Prepared in cooperation with the

Rogers Water Utilities

WATER QUALITY AND STREAMFLOW GAINS AND 

LOSSES OF OSAGE AND PRAIRIE CREEKS, BENTON 

COUNTY, ARKANSAS, JULY 2001

Water-Resources Investigations Report 03-4187

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
Front cover: Surface flow disappearing into the streambed of Prairie Creek. Photograph by U.S. 

Geological Survey
WATER QUALITY AND STREAMFLOW GAINS AND 

LOSSES OF OSAGE AND PRAIRIE CREEKS, BENTON 

COUNTY, ARKANSAS, JULY 2001

by Matthew W. Moix, C. Shane Barks, and Jaysson E. Funkhouser

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

Water-Resources Investigations Report 03-4187

Prepared in cooperation with the

Rogers Water Utilities

Little Rock, Arkansas

2003
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

GALE A. NORTON, Secretary

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

Charles G. Groat, Director

For additional information Copies of this report can be

write to: purchased from:

District Chief U.S. Geological Survey

U.S. Geological Survey, WRD Branch of Information Services

401 Hardin Road Box 25286

Little Rock, Arkansas 72211 Denver Federal Center

Denver, Colorado 80225

The use of industry or firm names in this report is for location purposes only, and does not impute 

responsibility for any present or potential effects on the natural resources.
Contents III

CONTENTS

Abstract ..................................................................................................................................................................1

Introduction............................................................................................................................................................1

Description of Study Area......................................................................................................................................3

Data Collection Methods........................................................................................................................................6

Water Quality .........................................................................................................................................................9

Osage Creek ..................................................................................................................................................9

Prairie Creek ...............................................................................................................................................16

Streamflow Gain and Loss ...................................................................................................................................23

Osage Creek ................................................................................................................................................23

Prairie Creek ...............................................................................................................................................26

Summary ..............................................................................................................................................................28

References............................................................................................................................................................29

ILLUSTRATIONS

Figure 1. Map showing location of study areas .................................................................................................2

2. Map showing location of Osage Creek sampling sites........................................................................4

3. Map showing location of Prairie Creek sampling sites.......................................................................5

4. Photograph showing surface flow disappearing into the streambed of Prairie Creek.........................6

5. Photograph showing collection of a water-quality sample by the hand-dipping method ...................7

6. Photograph showing collection of streamflow measurement data by the current-meter method .......8

7-18. Graphs showing:

7. Discharge and concentrations of ammonia and nitrate along the mainstem of Osage Creek ......12

8. Discharge and concentrations of phosphorus and orthophosphorus along the mainstem

of Osage Creek ...........................................................................................................................13

9. Discharge concentrations of chloride, fluoride, and sulfate along the mainstem of Osage

Creek...........................................................................................................................................14

10. Hourly dissolved-oxygen concentrations, 07194880 Osage Creek near Cave Springs,

July 24-25, 2001 .........................................................................................................................14

11. Hourly pH, 07194880 Osage Creek near Cave Springs, July 24-25, 2001..................................15

12. Hourly water temperature, 07194880 Osage Creek near Cave Springs, July 24-25, 2001..........15

13. Discharge and concentrations of ammonia, ammonia plus organic nitrogen, and nitrate

along the mainstem of Prairie Creek ..........................................................................................19

14. Discharge and concentrations of phosphorus and orthophosphorus along the mainstem

of Prairie Creek...........................................................................................................................20

15. Discharge and concentrations of chloride, fluoride, and sulfate along the mainstem of

of Prairie Creek...........................................................................................................................21

16. Hourly dissolved-oxygen concentrations at PCM-5 and 07049563 Prairie Creek near

Rogers, July 25-26, 2001............................................................................................................22

17. Hourly pH values at PCM-5 and 07049563 Prairie Creek near Rogers, July 25-26, 2001.........22

18. Hourly water temperature at PCM-5 and 07049563 Prairie Creek near Rogers,

July 25-26, 2001 .........................................................................................................................23
IV Contents

19-22. Schematic showing:

19. Streamflow at mainstem and inflow sample locations on Osage Creek, July 24, 2001..........25

20. Gains and losses in surface flow between mainstem sample locations on Osage Creek,

Osage Creek, July 24, 2001 25

21. Streamflow at mainstem and inflow sample locations on Prairie Creek, July 25, 2001 .........27

22. Gains and losses in surface flow between mainstem sample locations on Prairie Creek,

July 25, 2001 ...........................................................................................................................27

TABLES

Table 1. Description of surface-water sampling sites in the Osage Creek Basin..................................9

2. Discharge and water-quality data for surface-water sites located in the Osage Creek Basin.............10

3. Description of surface-water sampling sites in the Prairie Creek Basin............................................ 16

4. Discharge and water-quality data for surface-water sites located in the Prairie Creek Basin ........... 17

5. Streamflow balance on Osage Creek during study on July 24, 2001 ................................................ 24

6. Streamflow balance on Prairie Creek during study on July 25, 2001................................................ 26
Abstract 1

WATER QUALITY AND STREAMFLOW GAINS AND 

LOSSES OF OSAGE AND PRAIRIE CREEKS, BENTON 

COUNTY, ARKANSAS, JULY 2001

By Matthew W. Moix, C. Shane Barks, and Jaysson E. Funkhouser

ABSTRACT

Osage and Prairie Creeks in Benton County, 

Arkansas, were studied between July 24 and July 26, 

2001, to describe the surface-water quality and the 

streamflow gains and losses along sections of each 

mainstem. The creeks are located in northwestern 

Arkansas. Water-quality samples were collected at 12 

surface-water sites on the mainstem and at 6 points of 

inflow for Osage Creek, and at 9 surface-water sites on 

the mainstem and at 4 points of inflow for Prairie 

Creek. Water-quality analyses were performed by Rogers Water Utilities and the Arkansas Water Resources 

Laboratory. Streamflow measurements were made 

along the mainstem of each creek and at points of 

inflow (prior to confluence with the mainstem) to identify gaining and losing reaches. 

Water-quality data collected for Osage Creek 

indicated that dissolved ammonia concentrations were 

within the typical range of concentrations measured for 

streams in the Springfield and Salem Plateaus. Nitrite 

plus nitrate and total phosphorus concentrations were 

within the range of concentrations measured for several 

streams in the western part of the Springfield and 

Salem Plateaus. Total phosphorus concentrations measured on the mainstem of Osage Creek were higher 

downstream from the Rogers wastewater-treatment 

plant than upstream from the wastewater-treatment 

plant. 

Water-quality data collected for Prairie Creek 

indicated that dissolved ammonia concentrations measured for three mainstem sites were above the typical 

level of dissolved ammonia concentrations measured 

for streams in the Springfield and Salem Plateaus. High 

concentrations of dissolved ammonia measured at 

these sites might be indicative of sewage disposal or 

organic waste. Most concentrations of nitrite plus 

nitrate for Prairie Creek were above the range measured for some of the least-disturbed streams of the 

Ozark Highlands ecoregion but were within the range 

that is typical for several streams in the western part of 

the Springfield and Salem Plateaus. Total phosphorus 

concentrations were below or within the range that is 

typical for several streams in the western part of the 

Springfield and Salem Plateaus with elevated concentrations measured at two sties. Elevated concentrations 

of total phosphorus measured might be indicative of 

sewage or animal metabolic waste. 

Identification of losing and gaining reaches indicates that interaction exists between the local shallow 

unconfined ground-water aquifer and surface flow in 

Osage and Prairie Creeks. Measured streamflow for the 

mainstem of Osage Creek ranged from 2.34 to 19.1 

cubic feet per second during this study. Streamflow 

measured at the beginning of the study reach for Osage 

Creek was 2.34 cubic feet per second, and streamflow 

measured at the downstream end of the study reach was 

15.7 cubic feet per second. One losing and two gaining 

reaches were identified on the mainstem of Osage 

Creek with a net gain of 3.58 cubic feet per second 

upstream from the wastewater-treatment plant. Measured streamflow for the mainstem of Prairie Creek 

ranged from 0 to 3.17 cubic feet per second during this 

study. Streamflow measured at the beginning of the 

study reach for Prairie Creek was 0.44 cubic feet per 

second, and the stream bed was dry at the downstream 

end of the study reach. Three losing and two gaining 

reaches were identified on the mainstem of Prairie 

Creek with a net loss of 3.06 cubic feet per second. 

INTRODUCTION

The city of Rogers in northwestern Arkansas is 

divided hydrologically by two basins (fig. 1). Western 

Rogers lies within the Osage Creek Basin, and eastern 
94°30' 94°15' 94°

36°15'

36°22'30"

36°30'

!(59

!(12

!(112

!(72

!(43

£¤71B

!(102

£¤412

£¤62

Beaver

Lake

!(Text

!(Text

!(Text

!(Text

!(Text

!(Text

!(Text

!(Text

!(Text

!(Text

!(Text

Rogers

Centerton

Gravette

Decatur

Vaughn

Highfill Gentry Cave

Springs

Bentonville

Garfield

Avoca

!(59

Siloam

Springs EXPLANATION

PRAIRIE CREEK STUDY AREA

OSAGE CREEK STUDY AREA

EXPLANATION

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

STREAMGAGE STATION

AND NUMBER

OSAGE

CREEK

PRAIRIE

CREEK

ILLINOIS RIVER

§¦540

§¦540

BENTON

0 5 10 MILES

0 5 10 KILOMETERS

07056000

07056000

07257006

Base from Fenneman, N.M., 1938

ARKANSAS

SPRINGFIELD

PLATEAU

PLATEAU

SALEM

BOSTON

MOUNTAINS

MOUNTAINS

ARKANSAS

VALLEY

OUACHITA

COASTAL

PLAIN

COASTAL PLAIN

2 Water Quality and Streamflow Gains and Losses of Osage and Prairie Creeks, Benton County, Arkansas, July 2001

Figure 1. Location of study areas.
Description of Study Area 3

Rogers lies within the Prairie Creek Basin. The city of 

Rogers, Arkansas, is interested in the water quality of 

these streams and how that water quality is affected by 

interaction between surface water and ground water. In 

2001, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Rogers Water Utilities (RWU), conducted 

a synoptic sampling effort to characterize the surfacewater quality and streamflow gains and losses of upper 

Osage and Prairie Creeks. The purpose of this report is 

to present physical, nutrient, bacteriological, and common constituent data collected during July 2001 at various surface-water sites within each basin, present 

streamflow data collected during July 2001 along 

reaches of Osage and Prairie Creeks and their tributaries, and identify gaining and losing streamflow reaches 

along the mainstem of each creek.

