Base Flow, Water Quality, and Streamflow Gain and 

Loss of the Buffalo River, Arkansas, and Selected 

Tributaries, July and August 2003

Prepared in cooperation with the

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Scientific Investigations Report 2004-5274
Front Cover: Photographs of the Buffalo River in northern Arkansas. Photographs by Chuck 

Haralson, Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism
Base Flow, Water Quality, and Streamflow 

Gain and Loss of the Buffalo River, 

Arkansas, and Selected Tributaries, July 

and August 2003

By Matthew W. Moix and Joel M. Galloway

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Prepared in cooperation with the National Park Service

Scientific Investigations Report 2004-5274
U.S. Department of the Interior

Gale A. Norton, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

Charles G. Groat, Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2005

For sale by U.S. Geological Survey, Information Services

Box 25286, Denver Federal Center

Denver, CO 80225

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Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual copyright owners to reproduce any copyrighted materials contained within this report.
Contents

 iii

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

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

Description of Study Area ........................................................................................................................................................... 1

Acknowledgements...................................................................................................................................................................... 2

Methods ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2

Base-Flow Separation.................................................................................................................................................................. 2

Streamflow and Water-Quality Data Collection and Analysis ............................................................................................... 2

Base Flow .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 5

Water Quality .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 10

Streamflow Gain and Loss .................................................................................................................................................................... 14

Summary .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 19

References .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 20

Appendix 1. Description of surface-water measurement locations in the Buffalo River Basin ............................................... 23

Appendix 2. Streamflow and water-quality data for streamflow measurement sites in the Buffalo River Basin in

northern Arkansas, July and August 2003.......................................................................................................................... 29

Figures

1. Map showing generalized geology of the Buffalo River Basin ............................................................................................ 3

2-9. Graphs showing:

2. Base flow and runoff as components of total flow for 07055646 Buffalo River near Boxley, Arkansas ................... 6

3. Base flow and runoff as components of total flow for 07056000 Buffalo River near St. Joe, Arkansas................... 7

4. Base flow and runoff as components of total flow for 07055875 Richland Creek near Witts Springs, Arkansas... 8

5. Base flow and runoff as components of total flow for 07055893 Calf Creek near Silver Hill, Arkansas................... 9

6. Base flow and runoff as components of total flow for 07056515 Bear Creek near Silver Hill, Arkansas ................. 9

7. Mean monthly base flow and runoff for 07056000 Buffalo River near St. Joe, Arkansas, for water years

1940-2003.................................................................................................................................................................................10

8. Measured values of specific conductance along the mainstem of the Buffalo River, July and August 2003........ 11

9. Measured streamflow along the mainstem of the Buffalo River, July and August 2003............................................ 14

Tables

1. Description of sampling locations on the Buffalo River and selected tributaries where streamflow was measured

and water-quality samples were collected ................................................................................................................................ 4

2. Base-flow separation of the Buffalo River in northern Arkansas and selected tributaries ................................................ 7

3. Water-quality, quality-assurance, and streamflow data for sampled sites in the Buffalo River Basin in northern

Arkansas .........................................................................................................................................................................................12

4. Streamflow balance on the Buffalo River during study, July and August 2003................................................................... 16
iv 

Conversion Factors and Datum

Multiply By To obtain

Length

foot (ft) 0.3048 meter (m)

mile (mi) 1.609 kilometer (km)

Area

square mile (mi2) 2.590 square kilometer (km2)

Volume

acre-foot (acre-ft) 1,233 cubic meter (m3)

acre-foot (acre-ft) 0.001233 cubic hectometer (hm3)

Flow rate

acre-foot per year (acre-ft/yr) 1,233 cubic meter per year (m3/yr)

cubic foot per second (ft3/s) 0.02832 cubic meter per second (m3/s)

gallon per minute (gal/min) 0.06309 liter per second (L/s)

Hydraulic gradient

foot per mile (ft/mi) 0.1894 meter per kilometer (m/km)

Temperature in degrees Celsius (°C) may be converted to degrees Fahrenheit (°F) as follows:

°F = (1.8 x °C) + 32

Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83), unless otherwise noted.

Altitude, as used in this report, refers to distance above the vertical datum.

Specific conductance is given in microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius (μS/cm at 25°C).

Concentrations of chemical constituents in water are given either in milligrams per liter (mg/L) or micrograms per liter (μg/L).

Water year in USGS reports dealing with surface-water supply is the 12-month period October 1 through September 30. The 

water year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends and which includes 9 of the 12 months. Thus, the year ending 

September 30, 2003, is called the “2003 water year.”
Base Flow, Water Quality, and Streamflow Gain and Loss 

of the Buffalo River, Arkansas, and Selected Tributaries, 

July and August 2003

By Matthew W. Moix and Joel M. Galloway

Abstract

A study of the Buffalo National River in north-central 

Arkansas was conducted between July 28-30 and August 13-15, 

2003, to characterize the base-flow and water-quality characteristics and streamflow gain and loss in the Buffalo River. The 

study was separated into two time periods because of a precipitation event that occurred on the afternoon of July 30 causing 

appreciable storm runoff. Streamflow was separated to identify 

base-flow and surface-runoff components using the Base Flow 

Index hydrograph separation computer program. Base-flow 

separation analyses indicated annual variability in streamflow 

throughout the Buffalo River Basin. Based upon these analyses, 

total and base flow were below average for the mainstem of the 

river and Richland Creek during the 2003 water year. Waterquality samples were collected from 25 surface-water sites on 

the Buffalo River and selected tributaries. Most nutrient concentrations for the mainstem of the Buffalo River were near or 

below the minimum reporting level and were less than the 

median flow-weighted concentration for relatively undeveloped 

stream basins in the United States. Streamflow measurement 

data were collected at 44 locations along the mainstem of the 

Buffalo River and at points of inflow (prior to confluence with 

the mainstem) to identify gaining and losing reaches. Seven 

gaining and five losing reaches were identified for the Buffalo 

River. Additionally, surface flow on the mainstem of the Buffalo River was diverted to subsurface flow on the mainstem at 

two locations (river miles 73.6 and 131.6) where the mainstem 

was found to be dry. Reaches throughout the length of the river 

had calculated gains or losses that were less than the sum of 

measurement errors for the respective reaches of river. 

Introduction 

The Buffalo River lies within the White River Basin in 

north-central Arkansas. It has a length of approximately 150 mi 

(National Park Service, 2004) and at its mouth has a drainage 

area of 1,340 mi2

 (Sullavan, 1974). Most of the length of the 

Buffalo River lies within the boundaries of the Buffalo National 

River, a unit of the National Park Service (National Park Service, 2004). In July and August of 2003, the U.S. Geological 

Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the National Park Service 

conducted a study to characterize the hydrology and waterquality characteristics of the Buffalo River during base-flow 

conditions. The purpose of this report is to present results of a 

base-flow separation analysis for the Buffalo River and selected 

tributaries, present measured streamflow and water-quality data 

from1 mi upstream from the mouth to 133 mi upstream from the 

mouth of the Buffalo River at various locations on the Buffalo 

River and selected tributaries, and present analyses of streamflow gains and losses along the Buffalo River. Base-flow separation analysis was used to separate total flow into components 

of base flow and surface runoff. Water-quality data presented 

include nutrient, bacteria, and selected field parameters. Analysis of streamflow measurements were used to identify gaining, 

losing, and dry reaches of the Buffalo River.

Description of Study Area

The Buffalo River, located in north-central Arkansas, primarily flows in an easterly direction through Newton, Searcy, 

and Marion Counties (plate 1). The study reach for the Buffalo 

River begins at the USGS streamflow-gaging station near Boxley (07055646) and ends approximately 1 mile above the mouth 

of the river (plate 1). Land-surface elevations range from 

approximately 380 ft above NGVD of 19291 near the mouth of 

the river to 1,140 ft above NGVD of 1929 at the Boxley streamflow-gaging station. The mainstem of the Buffalo River located 

within the study reach has a length of 132 mi with an approximate mean gradient of 5.8 ft/mi. 

The Buffalo River originates in the Boston Mountains 

physiographic section, and flows through the Springfield Plateau and Salem Plateau physiographic sections (plate 1). The 

1In this report “NGVD of 1929” refers to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929—a geodetic datum derived from a general adjustment of the first-order 

level notes of the United States and Canada formerly called Sea Level Datum of 1929.
2 Base Flow, Water Quality, and Streamflow Gain and Loss of the Buffalo River, Arkansas, and Selected Tributaries, July and 

August 2003

surficial geology of the Buffalo River Basin consists of Pennsylvanian-, Mississippian-, and Ordovician-age formations of 

the Ozark Plateaus system (Frezon and Glick, 1959) (fig. 1). 

The Boston Mountains physiographic section within the basin 

is at the highest elevations and is composed of Pennsylvanianand upper Mississippian-age formations (Fenneman, 1938). 

The basin is dominated by the Springfield Plateau which is 

composed of the karstic Boone Formation (lower Mississippian-age). The lowest portion of the Buffalo River Basin consists in part of the Salem Plateau which is composed of Ordovician-age formations. The largest parts of the river within the 

study area flow across the Boone Formation and the St. Peter 

Sandstone and Everton Formation (middle Ordovician-age) 

(Haley and others, 1993) (fig. 1).

The Boone Formation is composed of limestone, chert, 

and minor beds of shale and sandstone and ranges in thickness 

from 50 to 375 ft (Frezon and Glick, 1959). Residual cherty rubble typically yields 2 to 5 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 St. Peter 

Sandstone and Everton Formation are undifferentiated in the 

basin and are composed mostly of sandstone and sandy dolomite and range in thickness from a beveled edge to 1,380 ft 

(Frezon and Glick, 1959). Where fractured and porous, dolomites and sandstones of the St. Peter Sandstone and Everton 

Formation commonly yield 5 to 10 gal/min, and yields from 

some wells may exceed 50 gal/min (Lamonds, 1972; Freiwald, 

1987). Dolomites of lower Ordovician-age formations generally yield around 10 gal/min, but where solution channels have 

developed, larger yields are possible (Freiwald, 1987).

