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Reportonthe2013dyetraceconductedon
GirlScoutCampCreekHoustonCounty,Mn
MinnesotaDepartmentofNaturalResources
Funding for this Project is Provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund and the Clean Water, Land and Legacy
Amendment
Girl Scout Camp Creek Trace Report
2014
Introduction
In 2013, a dye trace was conducted on Girl Scout Camp Creek in Yucatan Township, Minnesota
(Figure 1). Yucatan Township is located in western Houston County roughly 7 miles to the southwest
of the City of Houston. Dye traces have been completed in this general vicinity on other streams. Dye
tracing occurred on Daley Creek, located roughly 3.0 miles to the north of Girl Scout Camp Creek, in
2009. Dye tracing also occurred in 2012 and 2013 on Bridge Creek, located roughly 1.5 miles to the
north of Girl Scout Camp Creek. Reports of each of these traces are available as separate documents.
In addition, an ephemeral sinking stream has been identified on Hallum Creek, located roughly 1.5
miles to the southeast of Girl Scout Camp Creek, via GIS reconnaissance. Subsequent discussion with
the landowner verified the existence of the Hallum Creek stream sink.
Figure 1. Yucatan Township, Minnesota is located in western Houston County, Minnesota. Girl Scout Camp
Creek is located in close proximity to the Houston County/Fillmore County border. Streams identified as trout
streams are shown with dark blue lines.
Girl Scout Camp Creek Trace Report
2014
All of these traces were conducted to further delineate springsheds in the area, characterize sinking
streams in the Cambrian St. Lawrence Formation, and characterize surfaceβgroundwater interactions
in the county. Characterizing sinking streams and their connection to cold water springs is important
as these springs are critical water sources for trout streams in southeastern Minnesota.
Dye tracing entails using fluorescent dyes to track groundwater flow directions and travel times. The
dye is poured into a sinking stream or sinkhole; from there it flows through a conduit system until it
reβemerges at a spring. For the September 2013 Girl Scout Camp Creek trace, the red dye Rhodamine
WT was used. Table 1 identifies the input location and dye quantities used for the trace. Dye recovery
was accomplished using both direct water βgrabβ samples and passive dye detectors (packets of
coconut charcoal also known as βbugsβ). All direct water samples and charcoal detectors were
returned to the University of Minnesota Geology & Geophysics Department Hydrochemistry
Laboratory for analysis. There, the charcoal detectors were opened, the charcoal was removed, and
the fluorescent materials were extracted using an eluent solution of 70% isopropyl alcohol, 30%
deionized water, and 10g/L NaOH. The eluent solution was then run through the Shimadzu RF5000U
scanning spectrofluorophotometer to detect and record the spectra. Direct water samples were also
analyzed using the Shimadzu RF5000U scanning spectrofluorophotometer. Spectral components,
including the background spectral components, were quantified using PeakFit software as described
in Alexander (2005).
Table 1. Girl Scout Camp Creek dye trace input location, dye type, trace date, and estimated stream
flow.
Girl Scout Camp Creek 2013 Dye Input
Dye Input Point Dye (type, quantity, color index Date & Time Stream
#) Volumetric
Flow (Est.)
Sinking Stream Rhodamine WT liquid 12 Sep. 2013 0.25 CFS
28:B00004 20 wt% , 1.057 kg. 1445 hrs.
Chromatint lot 0400811F, (Acid Red 388, Chem. Abs.# 37299-86-8)
The Girl Scout Camp Creek trace was designed and executed by Jeff Green & John Barry of the
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). E. Calvin Alexander, Jr., of the University of
Minnesota Earth Sciences Department performed the sample analysis and interpretation.
Girl Scout Camp Creek Trace Report
2014
2013 Trace: Background, Approach, and Results
The 2013 Girl Scout Camp Creek trace was run synchronously with a trace on nearby Bridge Creek
and was conducted to assist in the characterization of groundwatersheds that feed trout streams. The
trace was initiated on September 12, 2013 with the introduction of 1.057 kilograms of 20% weight
Rhodamine WT dye into a sinking pool (MN28:B00004) located in a tributary valley of Girl Scout
Camp Creek (Figure 2). John Barry and Jeff Green of the MNDNR and Calvin Alexander of the
University of Minnesota were present for the trace. Stream discharge at the time was estimated to be
0.25 cubic feet per second. Table 1 summarizes the dye input information.
