Submitted by: Viacom
January 29, 2003

As part of the Neal's Landfill Groundwater Investigation Plan, work is to be done to better understand the drainage basin associated with the landfill. (See Tasks 39 through 49 of the Neal's Landfill Investigation Plan Activities schedule recently sent to you by Tom Alcamo.)

Attached is a general scope for dye testing in the Neal's Landfill area which incorporates a summary report on the field reconnaissance performed near the Neal's Landfill site on December 17, 2002 and January 7, 2003 in preparation for dye testing.

If you have any comments on any of this material please provide them to me by February 10, 2003. If you have any questions, please contact Russ Cepko at (412) 642-2569.

Dorthy Alke
Director
Bloomington Project

Scope of Work for Northwest Springs Basin Delineation Dye Tracing

Goal: Conduct a series of dye traces from locations described in "Summary of Field Reconnaissance for Northwest Spring Basin Delineation" attached to this scope. The results of these traces should better define the areas contributing to the flow of the Northwest Spring system. The first traces will be from locations #5 and #13 as described in the summary report. Location #5 is the sink on the Edwards property. Location #13 is the brush-filled sink on the Sarber property. These first two injections will occur in non-storm conditions.

Set up and Preparation

• Prepare 125 gram injection aliquot of fluorescein and 225 gram injection aliquot of Rhodamine WT.
• Prepare standards for fluorometer.
• Take background samples of the following locations (see attached map) for dye and conductivity:
  • New Rogers Spring on Oard Road
  • Rogers Spring or Rogers Spring Branch
  • Pig Pen Spring
  • Conard's springs (if flowing)
  • Reese Spring
  • Anderson Spring
  • North Spring
  • South Spring
  • Overflow Springs (at culvert)
  • Taylor Spring
  • Branham Spring
  • Richland Springs
• Set up ISCO samplers sampling for dye at South Spring, Overflow Springs, Richland Springs, Taylor Spring, and Rogers Spring.
• Arrange 2000 gal. of clean water for flushing at each site.

• Monitor weather and schedule test for 3-day dry period.
• Start flushing water from tanker truck into Sarber sink.
• Pour Rhodamine WT into stream of water.
• Flush with remainder of clean water.
• Start flushing water from tanker truck into Edwards sink.
• Pour Fluorescein into stream of water.
• Flush with remainder of clean water.

Field Sampling

• Set ISCO auto samplers to begin sampling before dye injection.
• Set auto sample frequency to 4-hours for the springs.
• Estimated travel times are 12 hours for Sarber sink and 30 hours for Edwards sink. Samplers should run for twice the estimated sample travel time, or until breakthrough curves for both dyes are established.
• Sample North Spring, Pig Pen Spring, Branham Spring, and any Conard springs twice daily.

Dye Analysis

• Dye samples are taken to office warehouse and refrigerated.
• Dye samples are prepared for dye analysis according to SOP and dye analysis is performed with fluorometer.
• Dye results are plotted and decision is made whether sufficient breakthrough data are obtained. If no dye is seen within twice the estimated travel time, sampling will continue for two more days on every 4 hour interval.
• If dye is not seen after two more days, twice daily grab samples of all spring locations will continue for one week.

Summary of Field Reconnaissance for Northwest Spring Basin Delineation

1.0 Introduction

The possibility of conducting dye traces to delineate the areas contributing to the flow of the Northwest Spring system was raised in the Final Groundwater Investigation Plan of April 2002. The plan states in Section 3.1, page 4:

In to a potential dye test of the Cave Creek swallets, other sinkhole/swallets in the area may be dye injected to further delineate the basin. Decisions on additional basin delineation dye testing will be made after reviewing the new air photos, gathering additional data at Cave Creek, gathering additional data concerning the Rogers Quarry operations and field reconnaissance.

Some of the data referred to in the Investigation Plan has been reviewed. Cave Creek sink water levels were compared to discharge records at the Northwest Springs. As reported in "Preliminary Storm Discharge Analysis at Conard's Branch, Neal's Landfill" distributed in September 2002, Cave Creek sink water levels would continue to rise after flows began declining in the Northwest Spring system. A storm and non-storm dye trace from the Cave Creek sinks were both detected at Richland Springs and not at the Northwest Spring system. It would seem unlikely the Cave Creek terminal sink area could be a major contributor to the Northwest Springs.