DESCRIPTION OF STUDY AREA

Osage and Prairie Creeks, located in northwestern Arkansas, flow in a southwesterly and northeasterly 

direction, respectively, through Benton County in the 

Springfield Plateau physiographic section (fig. 1) (Fenneman, 1938). The Springfield Plateau topography is 

characterized by gentle to moderate slopes, ranging 

from 12 to 50 percent (Fenneman, 1938). A large part 

of the section is dissected by streams that form Vshaped valleys. The study areas (figs. 2 and 3) for both 

creek basins have dendritic drainage patterns. The 

Osage and Prairie Creek Basins are 33.3 and 2.9 square 

miles, respectively, at their most downstream sampling 

sections within each study area.

The study reach for Osage Creek begins at the 

headwaters of Osage Creek and ends approximately 0.4 

mile upstream from the USGS gaging station near Cave 

Springs, Arkansas (07194880) (fig. 2). Land-surface 

altitudes range from approximately 1,205 feet (ft) 

above NGVD 19291 at the headwaters to 1,135 ft above 

NGVD 1929 at the downstream end of the study reach. 

The mainstem of Osage Creek located within the study 

area has an approximate length of 3.8 miles with a 

mean gradient of 18 feet per mile (ft/mi). 

The study reach for Prairie Creek begins at 

Frisco Spring (headwaters) and ends approximately 0.5 

mile downstream from the Lake Atalanta spillway (fig. 

3). Land-surface altitudes range from 1,235 ft above 

NGVD 1929 at Frisco Spring to 1,130 ft above NGVD 

1929 at the most downstream sampling section for 

Prairie Creek. The study reach of Prairie Creek has an 

approximate length of 1.6 miles with a mean gradient 

of 66 ft/mi. 

Osage Creek originates in southwestern Rogers, 

flows southwesterly approximately 4.2 miles before 

reaching Cave Springs, Arkansas, and then continues 

another 16 miles before entering the Illinois River. A 

National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit has been issued to the city of Rogers (Arkansas 

Department of Environmental Quality, oral commun., 

2003) for the discharge of treated effluent from its 

wastewater treatment plant (WTP). The discharge point 

of the Rogers WTP is located upstream from the USGS 

gaging station near Cave Springs within the study 

reach. Osage Creek receives urban storm-water runoff 

from the west side of Rogers. 

Prairie Creek originates at Frisco Spring (also 

known as Pump Spring) in eastern Rogers and flows 

northeasterly approximately 0.5 mile before entering 

Lake Atalanta. As it exits the lake downstream from the 

USGS gaging station (07049563), Prairie Creek flows 

northeasterly another 1.4 miles before entering Beaver 

Lake. Prairie Creek receives urban storm-water runoff 

from the east side of Rogers. 

The Osage and Prairie Creek Basins were probably drier than normal during the 2001 water year. Based 

upon analysis of precipitation and streamflow data collected at USGS index sites (Buffalo River near St. Joe 

07056000 in northern Arkansas, and the Big Piney 

Creek at Highway 164 near Dover 07257006 in westcentral Arkansas; fig. 1), below-average rainfall 

resulted in slightly below-average runoff in northern 

and west-central parts of Arkansas during the 2001 

water year. Streamflow for the year (as a percentage of 

the median for the base period 1961-1990) was 75 percent for the index station on the Buffalo River near St. 

Joe and 96 percent for the index station on the Big 

Piney Creek at Highway 164 near Dover. Streamflow 

for July of 2001 was less than the median for the base 

period 1961-1990 for both index stations (Porter and 

others, 2002).

The surficial geology of both basins is composed 

mainly of the Mississippian-age Boone Formation. The 

thickness of the Boone Formation ranges from 304 to 

388 ft in northwestern Arkansas (Sheldon, 1954) and 

comprises limestone, chert, and minor beds of shale 

and sandstone (Frezon and Glick, 1959). The residual 

cherty rubble of the Boone Formation typically yields 

1In this report, vertical coordinate information is referenced 

to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD of 1929).
! ! ! !

!

!

!

!!

! ! !

!

!

!

!

!

OCM-1

OCM-2

OCM-3

OCM-4

WTP-1

!

WTP-1

OCM-5

OCM-6

OCT-1

OCT-2

OCM-7

OCM-8

OCM-9

OCM-10

!

OCM-10

OCM-11

OCT-3, OCS-1 OCM-12,

headwaters

OCT-4

07194880

07194880

Osage

Creek

OSAGE CREEK

BASIN

Rogers

City Limit

0

0 1 KILOMETER

0.5 1 MILE

0.5

EXPLANATION

Mainstream sampling location

and identifier

Tributary, spring, or wastewater

treatment plant inflow sampling

location and identifier

U.S. Geological Survey streamgage and number

94°12' 94°08'

36°18'

36°20'

4 Water Quality and Streamflow Gains and Losses of Osage and Prairie Creeks, Benton County, Arkansas, July 2001

Figure 2. Location of Osage Creek sampling sites.
PRAIRIE CREEK

BASIN

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!!

!

PCS-2

Frisco Spring, PCM-9

PCM-8

PCM-7

PCM-6

PCS-1

! PCS-1

PCT-1

PCT-2

PCM-5

!

PCM-4

PCM-3

!

PCM-3

PCM-2

PCM-1

Prairie

Creek

Prairie Creek

Lake Atalanta

07049563

07049563

EXPLANATION

Mainstream sampling location

and identifier

Tributary or spring inflow

sampling location and

identifier

U.S. Geological Survey streamgage and number

0

0 0.5 KILOMETER

0.25 0.5 MILE

0.25

Rogers

City Limit

94°06'

94°04'

36°20'

36°22'

Description of Study Area 5

Figure 3. Location of Prairie Creek sampling sites.
6 Water Quality and Streamflow Gains and Losses of Osage and Prairie Creeks, Benton County, Arkansas, July 2001

2 to 5 gallons of water per minute (gal/min) for wells; 

however, many large springs and wells tap large solution channels, which can yield more than 25 gal/min 

(Lamonds, 1972). 

The Boone Formation of northwestern Arkansas 

has been fractured and dissolved to form an open network of caves, enlarged fractures, bedding planes, conduits, sinkholes, sinking streams, and springs 

(Lamonds, 1972). The Boone Formation is underdrained by a shallow unconfined carbonate-rock aquifer known as the Springfield Plateau aquifer (Imes, 

1990). This network allows for extensive interaction 

between ground water and surface water and can produce fluctuations (gains and losses) in streamflow that 

can vary greatly along the entire length of a stream. In 

such networks, it is not unusual for medium-sized 

streams to disappear into rock openings and reappear at 

the surface further downstream, thereby completely 

disrupting the surface drainage system (Winter and others, 1999) (fig. 4). 

DATA COLLECTION METHODS

Surface-water samples were collected and 

streamflow measurements were made within the Osage 

Creek Basin on July 24, 2001, and within the Prairie 

Creek Basin on July 25, 2001. The sampling and measurement sites were selected to provide the best understanding of existing water-quality and streamflow 

conditions. Water-quality samples were collected and 

discharge was measured at numerous locations on the 

mainstem of each stream and at tributary, spring, and 

WTP inflow points (prior to confluence with the mainstem) during low-flow conditions (no storm runoff). 

For the Osage Creek Basin, water-quality sampling and 

streamflow measurement locations began at the headwaters, and ended 0.4 mile upstream from the USGS 

gaging station near Cave Springs with an average mainstem reach length of 1,300 ft between sampling and 

measurement locations. For the Prairie Creek Basin, 

surface-water sampling and streamflow measurement 

locations began at Frisco Spring (headwaters), continued to immediately upstream from Lake Atalanta, 

resumed downstream from the Lake Atalanta spillway, 

and ended 0.3 mile downstream from the spillway with 

Figure 4. Surface flow disappearing into the streambed of Prairie Creek.
Data Collection Methods 7

an average mainstem reach length of 560 ft between 

sampling and measurement locations.

Site identifier nomenclature also was created for 

each sampling and measurement location to distinguish 

the creek, the type of site, and the relative location of 

each sampling site. Each site identifier consists of three 

alphabetical characters followed by a hyphen and one 

or two numerical characters (for example, PCS-1, 

OCM-12). The first two alphabetical characters indicate the stream: PC is Prairie Creek and OC is Osage 

Creek. The third alphabetical character indicates the 

type of site: M is mainstem, S is spring, and T is tributary. The numerical characters indicate the relative 

downstream location of the measurement and sampling 

location with the highest number being the most 

upstream site of its type and the lowest number being 

the most downstream site of its type. For example, 

PCS-1 is the most downstream spring site on Prairie 

Creek, while OCM-12 is the most upstream mainstem 

site on Osage Creek.

Water-quality samples were collected by hand 

dipping sample collection bottles into the centroid of 

flow at each streamflow measurement location (fig. 5). 

All water-quality samples were collected by RWU personnel. The water-quality samples were analyzed by 

the laboratories at the RWU facility and the Arkansas 

Water Resources Center (AWRC) in Fayetteville, 

Arkansas, in accordance with the RWU and AWRC 

Quality Assurance (QA) plans approved by the U.S 

Environmental Protection Agency. 

Results of analyses of various water-quality 

parameters were compared with values measured for 

other streams in northern Arkansas and for other stream 

basins of the United States reported from other studies. 

Specific conductance, dissolved ammonia, dissolved 

nitrite plus nitrate, total phosphorus, dissolved chloride 

and dissolved sulfate measured for Osage and Prairie 

Creeks were compared with typical values measured 

for moderate to larger Arkansas rivers and streams of 

the Springfield and Salem Plateaus for water years 

1975 through 1985 (Petersen, 1988). Because the studied creeks are located in the western part of the Springfield and Salem Plateaus, these parameters also are 

compared with typical values measured for streams in 

the western part of the Springfield and Salem Plateaus 

for which values were typically higher than values 

measured for streams throughout the plateaus for water 

years 1975 through 1985 (Petersen, 1988). Measured 

Figure 5. Collection of a water-quality sample by the hand-dipping method.
8 Water Quality and Streamflow Gains and Losses of Osage and Prairie Creeks, Benton County, Arkansas, July 2001

dissolved ammonia, dissolved nitrite plus nitrate, and 

total phosphorus also were compared with values measured by the Arkansas Department of Environmental 

Quality for least-disturbed reference streams of the 

Ozark Highlands ecoregion for 1983 through 1986 

(Arkansas Department of Pollution Control and Ecology, 1987). Spatially the Ozark Highlands ecoregion 

generally coincides with the Springfield and Salem 

Plateaus. Six least-disturbed reference streams in 

northwestern and north central Arkansas with drainage 

areas ranging between 18 and 526 square miles were 

used for the comparison. Measured dissolved ammonia, dissolved nitrite plus nitrate, and total phosphorus 

also were compared with the 75th percentile flowweighted nutrient concentrations for these parameters 

in relatively undeveloped stream basins of the United 

States for 1990 through 1995 (Clark and others, 2000). 