The karst ground-water system in northern Arkansas is 

underdrained by carbonate-rock aquifers that have been fractured and dissolved to form an open network of caves, enlarged 

fractures, bedding planes, conduits, sinkholes, sinking streams, 

and springs. 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 channel. In such networks, it 

is not unusual for medium-sized streams to disappear into rock 

openings and reappear at the surface in another location, 

thereby completely disrupting the surface drainage system 

(Winter and others, 1999). 

Acknowledgments

This study was conducted in cooperation with the National 

Park Service. Several National Park Service employees provided logistical support and assisted with the collection of 

hydrologic data during the study; Faron Usrey, Jessica Luraas, 

John Petty, and Jan Hinsey were particularly helpful. The 

National Park Service also provided a dissolved-oxygen meter 

and conductivity meter used to collect water-quality data, and a 

canoe, square-stern boat, and boat motor used to help navigate 

the river when needed. Additionally, the National Park Service 

provided lodging for the data-collection team. The cooperation 

of this agency and each of these individuals is gratefully appreciated.

Methods

A base-flow separation analysis, and a streamflow and 

water-quality data collection effort were conducted to characterize base-flow hydrology and water quality of the Buffalo 

River and selected tributaries. Streamflow and water-quality 

data were collected during the first year of the study. A baseflow separation analysis combined with an analysis of collected 

streamflow and water-quality data were performed during the 

second year of the study. 

Base-Flow Separation

Streamflow was analyzed using the Base Flow Index (BFI) 

hydrograph separation computer program to identify base-flow 

and surface-runoff components (Wahl and Wahl, 1995) for five 

USGS streamflow gaging stations in the Buffalo River Basin 

including Buffalo River near Boxley (07055646), Buffalo River 

near St. Joe (07056000), Richland Creek near Witts Springs 

(07055875), Calf Creek near Silver Hill (07055893), and Bear 

Creek near Silver Hill (07056515) (plate 1). Base-flow separation was based on daily streamflow data for the period of record 

for the five streamflow-gaging stations which are available in 

the USGS National Water Information System (http://

water.usgs.gov/nwis). The BFI program is based on the Institute 

of Hydrology method of base-flow separation, which divides 

the water year into increments and identifies the minimum flow 

for each increment. A 3-day increment was used for Buffalo 

River near Boxley, a 5-day increment was used for Buffalo 

River near St. Joe, a 4-day increment was used for Richland 

Creek, a 2-day increment was used for Calf Creek, and a 3-day 

increment was used for Bear Creek. Selections of increments 

are influenced by the size of the drainage area and were determined based upon methods described by Wahl and Wahl 

(1995). Minimums are compared to adjacent minimums to 

determine turning points on the base-flow hydrograph. If 90 

percent of a given minimum is less than both adjacent minimums, then that minimum is a turning point. Straight lines are 

drawn between the turning points to define the base-flow 

hydrograph. The area beneath the hydrograph is the estimate of 

the volume of base flow for the period. The ratio of the baseflow volume to the total-flow volume is the base-flow index 

(Wahl and Wahl, 1995). 

Streamflow and Water-Quality Data Collection and 

Analysis

Streamflow and water-quality data were collected from the 

Buffalo River and selected tributaries on July 28-30 and August 

13-15, 2003. The study was separated into two time periods 
0 5 10 Mile

0 5 10 Kilometers

PENNSYLVANIAN FORMISSISSIPPIAN FORMORDOVICIAN FORMAT

EXPLANATION

ARKANSAS

LOCATION OF STUDY AREA

Little Buffalo

River

Richland

Creek Calf

Creek

Bear

Creek

Big

Creek

93 15' o

93 00' o

92 45' o

92 30' o

36 05' o

35 55' o

35 45' o

Base from U.S. Geological Surveydigital data, 1:100,000

Figure 1. Generalized geology of the Buffalo River Basin.
4 Base Flow, Water Quality, and Streamflow Gain and Loss of the Buffalo River, Arkansas, and Selected Tributaries, July and 

August 2003

because of a precipitation event on the afternoon of July 30 

causing appreciable storm runoff. Collection of streamflow and 

water-quality data ended near river mile 83.4 (Mt. Hersey 

access). The study resumed on August 13 at the Mt. Hersey 

access after base-flow conditions had resumed. Precipitation 

also occurred in the upper part of the basin on the evening of 

July 29, 2003, which could have slightly affected the streamflow that was measured at sites on July 30, 2003 (between river 

miles 83.4 and 103.4) (plate 1, table 1, and appendix 1). 

The sampling sites were chosen based on the ability to provide the best understanding of the water-quality and streamflow 

conditions and on accessibility of the river (table 1). Streamflow 

measurements at 44 locations (appendix 1) and water-quality 

samples at 21 locations (table 1) were collected on the mainstem 

of the Buffalo River during base-flow conditions. Streamflow 

measurements were made at approximately 2-mi, 3-mi, and 4-

mi intervals for the upper, middle, and lower sections of the 

river, respectively. Water-quality samples were collected where 

the river was accessible at approximately 5-mi, 7-mi, and 8-mi 

intervals, respectively. Water-quality samples also were collected on four major tributaries. For most mainstem and inflow 

measurement locations, water temperature, specific conductance, and dissolved oxygen were measured. Data were collected from 1 mi upstream from the confluence with the White 

River near Buffalo City to the USGS streamflow gaging station 

on the Buffalo River near Boxley (07055646). 

Table 1. Description of sampling locations on Buffalo River and selected tributaries where streamflow was measured and water-quality 

samples were collected.

07055646 Buffalo River near Boxley 355621 0932419

M40 Buffalo River near Ponca access 360112 0932117

M38 Buffalo River near Steel Creek access 360221 0932009

M35 Buffalo River near Kyles Landing access 360326 0931642

M33 Buffalo River near Erbie low-water bridge 360432 0931329

M31 Buffalo River near Ozark access 360354 0930935

M30 Buffalo River near Pruitt access 360326 0930811

T91 Tributary-Little Buffalo River 360201 0930633

M28 Buffalo River near Hasty access 360018 0930452

M26 Buffalo River near Carver access 355857 0930227

M24 Buffalo River near Mt. Hersey access 360033 0925709

M24A Buffalo River near Mt. Hersey access 360033 0925709

M21 Buffalo River near Woolum access 355815 0925315

M18 Buffalo River near Bakers Ford access 355849 0924849

T46 Tributary-Calf Creek 355845 0924621

07056000 Buffalo River near St. Joe 355905 0924442

M15 Buffalo River near Gilbert access 355910 0924255

T40 Tributary-Bear Creek 355949 0924201

M12 Buffalo River near North Maumee access 360157 0923740

07056700 Buffalo River near Harriet 360402 0923438

M6 Buffalo River near Rush access 360718 0923300

M4 Buffalo River mainstem 360609 0922839

T10 Tributary-Big Creek 360447 0922819

M2 Buffalo River mainstem 360730 0922608

M1 Buffalo River mainstem 360948 0922504

Site

identifier Site description Latitude1

1Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the North American Datum 

of 1983 (NAD 83), unless otherwise noted.

Longitude1

Distance

upstream

of mouth

(miles)

132.78

125.14

122.46

114.51

109.72

103.36

101.36

 97.58

 94.17

 90.23

 83.38

83.36

 74.80

 63.69

 60.26

 57.79

 53.70

 52.48

 42.34

 32.25

 23.61

14.93

 12.88

5.33

1.00
Base Flow 5

Site identifier nomenclature also was created for each sampling and measurement location to distinguish the type of site 

and the relative location of each sampling and streamflow measurement site (table 1, appendix 1). Each site identifier consists 

of an alphabetical character followed by one to three numerical 

characters (M5, T91, S122). The first alphabetical character 

indicates the type of site: M is mainstem; S is spring; T is tributary. The numerical characters indicate the relative location of 

the measurement and sampling site with the numerical characters increasing with distance upstream from the mouth of the 

Buffalo River. For example, sites M40, M18, and M1 are all 

mainstem sites, and site M18 is upstream from M1 and downstream from M40. The created site identifier nomenclature was 

used for sites that were not located near an active USGS streamflow gaging station location, and the USGS station identification number was used as the site identifier in lieu of the created 

nomenclature for these locations.

Water-quality samples were collected and field parameters 

were measured at selected streamflow measurement locations 

to characterize base-flow water-quality conditions of the Buffalo River and selected tributaries. Water-quality samples were 

collected from a cross-section or a single point in the centroid 

of flow at selected streamflow measurement locations. Samples 

were analyzed for nutrients (dissolved ammonia, dissolved 

nitrite, dissolved ammonia plus organic nitrogen, total ammonia 

plus organic nitrogen, dissolved nitrite plus nitrate, total phosphorus, dissolved phosphorus and dissolved orthophosphate) 

and fecal indicator bacteria (Escherichia coli (E. coli), fecal 

streptococci, and fecal coliform). In addition to water-quality 

samples that were collected and pH that was measured at 

selected streamflow measurement locations, several waterquality field parameters (water temperature, specific conductance, and dissolved-oxygen concentration) were measured at 

all locations. Samples were collected and measurements were 

made following methods outlined by Wilde and Radke (1998), 

Wilde and others (1998a, 1998b, 1998c, 1999a, and 1999b) and 

Meyers and Wilde (1999). Water-quality samples were analyzed by the USGS National Water Quality Laboratory 

(NWQL) in Denver, Colorado. 