A visit to the Rogers Quarry in September 2002 by Viacom and Earth Tech personnel resulted in preliminary information being gathered regarding Groundwater conditions at the quarry as they may relate to the reduction in flows at the Northwest Spring system. A summary of that visit and the information gained was reported in a memorandum from Earth Tech to the EPA of September 20, 2002. The preliminary conclusion was that the Rogers Quarry operations were not having a major impact on the Northwest Springs flow.

A revised "Storm Volume Comparison at Conard's Branch, Neal's Landfill" was distributed December 19, 2002. The conclusion of that report was that there has been a reduction in the post-remediation volume of storm water discharged at the Northwest Springs, but primarily for smaller storms. Peak flow attenuation seems to have occurred for all storms. The main cause of the reduction seems to be the flow diversion performed during remediation, although that conclusion could depend on the ratio of total basin area to that area diverted.

Based on the foregoing information, it seemed apparent that a better definition of the contributing areas to the Northwest Spring system was warranted. Previously, the best estimate of drainage and probable area of contribution was made by Powell (Ref. 3). He measured flow at other streams and springs in the area and compared the ratio of drainage area to measured flow to that for gauged streams in southern Indiana. He concluded that a ratio of 1 square mile of drainage per 1 cubic foot per second of mean discharge was a reasonable estimate. Based on that, he estimated that the Northwest Spring system would have 350 acres of drainage.

Figure 1 shows possible drainage areas that might be contributing to the Northwest Spring system based on the dye traces that have been conducted (shown as arrows on Figure 1). Powell (Ref. 3) estimated much the same drainage area, except he included the surface area above the Sarber sink. It was agreed that the areas between the three main off site dye trace inputs (Harshman sink, Taylor sink, and Cave Creek sink) would be searched for additional input points from which the contributing area could be better defined. This report summarizes the findings of that field reconnaissance.

2.0 Scope of Work for Field Reconnaissance of Northwest Spring Basin

The goal of the field reconnaissance was to identify sinkholes, swallow-holes, and out-of-use residential wells as possible dye injections locations. The dye injection locations are intended to help delineate areas contributing to the Northwest Springs drainage basin, and identify drainage that might be a candidate for studying the feasibility of diverting it out of the Groundwater basin as surface run off. A list of references is attached at the end of this document that identifies work already done and gives the basis for the approximate Northwest Springs drainage basin that is to be refined by this work. That reference list is the result of a literature and reference search conducted as part of the investigation plan as noted in Section 3.1, page 2. Although that search revealed a number of articles on delineating karst basins in general and several site specific case histories, only references specific to Cave Creek or the Northwest Spring system are listed. The work proceeded according to the following outline:

Identification of Possible Locations Using Mapping and Aerial Photouraphy

• Produce reconnaissance summary topographic map and identify areas of interest.
• Using available aerial photography, identify potential sinkhole locations in areas of interest.
• Using county database, identify landowners of areas of interest.
• Interview landowners regarding known sinkhole locations, and out-of-use water supply wells.
• Obtain permission to enter land.

Field Reconnaissance of Areas of Interest

• Prepare enlarged sections of reconnaissance summary map for each land segment to be walked.
• Identify potential locations from aerial photography and landowners interviews on segment maps.
• Field visit potential locations and verify existence of features.
• Record field observations, photograph features, and obtain GPS coordinates.

Summary of Results

3.0 Summary of Findings and Location Descriptions

Field reconnaissance was conducted on December 17, 2002 and January 7, 2003. John Bassett of Earth Tech accompanied Viacom personnel both times. The features that were found and described are labeled on the attached figure: "Neal's Landfill Basin Delineation Study- Sinkholes/Dye Injection Locations". Topographically, the area searched is described as a north-south oriented karst valley and adjacent (to the west) ridge top. The valley is a tributary to Cave Creek, but has no discernable surface drainage. All surface drainage is captured by a series of sinkholes and swallow-holes. The karst valley is the extreme western edge of the Mitchell Plain and the ridge top, capped with sandstones and shales, is part of the Chester Escarpment. Although parts of the area had been cleared in the past for farmland and pasture, it is now densely covered in secondary vegetative overgrowth.