Dissolved-oxygen concentration, pH, and water 

temperature were collected hourly for a 24-hour period 

at one location on Osage Creek and two locations on 

Prairie Creek. These physical parameters were collected hourly at Osage Creek at the USGS gaging station near Cave Springs (07194880), 0.4 miles 

downstream from the end of the study reach, from July 

24 to July 25, 2001 (fig. 2). These physical parameters 

also were collected hourly on Prairie Creek on the 

mainstem immediately upstream from Lake Atalanta 

and at the USGS gaging station Prairie Creek near Rogers (07049563), which is located at the Lake Atalanta 

spillway, from July 25 to July 26, 2001 (fig. 3). 

Streamflow measurements were made with a 

current meter following methods described by Rantz 

and others (1982) (fig. 6). Comparison of successive 

downstream streamflow measurements were used to 

determine if the stream reaches were gaining or losing 

flow. Stream reaches are considered as gaining or losing streamflow only if the gain or loss calculated 

exceeds the measurement error for the reach. The collection, computation, and analysis of all streamflow 

measurement data were performed by USGS personnel. Approximate streamflow measurement error was 3 

to 5 percent for most locations and 5 to greater than 8 

percent at some locations on Osage Creek. Approximate streamflow measurement error was 5 to 8 percent 

for most locations and greater than 8 percent at some 

locations on Prairie Creek. 

Figure 6. Collection of streamflow measurement data by the current-meter method.
Water Quality 9

WATER QUALITY

Water-quality samples were collected during the 

study of each basin, and the analyses of these waterquality samples were used to describe the range in 

physical parameters and concentrations for various 

bacteriological and chemical parameters. Additionally, continuous monitoring of dissolved-oxygen concentration, pH, and water temperature conducted 

during each study described fluctuations of these physical parameters. 

Osage Creek 

Water-quality samples were collected at 12 surface-water sites on the mainstem of Osage Creek (table 

1). Water-quality samples also were collected at six 

points of inflow (one spring, four tributaries, and one 

WTP) during this study. 

Specific conductance values ranged from 331 to 

536 microsiemens per centimeter at 25.0 °C (μS/cm) 

(table 2). Specific conductance values observed at sites 

upstream from the WTP were similar to values typical 

of other streams in the Springfield and Salem Plateaus, 

while values observed at sites downstream from the 

WTP were slightly higher (table 2). Elevated values of 

specific conductance are caused by increased ion concentrations (i.e. chloride and sulfate) (Hem, 1992).

Table 1. Description of surface-water sampling sites in the Osage Creek Basin

Site

 identifier Site description Latitude1

1

Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the North American Datum of 1927 (NAD 27), unless 

otherwise noted.

Longitude1

Distance

downstream

of headwaters

(miles)

OCM-12 Osage Creek mainstem-headwaters 361855 0941102 0.00

OCT-4 Tributary 4 361855 0941102 0.01

OCS-1 Spring 1 361856 0941114 0.17

OCT-3 Tributary 3 361856 0941114 0.18

OCM-11 Osage Creek mainstem 361856 0941120 0.28

OCM-10 Osage Creek mainstem 361848 0941134 0.54

OCM-9 Osage Creek mainstem 361841 0941150 0.83

OCM-8 Osage Creek mainstem 361836 0941208 1.18

OCM-7 Osage Creek mainstem 351826 0941223 1.50

OCT-2 Tributary 2 361825 0941225 1.55

OCT-1 Tributary 1 361809 0941246 1.90

OCM-6 Osage Creek mainstem 361811 0941235 1.91

OCM-5 Osage Creek mainstem 361809 0941247 2.28

WTP-1 Rogers Wastewater Treatment Plant 361807 0941258 2.47

OCM-4 Osage Creek mainstem 361801 0941310 2.75

OCM-3 Osage Creek mainstem 361748 0941320 3.10

OCM-2 Osage Creek mainstem 361732 0941318 3.49

OCM-1 Osage Creek mainstem (bottom of 

study reach)

361719 0941327 3.82
Table 2. Discharge and water-quality data for surface-water sites located in the Osage Creek Basin1

[Temperature reported to the nearest 0.1 degree Celsius; °C, degrees Celsius; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius; cols/100 mL, number of colonies per 100 milliliter of sample; <, less than; >, greater than; --, no data available]

Site

identifier

Date of

sample

Time of

sample

Water

temperature

(° C)

Discharge,

instantaneous

(ft3/s)

Specific

conductance

(μS/cm)

Oxygen,

dissolved

(mg/L)

pH

field

(standard

units)

OCM-12 7-24-01 1010 20.2 2.34 -- 8.1 7.4 OCT-4 7-24-01 1005 18.1 2.50 -- 8.1 7.2 OCS-1 7-24-01 1100 25.3 0.22 368 -- 8.0 OCT-3 7-24-01 1045 24.9 0.22 -- 8.1 7.5 OCM-11 7-24-01 1110 20.1 7.17 336 9.1 7.3 OCM-10 7-24-01 1130 21.1 6.87 335 9.2 7.4 OCM-9 7-24-01 1202 21.6 6.16 335 9.2 7.5 OCM-8 7-24-01 1225 22.3 6.10 331 8.6 7.4 OCM-7 7-24-01 1315 22.3 6.68 334 8.0 7.4 OCT-2 7-24-01 1345 16.5 0.976 357 5.6 6.9 OCT-1 7-24-01 1440 18.1 0.956 383 9.4 7.1 OCM-6 7-24-01 1410 22.1 8.57 353 8.2 7.4 OCM-5 7-24-01 1515 22.5 10.8 359 8.2 7.4 WTP-1 7-24-01 1525 26.1 -- 536 8.0 7.5 OCM-4 7-24-01 1545 24.6 19.1 516 7.6 7.5 OCM-3 7-24-01 1645 25.1 16.7 515 8.0 7.6 OCM-2 7-24-01 1715 25.6 17.2 507 8.7 7.7 OCM-1 7-24-01 1740 -- 15.7 532 9.3 7.8 Minimum 16.5 0.22 331 5.6 6.9 Maximum 26.1 19.1 536 9.4 8.0 Median 22.3 7.02 359 8.2 7.4 Typical values for Springfield and Salem

Plateaus 1975-19852 -- -- -- -- 150-400 -- -- 

Values for least-disturbed streams in Ozark

Highlands ecoregion 1983-19863 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 

Values for undeveloped stream basins of

the United States4 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 

10 Water Quality and Streamflow Gains and Losses of Osage and Prairie Creeks, Benton County, Arkansas, July 2001
Table 2. Discharge and water-quality data for surface-water sites located in the Osage Creek Basin1--Continued

[Temperature reported to the nearest 0.1 degree Celsius; °C, degrees Celsius; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius; mcols/100 mL, number of colonies per 100 milliliter of sample; <, less than; >, greater than; --, no data available]

Site

identifier

Nitrogen,

ammonia +

organic,

dissolved

(mg/L as N)

Nitrogen,

 nitrate,

dissolved

 (mg/L as N)

Phosphorus,

total

(mg/L as P)

Orthophosphorus,

 dissolved

 (mg/L as P)

Coliform,

 fecal,

0.7-micron

 membrane

filter

 (cols/100 mL)

Chloride,

 dissolved

 (mg/L as Cl)

Sulfate,

 dissolved

 (mg/L

as SO4)

 (

OCM-12 <0.05 3.2 0.08 <0.02 > 110 6.3 2.9 OCT-4 <0.05 3.6 0.04 <0.02 > 120 6.8 2.7 OCS-1 <0.05 3.3 0.26 <0.02 -- 7.5 3.2 OCT-3 <0.05 2.6 0.25 <0.02 > 120 8.1 3.2 OCM-11 <0.05 3.4 0.09 <0.02 > 120 7.2 2.9 OCM-10 <0.05 3.2 0.08 <0.02 -- 7.3 3.0 OCM-9 <0.05 3.1 0.14 <0.02 > 170 7.3 3.0 OCM-8 <0.05 3.0 0.15 <0.02 -- 7.2 3.0 OCM-7 <0.05 3.0 0.06 <0.02 -- 7.3 3.1 OCT-2 <0.05 3.5 0.07 <0.02 > 230 8.1 4.2 OCT-1 <0.05 4.0 0.10 <0.02 -- 15.0 6.2 OCM-6 0.22 3.2 0.11 0.03 >120 8.5 3.8 OCM-5 <0.05 3.3 0.09 0.03 -- 10.1 4.4 WTP-1 0.75 1.7 0.28 0.17 >170 62.8 26.4 OCM-4 0.57 2.3 0.27 0.15 -- 47.3 20.0 OCM-3 0.45 2.4 0.22 0.16 >140 47.0 20.3 OCM-2 0.59 2.4 0.25 0.17 >210 45.2 18.8 OCM-1 0.60 2.3 0.23 0.17 -- 46.9 19.7 Minimum <0.05 1.7 0.04 <0.02 >110 6.3 2.7 Maximum 0.75 4.0 0.28 0.17 >230 62.8 26.4 Median <0.05 3.2 .12 <0.02 >130 8.1 3.5 Typical values for Springfield and Salem

Plateaus 1975-19852 -- 0.2-0.5b <0.05c -- 5-10 5-10 

Values for least-disturbed streams in Ozark

Highlands ecoregion 1983-19863 -- 0.19-1.92 <0.10d -- -- -- -- 

Values for undeveloped stream basins of

the United States4 -- 0.21e,f 0.037e -- -- -- -- 

Water Quality 11

1Water-quality analyses performed by Rogers Water Utilities with the exception of analyses of chloride, fluoride, nitrate, and sulfate, which were performed by 

Laboratory. 2Petersen, 1988. 3Arkansas Department of Pollution Control and Ecology, 1987. 4Clark and others, 2000.

aTotal ammonia.b Nitrite plus nitrate, 1 to 4 mg/L in several streams in the western part of Springfield and Salem Plateaus.c0.1 to 1 mg/L in several streams in western part of Springfield and Salem Plateaus. dFor all but one least-disturbed reference stream.e75th percentile flow-weighted nutrient concentrations for all basins studied. fNitrite plus nitrate.
12 Water Quality and Streamflow Gains and Losses of Osage and Prairie Creeks, Benton County, Arkansas, July 2001