Streamflow measurements were made with an acousticvelocity meter following methods described by Rantz and others (1982) and SonTek/YSI, Inc.(2004). A comparison of successive downstream streamflow measurements was used to 

determine if the stream reaches were gaining or losing streamflow. On the middle and upper reaches of the river, to account 

for any possible changes in streamflow during the day, two 

streamflow measurements were made at selected measurement 

locations where one data-collection team ended data collection 

for the previous reach and another data-collection team started 

data-collection for the subsequent reach. The streamflow measurement made by the team collecting data for the previous 

reach was used to determine gain or loss for the previous reach 

while the streamflow measurement made by the team collecting 

data for the subsequent reach was used to determine gain or loss 

for the subsequent reach. The collection, computation, and analysis of all streamflow measurement data were performed by 

USGS personnel. 

In this report, a stream reach is classified as gaining if the 

sum of the flows at the upstream site plus the inflows (tributaries, springs) is less than the flow at the downstream site. Conversely, a losing reach is one where the sum of flows entering 

the reach is more than the flow at the downstream site. Because 

of measurement error, a reach is classified as gaining or losing 

only if the sum of flows entering the reach differ from the flow 

exiting the reach at the downstream site by an amount that was 

greater than the measurement error for that reach. In lieu of 

determining measurement error based on the subjective method 

for rating streamflow measurements (good, fair, poor, etc.), 

measurement error for this study was quantified as the sum of 

the highest flow measured in a subsection of each streamflow 

measurement (upstream, downstream, and inflow points) made 

within a particular reach of river. Streamflow measurements 

made according to methods described by Rantz and others 

(1982) consist of a number of subsections that are summed to 

determine the total flow at a streamflow measurement site. For 

this study, it is assumed that the streamflow measured at a particular site can only be as accurate as the highest flow measured 

in a subsection of the total measurement.

For example, streamflow is measured at an upstream and 

downstream site for a reach of river. Streamflow measured at 

the upstream site is 10.0 ft3/s with 25 subsections. In 22 of the 

subsections, 0.25 ft3/s is measured, and 1.50 ft3

/s is measured in 

the remaining 3 subsections. At the downstream site, 5.00 ft3/s 

is measured with 26 subsections. In 20 subsections, 0.15 ft3

/s is 

measured, in 5 subsections 0.30 ft3

/s is measured, and in 1 subsection 0.50 ft3/s is measured. The sum of the highest flow measured for a subsection at the upstream site (1.50 ft3

/s) and the 

downstream site (0.50 ft3/s) is 2.00 ft3/s. The measurement 

error for this example reach of river is 2.00 ft3/s. Streamflow 

entering this reach of river (10.0 ft3/s) differs from the streamflow exiting (5.00 ft3/s) this reach of river by 5.00 ft3/s. Because 

the streamflow exiting the example reach is 5.00 ft3

/s less than 

the streamflow entering the reach and because this difference is 

greater than the measurement error (2.00 ft3/s), this example 

reach would be classified as losing streamflow.

Base Flow

Streamflow in the Buffalo River Basin varies annually and 

seasonally. Throughout the period of a water year (October 1 to 

September 30), streamflow can be attributed to components that 

result either from direct surface runoff or from ground-water 

discharge (base flow) (Wahl and Wahl, 1995). In any given 

water year, the total flow (volume of water yielded by a stream 

during the period of 1 year) can vary based upon the frequency 

and amount of precipitation experienced within the drainage 

basin as well as the proportion of total flow attributed to base 

flow. During the water year, streamflow (surface runoff and 
6 Base Flow, Water Quality, and Streamflow Gain and Loss of the Buffalo River, Arkansas, and Selected Tributaries, July and 

August 2003

base flow) typically is higher during the wet season (December 

to June) and lower during the dry season (July to November).

The total and base flow for the Buffalo River varies annually (figs. 2 and 3). The total flow at the streamflow gaging station near Boxley for the 2003 water year was 38,300 acre-ft 

with a base flow of 9,700 acre-ft (table 2). The base-flow index 

at the station near Boxley for the 2003 water year was 0.253 

(25.3 percent of the total flow attributed to base flow). The total 

flow at the streamflow gaging station near St. Joe for the 2003 

water year was 429,000 acre-ft with a base flow of 157,000 

acre-ft. The base-flow index at the station near St. Joe was 

0.367. Mean annual total flow and base flow for the period of 

record are 77,900 and 22,300 acre-ft at the station near Boxley 

and 758,000 and 244,000 acre-ft at the station near St. Joe, 

respectively (table 2 and figs. 2 and 3). The mean annual baseflow index for each station for the period of record was 0.284 

and 0.333, respectively. The base flow separation analysis indicates that total and base flow for the 2003 water year at streamflow gaging stations on the Buffalo River were below average 

while the proportion of total flow attributed to base flow was 

about average for the period of record. Below average amounts 

of total and base flow indicate that less than average rainfall and 

runoff occurred in the Buffalo River Basin during the 2003 

water year.

The total and base flow for selected tributaries (Richland 

Creek, Calf Creek and Bear Creek) of the Buffalo River also 

vary annually (table 2, figs. 4, 5, and 6). The total flow at the 

streamflow gaging station on Richland Creek near Witts 

Springs for the 2003 water year was 46,400 acre-ft with a base 

flow of 13,800 acre-ft (table 2). The base-flow index at the station on Richland Creek for the 2003 water year was 0.297. The 

total flow at the streamflow gaging station on Calf Creek near 

Silver Hill for the 2003 water year was 17,500 acre-ft with a 

base flow of 6,790 acre-ft. The base-flow index at the station on 

Calf Creek for the 2003 water year was 0.389. The total flow at 

the streamflow gaging station on Bear Creek near Silver Hill for 

the 2003 water year was 36,400 acre-ft with a base flow of 

20,300 acre-ft. The base-flow index at the station on Bear Creek 

for the 2003 water year was 0.558. The mean annual total flow 

and base flow for the period of record are 74,900 and 21,400 

acre-ft at the station on Richland Creek, 41,600 and 14,100 

acre-ft at the station on Calf Creek, and 66,100 and 22,000 acreft at the station on Bear Creek (figs. 4, 5, and 6). The mean 

annual base-flow index for each station for the period of record 

was 0.288, 0.340 and 0.332, respectively. The base-flow separation analysis indicates that total and base flow for the 2003 

water year at the Richland Creek streamflow gaging station 

were below average. The analysis also indicates that the proportion of total flow attributed to base flow was about average for 

Richland Creek. Below average amounts of total and base flow 

for the 2003 water year indicate that less than average rainfall 

and runoff occurred in the Richland Creek Basin during the 

water year. There is not enough record to formulate comparisons for Calf and Bear Creeks.

TIME, IN YEARS

1994 1995 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

FLOW, IN ACRE-FEET PER YEAR

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

140,000

160,000

BASE FLOW

RUNOFF

MEAN FOR THE

PERIOD OF RECORD

(WATER YEARS 1994-1995

AND 1999-2003)

Figure 2. Base flow and runoff as components of total flow for 07055646 Buffalo River near Boxley, Arkansas.
TIME, IN YEARS

1940 1960 1980 2000

FLOW, IN ACRE-FEET PER YEAR

0

500,000

1,000,000

1,500,000

2,000,000

BASE FLOW

RUNOFF

MEAN FOR THE

PERIOD OF RECORD

(WATER YEARS 1940-2003)

 Base Flow 7

Figure 3. Base flow and runoff as components of total flow for 07056000 Buffalo River near St. Joe, Arkansas.

Table 2. Base-flow separation of the Buffalo River in northern Arkansas and selected tributaries.

07055646, Buffalo River

near Boxley

1994-1995

1999-2003

07055875, Richland Creek

near Witts Spring

1996-2003

07055893, Calf Creek

near Silver Hill

2002-2003

07056000, Buffalo River

near St. Joe

1940-2003

07056515, Bear Creek

near Silver Hill

2000-2003

2003 water year Period of record

Station

Total flow 

(acre-foot)

Base flow

(acre-foot)

Baseflow

index

Mean

annual

total flow

(acre-foot/

year)

Mean

annual 

base flow

(acre-foot/

year)

Baseflow

index

Water

years

38,300 9,700 0.253 77,900 22,300 0.284

46,400 13,800 0.297 74,900 21,400 0.288

17,500 6,790 0.389 41,600 14,100 0.340

429,000 157,000 0.367 758,000 244,000 0.333

36,400 20,300 0.558 66,100 22,000 0.332
8 Base Flow, Water Quality, and Streamflow Gain and Loss of the Buffalo River, Arkansas, and Selected Tributaries, July and 

August 2003

The base-flow index also can vary. The base-flow index 

was greater for the streamflow gaging station on Bear Creek 

(0.558) than for other streamflow gaging stations located in the 

Buffalo River Basin during the 2003 water year (table 2). This 

indicates less percentage of direct surface runoff in the Bear 

Creek Basin than in the other gaged basins of the Buffalo River 

for the water year. It is possible that this higher proportion of 

base flow for Bear Creek indicates that rainfall occurred more 

frequently in areas of the Bear Creek Basin with higher infiltration rates than in areas with lower infiltration rates. The higher 

proportion of base flow also may be attributed to a greater proportion of discharge from karstic formations in the basin. A 

longer period of record is needed for Bear Creek to identify any 

long-term trends in base flow. The Buffalo River near St. Joe 

has the longest period of record of the streamflow gaging stations located in the Buffalo River Basin with 64 years of record. 

Annual base-flow index for the Buffalo River at this location 

varied between 0.174 (in 1964) and 0.526 (in 1963) with a mean 

of 0.333 for the period of record.

