconsin Department of Conservation spring inventories for Crawford and Vernon counties {availabie at the WGNHS) and will identify other major spring locations through field reconnaissance and conversations with knowledgeable local people. Spring locations will be digitized and entered into a GIS coverage. If possible, we will measure discharges at selected springs 4. Spring temperature, chemistry, and isotopic analysis: Within smaller study subwatersheds (deseribed above) we wil colect water samples from selected springs and measure the ‘temperature ofthe springs, Water samples will be analyzed for major ions (Ca, Ma, Na, K, HICO,, Cl), pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and nitrate; these analyses will be used to characterize the springs and help discriminate waters originating fom differing source areas. In addition, we will collect water samples for analyses of environmental isotopes (tum, ‘oxygen-18) and possibly chloroflourocarbons. These analyses will help us estimate the age of ‘the groundwater discharging atthe springs and the relative proportions of groundwater and surface water contributing to stream basellow. 5. Groundwater screening model. Using the previously-developed information (hydraulic information, water-iable map, baseflow data) we will construct a two-dimensional numerical _groundwater sereening model forthe study area. This computer mode! will use the recently- developed Gflow code which uses mathematical analytic elements to represent Soundary ‘conditions and surface water feanures. We will use this model to develop a first-cut hydrologic budget for the study watershed and begin to identify groundwater recharge areas and travel times from recharge areas to discharge points in the Kickapoo. In adition, the model wil help identify problems or date deficiencies that should be addressed in future studies. WATERSHED HYDROLOGY Hydrologic assessment of the Kickapoo River watershed will focus on measuring baseflow parameters. Baseflow measuremeats are simple and inexpensive, anda few measurements can 'be used to make relatively accurate estimates of baseflow parameters (e.g, median, mean, and