This data release pertains to a seepage investigation and dye tracing study conducted in the Big Creek watershed of Newton County, Arkansas. The seepage dataset includes geospatial files of discharge measurement points and zero-flow observations along with vector lines delineating losing and gaining stream reaches. The dye tracing dataset consists of geospatial files of monitoring sites, dye injection location, and dye flow paths. Hydrologic systems in karst environments have a high degree of interconnectivity between surface water and groundwater systems. Because of this interconnectivity, activities which occur on the surface in karst environments have a direct impact on the water quality and quantity of karst groundwater. The Ozark Plateaus Physiographic region (Ozarks) of northern Arkansas and southern Missouri is an extensive karst area where many of the karst flow systems are recharged via losing streams. Losing streams are where stream flow sinks or loses into the subsurface, either along a reach or potentially at a discrete point. This flow may reappear further downstream within the same drainage or may follow karst pathways (such as fractures and conduits) to springs, caves, or other drainages. Thus, in karst areas with losing streams, awareness of the locations where stream flow is lost or gained is necessary to properly understand the karst hydrologic system and the influences on water quality. In addition to quantifying stream flow losses and gains, knowing the pathway(s) that the sinking water follows is necessary as karst flow paths are unpredictable. Dye injections of fluorescent tracer dyes can be conducted to trace the sinking water to resurgences that can be monitored. Big Creek in Newton County, Arkansas is the fifth largest tributary to the Buffalo National River by land area. The creek is comprised of two primary streams, Big Creek and the Left Fork of Big Creek, both of which have significant reaches underlain by Mississippian Boone Formation, a limestone unit that is commonly karstified. On October 13-14, 2020 a seepage investigation was conducted in the Big Creek watershed to determine, during base flow conditions, where losing and gaining reaches of the streams were located. The study focused primarily on the two main streams, Big Creek and Left Fork of Big Creek; however, many tributaries were examined dependent on road access. The seepage investigation was conducted over two days, a 28-hour span, and resulted in 13 discharge measurements along the main streams and 48 zero-flow observations at tributaries and on main streams. Following the seepage investigation, a network of 27 monitoring sites were established to locate charcoal packets used in the detection of fluorescent tracer dyes. On October 15, a dye injection of fluorescein was conducted along the Left Fork of Big Creek into a flowing reach upstream from a completely dry reach. The dye was detected 2.9 miles downstream from the injection site along the next gaining stream reach and at subsequent monitoring sites downstream from the initial recovery site. For more detailed methodology on groundwater tracing see Process Steps within the metadata for the dye tracing dataset.

This data release pertains to a seepage investigation and dye tracing study conducted in the Big Creek watershed of Newton County, Arkansas. The seepage dataset includes geospatial files of discharge measurement points and zero-flow observations along with vector lines delineating losing and gaining stream reaches. Hydrologic systems in karst environments have a high degree of interconnectivity between surface water and groundwater systems. Because of this interconnectivity, activities which occur on the surface in karst environments have a direct impact on the water quality and quantity of karst groundwater. The Ozark Plateaus Physiographic region (Ozarks) of northern Arkansas and southern Missouri is an extensive karst area where many of the karst flow systems are recharged via losing streams. Losing streams are where stream flow sinks or loses into the subsurface, either along a reach or potentially at a discrete point. This flow may reappear further downstream within the same drainage or may follow karst pathways (such as fractures and conduits) to springs, caves, or other drainages. Thus, in karst areas with losing streams, awareness of the locations where stream flow is lost or gained is necessary to properly understand the karst hydrologic system and the influences on water quality. In addition to quantifying stream flow losses and gains, knowing the pathway(s) that the sinking water follows is necessary as karst flow paths are unpredictable. Dye injections of fluorescent tracer dyes can be conducted to trace the sinking water to resurgences that can be monitored. Big Creek in Newton County, Arkansas is the fifth largest tributary to the Buffalo National River by land area. The creek is comprised of two primary streams, Big Creek and the Left Fork of Big Creek, both of which have significant reaches underlain by Mississippian Boone Formation, a limestone unit that is commonly karstified. On October 13-14, 2020 a seepage investigation was conducted in the Big Creek watershed to determine, during base flow conditions, where losing and gaining reaches of the streams were located. The study focused primarily on the two main streams, Big Creek and Left Fork of Big Creek; however, many tributaries were examined dependent on road access. The seepage investigation was conducted over two days, a 28-hour span, and resulted in 13 discharge measurements along the main streams and 48 zero-flow observations at tributaries and on main streams. Following the seepage investigation, a network of 27 monitoring sites were established to locate charcoal packets used in the detection of fluorescent tracer dyes. On October 15, a dye injection of fluorescein was conducted along the Left Fork of Big Creek into a flowing reach upstream from a completely dry reach. The dye was detected 2.9 miles downstream from the injection site along the next gaining stream reach and at subsequent monitoring sites downstream from the initial recovery site. For more detailed methodology on groundwater tracing see Process Steps within the metadata for the dye tracing dataset.

