Hydrogeology of the Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant site

This report discusses the methods used and data collected for the interpretation of the hydrogeology of the Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant area. The report is based on a program of geologic study, test drilling, aquifer testing, and collection and interpretation of other hydrologic data. Ground water in the area is derived from local precipitation that infiltrates the uppermost aquifer and, in some areas moves into underlying bedrock aquifers. Ground water flows from areas of recharge, downgradient, along relatively short and shallow flow paths toward areas of discharge. Discharge from both the surficial and bedrock aquifers is to the banks and bottoms of the Clinch River and Poplar Creek. Rate of ground-water flow in the surficial aquifer is very slow, on the order of 10/sup -4/ ft/day, due to the low permeability of the unconsolidated aquifer material and the low gradients in the area. Movement of ground water through fractures and solution conduits in some of the carbonate bedrock aquifers is quite rapid, even where gradients are not particularly steep.