Recharge Pathways and Mechanisms to the Memphis Aquifer

As the primary source of water for Memphis, Tennessee and surrounding areas, the Memphis aquifer is an important natural resource. Recharge to the Memphis aquifer, which is thought to occur by infiltration of precipitation in the exposure belt, is impeded by Quaternary loess and paleosols on the upland surfaces. This study investigated whether incised stream gullies provide a faster rate of infiltration, and potential recharge, relative to the upland surfaces. Through a year of monitoring of physical hydrology and water chemistry within a watershed at the Pinecrest research site, located in Fayette County, Tennessee, along with the implementation of environmental and applied tracers, recharge at the site was discovered to be occurring mainly through lateral groundwater movement from infiltrated stream water sources rather than vertical infiltration. Further research should be completed at other locations to determine if the recharge processes identified in this study are prominent throughout the Memphis Sand exposure belt