Nitrogen concentrations generally were similar 

to concentrations typical of other streams in the Springfield and Salem Plateaus but higher than concentrations 

measured for least-disturbed streams of the Ozark 

Highlands ecoregion (table 2). Dissolved ammonia 

concentrations ranged from less than 0.01 to 0.04 milligram per liter (mg/L) as nitrogen. The slight increase 

in dissolved ammonia concentration along the mainstem of Osage Creek occurred at the first mainstem 

sample location (OCM-4) downstream from the WTP 

(fig. 7). Dissolved ammonia concentrations for Osage 

Creek were within the typical range of dissolved 

ammonia concentrations for the Springfield and Salem 

Plateaus and also are within the range of dissolved 

ammonia concentrations measured for some of the 

least-disturbed streams of the Ozark Highlands ecoregion. Dissolved ammonia concentrations measured 

along the mainstem did not exceed the 75th percentile 

flow-weighted concentration for relatively undeveloped stream basins in the United States. Dissolved 

nitrite concentrations ranged from 0.01 to 0.02 mg/L as 

nitrogen. Dissolved ammonia plus organic nitrogen 

concentrations ranged from less than 0.05 to 0.75

mg/L as nitrogen. Dissolved nitrate concentrations 

ranged from 1.7 to 4.0 mg/L as nitrogen and were lower 

at mainstem sample locations downstream from the 

WTP than at mainstem locations upstream from the 

WTP (fig. 7). While concentrations of nitrite plus 

nitrate for Osage Creek were above the range that is 

typical for streams in the Springfield and Salem Plateaus and the range measured for least-disturbed reference streams of the Ozark Highlands ecoregion, 

concentrations were within the range that is typical for 

several streams in the western part of the Springfield 

and Salem Plateaus. Concentrations of nitrite plus 

nitrate measured for Osage Creek exceeded the 75th 

percentile flow-weighted concentration for relatively 

undeveloped stream basins in the United States.

Phosphorus concentrations generally were 

higher than concentrations typical of streams in the 

Springfield and Salem Plateaus and higher than concentrations measured for least disturbed reference 

streams in the Ozark Highlands ecoregion (table 2). 

Total phosphorus concentrations ranged from 0.04 to 

0.28 mg/L. Concentrations of total phosphorus on the 

mainstem of Osage Creek where higher downstream 

from the WTP than they were upstream from the WTP 

(fig. 8). Most total phosphorus concentrations for 

Osage Creek were above the typical values for streams 

but were within the range that is typical for several 

EXPLANATION

DISCHARGE

AMMONIA BELOW

MINIMUM REPORTING

LEVEL

NITRATE

AMMONIA

DOWNSTREAM DISTANCE, IN MILES

0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0

DISCHARGE, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

2

3

4

5

6

8

20

30

40

50

60

80

1

10

100

CONCENTRATION, IN MILLIGRAMS PER

LITER AS NITROGEN

0.002

0.005

0.02

0.05

0.2

0.5

2

5

20

50

0.001

0.01

0.1

1

10

100

WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT

Figure 7. Discharge and concentrations of ammonia and nitrate along the mainstem of Osage Creek.
Water Quality 13

streams in the western part of the Springfield and 

Salem Plateaus. Several total phosphorus concentrations for Osage Creek were above the level measured 

for several of the least disturbed streams in the Ozark 

Highlands ecoregion. All total phosphorus concentrations measured for Osage Creek exceeded the 75th percentile flow-weighted concentration for relatively 

undeveloped stream basins in the United States. Dissolved orthophosphorus concentrations ranged from 

less than 0.02 to 0.17 mg/L as phosphorus. Concentrations of orthophosphorus on the mainstem also were 

higher downstream from the WTP than upstream from 

the WTP (fig. 8). Higher concentrations of phosphorus 

commonly are found downstream from WTPs (Hem, 

1992). 

Bacteriological analyses indicate that fecal 

coliform densities for surface-water sites ranged from 

greater than 110 to greater than 230 colonies per 100 

milliliters (cols/100 mL). Fecal coliform densities were 

similar upstream from and downstream from the WTP. 

Samples also were analyzed for chloride, fluoride, and sulfate. Dissolved chloride concentrations 

upstream from the WTP were similar to concentrations 

typical of Springfield and Salem Plateau streams, but 

were higher downstream from the WTP (table 2). Dissolved chloride concentrations for Osage Creek ranged 

from 6.3 to 15.0 mg/L upstream from the WTP and 

45.2 to 47.3 mg/L downstream from the WTP (fig. 9). 

Dissolved fluoride concentrations for Osage Creek 

ranged from 0.01 to 0.04 mg/L upstream from the WTP 

and from 0.35 to 0.42 mg/L downstream from the WTP. 

Higher concentrations of fluoride downstream from the 

WTP may be attributed to the addition of fluoride to the 

municipal water supply (Sawyer and others, 1994). 

Dissolved sulfate concentrations ranged from 2.7 to 6.2 

mg/L upstream from the WTP and from 18.8 to 20.3 

mg/L downstream from the WTP (table 2; fig.9). Dissolved sulfate concentrations upstream from the WTP 

were similar to concentrations typical of Springfield 

and Salem Plateau streams, but were higher downstream from the WTP. Sulfates may be produced during 

organic waste treatment (Hem, 1992), and higher concentrations of sulfate downstream from the WTP may 

have been caused by such treatment. 

EXPLANATION

DISCHARGE

PHOSPHORUS

ORTHOPHOSPHORUS

ORTHOPHOSPHORUS

BELOW MINIMUM

REPORTING LEVEL

DOWNSTREAM DISTANCE, IN MILES

0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0

DISCHARGE, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

2

3

4

5

6

8

20

30

40

50

60

80

1

10

100

CONCENTRATIONS, IN MILLIGRAMS PER

LITER AS PHOSPHORUS

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

0.08

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.8

0.01

0.1

1.0

WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT

Figure 8. Discharge and concentrations of phosphorus and orthophosphorus along the mainstem of Osage Cree
EXPLANATION

DISCHARGE

CHLORIDE

SULFATE

FLUORIDE

DOWNSTREAM DISTANCE, IN MILES

0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0

DISCHARGE, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

2

3

4

5

6

8

20

30

40

50

60

80

1

10

100

CONCENTRATION, IN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER 0.002

0.005

0.02

0.05

0.2

0.5

2

5

20

50

0.001

0.01

0.1

1

10

100

WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT

14 Water Quality and Streamflow Gains and Losses of Osage and Prairie Creeks, Benton County, Arkansas, July 2001

Figure 9. Discharge and concentrations of chloride, fluoride, and sulfate along the mainstem of Osage Creek.

Hourly dissolved-oxygen concentrations, pH, 

and water temperature data were collected at the USGS 

gaging station on Osage Creek (07194880) from July 

24 to July 25, 2001 (figs. 10, 11, and 12). These data 

were collected to describe fluctuations of dissolvedoxygen concentrations, pH, and water temperature 

throughout the study. A minimum dissolved-oxygen 

concentration of 5.4 mg/L was recorded from 0100 to 

0700 hours on July 25, and a maximum dissolvedoxygen concentration value of 8.6 mg/L was recorded 

at 1500 hours on July 24. A minimum pH value of 7.3 

was recorded from 0200 to 0800 hours on July 25, and 

a maximum pH value of 7.8 was recorded from 1600 to 

1700 hours on July 24. A minimum water temperature 

of 22.5 °C was recorded at 0800 hours on July 24, and 

a maximum water temperature of 27.0 °C was recorded 

at 1700 hours on July 24. 

JULY 24, 2001 JULY 25, 2001

24-HOUR TIME

 0000 0000 0400 0800 1200 1600 2000 0400 0800 1200

DISSOLVED-OXYGEN CONCENTRATION, 

IN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Figure 10. Hourly dissolved-oxygen concentrations, 09194880 Osage Creek near Cave Springs, July 24-25, 2001.
JULY 24, 2001 JULY 25, 2001

24-HOUR TIME

 0000 0400 0800 1200 1600 2000 0000 0400 0800 1200

pH, IN STANDARD UNITS

7.0

7.2

7.4

7.6

7.8

8.0

8.2

8.4

Water Quality 15

Figure 11. Hourly pH, 07194880 Osage Creek near Cave Springs, July 24-25, 2001.

JULY 24, 2001 

24-HOUR TIME

 0000 0400 0800 1200 1600 2000 0000 0400 0800 1200

WATER TEMPERATURE, 

IN DEGREES CELSIUS

20

22

24

26

28

30

JULY 25, 2001

Figure 12. Hourly water temperature, 07194880 Osage Creek near Cave Springs, July 24-25, 2001.
16 Water Quality and Streamflow Gains and Losses of Osage and Prairie Creeks, Benton County, Arkansas, July 2001

Prairie Creek

Water-quality data were collected at nine surface-water sites on the mainstem of Prairie Creek (table 

3). Water-quality data also were collected at four points 

of inflow (two springs and two tributaries) during this 

study. 

Specific conductance values ranged from 230 to 

787 μS/cm (table 4). With the exception of sites PCS-2 

and PCM-8, sites were within or near the range of values typical for streams in the Springfield and Salem 

Plateaus (table 4).

Nitrogen concentrations generally were similar 

to concentrations typical of other streams in the Springfield and Salem Plateaus and measured concentrations 

for least-disturbed streams of the Ozark Highlands 

ecoregion (table 4). Dissolved ammonia concentrations 

ranged from less than 0.01 to 6.8 mg/L as nitrogen. Dissolved ammonia concentrations for PCM-8 and the 

next two downstream mainstem sites, PCM-7 and 

PCM-6, had the highest concentrations that were above 

the typical level of dissolved ammonia concentrations 

for streams in the Springfield and Salem Plateaus and 

were above measured concentrations for least-disturbed streams of the Ozark Highlands ecoregion. All 

measured dissolved ammonia concentrations for the 

mainstem of Prairie Creek upstream from Lake Atalanta exceeded the 75th percentile flow-weighted concentration for relatively undeveloped stream basins in 

the United States. Generally, dissolved ammonia concentrations along the mainstem of Prairie Creek were 

higher upstream from Lake Atalanta (fig. 13). Dissolved ammonia plus organic nitrogen values ranged 

from less than 0.05 to 0.43 mg/L with the exception of 

site PCM-8 with a concentration of 14.3 mg/L. The 

high concentration of dissolved ammonia and ammonia 

plus organic nitrogen at site PCM-8 might be indicative 

of sewage disposal or organic waste (Hem, 1992). Dissolved nitrite concentrations ranged from 0.01 to 0.14 

mg/L as nitrogen. Elevated concentrations of nitrite 

also might be indicative of sewage disposal or organic 

waste. Dissolved nitrate concentrations ranged from 

0.55 to 3.5 mg/L as nitrogen with the highest mainstem 

concentrations occurring upstream from Lake Atalanta 

(fig. 13). Mainstem nitrate concentrations were 

between 383 and 536 percent higher upstream from 

Lake Atalanta than mainstem nitrate concentrations 

downstream from the lake. Most concentrations of 

nitrite plus nitrate for Prairie Creek were above the 

range measured for some of the least-disturbed streams 

of the Ozark Highlands ecoregion but were within the 

range that is typical for several streams in the western 

part of the Springfield and Salem Plateaus. All concentrations of nitrite plus nitrate for Prairie Creek 

exceeded the 75th percentile flow-weighted concentration for relatively undeveloped stream basins in the 

United States.