No attempt was made to inventory or catalog all karst features. The plan was to evenly space out the features between the previous injection points and to locate features close enough to a road for access by a water truck, or features that would take surface runoff drainage during storm events. Sites 1,2,3B,4,5, and 13 can be accessed by a water truck, while sites 3A,6,7,8,9,10,11, and 12 are more suitable for tracing during storm events. The sites are described below along with their coordinates and matching attached photo logs.

Site #1 (UTM NAD83 meters N4334170 E531725)

Site #1 is a sinkhole on the property of Mike Bryant along Holland Hill Drive. The sink is an oval approximately 30' x 60' and 12' deep. It receives about 2-3 acres of drainage from the hill side to the northwest and about the same amount of drainage from the pasture to the south with is fed via a culvert under Holland Hill Drive. Photo #1 shows the sink in relation to the home and Holland Hill Drive. A water truck could be used to flush dye in this sink for a low to moderate flow tracer test. A medium to large storm would generate enough runoff to produce a flushing stream of water for a storm tracer test. Photo #2 shows a close-up of the sink. Some moderate clearing of the bottom might be necessary to reveal the swallow hole for low flow injection.

Site #7 is a 30' diameter, 10' deep sink in the valley between sites 8 and 9 on the Hamilton property. It would be suitable for a storm flow trace. A piece of tabular chert float similar to the Lost River chert bed as seen in the Rogers Quarry was found in the bottom of it. Photo #15 shows the bottom of the sink.

Site #8 (UTM NAD83 meters N4334375 E531839)

Site #8 is at the mouth of the small valley where the 7 and 9 sinks lie. It is also on the Hamilton property. It would be suitable for a storm trace. There is an 18" opening in the bottom which leads to a 10" crevice descending into the rock formation. Photo #16 shows the sink, and photo #17 is a close-up of the bottom opening.

Site #9 (UTM NAD83 meters N4334450 E531729)

Site #9 refers to the western most sink of sinks 7-8-9 in the small valley on Hamilton property. It is divided into an upper and lower swallet. There is a fair amount of surface drainage above it which would make it suitable for a storm dye trace. Photo #18 is a picture of its bottom.

Site #10 is the large (>100') diameter sink on the Hamilton property near the hilltop that shows as two closed contours on the USGS 7.5 minute quadrangle. The sink takes at least 15 acres of surface drainage and has a well defined channel in its base. Probably even small storms generate a stream of water. The sink terminus has a swallow hole with a large amount of leaf litter. This location is a prime candidate for a storm trace. Photo #19 shows the steep north side and part of the terminus.

Site #11 is two adjacent sinkholes 100' in diameter on the Hamilton property. They are about 600' south of the Younger property, and in photo #20 the barn on that adjacent property can be seen at the top of the hill. Neither sink has as much surface runoff as site 10, but could be used to a major storm dye trace.

Site #12 is the terminal sink for the big valley that begins up near site 10. The channel leading into this sink is steeply incised, and obviously takes a lot of surface runoff, perhaps 20-25 acres. Small to medium storms should generate sufficient flow to flush dye. The sink has two collapses at its terminus. In photo #21 the person is standing in the swallet where the main valley flow will sink. In photo #22, just to the lower left of the field book is a cave entrance. It drops about 6' vertically and opens into a 4' by 5' passage that may continue.

Site #13 refers to a brush filled sinkhole adjacent to an access road about 400' south of the old access road off of State Route 48 into Neal's Landfill. It has been referred to as Sarber Sink and Sarber Cave, and is on property currently belonging to Brenda Sarber. According to Mrs. Sarber, her father and uncles descended a pit in the sinkhole and entered a cave with a stream flowing in it. There were supposed to have been able to follow this passage for some distance. Since that time, the Sarbers have been piling brush and trash into the sink in order to prevent entrance. Photo #23 shows the brush pile and part of the access road.