This data release pertains to a seepage investigation and dye tracing study conducted in the Big Creek watershed of Newton County, Arkansas. The dye tracing dataset consists of geospatial files of monitoring sites, dye injection location, and dye flow paths. Hydrologic systems in karst environments have a high degree of interconnectivity between surface water and groundwater systems. Because of this interconnectivity, activities which occur on the surface in karst environments have a direct impact on the water quality and quantity of karst groundwater. The Ozark Plateaus Physiographic region (Ozarks) of northern Arkansas and southern Missouri is an extensive karst area where many of the karst flow systems are recharged via losing streams. Losing streams are where stream flow sinks or loses into the subsurface, either along a reach or potentially at a discrete point. This flow may reappear further downstream within the same drainage or may follow karst pathways (such as fractures and conduits) to springs, caves, or other drainages. Thus, in karst areas with losing streams, awareness of the locations where stream flow is lost or gained is necessary to properly understand the karst hydrologic system and the influences on water quality. In addition to quantifying stream flow losses and gains, knowing the pathway(s) that the sinking water follows is necessary as karst flow paths are unpredictable. Dye injections of fluorescent tracer dyes can be conducted to trace the sinking water to resurgences that can be monitored. Big Creek in Newton County, Arkansas is the fifth largest tributary to the Buffalo National River by land area. The creek is comprised of two primary streams, Big Creek and the Left Fork of Big Creek, both of which have significant reaches underlain by Mississippian Boone Formation, a limestone unit that is commonly karstified. On October 13-14, 2020 a seepage investigation was conducted in the Big Creek watershed to determine, during base flow conditions, where losing and gaining reaches of the streams were located. The study focused primarily on the two main streams, Big Creek and Left Fork of Big Creek; however, many tributaries were examined dependent on road access. The seepage investigation was conducted over two days, a 28-hour span, and resulted in 13 discharge measurements along the main streams and 48 zero-flow observations at tributaries and on main streams. Following the seepage investigation, a network of 27 monitoring sites were established to locate charcoal packets used in the detection of fluorescent tracer dyes. On October 15, a dye injection of fluorescein was conducted along the Left Fork of Big Creek into a flowing reach upstream from a completely dry reach. The dye was detected 2.9 miles downstream from the injection site along the next gaining stream reach and at subsequent monitoring sites downstream from the initial recovery site. For more detailed methodology on groundwater tracing see Process Steps within the metadata for the dye tracing dataset.

This data release pertains to a seepage investigation and dye tracing study conducted in the Big Creek watershed of Newton County, Arkansas. The dye tracing dataset consists of geospatial files of monitoring sites, dye injection location, and dye flow paths. Hydrologic systems in karst environments have a high degree of interconnectivity between surface water and groundwater systems. Because of this interconnectivity, activities which occur on the surface in karst environments have a direct impact on the water quality and quantity of karst groundwater. The Ozark Plateaus Physiographic region (Ozarks) of northern Arkansas and southern Missouri is an extensive karst area where many of the karst flow systems are recharged via losing streams. Losing streams are where stream flow sinks or loses into the subsurface, either along a reach or potentially at a discrete point. This flow may reappear further downstream within the same drainage or may follow karst pathways (such as fractures and conduits) to springs, caves, or other drainages. Thus, in karst areas with losing streams, awareness of the locations where stream flow is lost or gained is necessary to properly understand the karst hydrologic system and the influences on water quality. In addition to quantifying stream flow losses and gains, knowing the pathway(s) that the sinking water follows is necessary as karst flow paths are unpredictable. Dye injections of fluorescent tracer dyes can be conducted to trace the sinking water to resurgences that can be monitored. Big Creek in Newton County, Arkansas is the fifth largest tributary to the Buffalo National River by land area. The creek is comprised of two primary streams, Big Creek and the Left Fork of Big Creek, both of which have significant reaches underlain by Mississippian Boone Formation, a limestone unit that is commonly karstified. On October 13-14, 2020 a seepage investigation was conducted in the Big Creek watershed to determine, during base flow conditions, where losing and gaining reaches of the streams were located. The study focused primarily on the two main streams, Big Creek and Left Fork of Big Creek; however, many tributaries were examined dependent on road access. The seepage investigation was conducted over two days, a 28-hour span, and resulted in 13 discharge measurements along the main streams and 48 zero-flow observations at tributaries and on main streams. Following the seepage investigation, a network of 27 monitoring sites were established to locate charcoal packets used in the detection of fluorescent tracer dyes. On October 15, a dye injection of fluorescein was conducted along the Left Fork of Big Creek into a flowing reach upstream from a completely dry reach. The dye was detected 2.9 miles downstream from the injection site along the next gaining stream reach and at subsequent monitoring sites downstream from the initial recovery site. For more detailed methodology on groundwater tracing see Process Steps within the metadata for the dye tracing dataset.