Table 3. Description of surface-water sampling sites in the Prairie Creek Basin

Site

 identifier Site description Latitude

1

Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the North American Datum of 1927 (NAD 27), unless otherwise noted.

1

PCM-9 Prairie Creek mainstem-headwaters 361946 0940629 0.00

PCS-2 Spring 2 361946 0940629 0.01

PCM-8 Prairie Creek mainstem 361946 0940629 0.01

PCM-7 Prairie Creek mainstem 361951 0940621 0.19

PCS-1 Spring 1 361954 0940615 0.30

PCT-2 Tributary 2 361954 0940613 0.32

PCT-1 Tributary 1 361955 0940613 0.35

PCM-6 Prairie Creek mainstem 361957 0940613 0.38

PCM-5 Prairie Creek mainstem 362003 0940611 0.51

PCM-4 Prairie Creek mainstem 362028 0940544 1.20

PCM-3 Prairie Creek mainstem 362033 0940534 1.41

PCM-2 Prairie Creek mainstem 362035 0940525 1.56

PCM-1 Prairie Creek mainstem-bottom of study reach 362035 0940524 1.58

Longitude1

Distance

downstream

of headwaters

(miles)
Table 4. Discharge and water-quality data for surface-water sites located in the Prairie Creek Basin1

[Temperature reported to the nearest 0.1 degree Celsius; °C, degrees Celsius; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; μS/cm at 25 °C, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees cols/100 mL, number of colonies per 100 milliliter of sample; <, less than; >, greater than; --, no data available]

Site identifier

Date of

sample

Time of

sample

Water

 temperature 

(° C)

Discharge,

 instantaneous

 (ft3/s)

Specific

 conduc

tance

 (μS/cm at

25 °C)

Oxygen,

 dissolved

(mg/L)

pH

field

 (standard

 units)

Nitrogen,

 ammonia,

dissolved

 (mg/L as N)

PCM-9 7-25-01 0845 15.6 0.443 309 9.8 6.6 0.11 PCS-2 7-25-01 0840 22.4 0.051 656 6.7 7.8 <0.01 PCM-8 7-25-01 0900 19.7 0.096 787 7.1 7.7 6.8 PCM-7 7-25-01 0915 16.5 0.789 380 9.8 7.6 0.65 PCS-1 7-25-01 0930 15.9 2.41 235 9.9 7.0 <0.01 PCT-2 7-25-01 0945 25.5 0.008 402 12.0 7.5 <0.01 PCT-1 7-25-01 1000 15.6 0.154 446 9.1 7.5 <0.01 PCM-6 7-25-01 1010 16.9 2.33 383 10.2 7.5 0.13 PCM-5 7-25-01 1040 18.9 3.17 384 10.5 7.8 0.04 PCM-4 7-25-01 1125 29.8 2.94 232 6.8 7.9 0.01 PCM-3 7-25-01 1155 30.0 2.14 232 7.0 7.9 <0.01 PCM-2 7-25-01 1220 30.9 0.72 230 7.1 8.1 <0.01 PCM-1 7-25-01 1230 -- 0.0 -- -- -- -- Minimum 15.6 0.0 230 6.7 6.6 <0.01 Maximum 30.9 3.17 787 12.0 8.1 6.8 Median 19.3 0.72 382 9.4 7.6 <0.01 Typical values for Springfield and Salem

Plateaus 1975-19852 -- -- -- -- 150-400 -- -- <0.10a 

Values for least-disturbed streams in Ozark

Highlands ecoregion 1983-19863 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- <0.01-0.12 

Values for undeveloped stream basins of

the United States4 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 0.026e 

Water Quality 17
Table 4. Discharge and water-quality data for surface-water sites located in the Prairie Creek Basin1

1Water-quality analyses performed by Rogers Water Utilities with the exception of analyses of chloride, fluoride, nitrate, and sulfate, which were performed by A

Resources Laboratory. 2Petersen, 1988.

3Arkansas Department of Pollution Control and Ecology, 1987.4Clark and others, 2000.aTotal ammonia.b Nitrite plus nitrate, 1 to 4 mg/L in several streams in the western part of Springfield and Salem Plateaus. c0.1 to 1 mg/L in several streams in western part of Springfield and Salem Plateaus. dFor all but one least-disturbed reference stream.e75th percentile flow-weighted nutrient concentrations for all basins studied. fNitrite plus nitrate.

--Continued

[Temperature reported to the nearest 0.1 degree Celsius; °C, degrees Celsius; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; μS/cm at 25 °C, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees cols/100 mL, number of colonies per 100 milliliter of sample; <, less than; >, greater than; --, no data available]

Site identifier

Nitrogen,

 ammonia +

 organic,

dissolved

(mg/L as N)

Nitrogen,

 nitrate,

 dissolved

 (mg/L as N)

Phosphorus,

total

(mg/L as P)

Orthophosphorus,

 dissolved

 (mg/L as P)

Chloride,

 dissolved

 (mg/L as Cl)

Sulfate,

 dissolved

 (mg/L as SO4)

Fluoride,

 dissolved

 (mg/L as F)

PCM-9 <0.05 3.2 0.05 <0.02 7.8 2.5 0.03 PCS-2 0.28 2.7 0.06 0.03 16.8 49.0 0.09 PCM-8 14.3 2.8 0.23 0.19 22.9 20.5 0.08 PCM-7 0.24 3.5 <0.02 <0.02 9.3 4.6 0.00 PCS-1 <0.05 3.4 0.22 <0.02 11.3 5.0 0.02 PCT-2 <0.05 1.5 <0.02 <0.02 10.6 4.5 0.01 PCT-1 <0.05 2.8 <0.02 <0.02 11.3 3.9 0.00 PCM-6 <0.05 3.4 0.04 <0.02 10.7 4.9 0.00 PCM-5 <0.05 3.3 0.05 <0.02 10.9 4.8 0.01 PCM-4 0.43 0.57 <0.02 <0.02 10.3 4.9 0.00 PCM-3 0.38 0.58 <0.02 <0.02 10.4 4.8 0.01 PCM-2 0.39 0.55 <0.02 <0.02 10.4 4.9 0.01 PCM-1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Minimum <0.05 0.55 <0.02 <0.02 7.8 2.5 0.00 Maximum 14.3 3.5 0.23 0.19 22.9 49.0 0.09 Median 0.14 2.8 0.03 <0.02 10.6 4.8 0.01 Typical values for Springfield and Salem

Plateaus 1975-19852 -- 0.2-0.5b <0.05c -- 5-10 5-10 -- 

Values for least-disturbed streams in Ozark

Highlands ecoregion 1983-19863 -- 0.19-1.92 <0.10d -- -- -- -- 

Values for undeveloped stream basins of

the United States4 -- 0.21e,f 0.037e -- -- -- -- 

18 Water Quality and Streamflow Gains and Losses of Osage and Prairie Creeks, Benton County, Arkansas, July 2001
EXPLANATION

AMMONIA 

AMMONIA BELOW

MINIMUM REPORTING 

LEVEL

AMMONIA PLUS 

ORGANIC NITROGEN

BELOW MINIMUM 

REPORTING LEVEL 

AMMONIA PLUS 

ORGANIC NITROGEN

NITRATE 

DISCHARGE 

DOWNSTREAM DISTANCE, IN MILES

0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8

DISCHARGE, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

0.002

0.005

0.02

0.05

0.2

0.5

2

5

0.001

0.01

0.1

1

10

CONCENTRATION, IN MILLIGRAMS PER

LITER AS NITROGEN

0.002

0.005

0.02

0.05

0.2

0.5

2

5

20

50

0.001

0.01

0.1

1

10

100

LAKE 

ATALANTA

Water Quality 19

Figure 13. Discharge and concentrations of ammonia, ammonia plus organic nitrogen, and nitrate along the mainstem of Prairie Creek.
20 Water Quality and Streamflow Gains and Losses of Osage and Prairie Creeks, Benton County, Arkansas, July 2001

Phosphorus concentrations generally were similar to concentrations typical of other streams in the 

Springfield and Salem Plateaus and measured concentrations for least-disturbed streams of the Ozark Highlands ecoregion. Total phosphorus concentrations 

ranged from less than 0.02 to 0.23 mg/L with the highest concentration measured at site PCM-8 (fig. 14). 

Concentrations of total phosphorus at sites PCM-8 and 

PCS-1 were above the typical level for streams in the 

Springfield and Salem Plateaus, were above concentrations measured for least-disturbed streams of the Ozark 

Highlands ecoregion, and exceeded the 75th percentile 

flow-weighted concentration for relatively undeveloped stream basins in the United States. All concentrations were below or within the range typical for several 

streams in the western part of the Springfield and 

Salem Plateaus. Most measured concentrations of total 

phosphorus upstream from Lake Atalanta exceeded, 

while all measured total phosphorus concentrations 

downstream from the lake did not exceed, the 75th percentile flow-weighted concentration for relatively 

undeveloped stream basins in the United States. Elevated total phosphorus concentrations measured at sites 

PCM-8 and PCS-1 might be indicative of sewage or 

animal metabolic waste (Hem, 1992). Dissolved orthophosphorus concentrations ranged from less than 0.02 

to 0.19 mg/L as phosphorus with concentrations measured above the detection limit only at sites PCM-8 and 

PCS-2 (fig. 14). Bacteriological analyses were not performed on Prairie Creek during the study. 