Figure 2. 2013 Girl Scout Camp Creek site sampling locations and stream sink location.
Passive charcoal detectors (βbugsβ) were in place at sampling locations from prior to the introduction
of the dye on September 12, 2013 until February 3, 2014 with the exception of the Strand nose spring
and Strand bank spring locations. These locations were not actively monitored until the majority of
the dye had left the hydrologic system.
Girl Scout Camp Creek Trace Report
2014
Rhodamine WT dye was detected at levels high enough for positive identification at multiple
sampling sites. Appendix 1 summarizes the 2013 trace dye analysis and highlights sites where dye
was detected using bold italicized cells. Rhodamine WT dye was detected in passive detectors at the
Whispering Hills Spring within 15 days of pouring dye and at the Peterson Spring within 14 days of
pouring dye. An early βbreakthroughβ time for the St. Lawrence nose spring was not recorded due to
mammals destroying passive detectors early in the trace. Dye had a strong presence at the St.
Lawrence nose spring during the first time frame, 27 September to 17 October, where the passive
detectors were not destroyed.
Assuming a straight line distance of 4357 feet from stream sink (28:B00004) to Whispering Hills
Spring, this translates to a minimum peak groundwater velocity of roughly 88 meters/day (290
ft/day). Assuming a straight line distance of 7047 feet from stream sink (28:B00004) to Peterson
Spring, this translates to a minimum peak groundwater velocity ranging of roughly 153 meters/day
(503 ft/day). These velocities are consistent with previous traces in the St. Lawrence where peak rates
range from 35 to 600 meters/day (Appendix 2).
Figure 3. 2013 Girl Scout Camp Creek site sampling locations and dye flow vectors.
Girl Scout Camp Creek Trace Report
2014
Discussion
This dye trace proved that surface water that sinks in the upper reaches of a tributary to Girl Scout
Camp Creek resurges as groundwater at a minimum of three springs in the valley. Springs connected
to the sinking stream include the St. Lawrence nose spring (MN28:A00091), Whispering Hills Spring
(MN28:A00090), and Peterson Spring (MN28:A00028). Figure 4 graphically represents the
stratigraphy of the Girl Scout Camp Creek area and schematically represents potential dye trace
vectors in cross section view. The Girl Scout Camp Creek stream sink is located in the St. Lawrence
Formation; the Girl Scout Camp Creek nose spring (Nose SpringβCSTL on Figure 3) emanates from
the base of the St. Lawrence while the other two springs discharge from the upper to mid Lone Rock
Formation of the Tunnel City Group. This trace confirms that surface water sinks and then moves
rapidly through the entire St. Lawrence Formation section and emerges at springs in the upper to mid
Lone Rock Formation.
Figure 4. Hydrogeologic cross section of Girl Scout Camp Creek showing the position of major spring locations
and hypothetical dye flow vectors.
Girl Scout Camp Creek Trace Report
2014
Elevated levels of chloride and nitrate can be used as geochemical indicators of recent human
influences on groundwater. Elevated concentrations of these species can be attributed to the
application of road salts, the use of water softeners, and fertilizer application. Nitrate concentrations
greater than 1 part per million (ppm) are greater than background conditions and possibly indicate
that an aquifer has been impacted by activities on the land surface (Minn. Dept. of Health, 1998 and
Wilson, 2012). Nitrate concentrations greater than 3 ppm indicate that an aquifer has been impacted
by activities on the land surface (Minn. Dept. of Health, 1998). Chloride concentrations of greater than
5 ppm can also be used to indicate that an aquifer has been impacted by activities on the land surface.
Multiple investigators have used Cl/Br ratios to identify chloride sources to groundwater (Davis and
others, 1998; Panno and others, 2006). In general, samples with chloride to bromide ratios above 300
are waters that have been elevated by human activity.