Streamflow in the Buffalo River Basin also varies seasonally. Throughout the period of a water year, components of 

streamflow typically are higher during the wet season (December through June) and lower during the dry season (July through 

November) (fig. 7). Mean monthly base flow for the period of 

record for the Buffalo River near St. Joe varies between 71.8

ft3/s (August) and 778 ft3/s (April). On average, 13 percent of 

the total annual base flow for the Buffalo River near St. Joe 

occurs during the dry season and 87 percent occurs during the 

wet season with 51 percent of the total annual base flow occurring during the months of March, April, and May. Seasonal 

streamflow variance for the Buffalo River near Boxley and 

Richland Creek near Witts Springs are similar to the seasonal 

variance for the Buffalo River near St. Joe.

TIME, IN YEARS

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

FLOW, IN ACRE-FEET PER YEAR

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

140,000

BASE FLOW

RUNOFF

MEAN FOR THE

PERIOD OF RECORD

(WATER YEARS 1996-2003)

Figure 4. Base flow and runoff as components of total flow for 07055875 Richland Creek near Witts Springs, Arkansas.
TIME, IN YEARS

2002 2003

FLOW, IN ACRE-FEET PER YEAR

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

BASE FLOW

RUNOFF

MEAN FOR THE

PERIOD OF RECORD

(WATER YEARS 2002-2003)

 Base Flow 9

Figure 5. Base flow and runoff as components of total flow for 07055893 Calf Creek near Silver Hill, Arkansas.

TIME, IN YEARS

2000 2001 2002 2003

FLOW, IN ACRE-FEET PER YEAR

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

140,000

BASE FLOW

RUNOFF

MEAN FOR THE

PERIOD OF RECORD

(WATER YEARS 2000-2003)

Figure 6. Base flow and runoff as components of total flow for 07056515 Bear Creek near Silver Hill, Arkansas.
MONTH

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

MEAN FLOW, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

BASE FLOW

RUNOFF

10 Base Flow, Water Quality, and Streamflow Gain and Loss of the Buffalo River, Arkansas, and Selected Tributaries, July 

and August 2003

Figure 7. Mean monthly base flow and runoff for 07056000 Buffalo River near St. Joe, Arkansas, for water years 1940-2003.

Water Quality

Various water-quality field parameters were measured at 

all streamflow measurement sites (plate 1, table 3, appendix 1 

and 2). Water temperature on the Buffalo River mainstem 

ranged from 25.5 to 31.2 °C for July 28-30, 2003, and from 23.3 

to 31.9 °C for August 13-15, 2003. Water temperature on tributaries ranged from 15.8 to 27.5 °C for July 28-30, 2003, and 

from 14.0 to 28.3 °C for August 13-15, 2003. Relatively low 

water temperatures of a number of tributaries throughout the 

study area appear to indicate that they consist of largely proportionate amounts of water from springs and ground-water seepage. Dissolved-oxygen concentrations for the mainstem of the 

Buffalo River ranged from 5.5 to 9.2 mg/L for July 28-30, 2003, 

and from 6.1 to 10.5 mg/L for August 13-15, 2003. Generally, 

dissolved-oxygen concentrations measured later in the day were 

higher than values measured earlier in the day. Values of pH for 

the mainstem ranged from 7.7 to 8.8 while values of pH for 

selected tributaries ranged from 7.6 to 8.6. Generally values of 

pH measured later in the day were higher than values measured 

earlier in the day.

Specific conductance values ranged from 129 to 247

μS/cm on the mainstem (plate 1, appendix 2, and table 3). Specific conductance values on the mainstem were lowest on the 

most upstream reaches of the study area and were highest on 

reaches in the middle section of the river. Generally, specific 

conductance values increased between upper and middle sections of the river and decreased between middle and lower sections of the river (fig. 8). This variance in specific conductance 

values measured along the mainstem of the river differs from 

the results of analysis of long-term data collected for the Buffalo River. Analysis of long-term data collected from 1985 to 

1995 shows that the median value for specific conductance 

increases with increasing downstream distance (Mott, 1997). 

This analysis includes data collected during base-flow conditions throughout all seasons over several years where as the specific conductance data presented in this report were collected 

during base-flow conditions in one specific season during two 

specific 3-day periods separated by only 13 days. While steadystate flow conditions were present on July 28-30 and August 13-

15, 2003, the decrease in specific conductance values observed 

on the lower sections of the river may have been caused by 

either the presence of ground water with shorter residence time 

or by the mixing, dilution, and storage of surface runoff and 

ground water during rainfall events between July 30 and August 

13, 2003. The highest specific conductance values measured 

were similar to average values measured for July and August 

from 1985 to 1995 (Mott, 1997). The highest specific conductance value measured (247 μS/cm) on the mainstem occurred on 

July 30, 2003, at river mile 83.4 (M24A) below the confluence 

with T65 (Mill Branch), which includes Mitch Hill Spring that 

had a specific conductance of 456 μS/cm. Specific conductance 

on the mainstem above the confluence with T65 was 235

μS/cm. The highest specific conductance value measured (242 

μS/cm) on the mainstem not attributed to influence from a tributary occurred on August 13, 2003, at river mile 68.9 (M20) 

downstream from the return of the mainstem from a dry reach 

of river (below the Woolum access) where the mainstem mostly 

consisted of ground water with longer residence time. Specific 

conductance values ranged from 162 μS/cm (a spring (S122) 

near river mile 129.6 upstream from Ponca access) to 523

μS/cm (a minor tributary (T1A) inflow near river mile 1.0 at the 

bottom of the study area) for springs and tributaries and were 

higher for tributaries on lower sections of the river than for tributaries on upper sections of the river.
DISTANCE UPSTREAM FROM MOUTH, IN MILES

140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0

SPECIFIC CONDUCTANCE, IN MICROSIEMENS

PER CENTIMETER AT 25 DEGREES CELSIUS 100

150

200

250

300

EXPLANATION

SPECIFIC CONDUCTANCE JULY 28-30, 2003

SPECIFIC CONDUCTANCE AUGUST 13-15, 2003

Water Quality 11

Figure 8. Measured values of specific conductance along the mainstem of the Buffalo River, July and August 2003.

Water-quality samples were collected at 21 locations on 

the mainstem of the Buffalo River and at 4 tributaries (Little 

Buffalo River and Calf, Bear, and Big Creeks) prior to confluence with the mainstem (plate 1, table 3). Water samples were 

analyzed for nutrients and fecal indicator bacteria.

Fecal indicator bacteria densities generally were within the 

typical range for streams in the Springfield and Salem Plateau 

physiographic sections (Petersen, 1988). E. coli densities 

ranged from less than 1 to 41 colonies per 100 milliliters (cols/

100 mL) for the mainstem of the Buffalo River. E. Coli densities were highest for upstream sampling locations (near the 

Boxley streamflow gaging station to the Hasty access). E. coli 

densities for tributaries were higher than densities for the mainstem and ranged from 15 to 230 cols/100 mL with the highest 

density at Calf Creek. Fecal streptococci densities ranged from 

1 to 87 cols/100 mL for the mainstem. Fecal streptococci densities also were highest for upstream sampling locations (near the 

Boxley streamflow gaging station to the Baker’s Ford access). 

Fecal streptococci densities for tributaries were higher than 

densities for the mainstem and ranged from 19 to 250 cols/100 

mL with the highest density at Calf Creek. Fecal coliform densities ranged from less than 1 to 56 cols/100 mL for the mainstem. Fecal coliform densities also were highest for upstream 

sampling locations (from Boxley to the Hasty access). Fecal 

coliform densities for tributaries were higher than densities for 

the mainstem and ranged from 13 to 160 col/100 mL with the 

highest density at Calf Creek. Fecal coliform densities for the 

mainstem were either below or within the typical range (10 to 

80 col/100 mL) for streams in the Springfield and Salem Plateau 

physiographic sections (Petersen, 1988). The only density of 

fecal coliform above the typical range for streams in the Springfield and Salem Plateau physiographic sections was the density 

for Calf Creek.

Nutrient concentrations were near or below the reporting 

limit (table 3). Concentrations of dissolved ammonia, dissolved 

nitrite and dissolved orthophosphate were below the reporting 

limit. Concentrations reported for total and dissolved ammonia 

plus organic nitrogen, dissolved nitrite plus nitrate, and total 

and dissolved phosphorus were near the reporting limit and concentrations often were estimated for values below the reporting 

limit for these parameters. 

Nitrogen concentrations generally were similar to concentrations typical of other relatively undeveloped stream basins in 

the United States (Clark and others, 2000). Dissolved ammonia 

plus organic nitrogen concentrations ranged from 0.064 to 

0.194 mg/L as nitrogen for the mainstem and from 0.081 to 

0.133 mg/L as nitrogen for sampled tributaries. Total ammonia 

plus organic nitrogen concentrations ranged from less than 

0.091 to 0.175 for the mainstem and from 0.097 to 0.161 for 

sampled tributaries. Concentration of total ammonia plus 

organic nitrogen for the mainstem were greater than the median 

flow-weighted concentration (0.173 mg/L) for relatively
Table 3. Water-quality, quality-assurance, and streamflow data for sampled sites in the Buffalo River Basin in northern Arkansas.