EXPLANATION

DISCHARGE 

PHOSPHORUS 

BELOW MINIMUM 

REPORTING LEVEL

PHOSPHORUS 

ORTHOPHOSPHORUS 

ORTHOPHOSPHORUS 

BELOW MINIMUM 

REPORTING LEVEL

DOWNSTREAM DISTANCE, IN MILES

0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8

DISCHARGE, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

0.002

0.005

0.02

0.05

0.2

0.5

2

5

0.001

0.01

0.1

1

10

CONCENTRATION, IN MILLIGRAMS PER

LITER AS PHOSPHORUS

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

0.08

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.8

0.01

0.1

1

LAKE 

ATALANTA

Figure 14. Discharge and concentrations of phosphorus and orthophosphorus along the mainstem of Prairie Creek.
Water Quality 21

Samples also were analyzed for chloride, sulfate, 

and fluoride. Dissolved chloride ranged from 7.8 to 

22.9 mg/L with the highest concentration measured at 

site PCM-8 (fig. 15). With the exception of sites PCM8 and PCS-2, concentrations of dissolved chloride for 

Prairie Creek were either typical or slightly elevated 

with respect to other streams in the Springfield and 

Salem Plateaus (table 4). Dissolved fluoride concentrations ranged from 0 to 0.09 mg/L, with the highest concentrations occurring at sites PCS-2 and PCM-8. 

Dissolved sulfate concentrations ranged from 2.5 to 

49.0 mg/L with the highest concentrations measured at 

sites PCS-2 and PCM-8. With the exception of these 

two sites, concentrations of dissolved sulfate for Prairie 

Creek were typical with respect to other streams in the 

Springfield and Salem Plateaus (table 4). Sulfates may 

be produced during organic waste treatment (Hem, 

1992), and elevated concentrations of sulfate at PCS-2 

and PCM-8 may have been caused by water leaking 

from septic systems. 

Hourly dissolved-oxygen concentration, pH, and 

water temperature data were collected at two locations 

on Prairie Creek from July 25 to July 26, 2001 (figs. 16, 

17, and 18). These data were collected to describe fluctuations of dissolved-oxygen concentrations, pH, and 

water temperature during the study. At water-quality 

sampling location PCM-5, immediately upstream from 

Lake Atalanta, a minimum dissolved-oxygen concentration of 8.1 mg/L was recorded at 0200 hours on July 

26, and a maximum dissolved-oxygen concentration of 

9.9 mg/L was recorded at 1200 hours on July 25. A 

minimum pH value of 7.6 was recorded at 0800 and at 

2200 hours on July 25 and from 0100 to 0700 hours on 

July 26. A maximum pH value of 7.8 was recorded 

from 1000 to 1900 hours on July 25. A minimum water 

temperature of 16.2 °C was recorded from 0200 to 

0700 hours on July 26, and a maximum water temperature of 18.7 °C was recorded at 1400 hours on July 25. 

These low water temperatures are indicative of a large 

component of the streamflow derived from groundwater discharge upstream from PCM-5. 

EXPLANATION

CHLORIDE 

SULFATE 

FLUORIDE 

DISCHARGE 

DOWNSTREAM DISTANCE, IN MILES

0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8

DISCHARGE, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.2

0.4

0.6

2

4

6

0.01

0.1

1

10

CONCENTRATION, IN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER 0.002

0.005

0.02

0.05

0.2

0.5

2

5

20

50

0.001

0.01

0.1

1

10

100

LAKE 

ATALANTA

Figure 15. Discharge and concentrations of chloride, fluoride, and sulfate along the mainstem of Prairie Creek.
24-HOUR TIME

 0000 0400 0800 1200 1600 2000 0000 0400 0800 1200

DISSOLVED-OXYGEN CONCENTRATION, 

IN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

07049563 PRAIRIE CREEK NEAR 

ROGERS (UPSTREAM FROM 

LAKE ATALANTA SPILLWAY)

SITE PCM-5 (UPSTREAM 

FROM LAKE ATALANTA)

JULY 25, 2001 JULY 26, 2001

22 Water Quality and Streamflow Gains and Losses of Osage and Prairie Creeks, Benton County, Arkansas, July 2001

Figure 16. Hourly dissolved-oxygen concentrations at PCM-5 and 07049563 Prairie Creek near Rogers, July 25-26, 2001.

24-HOUR TIME

 0000 0400 0800 1200 1600 2000 0000 0400 0800 1200

pH, IN STANDARD UNITS

7.2

7.4

7.6

7.8

8.0

8.2

8.4

8.6

07049563 PRAIRIE CREEK NEAR 

ROGERS (UPSTREAM FROM 

LAKE ATALANTA SPILLWAY)

SITE PCM-5 (UPSTREAM 

FROM LAKE ATALANTA)

JULY 25, 2001 JULY 26, 2001

Figure 17. Hourly pH values at PCM-5 and 07049563 Prairie Creek near Rogers, July 25-26, 2001.
24-HOUR TIME

 0000 0400 0800 1200 1600 2000 0000 0400 0800 1200

WATER TEMPERATURE, 

IN DEGREES CELSIUS

14

16

18

20

22

24

26

28

30

32

34

07049563 PRAIRIE CREEK NEAR 

ROGERS (UPSTREAM FROM 

LAKE ATALANTA SPILLWAY)

SITE PCM-5 (UPSTREAM 

FROM LAKE ATALANTA)

JULY 25, 2001 JULY 26, 2001

Streamflow Gain and Loss 23

Figure 18. Hourly water temperature at PCM-5 and 07049563 Prairie Creek near Rogers, July 25-26, 2001.

At the USGS gaging station on Prairie Creek, a 

minimum dissolved-oxygen concentration of 9.8 mg/L 

was recorded at 0300 on July 26, and a maximum dissolved-oxygen concentration of 12.8 mg/L was 

recorded at 1500 hours on July 25. A minimum pH 

value of 7.9 was recorded from 0800 to 0900 hours on 

July 25 and from 0600 to 0800 hours on July 26. A 

maximum pH value of 8.3 was recorded from 1400 to 

1500 hours and 1800 to 2000 hours on July 25. A minimum water temperature of 29.5 °C was recorded from 

0700 to 0800 hours on July 26, and a maximum water 

temperature of 32.0 °C was recorded at 1400 hours on 

July 25. Dissolved-oxygen concentrations, pH, and 

temperature values were higher at the USGS gaging 

station upstream from the Lake Atalanta spillway than 

at PCM-5 during this study.

STREAMFLOW GAIN AND LOSS

Streamflow measurements were made at 18 locations in the Osage Creek Basin on July 24, 2001, and 

13 locations in the Prairie Creek Basin on July 25, 

2001. Comparison of successive downstream streamflow measurements was used to determine if the stream 

reaches were gaining or losing flow. 

Osage Creek

Streamflow measurements were made at 12 sites 

along the mainstem of Osage Creek and at 6 points of 

inflow (1 spring, 4 tributaries, and 1 WTP) during the 

study.2 Measured flow for the mainstem of Osage 

Creek ranged from 2.34 to 19.1 cubic feet per second 

(ft3

/s) (table 5; fig. 19). 

Streamflow at OCM-12 (headwaters) was 2.34 

ft3

/s, and the streamflow at OCM-1 (the downstream 

end of the study reach) was 15.7 ft3

/s. The lower 

reaches of Osage Creek in this study have been identified as having a 7-day, 10-year low flow ranging 

between 1.0 and 10 ft3/s (Hunrichs, 1983). Streamflow 

measured at the downstream end of the study reach

2Flow conditions at the location where the outflow of WTP-1 

was measured were beyond the limitations of the current meter 

used, and therefore, inflow from WTP-1 could not be determined 

according to U.S. Geological Survey methods.
24 Water Quality and Streamflow Gains and Losses of Osage and Prairie Creeks, Benton County, Arkansas, July 2001

Table 5. Streamflow balance on Osage Creek during study on July 24, 2001

[ft3/s, cubic foot per second; bold numbers are gains or losses greater than the measurement error for that particular reach; NA, unknown]

Site identifier Time

Streamflow,

 instantaneous,

(ft3/s)

Difference

 between

 downstream

 and upstream

 streamflow,

(ft3

/s)

Measured inflow

 between

 downstream

 and upstream sites,

 (ft3

/s)

Measurement

error between

downstream

and upstream

sites

(ft3/s)

Gain in

 surface

 streamflow,

(ft3/s)

OCM-12 1015 2.34

4.83 2.94 1.11 1.89

OCM-11 1135 7.17

-0.30 0 0.70 -0.30

OCM-10 1100 6.87

-0.71 0 0.65 -0.71

OCM-9 1210 6.16

-0.06 0 0.61 -0.06

OCM-8 1210 6.10

0.58 0 0.84 0.58

OCM-7 1320 6.68

1.89 1.94 1.65 -0.05

OCM-6 1415 8.57

2.23 0 1.23 2.23

OCM-5 1425 10.8

8.30 NA1

1Flow conditions at the location where the outflow of WTP-1 was measured were beyond the limitations of 

the current meter used, and therefore, inflow from WTP-1 could not be determined according to U.S. Geological 

Survey methods.

NA NA

OCM-4 1540 19.1

-2.40 0 2.86 -2.40

OCM-3 1625 16.7

0.50 0 2.76 0.50

OCM-2 1640 17.2

-1.50 0 2.12 -1.50

OCM-1 1800 15.7

indicated that streamflow at Osage Creek during the 

study was near, but above the 7-day, 10-year low-flow 

range.

A previous streamflow gain and loss study on 

Osage Creek, which began just downstream from the 

WTP, indicated that Osage Creek is probably a gaining 

stream; however, because wastewater treatment plant 

discharges were highly variable during the study, an 

accurate determination of gaining and losing reaches 

was not able to be made (Freiwald, 1987). A better 

determination of gaining and losing reaches was able to 

be made during the current (2001) study. One losing and 

two gaining reaches were identified along the mainstem 

of Osage Creek (table 5; fig. 20). The study reach 

upstream from the WTP had a net gain of 3.58 ft3/s from 

the ground-water system; there were no gaining or losing reaches identified downstream from the WTP.
WTP-1

--

OCT-4

2.50

OCS-1

OCT-3 0.22

0.22

OCT-2

0.98

OCT-1

0.96

OCM-12

2.34

OCM-11

7.17

OCM-10

6.87

OCM-9

6.16

OCM-8

6.10

OCM-7

6.68

OCM-6

8.57

OCM-5

10.8 OCM-4

19.1

OCM-3

16.7 OCM-2

17.2

OCM-1

15.7

Osage Creek

NOT TO SCALE

MAINSTEM OF OSAGE CREEK

EXPLANATION

SAMPLE LOCATION, IDENTIFIER

(TABLE 1) AND CORRESPONDING

STREAMFLOW (IN CUBIC FEET

PER SECOND)