This data release pertains to a seepage investigation and dye tracing study conducted in the Big Creek watershed of Newton County, Arkansas. The seepage dataset includes geospatial files of discharge measurement points and zero-flow observations along with vector lines delineating losing and gaining stream reaches. Hydrologic systems in karst environments have a high degree of interconnectivity between surface water and groundwater systems. Because of this interconnectivity, activities which occur on the surface in karst environments have a direct impact on the water quality and quantity of karst groundwater. The Ozark Plateaus Physiographic region (Ozarks) of northern Arkansas and southern Missouri is an extensive karst area where many of the karst flow systems are recharged via losing streams. Losing streams are where stream flow sinks or loses into the subsurface, either along a reach or potentially at a discrete point. This flow may reappear further downstream within the same drainage or may follow karst pathways (such as fractures and conduits) to springs, caves, or other drainages. Thus, in karst areas with losing streams, awareness of the locations where stream flow is lost or gained is necessary to properly understand the karst hydrologic system and the influences on water quality. In addition to quantifying stream flow losses and gains, knowing the pathway(s) that the sinking water follows is necessary as karst flow paths are unpredictable. Dye injections of fluorescent tracer dyes can be conducted to trace the sinking water to resurgences that can be monitored. Big Creek in Newton County, Arkansas is the fifth largest tributary to the Buffalo National River by land area. The creek is comprised of two primary streams, Big Creek and the Left Fork of Big Creek, both of which have significant reaches underlain by Mississippian Boone Formation, a limestone unit that is commonly karstified. On October 13-14, 2020 a seepage investigation was conducted in the Big Creek watershed to determine, during base flow conditions, where losing and gaining reaches of the streams were located. The study focused primarily on the two main streams, Big Creek and Left Fork of Big Creek; however, many tributaries were examined dependent on road access. The seepage investigation was conducted over two days, a 28-hour span, and resulted in 13 discharge measurements along the main streams and 48 zero-flow observations at tributaries and on main streams. Following the seepage investigation, a network of 27 monitoring sites were established to locate charcoal packets used in the detection of fluorescent tracer dyes. On October 15, a dye injection of fluorescein was conducted along the Left Fork of Big Creek into a flowing reach upstream from a completely dry reach. The dye was detected 2.9 miles downstream from the injection site along the next gaining stream reach and at subsequent monitoring sites downstream from the initial recovery site. For more detailed methodology on groundwater tracing see Process Steps within the metadata for the dye tracing dataset.

This data release pertains to a seepage investigation and dye tracing study conducted in the Big Creek watershed of Newton County, Arkansas. The seepage dataset includes geospatial files of discharge measurement points and zero-flow observations along with vector lines delineating losing and gaining stream reaches. Hydrologic systems in karst environments have a high degree of interconnectivity between surface water and groundwater systems. Because of this interconnectivity, activities which occur on the surface in karst environments have a direct impact on the water quality and quantity of karst groundwater. The Ozark Plateaus Physiographic region (Ozarks) of northern Arkansas and southern Missouri is an extensive karst area where many of the karst flow systems are recharged via losing streams. Losing streams are where stream flow sinks or loses into the subsurface, either along a reach or potentially at a discrete point. This flow may reappear further downstream within the same drainage or may follow karst pathways (such as fractures and conduits) to springs, caves, or other drainages. Thus, in karst areas with losing streams, awareness of the locations where stream flow is lost or gained is necessary to properly understand the karst hydrologic system and the influences on water quality. In addition to quantifying stream flow losses and gains, knowing the pathway(s) that the sinking water follows is necessary as karst flow paths are unpredictable. Dye injections of fluorescent tracer dyes can be conducted to trace the sinking water to resurgences that can be monitored. Big Creek in Newton County, Arkansas is the fifth largest tributary to the Buffalo National River by land area. The creek is comprised of two primary streams, Big Creek and the Left Fork of Big Creek, both of which have significant reaches underlain by Mississippian Boone Formation, a limestone unit that is commonly karstified. On October 13-14, 2020 a seepage investigation was conducted in the Big Creek watershed to determine, during base flow conditions, where losing and gaining reaches of the streams were located. The study focused primarily on the two main streams, Big Creek and Left Fork of Big Creek; however, many tributaries were examined dependent on road access. The seepage investigation was conducted over two days, a 28-hour span, and resulted in 13 discharge measurements along the main streams and 48 zero-flow observations at tributaries and on main streams. Following the seepage investigation, a network of 27 monitoring sites were established to locate charcoal packets used in the detection of fluorescent tracer dyes. On October 15, a dye injection of fluorescein was conducted along the Left Fork of Big Creek into a flowing reach upstream from a completely dry reach. The dye was detected 2.9 miles downstream from the injection site along the next gaining stream reach and at subsequent monitoring sites downstream from the initial recovery site. For more detailed methodology on groundwater tracing see Process Steps within the metadata for the dye tracing dataset.