[Quality assurance samples are shaded; M44E, equipment blank; M35R, M26R, and M4R, replicate samples; M21TB, trip blank; ft3/s, cubic foot per second; 

temperature reported to the nearest degree Celsius; °C, degrees Celsius; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius; mg/L, milligrams per liter; E. 

coli., Escherichia coli; cols/100 mL, number of colonies per 100 milliliter of sample; N, nitrogen; P, phosphorus; E, estimated; <, less than]

12 Base Flow, Water Quality, and Streamflow Gain and Loss of the Buffalo River, Arkansas, and Selected Tributaries, July 

and August 2003

Site

identifier Site description

Date of

sample

Time of

sample

Streamflow,

instantaneous

(ft3

/s)

Water

temperature

(° C)

pH

field

(standard

units)

Specific

conductance

(μS/cm)

Dissolved

oxygen

(mg/L)

E. coli

(cols/

100 mL)

Fecal,

streptococci

(cols/

100 mL)

Fecal

coliform

(cols/

100 mL)

M44E 07/28/03 6:30

07055646 Buffalo River near Boxley 07/28/03 12:00 2.70 25.5 7.9 129 7.2 17 87 25

M401 Buffalo River near Ponca access 07/28/03 14:30 6.80 29.5 8.3 180 9.2 32 25 36

M38 Buffalo River near Steel

Creek access

07/28/03 15:30 7.48 31.2 8.1 185 7.9 3 27 4E

M35 Buffalo River near Kyles

Landing access

07/29/03 8:30 8.55 28.0 7.9 193 5.9 20 31 56

M35R 07/29/03 8:40

M331 Buffalo River near Erbie lowwater bridge07/29/03 11:20 8.56 28.3 7.8 195 6.6 41 10E 55

M311 Buffalo river near Ozark access 07/29/03 13:15 9.62 29.0 8.0 192 7.8 10 14E 5E

M30 Buffalo River near Pruitt access 07/30/03 7:50 10.6 27.3 7.7 199 6.0 17 2E 25

T91 Tributary-Little Buffalo River 07/30/03 8:30 8.76 27.3 7.6 224 5.6 16 19E 58

M28 Buffalo River near Hasty access 07/30/03 10:20 25.5 27.9 7.7 215 6.4 13 10E 13E

M261 Buffalo River near Carver 

access

07/30/03 11:20 23.3 28.0 7.9 214 6.6 1 17E 5E

M26R 07/30/03 11:30

M241 Buffalo River near Mt. Hersey 

access

07/30/03 13:50 42.4 28.5 7.9 221 7.5 3 13E 5E

M24A1 Buffalo River near Mt. Hersey 

access

07/30/03 13:15 45.6 27.5 8.0 247 7.7 2 21E 8E

M21 Buffalo river near Woolum 

access

08/13/03 8:45 31.4 27.0 8.1 238 6.6 1 13E 1E

M21TB 08/13/03 8:30

M181 Buffalo River near Bakers Ford 

access

08/13/03 12:45 50.3 25.3 8.1 227 7.6 5E 13E 3E

T46 Tributary-Calf Creek 08/13/03 13:50 3.52 23.2 8.6 329 9.9 230 250 160

07056000 Buffalo River near St. Joe2 08/13/03 14:50 60.9 26.3 8.2 230 8.6 4E 4E 6E

M151 Buffalo River near Gilbert 

access

08/13/03 16:00 64.9 27.5 8.7 222 9.1 2E 3E 6E

T40 Tributary-Bear Creek 08/14/03 9:30 11.6 24.5 8.1 260 7.4 15E 83 51

M121 Buffalo River near North 

Maumee access

08/14/03 12:10 88.5 27.6 8.2 213 8.2 1E 2E 3E

07056700 Buffalo River near Harriet1 08/14/03 14:30 91.1 28.7 8.8 209 10.5 3E 3E 13E

M62 Buffalo River near Rush access 08/14/03 13:20 81.4 28.5 8.2 198 7.1 <1 3E 1E

M4 Buffalo River mainstem 08/15/03 11:20 96.2 28.5 8.4 198 7.4 6E 9E 11E

M4R 08/15/03 11:30

T10 Tributary-Big Creek 08/15/03 13:00 11.1 28.3 8.0 235 8.4 32 52 13E

M2 Buffalo River mainstem 08/15/03 15:40 100 30.0 8.1 203 8.1 <1 1E <1

M1 Buffalo River mainstem 08/15/03 18:00 117 31.9 8.5 194 9.5 2E3 4E3 6E3
Table 3. Water-quality, quality-assurance, and streamflow data for sampled sites in the Buffalo River Basin in northern Arkansas.—

Continued

[Quality assurance samples are shaded; M44E, equipment blank; M35R, M26R, and M4R, replicate samples; M21TB, trip blank; ft3/s, cubic foot per second; 

temperature reported to the nearest degree Celsius; °C, degrees Celsius; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius; mg/L, milligrams per liter; E. 

coli., Escherichia coli; cols/100 mL, number of colonies per 100 milliliter of sample; N, nitrogen; P, phosphorus; E, estimated; <, less than]

 Water Quality 13

Site

identifier Site description

Dissolved

ammonia

(mg/L as N)

Dissolved

nitrite

(mg/L

as N)

Dissolved

ammonia +

organic

nitrogen

(mg/L as N)

Total

ammonia +

organic

nitrogen

(mg/L as N)

Dissolved

nitrite +

nitrate

(mg/L as N)

Total

phosphorus

(mg/L

as P)

Dissolved

phosphorus

(mg/L as P)

Dissolved

orthophosphate

(mg/L as P)

M44E <0.041 <0.008 <0.100 <0.100 <0.060 <0.004 <0.004 <0.018

07055646 Buffalo River near Boxley <0.041 <0.008 0.095E <0.100 0.033E 0.003E 0.004E <0.018

M401

1

Streamflow measured at a different time on the same date.

Buffalo River near Ponca access <0.041 <0.008 0.088E <0.100 0.070 0.004E 0.005 <0.018

M38 Buffalo River near Steel

Creek access

<0.041 <0.008 0.081E 0.101 0.065 0.005 0.004E <0.018

M35 Buffalo River near Kyles

Landing access

<0.041 <0.008 0.154 0.120 0.043E 0.005 0.005 <0.018

M35R <0.041 <0.008 0.165 0.146 0.039E 0.007 0.005 <0.018

M331 Buffalo River near Erbie lowwater bridge

<0.041 <0.008 0.098E 0.138 <0.060 0.007 0.004E <0.018

M311 Buffalo river near Ozark access <0.041 <0.008 0.155 0.105 0.031E 0.004 0.005 <0.018

M30 Buffalo River near Pruitt access <0.041 <0.008 0.128 0.132 0.060 0.006 0.004 <0.018

T91 Tributary-Little Buffalo River <0.041 <0.008 0.133 0.161 0.068 0.010 0.006 <0.018

M28 Buffalo River near Hasty access <0.041 <0.008 0.124 0.103 <0.060 0.006 0.004E <0.018

M261 Buffalo River near Carver

access

<0.041 <0.008 0.134 0.118 0.052E 0.007 0.005 <0.018

M26R <0.041 <0.008 0.102 0.133 0.045E 0.007 0.004E <0.018

M241 Buffalo River near Mt. Hersey

access

<0.041 <0.008 0.096E 0.115 0.048E 0.007 0.004E <0.018

M24A1 Buffalo River near Mt. Hersey

access

<0.041 <0.008 0.097E 0.119 0.155 0.007 0.004 <0.018

M21 Buffalo river near Woolum

access

0.024E <0.008 0.115 0.140 0.034E 0.009 <0.004 <0.018

M21TB <0.041 <0.008 <0.100 <0.100 <0.060 <0.004 <0.004 <0.018

M181 Buffalo River near Bakers Ford

access

<0.041 <0.008 0.064E 0.091E 0.031E 0.005 <0.004 <0.018

T46 Tributary-Calf Creek <0.041 <0.008 0.086E 0.107 0.223 0.038 0.028 0.020

07056000 Buffalo River near St. Joe2

2

Streamflow measured at a different time on the following day; flow conditions were steady state.

3

For bacteriological data, concentrations are reported as estimated when results are based on non-ideal colony counts (outside 

the acceptable range).

<0.041 <0.008 0.076E 0.099E <0.060 0.008 0.003E <0.018

M151 Buffalo River near Gilbert

access

<0.041 <0.008 0.071E 0.102 <0.060 0.008 0.002E 0.018<

T40 Tributary-Bear Creek <0.041 <0.008 0.105 0.128 0.098 0.025 0.017 0.010E

M121 Buffalo River near North

Maumee access

<0.041 <0.008 0.103 0.114 <0.060 0.011 0.005 <0.018

07056700 Buffalo River near Harriet1 <0.041 <0.008 0.097E 0.118 <0.060 0.009 0.003E <0.018

M62 Buffalo River near Rush access 0.022E <0.008 0.144 0.139 <0.060 0.009 0.004E 0.010E

M4 Buffalo River mainstem <0.041 <0.008 0.165 0.175 <0.060 0.008 0.002E <0.018

M4R <0.041 <0.008 0.131 0.147 <0.060 0.007 0.003E <0.018

T10 Tributary-Big Creek <0.041 <0.008 0.081E 0.097E 0.052E 0.016 0.013 0.010E

M2 Buffalo River mainstem <0.041 <0.008 0.194 0.145 <0.060 0.008 0.003E <0.018

M1 Buffalo River mainstem <0.041 <0.008 0.158 0.142 <0.060 0.006 0.003E <0.018
14 Base Flow, Water Quality, and Streamflow Gain and Loss of the Buffalo River, Arkansas, and Selected Tributaries, July 

and August 2003

undeveloped stream basins in the United States at only one sampling location (M4, river mile 14.9, on the lower section of river 

approximately 2.0 miles above Big Creek). Concentrations for 

the other 24 mainstem and tributary sampling locations were 

less than the median flow-weighted concentration for relatively 

undeveloped stream basins in the United States (Clark and others, 2000). Concentrations of dissolved nitrite plus nitrate 

ranged from 0.031 to 0.155 mg/L as nitrogen for the mainstem 

and from 0.052 to 0.223 mg/L as nitrogen for the sampled tributaries. Concentration of dissolved nitrite plus nitrate for the 

mainstem was greater than the median flow-weighted concentration (0.087 mg/L) for relatively undeveloped stream basins in 

the United States at one site on the mainstem (M24A, below 

Mill Branch) and at Calf Creek. Concentrations of dissolved 

nitrite plus nitrate for the other 23 mainstem and tributary sites 

were less than the median flow-weighted concentration for relatively undeveloped streams in the United States (Clark and 

others, 2000). Nitrogen based nutrient concentration values 

were similar to average values measured from 1985-1995 in the 

Buffalo River (Mott, 1997).

