Tyson Research Center |
Hydrology and Aquatic Resources
(See also Dr. Robert Criss' "Hydrogeology of Tyson," 2001)
Ten small ponds (New, Lizard Pen, Salamander, E. Twin, W. Twin, Railroad, Teardrop, South, Hidden and Well) have been constructed or developed at Tyson since 1963. Bathymetric maps are available for three of these ponds. In addition, there are three sewage lagoons in the animal care area which are utilized by wildlife. These water bodies serve as focal points for animal activities and for continuing studies of salamanders and other amphibians. In addition, six permanent springs (Blue Grass, Mincke, Riley, Cemetery, Southfield and Southwest) and an additional similar number of intermittent springs add to the diversity of aquatic habitats available. Blue Grass is the largest of these and produces Tyson's only permanent stream. Since the spring is only 100m from the south fence, the length of stream habitat available is correspondingly limited. In J. D. Vineyard and G. L. Feder's 1974 "Springs of Missouri" (Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources, WR#29, 272 pp.) the following flow data appear under Blue Grass Spring No. 1 (page 143): |
BLUE GRASS SPRING - Rate of Flow:
DATE: |
WATER TEMP. IN DEG. F: |
RATE OF FLOW: |
|
|
CFS |
1,000 Gal. per day |
||
|
08/23/34 |
58 |
0.10 |
65 |
|
01/01/36 |
-- |
0.04 |
26 |
|
04/19/37 |
-- |
1.20 |
775 |
|
12/09/63 |
-- |
0.07 |
45 |
|
08/28/64 |
63 |
0.04 |
26 |
|
12/04/64 |
54 |
0.18 |
116 |
..........
Analysis of water samples from several of Tyson's Springs was performed in March,
1975 by William F. Peglar and yielded the following:
Spring Name |
Fe ppm |
Cl ppm |
pH |
PO4 ppm |
Phenol-phthalein |
Methyl chloride |
NaCl ppm |
Total ppm |
grams/ gal |
|
Igloo 23 |
<0.5 |
0 |
8.0 |
<0.5 |
<0.5 |
5.5 |
20-25 |
102 |
06 |
|
Animal Care |
<0.5 |
0 |
8.5 |
<0.5 |
<0.5 |
17.7 |
20-25 |
221 |
13 |
|
Blue Grass |
<0.5 |
0 |
6.9 |
<0.5 |
<0.5 |
15.0 |
50-65 |
221 |
13 |
|
Cemetery |
<0.5 |
0 |
7.2 |
<0.5 |
<0.5 |
29.9 |
20-25 |
374 |
22 |
|
Riley |
<0.5 |
0 |
7.3 |
<0.5 |
<0.5 |
8.2 |
20-25 |
119 |
07 |
|
South-west |
<0.5 |
0 |
7.0 |
<0.5 |
<0.5 |
30.6 |
20-25 |
340 |
20 |
|
South Field |
<0.5 |
0 |
6.9 |
<0.5 |
<0.5 |
21.1 |
20-25 |
255 |
15 |
|
Mincke |
<0.5 |
0 |
7.3 |
<0.5 |
<0.5 |
16.3 |
20-25 |
204 |
12 |
..........
Tyson is situated along the south bank of the lower Meramec River. This medium-sized river extends over two hundred miles from its confluence with the Mississippi to its headwater. Tyson is situated at river mile 28, above the mouth. The Meramec River is the focus of many preservation efforts, including a proposed national reserve (Lower Meramec River Management Study, August 1, 1980, prepared by the St. Louis County Department of Parks and Recreation for the Meramec River Recreation Area Coordinating Committee). While high-quality scenic and wildlife values persist along the lower river, water quality in the lower river, especially below Tyson, is poor. Construction of a new sewage collection system and processing plant should improve water quality markedly. In addition, a recent study proposes the establishment of a riverside greenway to further improve water quality (Miller, D. and M. Coulson, 1980, Lower Meramec Greenway Study - Water Quality Considerations, East-West Gateway Coordinating Council, St. Louis, Mo.). A proposed dam on the upper Meramec generated a voluminous environmental impact statement by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and several other technical reports, including: -- Simpson, D. E. and F. B. Samson. 1978. Aquatic and Wildlife Resources of the Meramec River Basin, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District, St. Louis, Mo. -- Buchanan, A. C.. 1979. Mussels (Naiades) of the Meramec River Basin, Missouri. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District, St. Louis, Mo. -- Buchanan, A. C. 1980. Mussels (Naiades) of the Meramec River Basin, Aquatic Series No. 17, Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, Mo. -- LaVal, R. K. and M. L. LaVal. 1980. Ecologica1 Studies and Management of Missouri Bats, with Emphasis on Cave-dwelling Species, Terrestrial Series #8, Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, Mo.
Among several publications on the fauna and flora of Missouri, the following is particularly germane: -- Pflieger, Wm. L. 1975. The Fishes of Missouri, Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, Mo. Citizen interest in and concern for the future of the Meramec River continues, although the likelihood of a dam was reduced when the people voted by more than a 2:1 margin opposing the dam in August of 1978. Several conservation organizations continue to work for preservation of the natural beauty of the Meramec along its entire length. The acquisition of new parklands along the river has been a continuing issue in recent years. Consequently, it seems probable that the river will remain a suitable site for continued scientific study. |
..........
