A Study of Groundwater Movement in the Panther Sink Area, Greene County, Missouri

Date of Graduation

Spring 2006

Degree

Master of Natural and Applied Science in Geography, Geology, and Planning

Department

Geography, Geology, and Planning

Committee Chair

Douglas Gouzie

Abstract

Panther Sinkhole is located in the Springfield Plateau southeast of Republic Missouri in the Shuyler Creek watershed. Panther Sinkhole has a surface drainage area of 794 acres. The Panther Sinkhole complex contains two caves that are connected to a shallow Springfield Aquifer which overlays the deeper Ozark Aquifer system. The principal purpose of the study was to determine the direction of groundwater flow from Panther Sink with the use of fluorescein water tracing dye. Ongoing development in the Panther Sink recharge area has the potential to significantly impact the shallow aquifer and several springs east of Panther Sink. This study has determined that Campground Spring is the discharge point for runoff entering Panther Sinkhole. This study also includes an estimate of runoff amounts entering Panther Sinkhole during two 100-year flood events, the 6-hour storm event, and the 24-hour storm event. It is hoped that this investigation will provide planning and zoning professionals the information needed to limit the impacts on the Panther Sinkhole area.

Keywords

aquifer, fluorescein, groundwater, hydrology, karst, sinkhole

Subject Categories

Hydrology | Water Resource Management

Copyright

© David M. White

Citation-only

Dissertation/Thesis

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