Phosphorus concentrations were less than concentrations 

typical for other relatively undeveloped stream basins in the 

United States. Total phosphorus concentrations ranged from 

0.004 to 0.011 mg/L for the mainstem and from 0.010 to 0.038 

mg/L for sampled tributaries. Concentrations of total phosphorus for the mainstem were less than the 25th percentile flowweighted concentration for relatively undeveloped stream 

basins in the United States (Clark and others, 2000). Concentrations of total phosphorus for tributaries were lowest for the Little Buffalo River and highest at Calf Creek. Concentrations of 

dissolved phosphorus were less than concentrations of total 

phosphorus at the same sampling locations.

Streamflow Gain and Loss

Streamflow data collected at 44 locations on the mainstem 

of the Buffalo River and at points of inflow indicate that overall 

the Buffalo River is a gaining stream along the entire study 

reach from the USGS streamflow gaging station near Boxley to 

its confluence with the White River (fig. 9, table 4). Seven gaining and five losing reaches were identified for the Buffalo 

River. Gains and losses were confined to the upper and middle 

sections of the river (above river mile 45 where the Springfield 

Plateau is the dominant physiography of the basin and where the 

river primarily flows across the Boone Formation and the St. 

Peter Sandstone and Everton Formations). Below river mile 45, 

streamflow ranged between 80 and 120 ft3

/s, and streamflow 

differences between measurement locations were less than measurement error. Reaches throughout the length of the Buffalo 

River had gains or losses that were smaller in magnitude than 

measurement error for respective reaches of river. 

EXPLANATION

MEASURED STREAMFLOW ALONG THE MAINSTEM JULY 28-30, 2003

MEASURED STREAMFLOW ALONG THE MAINSTEM AUGUST 13-15, 2003

DISTANCE UPSTREAM FROM MOUTH, IN MILES

140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0

STREAMFLOW, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

BEAR CREEK

CONFLUENCE

RICHLAND CREEK

CONFLUENCE

LITTLE BUFFALO

RIVER CONFLUENCE

Figure 9. Measured streamflow along the mainstem of the Buffalo River, July and August 2003.
Streamflow Gain and Loss 15

Streamflow losses occurred on the mainstem of the Buffalo River at five reaches (table 4). Losses occurred downstream 

from the streamflow gaging station near Boxley, downstream 

from M21 (Woolum access), and between measurement locations M37 and M36 (above Hemmed-in-Hollow), M34 and 

M33 (above Erbie low-water bridge), and between M19 and 

M18 (above Bakers Ford access) with losses of 2.70, 31.4, 6.28, 

2.06 and 8.30 ft3

/s, respectively. Additionally, surface flow on 

the mainstem of the Buffalo River was diverted completely to 

subsurface flow on the mainstem at two locations where the 

Buffalo River was found to be dry. A surface flow of 2.70 ft3/s 

was diverted to subsurface flow downstream from the streamgaging station near Boxley at river mile 131.6 and returned 

upstream from M43 at river mile 130.4 A surface flow of 31.4 

ft3

/s also was diverted to subsurface flow downstream from 

M21 at river mile 73.6 (downstream from the Woolum access) 

with pools starting to emerge at river mile 72.7 and surface flow 

beginning to return upstream from M20 at mile 70.4. Both locations where the mainstem was found to be dry occurred where 

the mainstem was located in the Boone Formation. Between 

M37 (river mile 120.2) and M36 (river mile 117.7) surface flow 

did not divert to subsurface flow completely, however, 88 percent of the flow (6.28 ft3/s) was probably lost to fractures in the 

St. Peter Sandstone and Everton Formation upstream from M36 

near mile 118 (upstream from Hemmed-in-Hollow). Three of 

the five losing reaches occurred in the Boone Formation, and 

two of the losing reaches occurred in the St. Peter Sandstone 

and Everton Formation.

Streamflow gains occurred on the mainstem of the Buffalo 

River on seven reaches with three of the gains occurring downstream from confluences with major tributaries (table 4). The 

largest percentage gains occurred in reaches subsequent to the 

largest percentage losing or dry reaches. Between mile 130.4, 

where surface flow returned to the mainstem of the river 

upstream from M43, and mile 128.2 (M42) 5.14 ft3/s was 

gained as the mainstem of the river crossed the St. Peter Sandstone and Everton Formation after flowing through the Boone 

Formation, and the gain in streamflow probably originated at 

the contact between the two formations. Between river miles 

117.7 (M36, near Hemmed-In-Hollow) and 114.5 (M35, Kyles 

Landing access) a gain of 625 percent was experienced subsequent to a loss of 88 percent of the flow in the adjacent upstream 

reach; streamflow lost to fractures upstream from M36 returned 

along this gaining reach of river. Subsequent to a loss in all surface flow downstream from M21 (Woolum access), flow 

returned to the Buffalo River at river mile 70.4 (4.4 miles downstream from the Woolum access), and the mainstem continued 

to gain flow through river mile 67.0 (M19) with a gain of 54.9 

ft3/s. The net gain between M21 and M19 was 23.5 ft3/s; by 

river mile 67.0 surface flow had returned with an additional 75 

percent gain in streamflow. Although the mouth of Richland 

Creek, located downstream from M21, was dry, subsurface 

flow through fractures and solution channels in the Boone Formation that originated in the Richland Creek Basin was probably the source of the net gain in streamflow between M21 and 

M19. Similarly gains in streamflow occurred downstream from 

the confluences with the Little Buffalo River and Bear Creek 

(fig. 9). Gains in flow downstream from confluences may be 

attributed to subsurface flow that has entered the mainstem 

through alluvium adjacent to or underlying the tributary or 

through fractures and solution channels in the underlying bedrock of the tributary and mainstem. Additional sources of gains 

along the upper and middle sections of river may be attributed 

to springs and seeps that occur at or near the base of the Boone 

Formation.

Substantial changes in water quality were not detected 

below gaining and losing reaches. Nutrient concentrations were 

similar above and below gaining and losing reaches. Specific 

conductance values were highest and generally were increasing 

along reaches upstream from river mile 67.0. There was a larger 

percentage of ground-water/surface-water interaction along 

reaches upstream from river mile 67.0 than along reaches below 

the same river mile. Specific conductance values generally were 

decreasing along the reach downstream from river mile 67.0 

where there was less ground-water/surface-water interaction.
16 Base Flow, Water Quality, and Streamflow Gain and Loss of the Buffalo River, Arkansas, and Selected Tributaries, July 

and August 2003

Table 4. Streamflow balance on the Buffalo River during study, July and August 2003.

[ft3/s, cubic foot per second; Differences, measured inflows, gains in surface streamflow, and measurement error between downstream and upstream sites are 

shaded and located on the row between the downstream and upstream sites referred to; A loss is represented as a negative gain; Bold numbers are gains or losses 

that are greater than the measurement error for that particular reach; Mainstem return refers to the location where flow first returns to mainstem but is immeasurable or to where the first fully connected pool appears upstream from measurable flow and downstream from a dry reach of river]

Site identifier Date Time

Distance

upstream

from mouth

(miles)

Streamflow,

instantaneous

(ft3/s)

Difference

between

downstream

and upstream

sites

(ft3

/s)

Measured

inflow

between

downstream

and upstream

sites

(ft3

/s)

Gain in

surface

streamflow

between

downstream

and upstream

sites

(ft3

/s)

Measurement error

between

downstream

and upstream

sites

(ft3

/s)