Water samples collected in the Girl Scout Creek watershed on multiple occasions during the dye trace
and analyzed for anion chemistry show elevated nitrate and chloride levels in the upper watershed
surface water and spring waters and a dilution effect at springs located stratigraphically lower in the
section from a regional flow component. This observed pattern of high nitrate levels in surface water
and upper bedrock aquifers and nitrate poor water in lower units is a regional phenomenon recently
observed by Runkel (Runkel and others, 2014). Elevated nitrate levels in the Strand nose spring
suggest that water discharging from the spring is likely connected to the upper flow system.
Table 2. Anion chemistry of waters collected in the Girl Scout Creek watershed. Water samples are presented in
the table in an upstream to downstream order.
Fluoride Chloride Nitrite - N Bromide Nitrate - N Sulfate Phosphate - P Cl/Br
Concentration Units => ug/g ug/g ug/g ug/g ug/g ug/g ug/g
Detection Limits for 1x Dilution ( < ) 0.005 0.010 0.002 0.005 0.001 0.020 0.005
k Girl Scout Creek Surface Water 9/12/2013 0.104 6.765 0.002 0.010 4.408 7.546 0.079 712
ee GSC St Lawrence Nose Spring 9/12/2013 0.094 9.585 0.002 0.020 7.653 11.010 0.012 492
p C
r
Whispering Hill Spring 9/12/2013 0.085 7.530 0.002 0.020 6.205 9.660 0.008 386
am
Peterson Spring Head 3/4/2014 0.083 4.554 0.005 0.015 2.686 15.689 0.005 314
Peterson Spring Head 3/17/2014 0.097 4.094 0.002 0.029 2.343 15.663 0.007 144
oC
ut Strand Nose Spring 3/4/2014 0.098 6.644 0.005 0.018 4.769 12.279 0.005 380
Strand Nose Spring 3/17/2014 0.109 6.734 0.002 0.026 5.160 11.638 0.009 259
Strand Bank 3/17/2014 0.097 8.266 0.002 0.015 1.217 15.490 0.005 551rl S
cG
i
Girl Scout Creek Surface Water 3/17/2014
(near confluence)0.107 7.164 0.003 0.014 3.854 12.694 0.018 531
Girl Scout Camp Creek Trace Report
2014
Acknowledgements
The work presented in this report could not have occurred without the permission of landowners
who graciously allowed access to their property. Special thanks are given to the Girl Scouts of
America who own the Girl Scout Camp Creek property, Duane Peterson, Dennis Knutson, Kim
Anderson, and Robert and Heather Strand. This work is the result of collaboration between a number
of agencies including the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the Minnesota Department of
Agriculture, the Fillmore County Soil Water Conservation District, the Minnesota Geological Survey,
and the University of Minnesota. Professionals who assisted with this work include John Barry and
Jeff Green of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, E. Calvin Alexander, Sophie M.
Kasahara, and Betty J. Wheeler of the University of Minnesota, Kevin Kuehner of the Department of
Agriculture, Joe Magee of the Fillmore Soil Water Conservation District, and Anthony Runkel and
Julia Anderson of the Minnesota Geological Survey.
This effort was conducted as part of the Innovative Springshed Mapping for Trout Stream
ManagementβPhase II as funded by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund
as recommended by the Legislative and Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources.
References
Alexander, Scott C., 2005, Spectral Deconvolution of Natural Organics and ManβMade Fluorescent
Dyes, Tenth Multidisciplinary Conference on Sinkholes and the Engineering and Environmental
Impacts of Karst, San Antonio, 441β448.
Davis, S.N. and others, 1998, Uses of chloride/bromide ratios in studies of potable water: Ground
Water, v. 36, no. 2, p. 338β350.
Minnesota Department of Health, 1998, nitrate work group mapping guidance, October 5, 1998:
St. Paul, Department of Health, p. 43. Accessed April 9, 2013 at http://www.health.state.mn.us/
divs/eh/water/swp/nitrate/reports/nitrateguidance.pdf .
