Hydrology 26 Springs into Action!

Guest Bloggers: Eddie Fatica, Nolan Hendricks, Stephen Shickluna, Gabe Jones, Sihan Tian

Background:

This week, our hydrology class explored the physics and functionality of natural springs in our wonderful Wooster, Ohio. We visited three locations during this lab, including Kinney Fields, Geyer’s Chapel, and the beautiful Secrest Arboretum, to observe and test springs firsthand. At each site, we examined how factors like geology, surrounding agriculture, water table depth, and aquifer pressure influence the way a spring forms and flows. We also took measurements of water quality and water temperature to help us compare each of the 3 springs to each other.

Methods:

At each area we visited, we performed a series of tasks to help compare each spring. We checked the water temperature of each spring to determine how deep the water had traveled underground. The colder the water, the deeper it had traveled from underground. Then, our T.A., Arjan collected water samples from each spring, which will be used in the future to tell us the components of each spring. Lastly, we used the probe to help determine how far the spring was from the bedrock, as well as what kind of material was around and under the stream (Figure 2.).

Figure 3.  T.A. Arjan taking the temperature of the spring water.

Results:

At our first site, the Mckinney fields (40°49’50.81″N, 81°56’28.62″W), we were able to identify colluvial deposits near the site of the well house . We identified the overburden as glacial till/clay and assumed the water table was under that. (Figure 5.) Measurements revealed the water temperature to be 13.9 C, showing that this area was, indeed, a spring. It should be noted that while we did take samples to determine the water chemistry at each site, those results have not been revealed to us yet. After taking the water temperature at the first site we moved to Geyer’s Chapel (40°52’42.31″N, 81°53’50.75″W) finding the water temperature to be at 12.6C, warmer than the last site, yet still indicative of a spring. Our third and final site was Seacrest abortorium (40°47’0.50″N, 81°55’19.65″W).  This spring, being a seep spring, had a temperature of 15.2C. Here we were able to identify an unconformity after poking around with a tile probe. We found very hard rock about 2-3 feet under the water. This rock was assumed to be a few hundred million years old while the glacial clay that overlayed it was assumed to be 20,000 years old.

Closing Thoughts:

This fieldtrip was a great practicum in determining where springs may be located, what kind of rock may be surrounding them, and how to use certain tools to assist in these processes. When field tests and models such as the 3-point problem are combined, determining stream flow becomes easy. Knowing the direction a stream flows is essential for contaminants / pollution management and prevention for municipalities.

Source: https://woostergeologists.scotblogs.wooster.edu/2026/09/03/hydrology-26-springs-into-action/