Geological report on water conditions at Platt National Park, Oklahoma

Gravity investigations of the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, south-central Oklahoma

“…1a) (Gould and Schoff, 1939;Hanson and Cates, 1994). The juxtaposition of eastern forest and western prairie ecosystems yields a unique array of flora and fauna in the Midcontinent, and mineral and fresh water springs have attracted people to this area for centuries.…”

“…The juxtaposition of eastern forest and western prairie ecosystems yields a unique array of flora and fauna in the Midcontinent, and mineral and fresh water springs have attracted people to this area for centuries. Studies of the hydrology of CNRA and its vicinity have been important since its inception (for example, Gould, 1906;Gould and Schoff, 1939;Hart, 1974;Goemaat and Willard, 1983;Fairchild and others, 1990;Hanson and Cates, 1994), with goals of understanding the natural variability of groundwater and surface water flows and compositions, and of estimating the impact of water usage outside of CNRA to water features within the park. The geologic configuration (figs.…”

“…An initial census of springs within the park included 33 active springs (Gould, 1906). In 1939 only 19 could be located (Gould and Schoff, 1939), and in 1987 about 7 were reported to have measurable flow (Hanson and Cates, 1994). There are several reasons for the decreases in the spring counts: in the 1930's, flows of neighboring diffuse springs were combined into single outlet constructions; trees planted in the same decade increased transpiration rates; and many artesian wells were drilled in the vicinity of the park in the 1920's and 1930's and their flows were unrestricted.…”

“…While the number of flowing mineral springs has decreased through the years in part because of man-made plumbing changes, their collective discharge has substantially decreased due to other causes. For example, Gould and Schoff (1939) estimate that the flow rates of the mineral springs decreased by about 80% over the prior three decades. Hanson and Cates (1994) report that impacts of pumping at City of Sulphur water wells and Oklahoma Gas and Electric wells to the north of the Travertine District were not discernible at wells and springs within CNRA, although they suggest that there may be impact during prolonged dry periods.…”

Bibliography of Oklahoma hydrology; reports prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey and principal cooperating agencies, 1901-93

“…Smith, O.M., 1942 Christenson, Scott, and Rea, A.H., 1992, Ground-water quality in the Oklahoma City urban area: in Alley, W.M., ed., Regional ground-water quality: Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York. Gould, C.N., and Schoff, S.L., 1939 ..6, 17,27,30 Tasker,P. ..17,18,21 Thompson,D.C ..6,8,17,19,21,22,33 Turner,S.F ..5, 7, 17, 23, 24, 26, 30 V Vaughn,R.…”