07055646 7/28/2003 12:00 132.78 2.70

-2.70 0 -2.70 0.20

Mainstem dry 7/28/2003 12:30 131.60 0

Mainstem return 7/28/2003 12:30 130.40 0

0.68 0 0.68 0.19

M43 7/28/2003 12:40 129.97 0.68

4.76 0.30 4.46 0.96

M42 7/28/2003 15:00 128.20 5.44

0.49 0 0.49 1.46

M41 7/28/2003 15:30 126.75 5.93

0.87 0 0.87 1.32

M40 7/28/2003 17:50 125.14 6.80

1.39 0.10 1.29 1.29

M39 7/28/2003 13:15 123.97 8.19

-0.71 0 -0.71 1.24

M38 7/28/2003 15:30 122.46 7.48

M38 7/29/2003 7:00 122.46 6.34

0.75 0.10 0.65 0.98

M37 7/29/2003 9:55 120.15 7.09

-6.06 0.22 -6.28 0.66

M36 7/29/2003 13:45 117.68 1.03

6.54 0.10 6.44 1.00

M35 7/29/2003 17:00 114.51 7.57

M35 7/29/2003 8:30 114.51 8.55

0.09 0 0.09 1.49

M34 7/29/2003 11:23 112.22 8.64

-2.06 0 -2.06 1.30

M33 7/29/2003 14:20 109.72 6.58

M33 7/29/2003 8:06 109.72 8.56

3.04 0 3.04 2.81

M32 7/29/2003 11:20 106.58 11.6

-1.98 0 -1.98 3.15

M31 7/29/2003 15:00 103.36 9.62

M31 7/30/2003 7:55 103.36 9.11

1.49 0 1.49 1.37

M30 7/30/2003 7:50 101.36 10.6

16.4 10.6 5.80 4.15
 Streamflow Gain and Loss 17

M29 7/30/2003 12:05 97.45 27.0

-0.20 0.50 -0.70 4.10

M28 7/30/2003 14:45 94.17 26.8

M28 7/30/2003 10:20 94.17 25.5

-0.20 0 -0.20 3.88

M27 7/30/2003 13:40 91.52 25.3

0.30 0.25 0.05 3.97

M26 7/30/2003 16:10 90.23 25.6

M26 7/30/2003 7:40 90.23 23.3

12.4 3.89 8.51 5.89

M25 7/30/2003 11:34 86.78 35.7

6.70 0.70 6.00 14.2

M24 7/30/2003 16:00 83.38 42.4

M24 8/13/2003 8:30 83.38 24.8

4.30 3.57 0.73 5.84

M23 8/13/2003 11:42 80.37 29.1

1.40 0.03 1.37 4.51

M22 8/13/2003 14:03 76.97 30.5

1.40 0.03 1.37 4.09

M21 8/13/2003 15:52 74.80 31.9

M21 8/13/2003 8:45 74.80 31.4

-31.4 0 -31.4 1.68

Mainstem dry 8/13/2003 10:00 72.70 0

Mainstem return 8/13/2003 12:00 70.40 0

47.2 0 47.2 2.54

M20 8/13/2003 13:00 68.89 47.2

7.70 0 7.70 5.61

M19 8/13/2003 15:02 67.00 54.9

-8.30 0 -8.30 5.80

M18 8/13/2003 17:04 63.69 46.6

M18 8/13/2003 8:21 63.69 50.3

11.6 3.52 8.08 10.1

M17 8/13/2003 12:06 58.84 61.9

-1.00 2.34 -3.34 9.93

07056000 8/14/2003 8:30 57.79 60.9

4.00 0 4.00 9.52

M15 8/13/2003 16:00 53.70 64.9

M15 8/14/2003 8:37 53.70 62.8

2.60 11.6 -9.00 11.3

Table 4. Streamflow balance on the Buffalo River during study, July and August 2003.—Continued

[ft3/s, cubic foot per second; Differences, measured inflows, gains in surface streamflow, and measurement error between downstream and upstream sites are 

shaded and located on the row between the downstream and upstream sites referred to; A loss is represented as a negative gain; Bold numbers are gains or losses 

that are greater than the measurement error for that particular reach; Mainstem return refers to the location where flow first returns to mainstem but is immeasurable or to where the first fully connected pool appears upstream from measurable flow and downstream from a dry reach of river]

Site identifier Date Time

Distance

upstream

from mouth

(miles)

Streamflow,

instantaneous

(ft3/s)

Difference

between

downstream

and upstream

sites

(ft3/s)

Measured

inflow

between

downstream

and upstream

sites

(ft3

/s)

Gain in

surface

streamflow

between

downstream

and upstream

sites

(ft3

/s)

Measurement error

between

downstream

and upstream

sites

(ft3

/s)
18 Base Flow, Water Quality, and Streamflow Gain and Loss of the Buffalo River, Arkansas, and Selected Tributaries, July 

and August 2003

M14 8/14/2003 11:30 48.89 65.4

22.1 0.38 21.7 15.3

M13 8/14/2003 14:47 45.06 87.5

1.00 0.01 0.99 16.3

M12 8/14/2003 9:41 42.34 88.5

-1.80 0.17 -1.97 16.8

M11 8/14/2003 12:35 38.32 86.7

4.20 3.97 0.23 15.4

M10 8/14/2003 14:52 35.24 90.9

1.00 3.51 -2.51 13.2

07056700 8/14/2003 17:15 32.25 91.9

07056700 8/14/2003 10:42 32.25 91.1

-2.00 0.31 -2.31 12.3

M8 8/14/2003 13:34 28.84 89.1

-3.20 0.01 -3.21 13.0

M7 8/14/2003 15:54 26.37 85.9

-4.50 0 -4.50 13.1

M6 8/15/2003 9:02 23.61 81.4

10.1 1.95 8.15 14.5

M5 8/15/2003 9:04 20.45 91.5

4.70 0.01 4.69 15.8

M4 8/15/2003 11:20 14.93 96.2

14.8 11.3 3.50 16.5

M3 8/15/2003 13:13 10.43 111

-11.0 0.48 -11.5 14.9

M2 8/15/2003 15:40 5.33 100

17.0 0.19 16.8 19.6

M1 8/15/2003 18:00 1.00 117

Table 4. Streamflow balance on the Buffalo River during study, July and August 2003.—Continued

[ft3/s, cubic foot per second; Differences, measured inflows, gains in surface streamflow, and measurement error between downstream and upstream sites are 

shaded and located on the row between the downstream and upstream sites referred to; A loss is represented as a negative gain; Bold numbers are gains or losses 

that are greater than the measurement error for that particular reach; Mainstem return refers to the location where flow first returns to mainstem but is immeasurable or to where the first fully connected pool appears upstream from measurable flow and downstream from a dry reach of river]

Site identifier Date Time

Distance

upstream

from mouth

(miles)

Streamflow,

instantaneous

(ft3/s)

Difference

between

downstream

and upstream

sites

(ft3/s)

Measured

inflow

between

downstream

and upstream

sites

(ft3

/s)

Gain in

surface

streamflow

between

downstream

and upstream

sites

(ft3

/s)

Measurement error

between

downstream

and upstream

sites

(ft3

/s)
Summary 19

Summary

A study of the Buffalo National River in north-central 

Arkansas was conducted between July 28-30, 2003, and August 

13-15, 2003, to characterize the base flow and water quality and 

streamflow gain and loss in the Buffalo River. The study was 

separated into two time periods because of a precipitation event 

that occurred on the afternoon of July 30 causing appreciable 

storm runoff. Precipitation also occurred in the upper part of the 

basin on the evening of July 29, 2003, which could have slightly 

affected the streamflow that was measured at sites on July 30, 

2003 (between river miles 83.4 and 103.4). 

Streamflow was analyzed using the Base Flow Index (BFI) 

hydrograph separation computer program to identify base-flow 

and surface run-off components. Base-flow separation analyses 

indicated annual variability in streamflow throughout the Buffalo River Basin. Based upon these analyses, total and base flow 

were below average for the mainstem of the river and Richland 

Creek during the 2003 water year. For the mainstem of the Buffalo River and Richland Creek, proportions of base flow as a 

component of total flow were about average in comparison with 

mean annual values for the period of record. Below average 

amounts of total and base flow indicate that less than average 

rainfall and runoff occurred in the Buffalo River Basin during 

the 2003 water year. There is not enough record to formulate 

annual comparisons for Calf and Bear Creeks.

Water-quality samples were collected from 25 surfacewater sites on the Buffalo River and selected tributaries. Fecal 

coliform densities for the mainstem were either below or within 

the typical range for streams in the Springfield and Salem Plateau physiographic sections. The only density of fecal coliform 

above the typical range for streams in the Springfield and Salem 

Plateau physiographic sections was the density at Calf Creek. 

Most nutrient concentrations for the mainstem of the Buffalo 

River were near or below the minimum reporting level and were 

less than the median flow-weighted concentration for relatively 

undeveloped stream basins in the United States. Nutrient concentrations were below the reporting limit for dissolved ammonia, dissolved nitrite and dissolved orthophosphate. Concentrations of total ammonia plus organic nitrogen and dissolved 

nitrite plus nitrate generally were less than the median flowweighted concentration for relatively undeveloped stream 

basins in the United States at the majority of sampling locations. 

Concentrations of total phosphorus for the mainstem were less 

than the 25th percentile flow-weighted concentration for relatively undeveloped stream basins in the United States. 

Streamflow measurement data were collected at 44 locations along the mainstem and at points of inflow (prior to confluence with the mainstem) to identify gaining and losing 

reaches. Seven gaining and five losing reaches were identified 

for the Buffalo River. Gains and losses (larger in magnitude 

than the sum of measurement errors for a particular reach) were 

confined to the upper and middle sections of the river (above 

river mile 45) where the Springfield Plateau is the dominant 

physiography of the basin and where the river primarily flows 

across the Boone Formation and the St. Peter Sandstone and 

Everton Formation. Additionally, surface flow on the mainstem 

of the Buffalo River was diverted completely to subsurface flow 

on the mainstem at two locations where the mainstem was 

found to be dry. The mainstem was found to be dry downstream 

from the streamgaging station near Boxley at river mile 131.6 

and downstream from the Woolum access at river mile 73.6. 

Both locations where the mainstem was found to be dry 

occurred where the mainstem was located in the Boone Formation. Additionally, 88 percent of the flow probably was lost to 

fractures in the St. Peter Sandstone and Everton Formation near 

river mile 118 upstream from Hemmed-in-Hollow. The largest 

percentage of streamflow gains occurred in river reaches subsequent to the largest percentage losing or dry reaches. Streamflow gains occurred downstream from confluences with the Little Buffalo River and Bear Creek. Gains in flow downstream 

from confluences may be attributed to subsurface flow that has 

entered the mainstem through alluvium adjacent to or underlying the tributary or through fractures and solution channels in 

the underlying bedrock of the tributary and mainstem. Reaches 

throughout the length of the river had calculated gains or losses 

that were less than the measurement error for respective reaches 

of river.
20 Base Flow, Water Quality, and Streamflow Gain and Loss of the Buffalo River, Arkansas, and Selected Tributaries, July and 

August 2003

Selected References

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.

Galloway, J.M., and Green, W.R., 2004, Hydrologic and waterquality characteristics for Calf Creek near Silver Hill, Arkansas and selected Buffalo River sites, 2001-2002: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2004-5007, 

29 p. 