Karst hydrologic systems are important resources in the state of Tennessee both as drinking water resources and as centers for possible biological diversity. These systems are susceptible to contamination due to the inherent connectivity between surface water and groundwater systems in karst systems. A partnership between the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Tennessee Department of Conservation (TDEC) was formed to investigate karst spring systems across the state utilizing fluorescent groundwater tracing, particularly in areas where these resources may be used as drinking water sources. In fall 2021, USGS and TDEC staff identified possible vulnerabilities or complexities that may exist within karst spring systems based upon maturity of karst development, underlying geology, and uncertainties related to estimated recharge areas. Based upon initial research, several study areas were selected. Dye tracing efforts began in March 2022 in the communities of Woodbury, Cowan, Jasper, and Vanleer. In Water Year 2023 (10/1/2022-9/30/2023) fieldwork concluded on these initial communities and new dye tracing efforts were started in Caryville, Morristown, and Lafayette. Collectively these communities span multiple physiographic regions including the western and eastern Cumberland Plateau escarpments, the Western and Eastern Highland Rim, and the Valley and Ridge Province. All these communities rely on karst groundwater as a drinking water source and in areas where the hydrology has been significantly altered by karst processes and thus the groundwater pathways are complex and unpredictable. The community of Vanleer is in Dickson County, Tennessee. The town drains west to Yellow Creek, a tributary of the Cumberland River. Mississippian St. Louis and Warsaw limestone units are dominant in the entire Vanleer area. These areas of mostly carbonate strata are altered by karst processes resulting in most surface water sinking underground and discharging at springs at lower reaches. In Water Year 2023, a total of nine dye injections were conducted over three rounds. The monitoring network consisted of 46 monitoring sites where charcoal packets were deployed. This data release contains shapefiles that relate to dye injection locations, monitoring sites, and dye traces conducted in the Vanleer area during the 2023 Water Year (10/1/2022-9/30/2023). All files were created in ArcGIS Pro and each shapefile contains associated attributes for the features contained within. Layer files are included with the datasets to match symbology found in figures in the accompanying report. All shapefiles and layers were created and modified in ArcGIS software. For a full description of the methods to create these files, see Process Steps in "VN23_Metadata.xml" metadata file. Data within each child item of this data release are named with a two-letter abbreviation unique for the community where the tracing occurred and the water year the work was conducted (e.g. WD23). Abbreviations for the communities are as followed: CR = Caryville, CW = Cowan, JS = Jasper, LF = Lafayette, MR = Morristown, VN = Vanleer, WD = Woodbury.

