Hydrologic data summary for the White Oak Creek watershed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, January--December 1994

Abstract

Office of Environmental Restoration and W a s t e EXECUTIVE SUMMARYThis report Summari zes, for the 12-month period Jan-through December 1994, the available dynamic hydrologic data collected on the White Oak Creek (WOC) watershed as well as information collected on surface flow systems in the surrounding vicinity that may affect the quality or quantity of surface water in the watershed. The collection of hydrologic data is one component of numerous, ongoing Oak RidgeNational Laboratory (ORNL) environmental studies and monitoring programs and is intended to 1.characterize the quantity and quality of water in the surface flow system, 2.assist with the planning and assessment of remedial action activities, 3.provide long-term availability of data and quality assurance of these data, and 4.support long-term measures of contaminant fluxes at a spatial scale to provide a comprehensive picture of watershed performance that is commensurate with future remedial actions.Characterization of the hydrology of the WOC watershed provides a better understanding of the processes that influence contaminant transport in the watershed. Identification of spatial and temporal trends in hydrologic parameters and mechanisms that affect the movement of contaminants supports the development of interim Corrective measures and remedial restoration alternatives. In addition, on-going hydrologic monitoring supports long-term assessment of the effectiveness of remedial actions in limiting the transport of contaminants across W a s t e Area Grouping (WAG) boundaries and ultimately to the offsite environment, For these reasons, it is of paramount importance to the Environmental Restoration (ER) Program to collect and report hydrologic data, an activity that contributes to the Surface Water Program of the ER Program.This report provides and describes sources of hydrologic data for ER activities that use monitoring data to quantify and assess the impact from releases of contaminants from ORNL WAGS. The majority of the data summarized in this report is available from the Oak Ridge Environmental Information System (OREIS). Surface-water data available within the WOC flow system include discharge and runoff and surfacewater quality. Climatological data available for the Oak Ridge area include precipitation, temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and wind direction, pan evaporation, and solar radiation. Anomalies in the data and problems with monitoring and accuracy are discussed. Appendices contain daily precipitation measurements, daily discharge at surface-water monitoring stations, descriptions of sutf~wakrmonitoring stations located in the vicinity of the WOC watershed, and rating table updates fbr hydraulic control structures that have been recalibrated since the 1993 report.xvii

Remedial investigation report on the Melton Valley Watershed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Volume 1: Evaluation, interpretation, and data summary

“…However, approximately 65% of this total occurred in a 3-month period 3-66 (February through April) in which approximately 29 in. of precipitation (Borders et al 1995) were recorded on the Melton Valley watershed. Apparently, a near-surface source is activated during extremely wet conditions.…”

Report on the biological monitoring program for Bear Creek at the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, 1989-1994

“…A fourth site, BCK 11.98, has been monitored since April 1987. With one notable exception, no Bear Creek or reference stream site had temperatures in excess of 30°C during the period of record (January 1988-December 1993.…”

“…Precipitation is probably the most important climatic factor in hydraulic studies since it establishes the quantity and variation in runoff and streamflow. It also replenishes groundwater (Borders et al 1993) A chronological summary of major events that occurred in the waste disposal areas located in the Bear Creek valley that may have affected water quality in Bear Creek and its tributaries is presented in Table 2.2. This list includes opening/ closing of disposal areas, remedial actions, and disposal activities.…”

White Oak Creek Watershed: Melton Valley Area Remedial Investigation Report, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee: Volume 1 Main Text

“…However, approximately 65% of this total occurred in a %month period (February through April) in which approximately 29 in. of precipitation (Borders et al 1995) were recorded on the WOC watershed. Apparently, a near-surface source is activated during extremely wet conditions.…”