Panno, S.V., Hackley, K.C., Hwang, H.H., Greenberg, S.E., Krapac, I.G., Landsberger, S., and
OβKelly, D.J., 2006, Characterization and identification of NaβCl sources in ground water:
Ground Water, v. 44, no. 2, p. 176β187.
Runkel, A.C., Steenberg, J.R., Tipping, R.G., and Retzler, A.J., 2013, Geologic controls on groundwater
and surface water flow in southeastern Minnesota and its impact on nitrate concentrations in streams:
Minnesota Geological Survey, Open File Report 14β2, 70 p.
Wilson, J.T., 2012, Waterβquality assessment of the CambrianβOrdovician aquifer system in the
northern Midwest, United States: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2011β
5229, 154 p.
Girl Scout Camp Creek Trace Report
2014
Appendix 1- 2013 Girl Scout Camp Creek Trace Summary
Girl Scout Creek Down Stream Bug Set, MN28:X00020, (4,838,676N, 603,485E)
Uranine/Fluorescein Rhodamine WT Eosin
Time or Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak Sample Date PH/Ο FWHM PH/Ο FWHM PH/Ο FWHM
Dil. Height Center Height Center Height Center
I.U. nm nm I.U. nm nm I.U. nm nm
Water Samples
grab 17βOctβ2013 14:00 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
Bugs
in 17βOctβ2013
out 5βNovβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
in 5βNovβ2013
out 21βNovβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
in 21βNovβ2013
out 2βDecβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
Girl Scout Creek Up Stream Bug Set, MN28:X00021, (4,839,112N, 602921E)
Uranine/Fluorescein Rhodamine WT Eosin
Time or Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak Sample Date PH/Ο FWHM PH/Ο FWHM PH/Ο FWHM
Dil. Height Center Height Center Height Center
I.U. nm nm I.U. nm nm I.U. nm nm
Water Samples
grab 27βSepβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
grab 17βOctβ2013 13:38 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
grab 21βNovβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
Bugs
in 12βSepβ2013
out 27βSepβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ 1.2 4.5 538.6 21.0
in 17βOctβ2013
out 5βNovβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
in 5βNovβ2013
out 21βNovβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
in 21βNovβ2013
out 2βDecβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
GSC β Girl Scout Camp Creek Outlet, Ag Dept Bug Set, MN28:X00020, (4,838,435N, 603,853E)
Uranine/Fluorescein Rhodamine WT Eosin
Time or Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak Sample Date PH/Ο FWHM PH/Ο FWHM PH/Ο FWHM
Dil. Height Center Height Center Height Center
I.U. nm nm I.U. nm nm I.U. nm nm
Bugs
in 7βMayβ2013
out 10βJunβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
in 12βJulβ2013
out 23βJulβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ 3.5 12.7 536.5 28.2
in 23βJulβ2013
out 16βAugβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
in 16βAugβ2013
out 11βSepβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
in 11βSepβ2013
out 26βSepβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ 2.5 9.8 533.2 36.1
in 26βSepβ2013
out 10βOctβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
in 10βOctβ2013
out 24βOctβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
in 24βOctβ2013
out 12βNovβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
in 12βNovβ2013
out 27βNovβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
in 27βNovβ2013
out 11βDecβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
in 11βDecβ2013
out 27βDecβ2103 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
Girl Scout Camp Creek Trace Report
2014
Whispering Hills Spring Bug Set, MN28:A00090, (4,839,038N, 602,874E)
Uranine/Fluorescein Rhodamine WT Eosin
Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak PH/Ο FWHM PH/Ο FWHM PH/Ο FWHM
Time or Height Center Height Center Height Center Sample Date
Dil.