OCM-8

6.10

SPRING OR TRIBUTARY INFLOW

WASTEWATER TREATMENT

PLANT INFLOW

WTP-1

--

OCT-4

2.50

OCS-1

OCT-3 0.22

0.22

OCT-2

0.98

OCT-1

0.96

OCM-12

2.34

OCM-11

7.17

OCM-10

6.87

OCM-9

6.16

OCM-8

6.10

OCM-7

6.68

OCM-6

8.57

OCM-5

10.8 OCM-4

19.1

OCM-3

16.7 OCM-2

17.2

OCM-1

15.7

Osage Creek

NOT TO SCALE

MAINSTEM OF OSAGE CREEK

EXPLANATION

SAMPLE LOCATION, IDENTIFIER

(TABLE 1) AND CORRESPONDING

STREAMFLOW (IN CUBIC FEET

PER SECOND)

OCM-8

6.10

SPRING OR TRIBUTARY INFLOW

WASTEWATER TREATMENT

PLANT INFLOW

WTP-1

--

OCT-4

2.50

OCS-1

OCT-3 0.22

0.22

OCT-2

0.98

OCT-1

0.96

OCM-12

2.34

OCM-11

7.17

OCM-10

6.87

OCM-9

6.16

OCM-8

6.10

OCM-7

6.68

OCM-6

8.57

OCM-5

10.8 OCM-4

19.1

OCM-3

16.7 OCM-2

17.2

OCM-1

15.7

Osage Creek

NOT TO SCALE

MAINSTEM OF OSAGE CREEK

EXPLANATION

SAMPLE LOCATION, IDENTIFIER

(TABLE 1) AND CORRESPONDING

STREAMFLOW (IN CUBIC FEET

PER SECOND)

OCM-8

6.10

SPRING OR TRIBUTARY INFLOW

WASTEWATER TREATMENT

PLANT INFLOW

MAINSTEM OF OSAGE CREEK

EXPLANATION

SAMPLE LOCATION, IDENTIFIER

(TABLE 1) AND CORRESPONDING

STREAMFLOW (IN CUBIC FEET

PER SECOND)

OCM-8

6.10

SAMPLE LOCATION, IDENTIFIER

(TABLE 1) AND CORRESPONDING

STREAMFLOW (IN CUBIC FEET

PER SECOND)

OCM-8

6.10

SPRING OR TRIBUTARY INFLOW

WASTEWATER TREATMENT

PLANT INFLOW

Streamflow Gain and Loss 25

Figure 19. Streamflow at mainstem and inflow sample locations on Osage Creek, July 24, 2001.

NOT TO SCALE

+1.89

-0.71

+2.23

OCM-9

OCM-8

OCM-7

OCM-6

OCM-5

OCM-4

OCM-3

OCM-2

OCM-1

OCM-11 OCM-12

OCM-10 Osage Creek

EXPLANATION

SAMPLE LOCATION,

AND IDENTIFIER (TABLE 1)

OCM-6

GAINING MAINSTEM REACH

OF OSAGE CREEK, AND CORRESPONDING

STREAMFLOW GAIN (IN CUBIC FEET

PER SECOND)

+2.23

LOSING MAINSTEM REACH

OF OSAGE CREEK, AND CORRESPONDING

STREAMFLOW LOSS (IN CUBIC FEET

PER SECOND)

-0.71

MAINSTEM REACH OF OSAGE CREEK

NEITHER GAINING NOR LOSING FLOW

NOT TO SCALE

+1.89

-0.71

+2.23

OCM-9

OCM-8

OCM-7

OCM-6

OCM-5

OCM-4

OCM-3

OCM-2

OCM-1

OCM-11 OCM-12

OCM-10 Osage Creek

EXPLANATION

SAMPLE LOCATION,

AND IDENTIFIER (TABLE 1)

OCM-6

GAINING MAINSTEM REACH

OF OSAGE CREEK, AND CORRESPONDING

STREAMFLOW GAIN (IN CUBIC FEET

PER SECOND)

+2.23

LOSING MAINSTEM REACH

OF OSAGE CREEK, AND CORRESPONDING

STREAMFLOW LOSS (IN CUBIC FEET

PER SECOND)

-0.71

MAINSTEM REACH OF OSAGE CREEK

NEITHER GAINING NOR LOSING FLOW

EXPLANATION

SAMPLE LOCATION,

AND IDENTIFIER (TABLE 1)

OCM-6

GAINING MAINSTEM REACH

OF OSAGE CREEK, AND CORRESPONDING

STREAMFLOW GAIN (IN CUBIC FEET

PER SECOND)

+2.23

LOSING MAINSTEM REACH

OF OSAGE CREEK, AND CORRESPONDING

STREAMFLOW LOSS (IN CUBIC FEET

PER SECOND)

-0.71

MAINSTEM REACH OF OSAGE CREEK

NEITHER GAINING NOR LOSING FLOW

Figure 20. Gains and losses in surface flow between mainstem sample locations on Osage Creek, July 24, 2001.
26 Water Quality and Streamflow Gains and Losses of Osage and Prairie Creeks, Benton County, Arkansas, July 2001

While no sections of the Osage Creek streambed 

were dry and surface flow was present at all sites, gaining and losing reaches were identified. The presence of 

gaining and losing reaches along the mainstem indicates interaction between the Springfield Plateau aquifer and surface flow of Osage Creek. 

Prairie Creek 

Nine streamflow measurements were made 

along the mainstem of Prairie Creek and four streamflow measurements (two springs, two tributaries) were 

made at points of inflow during the study. Measured 

flow for Prairie Creek during the study ranged from 0 

to 3.17 ft3/s (table 6; fig. 21).

Three losing and two gaining reaches were identified along the mainstem of Prairie Creek during the 

study (fig. 22). Streamflow at PCM-9 (headwaters) was 

0.44 ft3/s, and streamflow at PCM-1 (the downstream 

end of the study reach) was 0 ft3

/s. The study reach had 

a net loss of 3.06 ft3/s to the ground-water system.

At site PCM-1, the downstream end of the study 

reach, surface flow disappeared, and the streambed was 

dry for the remaining 0.8 mile of Prairie Creek to Beaver Lake. The presence of gaining and losing reaches 

along the mainstem indicate interaction between the 

Springfield Plateau aquifer and surface flow of Prairie 

Creek. 

Table 6. Streamflow balance on Prairie Creek during study on July 25, 2001

[ft3/s, cubic foot per second; bold numbers are gains or losses greater than the measurement error for that particular reach]

Site identifier Time

Streamflow,

 instantaneous,

(ft3

/s)

Difference

 between

 downstream

 and upstream

 streamflow,

(ft3/s)

Measured inflow

 between

 downstream

 and upstream sites,

 (ft3

/s)

Measurement

error between

downstream

and upstream

sites

(ft3/s)

Gain in

 surface

 streamflow,

(ft3

/s)

PCM-9 0840 0.44

-0.34 0.05 0.14 -0.39

PCM-8 0855 0.10

0.69 0 0.23 0.69

PCM-7 0905 0.79

1.54 2.57 0.49 -1.03

PCM-6 1010 2.33

0.84 0 0.37 0.84

PCM-5 1040 3.17

-0.23 0 0.49 -0.23

PCM-4 1125 2.94

-0.80 0 0.41 -0.80

PCM-3 1200 2.14

-1.42 0 0.23 -1.42

PCM-2 1215 0.72

-0.72 0 0.06 -0.72

PCM-1 1230 0
LAKE ATALANTA

PCS-2

0.05

PCS-1

2.41

PCT-2

0.01

PCT-1

0.15

PCM-9

0.44

PCM-8

0.10

PCM-7

0.79

PCM-6

2.33

PCM-5

3.17

PCM-4

2.94

PCM-2

0.72

PCM-3

2.14

PCM-1

0

NOT TO SCALE

Prairie Creek

MAINSTEM OF PRAIRIE CREEK

EXPLANATION

SAMPLE LOCATION, IDENTIFIER 

(TABLE 3) AND CORRESPONDING 

STREAMFLOW (IN CUBIC FEET 

PER SECOND)

PCM-3

2.14

SPRING OR TRIBUTARY INFLOW

LAKE ATALANTA

PCS-2

0.05

PCS-1

2.41

PCT-2

0.01

PCT-1

0.15

PCM-9

0.44

PCM-8

0.10

PCM-7

0.79

PCM-6

2.33

PCM-5

3.17

PCM-4

2.94

PCM-2

0.72

PCM-3

2.14

PCM-1

0

NOT TO SCALE

Prairie Creek

MAINSTEM OF PRAIRIE CREEK

EXPLANATION

SAMPLE LOCATION, IDENTIFIER 

(TABLE 3) AND CORRESPONDING 

STREAMFLOW (IN CUBIC FEET 

PER SECOND)

PCM-3

2.14

SPRING OR TRIBUTARY INFLOW

LAKE ATALANTA

PCS-2

0.05

PCS-1

2.41

PCT-2

0.01

PCT-1

0.15

PCM-9

0.44

PCM-8

0.10

PCM-7

0.79

PCM-6

2.33

PCM-5

3.17

PCM-4

2.94

PCM-2

0.72

PCM-3

2.14

PCM-1

0

NOT TO SCALE

Prairie Creek

MAINSTEM OF PRAIRIE CREEK

EXPLANATION

SAMPLE LOCATION, IDENTIFIER 

(TABLE 3) AND CORRESPONDING 

STREAMFLOW (IN CUBIC FEET 

PER SECOND)

PCM-3

2.14

SPRING OR TRIBUTARY INFLOW

MAINSTEM OF PRAIRIE CREEK

EXPLANATION

SAMPLE LOCATION, IDENTIFIER 

(TABLE 3) AND CORRESPONDING 

STREAMFLOW (IN CUBIC FEET 

PER SECOND)

PCM-3

2.14

SAMPLE LOCATION, IDENTIFIER 

(TABLE 3) AND CORRESPONDING 

STREAMFLOW (IN CUBIC FEET 

PER SECOND)

PCM-3

2.14

SPRING OR TRIBUTARY INFLOW

Streamflow Gain and Loss 27

Figure 21. Streamflow at mainstem and inflow sample locations on Prairie Creek, July 25, 2001.