Karst hydrologic systems are important resources in the state of Tennessee both as drinking water resources and as centers for possible biological diversity. These systems are susceptible to contamination due to the inherent connectivity between surface water and groundwater systems in karst systems. A partnership between the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Tennessee Department of Conservation (TDEC) was formed to investigate karst spring systems across the state utilizing fluorescent groundwater tracing, particularly in areas where these resources may be used as drinking water sources. In fall 2021, USGS and TDEC staff identified possible vulnerabilities or complexities that may exist within karst spring systems based upon maturity of karst development, underlying geology, and uncertainties related to estimated recharge areas. Based upon initial research, several study areas were selected. Dye tracing efforts began in March 2022 in the communities of Woodbury, Cowan, Jasper, and Vanleer. In Water Year 2023 (10/1/2022-9/30/2023) fieldwork concluded on these initial communities and new dye tracing efforts were started in Caryville, Morristown, and Lafayette. Collectively these communities span multiple physiographic regions including the western and eastern Cumberland Plateau escarpments, the Western and Eastern Highland Rim, and the Valley and Ridge Province. All these communities rely on karst groundwater as a drinking water source and in areas where the hydrology has been significantly altered by karst processes and thus the groundwater pathways are complex and unpredictable. The community of Vanleer is in Dickson County, Tennessee. The town drains west to Yellow Creek, a tributary of the Cumberland River. Mississippian St. Louis and Warsaw limestone units are dominant in the entire Vanleer area. These areas of mostly carbonate strata are altered by karst processes resulting in most surface water sinking underground and discharging at springs at lower reaches. In Water Year 2023, a total of nine dye injections were conducted over three rounds. The monitoring network consisted of 46 monitoring sites where charcoal packets were deployed. This data release contains shapefiles that relate to dye injection locations, monitoring sites, and dye traces conducted in the Vanleer area during the 2023 Water Year (10/1/2022-9/30/2023). All files were created in ArcGIS Pro and each shapefile contains associated attributes for the features contained within. Layer files are included with the datasets to match symbology found in figures in the accompanying report. All shapefiles and layers were created and modified in ArcGIS software. For a full description of the methods to create these files, see Process Steps in "VN23_Metadata.xml" metadata file. Data within each child item of this data release are named with a two-letter abbreviation unique for the community where the tracing occurred and the water year the work was conducted (e.g. WD23). Abbreviations for the communities are as followed: CR = Caryville, CW = Cowan, JS = Jasper, LF = Lafayette, MR = Morristown, VN = Vanleer, WD = Woodbury.

The 'Channel Width' shapefile data are measurements of the active channel width of the Green River at 1-km intervals in and near Canyonlands National Park, Utah. The active channel was defined as the area of the wetted, or inundated, channel as visible on aerial photographs plus the area of bare (free of vegetation) sand and gravel bars. The active channel for each aerial photograph series was hand digitized on a computer screen in ArcGIS version 9.2. The 'Mineral Bottom' csv data are river channel cross-sections for a 3-km study reach of the Green River upstream from Mineral Bottom, Utah. The study reach is near the mouth of Hell Roaring Canyon, 5 km upstream from the Mineral Bottom boat ramp, which is 85 km upstream from the confluence of the Green River with the Colorado River. Six cross-sections were originally established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in June 1995. Additional cross-sections were added by Utah State University in August 1995. A subset of the cross-sections (where original monuments were found) were re-surveyed by the U.S. Geological Survey Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center in cooperation with Utah State University in June 2015. These raster data are aerial images and digital elevation models (DEMs) for segments of the Green River in and near Canyonlands National Park, Utah. The aerial images depict the river channel and adjacent floodplains for most of the corridor of the Green River in Canyonlands National Park. The images were aquired from public sources and orthorectified and mosaiced for this study. The DEMs cover the river channel and adjacent floodplain for the Fort Bottom segment of the Green River within Canyonlands National Park and included both bathymetric and topographic data. The bathymetric data were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center with funding provided by the National Park Service. The topographic data are airborne lidar data that were collected for the state of Utah by a contractor.

The 'Channel Width' shapefile data are measurements of the active channel width of the Green River at 1-km intervals in and near Canyonlands National Park, Utah. The active channel was defined as the area of the wetted, or inundated, channel as visible on aerial photographs plus the area of bare (free of vegetation) sand and gravel bars. The active channel for each aerial photograph series was hand digitized on a computer screen in ArcGIS version 9.2. The 'Mineral Bottom' csv data are river channel cross-sections for a 3-km study reach of the Green River upstream from Mineral Bottom, Utah. The study reach is near the mouth of Hell Roaring Canyon, 5 km upstream from the Mineral Bottom boat ramp, which is 85 km upstream from the confluence of the Green River with the Colorado River. Six cross-sections were originally established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in June 1995. Additional cross-sections were added by Utah State University in August 1995. A subset of the cross-sections (where original monuments were found) were re-surveyed by the U.S. Geological Survey Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center in cooperation with Utah State University in June 2015. These raster data are aerial images and digital elevation models (DEMs) for segments of the Green River in and near Canyonlands National Park, Utah. The aerial images depict the river channel and adjacent floodplains for most of the corridor of the Green River in Canyonlands National Park. The images were aquired from public sources and orthorectified and mosaiced for this study. The DEMs cover the river channel and adjacent floodplain for the Fort Bottom segment of the Green River within Canyonlands National Park and included both bathymetric and topographic data. The bathymetric data were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center with funding provided by the National Park Service. The topographic data are airborne lidar data that were collected for the state of Utah by a contractor.