NLF Basin Sizing Literature/Previous Work Review

1. BB+L 1983, "Water Budget for Neal's Landfill", 6/30/83 by J.C.Tomik: This reference discusses classic water balance calculations performed for NLF. It estimates the amount of runoff, percolation, evapo-transpiration and soil storage based on classic surface hydrology techniques. The author does not recognize the karst aspects of the basin and does not attempt to estimate the basin size.

2. EPA/Johnson 1983, "Water Balance Calculations for Neal's Landfill", 9/21/83 by T.M. Johnson: The author uses the HELP model to estimate the amount of percolation thru various final cover designs for the landfill. No acknowledgement of karst is made and no attempt is made to estimate basin size or characteristics.

3. EPA/Powell 1983, "Geology and Hydrology of Neal's Landfill Monroe County, Indiana", 818183, by Richard Powell: The author acknowledges the karst watershed and attempts to estimate basin size based on spring flows. The author also makes a first attempt to evaluate which areas around the landfill may contribute to the flow system.

4. Monroe County Drainage Board/Christopher B. Burke Eng, "Cave Creek Watershed Study Monroe County, Indiana", July 1999: Cave Creek is evaluated from a classic surface water hydrology standpoint. The HEC-1 model is run to evaluate flows and peak elevations. Alternatives to alleviate flooding at the terminal sink area are evaluated. The evaluation does discuss karst issues but not the Neal's Landfill site. It does reference a doctoral thesis which appears to deal with the Karst aspects of the Cave Creek basin and includes a stage discharge relationship developed for the Cave Creek terminal sinks.

5. EPA/Daily Assoc-1983: Otis Michael of Daily Assoc did some work for EPA in 1983 that culminated in a 'remedial alternatives assessment" for the landfill. The work involved some analysis of the USGS flume data to estimate needed water treatment plant sizes.

6. EPA/PELA 1983: "Hydrologic Assessment Neal's Landfill and Vicinity", September 1983: PELA was an EPA contractor on karst issues at the site. They performed a water budget and estimated the basin size and well level peaks.

7A. Viacom/McCann September 11, 2002: "Preliminary Storm Discharge Analysis at Conard's Branch, Neal's Landfill." A comparison of total rain and storm volume discharged for the 1993-94 storm set, the 2000 storm set, and the 2001 storm set. This analysis indicated a reduction in storm volume discharged for post-remediation storm sets.

7B. Viacom/McCann December 19, 2002: "Storm Volume Comparison at Conard's Branch, Neal's Landfill." A multiple regression analysis of storm volume, total rain, and pre-storm flow for 1983-84 USGS storm set, 1993-94 storm set, and combined post-weir 2001-2002 storm set. This analysis indicated storm volume reduction for post-remediation storms had occurred and could be explained by post-remediation diversion to surface run off of previous sub- surface contributions. (Note: statistical tables to be updated from Oct. 18 versions.)

8. Master Thesis Work of Neill Vaughan circa 1994: Neill did a number of dye traces and some estimation of the basin size and configuration. The write up for this work is incomplete. But Neill has some draft basin sizing/characteristics and dye results.

9. EPA/TetraTech 2002: "Revised Current Status Report for Groundwater, Surface Water, Sediment, and Fish Data Through October 2001 Neal's Landfill Site Monroe County, Indiana", March 12, 2002: This document includes an analysis of the recent flow data by John Bassett of Earth Tech.

10. Viacom Bloomington Tracer Test Summary Report, August 14 1992: This draft report summarizes the dye test results for NLF performed by Viacom.

11. Knuth, Daniel J., "Karst Hydrology in Urban Planning: Bloomington, Indiana", Doctoral thesis, Indiana University, 1975. Thesis includes elevation- discharge data points for sink zone. Thesis was used by FEMA for designation of 100-year floodplain.

12. Epstein, Mark L., "The Distribution of and Abundance of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Surface Waters of Bloomington, Indiana", Masters Thesis, Department of Geology, Indiana University, May 1979. Shows the results of six monthly samples of Cave Creek taken at Clifford Road for PCBs between June and December 1977. All samples were below detection.