264-3 Temperature Dynamics of Springs in the Little Sugar Creek Catchment, Bella Vista, Arkansas

Session: Understanding Karst Hydrology and Karst Aquifers Using Innovative Tracers and Other Technologies (Posters)

Presenting Author:

Authors:

Abstract:

Due to their great heterogeneity, karst aquifers are difficult to fully and effectively characterize. Flow through karst aquifers can occur through pore space and fractures in rock, and through conduits which transport water very quickly. Because of this quick flow-through time, karst aquifers are more susceptible to water contamination than more homogenous porous media. One of the best ways to estimate aquifer characteristics is by monitoring karst springs, and previous research has shown that thermal patterns of spring water may provide clues to the geometry and recharge modes of these aquifers. Karst springs will show patterns that exhibit either thermally effective or thermally ineffective heat exchange. Thermally effective patterns are typically associated with dispersed recharge and flow through pores and fractures, while ineffective patterns are associated with focused recharge into conduits. Further, whether spring temperatures fluctuate with seasonal temperature changes or storms can offer more information about the timing of focused recharge into the system.

This study aims to characterize the karst aquifers of the Little Sugar Creek catchment near Bella Vista, AR, by monitoring thermal signals at multiple springs in the area. We deployed loggers at these sites in February 2025 to record at least 12 months of water temperature variability, allowing us to identify any seasonal changes in the spring temperatures. Preliminary data shows that springs in the catchment display different thermal patterns. Additionally, two temperature, conductivity, and depth loggers have been deployed in Boy Scout Springs Cave in Bella Vista, AR to perform a more in-depth analysis of the cave’s hydrology.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program. Vol. 57, No. 6, 2025

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-8887

© Copyright 2025 The Geological Society of America (GSA), all rights reserved.