LAKE ATALANTA

-0.39

+0.69

-1.03

+0.84

-0.80

-1.42

-0.72

PCM-9

PCM-8

PCM-7

PCM-6

PCM-5

PCM-4

PCM-2

PCM-3

PCM-1

Prairie Creek

NOT TO SCALE

EXPLANATION

SAMPLE LOCATION,

AND IDENTIFIER (TABLE 3)

PCM-6

GAINING MAINSTEM REACH

OF PRAIRIE CREEK, AND CORRESPONDING

STREAMFLOW GAIN (IN CUBIC FEET

PER SECOND)

+0.84

LOSING MAINSTEM REACH

OF PRAIRIE CREEK, AND CORRESPONDING

STREAMFLOW LOSS (IN CUBIC FEET

PER SECOND)

-1.03

MAINSTEM REACH OF PRAIRIE CREEK

NEITHER GAINING NOR LOSING FLOW

LAKE ATALANTA

-0.39

+0.69

-1.03

+0.84

-0.80

-1.42

-0.72

PCM-9

PCM-8

PCM-7

PCM-6

PCM-5

PCM-4

PCM-2

PCM-3

PCM-1

Prairie Creek

NOT TO SCALE

EXPLANATION

SAMPLE LOCATION,

AND IDENTIFIER (TABLE 3)

PCM-6

GAINING MAINSTEM REACH

OF PRAIRIE CREEK, AND CORRESPONDING

STREAMFLOW GAIN (IN CUBIC FEET

PER SECOND)

+0.84

LOSING MAINSTEM REACH

OF PRAIRIE CREEK, AND CORRESPONDING

STREAMFLOW LOSS (IN CUBIC FEET

PER SECOND)

MAINSTEM REACH OF PRAIRIE CREEK

NEITHER GAINING NOR LOSING FLOW

EXPLANATION

SAMPLE LOCATION,

AND IDENTIFIER (TABLE 3)

PCM-6

GAINING MAINSTEM REACH

OF PRAIRIE CREEK, AND CORRESPONDING

STREAMFLOW GAIN (IN CUBIC FEET

PER SECOND)

+0.84

LOSING MAINSTEM REACH

OF PRAIRIE CREEK, AND CORRESPONDING

STREAMFLOW LOSS (IN CUBIC FEET

PER SECOND)

MAINSTEM REACH OF PRAIRIE CREEK

NEITHER GAINING NOR LOSING FLOW

Figure 22. Gains and losses in surface flow between mainstem sample locations on Prairie Creek, July 25, 2001.
28 Water Quality and Streamflow Gains and Losses of Osage and Prairie Creeks, Benton County, Arkansas, July 2001

SUMMARY

A study of water quality and streamflow gains 

and losses within Osage and Prairie Creeks, Benton 

County, Arkansas, was undertaken from July 24 to July 

26, 2001. The creeks are located in northwestern 

Arkansas. Water-quality samples collected during the 

study were analyzed to describe the range in physical 

parameters and concentrations for various bacteriological (Osage Creek only) and chemical parameters. 

Water-quality analyses were performed by Rogers 

Water Utilities and the Arkansas Water Resources Laboratory. Streamflow measurements were made along 

the mainstem of each creek and at points of inflow 

(prior to confluence with the mainstem). Comparison 

of successive downstream streamflow measurements 

was used to determine if the stream reaches were gaining or losing flow. 

Water-quality data were collected at 12 surfacewater sites on the mainstem of Osage Creek and at 6 

points of inflow. Dissolved ammonia concentrations 

ranged from less than 0.01 to 0.04 mg/L as nitrogen and 

were within the typical range of dissolved ammonia 

concentrations for the Springfield and Salem Plateaus 

and within the range measured for some of the leastdisturbed streams of the Ozark Highlands ecoregion. 

Dissolved nitrate concentrations ranged from 1.7 to 4.0 

mg/L as nitrogen. While concentrations of nitrite plus 

nitrate for Osage Creek were above the range that is 

typical for streams in the Springfield and Salem Plateaus and the range measured for least-disturbed reference streams of the Ozark Highlands ecoregion, 

concentrations were within the range that is typical for 

several streams in the western part of the Springfield 

and Salem Plateaus. Total phosphorus concentrations 

ranged from 0.04 to 0.28 mg/L and were higher at sites 

located downstream from the WTP than upstream from 

the WTP. Most total phosphorus concentrations for 

Osage Creek were within the range that is typical for 

several streams in the western part of the Springfield 

and Salem Plateaus. 

Hourly dissolved-oxygen concentration, pH, and 

water temperature data were collected for a 24-hour 

period at the USGS gaging station on Osage Creek near 

Cave Springs, Arkansas (07194880), to describe the 

fluctuations that occurred in these parameters at Osage 

Creek during the study. Dissolved-oxygen concentrations ranged from 5.4 to 8.6 mg/L, pH values ranged 

from 7.3 to 7.8, and water temperatures ranged from 

22.5 to 27.0 °C at this site. 

Water-quality data were collected at nine surface-water sites on the mainstem of Prairie Creek and 

at four points of inflow. Dissolved ammonia concentrations ranged from less than 0.01 to 6.8 mg/L as nitrogen 

with the highest concentration measured at site PCM-8. 

Dissolved ammonia concentrations for PCM-8 and 

subsequent mainstem sites, PCM-7 and PCM-6, were 

above the typical level of dissolved ammonia concentrations measured for streams in the Springfield and 

Salem Plateaus. High concentration of dissolved 

ammonia measured at site PCM-8 and the next two 

downstream mainstem sites might be indicative of sewage disposal or organic waste. Dissolved nitrate concentrations ranged from 0.55 to 3.5 mg/L as nitrogen 

with the highest mainstem concentrations occurring 

upstream from Lake Atalanta. Most concentrations of 

nitrite plus nitrate for Prairie Creek were above the 

range measured for some of the least-disturbed streams 

of the Ozark Highlands ecoregion but were within the 

range that is typical for several streams in the western 

part of the Springfield and Salem Plateaus. Total phosphorus concentrations ranged from less than 0.02 to 

0.23 mg/L with the highest concentration measured at 

site PCM-8. Total phosphorus concentrations were 

below or within the range that is typical for several 

streams in the western part of the Springfield and 

Salem Plateaus. Elevated concentrations of total phosphorus measured at sites PCM-8 and PCS-1 might be 

indicative of sewage or animal metabolic waste. 

Hourly dissolved-oxygen concentrations, pH, 

and water temperature also were collected for a 24-

hour period at an upstream site and a downstream site 

on the mainstem of Prairie Creek to describe the fluctuations that occurred in these parameters during the 

study. Dissolved-oxygen concentrations ranged from 

8.1 to 9.9 mg/L, pH values ranged from 7.6 to 7.8, and 

water temperatures ranged from 16.2 to 18.7 °C at the 

upstream site. Dissolved-oxygen concentrations 

ranged from 9.8 to 12.8 mg/L, pH values ranged from 

7.9 to 8.3, and water temperatures ranged from 29.5 to 

32.0 °C at the downstream site.

Identification of losing and gaining reaches indicates that interaction exists between the local shallow 

unconfined ground-water aquifer and surface flow in 

Osage and Prairie Creeks. Measured streamflow for the 

mainstem of Osage Creek ranged from 2.34 to 19.1 ft3/

s during this study. Streamflow measured at the beginning of the study reach for Osage Creek was 2.34 ft3/s, 

and streamflow measured at the downstream end of the 

study reach was 15.7 ft3/s. One losing and two gaining 
Selected References 29

reaches were identified on the mainstem of Osage 

Creek with a net gain of 3.58 ft3

/s from the groundwater system upstream from the WTP; there were no 

gaining or losing reaches identified downstream from 

the WTP. Measured streamflow for the mainstem of 

Prairie Creek ranged from 0 to 3.17 ft3/s during this 

study. Streamflow measured at the beginning of the 

study reach for Prairie Creek was 0.44 ft3

/s, and the 

streambed was dry at the downstream end of the study 

reach. Three losing and two gaining reaches were 

identified on the mainstem of Prairie Creek with a net 

loss of 3.06 ft3/s to the ground-water system. 

SELECTED REFERENCES

Arkansas Department of Pollution Control and Ecology, 

1987, Physical, chemical, and biological characteristics 

of least-disturbed reference streams in Arkansas’ ecoregions -Volume 1, Data compilation: Little Rock, Arkansas, p. 385-475.

Clark, G.M., Mueller, D.K., and Mast, M.A., 2000, Nutrient 

concentrations and yields in undeveloped stream basins 

of the United States: Journal of the American Water 

Resources Association, v. 36, no. 4, p. 849-860.

Fenneman, N.M., 1938, Physiography of eastern United 

States: New York, McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., 714 p. 

Freiwald, D.A., 1987, Streamflow gain and loss of selected 

streams in northern Arkansas: U.S. Geological Survey 

Water-Resources Investigations Report 86-4185, 4 

sheets.

Frezon, S.E., and Glick, E.E., 1959, Pre-Atoka rocks of 

Arkansas: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 

314-H, p. 171-189.

Hem, J.D., 1992, Study and interpretation of the chemical 

characteristics of natural water (3rd ed.): U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 2254, p. 124-127.

Hunrichs, R.A., 1983, Identification and classification of 

perennial streams of Arkansas: U.S. Geological Survey 

Water-Resources Investigations Report 83-4063, 1 

sheet.

Imes, J.L., 1990, Major geohydrologic units in and adjacent 

to the Ozark Plateaus Province, Missouri, Arkansas, 

Kansas, and Oklahoma: U.S. Geological Survey Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA-711-A, 1 sheet.

Joseph, R.L., and Green, W.R., 1994, Water-quality reconnaissance and streamflow gain and loss of Yocum 

Creek Basin, Carroll County, Arkansas: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 94-537, 14 p.

———1994, Water-quality conditions and streamflow gain 

and loss of the South Prong of Spavinaw Creek Basin, 

Benton County, Arkansas: U.S. Geological Survey 

Open-File Report 94-706, 16 p.

Lamonds, A.G., 1972, Water-resources reconnaissance of 

the Ozark Plateaus Province, northern Arkansas: U.S. 

Geological Survey Hydrologic Investigations Atlas 

383, 2 sheets.

Petersen, J.C., 1988, Statistical summary of selected waterquality data (water years 1975 through 1985) for 

Arkansas rivers and streams: U.S. Geological Survey 

Water-Resources Investigations Report 88-4112, 189 p.

Porter, J.E., Evans, D.A., and Remsing, L.M., 2002, Water 

resources data—Arkansas, water year 2001: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Data Report AR-01-1, p. 2.

Rantz, S.E., and others, 1982, Measurement and computation of streamflow—Volume 1, Measurement of stage 

and discharge: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply 

Paper 2175, chap. 5, p. 79-183.

Sawyer, C.N., McCarty, P.L., and Parkin, G.F., 1994, Chemistry for environmental engineering: New York, 

McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., p. 583-601.

Sheldon, M.G., 1954, Sample descriptions and correlations 

for selected wells in northern Arkansas: Arkansas 

Resources and Development Commission Division of 

Geology Information Circular No. 17, 222 p.

Winter, T.C., Harvey, J.W., Franke, O.L., and Alley, W.M., 

1999, Ground water and surface water—A single 

resource: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1139, p. 50-

51.