Contributions of groundwater seepage to the water and nutrient budget of Mendums Pond Barrington, New Hampshire

An understanding of the rates of groundwater seepage into and out of a pond or lake is important in assessing the flux of contaminants in a given system. Many studies have assessed the contribution of overland runoff and precipitation to freshwater pollution, but few have focused on direct measurement of groundwater inputs of nutrients and water to lakes. Spatial variation and natural heterogeneity of groundwater seepage around a large pond or lake can vary and make it an ambiguous and challenging parameter to quantify. The amount of groundwater seepage is thought to be related to the physical characteristics of a particular location. These include underlying soil type, slope, water-table characteristics. The aim of this study was to determine if land-use and upland topography impact groundwater seepage rates and nutrient contributions to Mendums Pond