I.U. nm nm I.U. nm nm I.U. nm nm
Water Samples
grab 27-Sep-2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
grab 17βOctβ2013 13:47 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
grab 13βDecβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
grab 21βNovβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
Bugs
in 12βSepβ2013
out 27βSepβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ 1.52 5.1 565.3 23.7 βββ βββ βββ βββ
in 27βSepβ2013
out 17βOctβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ 2.37 7.2 565.4 26.7 βββ βββ βββ βββ
in 17βOctβ2013
out 5βNovβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ 8.59 15.9 565.4 21.3 βββ βββ βββ βββ
in 5βNovβ2013
out 21βNovβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ 2.29 7.6 565.9 25.5 βββ βββ βββ βββ
in 21βNovβ2013
out 2βDecβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ 4.75 11.1 565.6 22.9 βββ βββ βββ βββ
in 2βDecβ2013
out 13βDecβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ 2.66 6.6 565.9 25.6 βββ βββ βββ βββ
Girl Scout Creek St. Lawrence Nose Spring Bug Set, MN28:A00091, (4,839,778N, 602,409E)
Uranine/Fluorescein Rhodamine WT Eosin
Time or Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak Sample Date PH/Ο FWHM PH/Ο FWHM PH/Ο FWHM
Dil. Height Center Height Center Height Center
I.U. nm nm I.U. nm nm I.U. nm nm
Water Samples
grab 17βOctβ2013 13:17 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
grab 21βNovβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ 0.58 3.3 587.0 16.4 βββ βββ βββ βββ
grab 27βNovβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ 0.85 3.9 574.3 26.8 βββ βββ βββ βββ
grab 13βDecβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
Bugs
in 27βSepβ2013
out 17βOctβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ 20 55.0 565.2 22.3 βββ βββ βββ βββ
in 15βNovβ2013
out 21βNovβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ 7.16 12.4 566.9 30.7 βββ βββ βββ βββ
in 21βNovβ2013
out 2βDecβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ 6.83 13.1 567.6 31.9 βββ βββ βββ βββ
Knutson Spring Bug Set, MN28:A00092, (4,837,351N, 603,282E)
Bugs
in 17βOctβ2013
out 21βNovβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
in 21βNovβ2013
out 2βDecβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
Girl Scout Camp Creek Trace Report
2014
Peterson Spring Run, MN28:X00028, (4,838,436N,603,869E)
Bugs
in 7βMayβ2013
out 10βJunβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
in 10βJunβ2013
out 12βJulβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
in 12βJulβ2013
out 23βJulβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
in 23βJulβ2013
out 16βAugβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
in 16βAugβ2013
out 11βSepβ2013 2X βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
in 11βSepβ2013
out 26βSepβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ 2.73 6.7 567.0 18.1 βββ βββ βββ βββ
in 26βSepβ2013
out 10βOctβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ 25.43 24.5 565.7 29.9 βββ βββ βββ βββ
in 10βOctβ2013
out 24βOctβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ 46.90 50.4 565.6 22.3 βββ βββ βββ βββ
in 24βOctβ2013
out 12βNovβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ 8.65 10.5 566.5 24.9 βββ βββ βββ βββ
in 12βNovβ2013
out 27βNovβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ 15.39 39.2 565.1 23.0 βββ βββ βββ βββ
in 27βNovβ2013
out 11βDecβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ 16.95 32.5 565.1 23.3 βββ βββ βββ βββ
in 11βDecβ2013
out 27βDecβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ 14.42 40.3 565.1 22.2 βββ βββ βββ βββ
Anderson Spring/Hallum/Halon Creek Bug Set, MN23:A00697, (4,837,309 N, 602,003 E)
Uranine/Fluorescein Rhodamine WT Eosin
Time or Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak Sample Date PH/Ο FWHM PH/Ο FWHM PH/Ο FWHM
Dil. Height Center Height Center Height Center
I.U. nm nm I.U. nm nm I.U. nm nm
Water Samples
grab 27-Sep-2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
grab 17βOctβ2013 14:40 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
Bugs
in 10βSepβ2013
out 27βSepβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
in 27βSepβ2013
out 17βOctβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
in 10βOctβ2013
out 5βNovβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
in 5βNovβ2013
out 21βNovβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
in 21βNovβ2013
out 2βDecβ2013 βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ βββ
Girl Scout Camp Creek Trace Report
2014
Appendix 2 β Southeast Minnesota Dye Trace Velocities of the St. Lawrence Formation and
Tunnel City Group