Haley, B.R., Glick, E.E., Bush, W.V., Clardy, B.F., Stone, C.G., 

Woodward, M.B., and Zachry, D.L., 1993, Geologic map of 

Arkansas: Arkansas Geological Commission, scale 

1:500,000.

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.

Joseph, R.L., and Green, W.R., 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 

Ozarks Plateaus Province, northern Arkansas: U.S. Geological Survey Hydrologic Investigations Atlas 383, 2 sheets. 

Meyers, D.N., and Wilde, F.D., 1999, Biological indicators: 

U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of Water-Resources 

Investigations, book 9, A7, variously paginated.

Moix, M.W., Barks, C.S., and Funkhouser, J.E., 2003, Water 

quality and streamflow gains and losses of Osage and Prairie 

Creeks, Benton County, Arkansas: U.S. Geological Survey 

Water-Resources Investigations Report 03-4187, 29 p. 

Mott, D.N., 1997, Ten years of water-quality monitoring: Buffalo National River, Arkansas, 35 p.

National Park Service, 2004, Buffalo National River, Arkansas, 

accessed on April 22, 2004 at URL http://www.nps.gov/buff/

index.htm. 

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, p. 186-188.

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.

SonTek/YSI, Inc., 2004, Argonaut-ADV and FlowTracker 

principles of operation, accessed on July 14, 2004 at URL 

http://www.sontek.com/princop/aadvpo.htm.

Sullavan, J.N., 1974, Drainage areas of streams in Arkansas, 

White River Basin: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File 

Report, 123 p.

Wahl, K.L., and Wahl, T.L., 1995, Determining the flow of 

Comal Springs at New Braunsfel, Texas: Conference of 

Water Resources Engineering, August 16-17, 1995, San 

Antonio, Texas, American Society of Civil Engineers, p. 77-

86.

Wilde, F.D., and Radtke, D.B., 1998, Field measurements: U.S. 

Geological Survey Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, book 9, chap. A6, variously paginated.

Wilde, F.D., Radke, D.B., Gibs, J., and Iwatsubo, R.T., 1998a, 

Preparations for water sampling: U.S. Geological Survey 

Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, book 9, chap. 

A1, variously paginated.

Wilde, F.D., Radke, D.B., Gibs, J., and Iwatsubo, R.T., 1998b, 

Selection of equipment for water sampling: U.S. Geological 

Survey Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, book 

9, chap. A2, variously paginated.

Wilde, F.D., Radke, D.B., Gibs, J., and Iwatsubo, R.T., 1998c, 

Cleaning of equipment for water sampling: U.S. Geological 

Survey Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, book 

9, chap. A3, variously paginated.

Wilde, F.D., Radke, D.B., Gibs, J., and Iwatsubo, R.T., 1999a, 

Collection of water samples: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, book 9, chap. A4, 

variously paginated.

Wilde, F.D., Radke, D.B., Gibs, J., and Iwatsubo, R.T., 1999b, 

Processing of water samples: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, book 9, chap. A5, 

variously paginated.

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.
APPENDIXES
 
 APPENDIXES 23

Appendix 1. Description of surface-water measurement locations in the Buffalo River Basin.

Site

identifier Site description Latitude1 Longitude1

Distance

upstream

from mouth

(miles)

07055646 Buffalo River near Boxley2 355621 0932419 132.78

T125 Tributary-Beech Creek 355800 0932415 130.58

M43 Buffalo River mainstem 355820 0932349 129.97

T124 Tributary-Arrington Creek 355821 0932348 129.96

T123 Tributary 355832 0932349 129.76

S122 Spring 355843 0932349 129.56

T122 Tributary-Moore Creek 355847 0932354 129.45

M42 Buffalo River mainstem 355941 0932324 128.20

T121 Tributary-Whiteley Creek 355948 0932320 128.04

M41 Buffalo River mainstem 360013 0932211 126.75

T120 Tributary-Dry Creek 360010 0932206 126.66

T119 Tributary-Running Creek 360012 0932158 126.54

T118 Tributary-Clark Creek 360024 0932152 126.28

T117 Tributary 360042 0932130 125.80

M40 Buffalo River mainstem-Ponca access2 360112 0932117 125.14

T116 Tributary-Leatherwood Creek 360119 0932116 125.05

T115 Tributary-Ponca Creek 360116 0932118 125.03

M39 Buffalo River mainstem 360158 0932041 123.97

M38 Buffalo River mainstem-Steel Creek access2 360221 0932009 122.46

T114 Tributary-Steel Creek 360219 0932006 122.40

T113 Tributary 360301 0932014 121.45

S112 Spring 360301 0931957 121.21

M37 Buffalo River mainstem 360247 0931921 120.15

T112A Tributary 360244 0931924 120.07

T112 Tributary-Beech Creek 360231 0931906 119.66

T111 Tributary-Sneeds Creek 360332 0931833 118.13

T110 Tributary-Hemmed-In-Hollow Creek 360350 0931825 117.70

M36 Buffalo River mainstem 360349 0931825 117.68

T109B Tributary 360324 0931754 116.71

T109A Tributary 360305 0931737 116.16

T109 Tributary-Indian Creek 360257 0931709 115.46

T108 Tributary-Bear Creek 360323 0931657 114.79

T107 Tributary 360328 0931647 114.63

M35 Buffalo River mainstem-Kyles Landing access2 360326 0931642 114.51

T106A Tributary 360308 0931616 113.92
24 Base Flow, Water Quality, and Streamflow Gain and Loss of the Buffalo River, Arkansas, and Selected Tributaries, July 

and August 2003

T106 Tributary 360331 0931611 113.31

T105 Tributary-Shop Creek 360331 0931518 112.35

T104 Tributary-Dry Creek 360333 0931514 112.24

M34 Buffalo River mainstem 360336 0931512 112.22

T103 Tributary-Cecil Creek 360432 0931333 109.79

M33 Buffalo River mainstem-Erbie low-water bridge2 360432 0931329 109.72

T102 Tributary-Webb Creek 360430 0931319 109.56

T101 Tributary 360442 0931227 108.19

M32 Buffalo River mainstem 360350 0931126 106.58

T100 Tributary 360322 0931111 103.67

T99 Tributary 360330 0931105 103.52

T98 Tributary 360318 0931035 104.85

T97 Tributary 360340 0930947 103.69

T96 Tributary 360354 0930936 103.40

M31 Buffalo River mainstem-Ozark access2 360354 0930935 103.36

M30 Buffalo River mainstem-Pruitt access2 360326 0930811 101.36

T95 Tributary-Mill Creek 360331 0930757 101.07

S94 Spring 360321 0930727 99.81

T94A Tributary 360313 0930713 99.55

T94 Tributary 360301 0930703 99.22

T93 Tributary 360238 0930624 98.38

S92 Spring 360237 0930624 98.36

T92 Tributary 360223 0930618 98.07

T91 Tributary-Little Buffalo River2 360201 0930633 97.58

M29 Buffalo River mainstem 360152 0930626 97.45

T90 Tributary 360137 0930627 97.16

T89 Tributary-Wells Creek 360127 0930606 96.75

T88 Tributary 360117 0930610 96.55

T87 Tributary 360046 0930602 95.89

T86 Tributary 360024 0930520 94.90

T85 Tributary 360019 0930450 94.19

M28 Buffalo River mainstem-Hasty access2 360018 0930452 94.17

T84 Tributary-Rock Creek 360004 0930455 93.89

T83 Tributary-Sheldon Branch 355939 0930449 93.38

T82 Tributary 355934 0930423 92.89

Appendix 1. Description of surface-water measurement locations in the Buffalo River Basin.—Continued

Site

identifier Site description Latitude1 Longitude1

Distance

upstream

from mouth

(miles)
 APPENDIXES 25

T81 Tributary 355923 0930346 92.18

T80 Tributary 355922 0930328 91.87

M27 Buffalo River mainstem 355904 0930327 91.52

T79 Tributary 355904 0930328 91.51

T78 Tributary 355904 0930306 90.85

M26 Buffalo River mainstem-Carver access2 355857 0930227 90.23

T77 Tributary-Big Creek 355856 0930227 90.21

T76 Tributary 355923 0930144 89.10

T75 Tributary 355924 0930109 88.51

T74 Tributary 355926 0930101 88.38

T73 Tributary 355942 0930035 87.88

T72 Tributary-Lick Creek 355945 0930000 86.95

M25 Buffalo River mainstem 355939 0925950 86.78

T71 Tributary 355951 0925925 96.27

T70 Tributary 355959 0925920 86.09

T69 Tributary 355958 0925903 85.82

T68 Tributary 355947 0925849 85.53

T67 Tributary 360002 0925829 85.05

T66 Tributary-Davis Creek 360033 0925711 83.42

M24 Buffalo River mainstem-Mt Hersey access2 360033 0925709 83.38

T65 Tributary-Mill Branch 360034 0925708 83.37

M24A Buffalo River mainstem-Mt Hersey access2 360033 0925709 83.36

T64 Tributary-Cave Creek 355856 0925717 80.95

M23 Buffalo River mainstem 355920 0925631 80.37

T63 Tributary-Cane Branch 355917 0925554 79.64

T62 Tributary 355833 0925554 78.72

T61 Tributary 355820 0925549 78.44

T60 Tributary 355816 0925542 78.33

M22 Buffalo River mainstem 355756 0925420 76.97

T59 Tributary 355826 0925419 76.05

T58A Tributary 355840 0925359 75.65

S58 Spring 355840 0925354 75.58

M21 Buffalo River mainstem-Woolum access2 355815 0925315 74.80

T58 Tributary-Richland Creek 355809 0925315 74.72

T57 Tributary 355823 0925248 74.08

Appendix 1. Description of surface-water measurement locations in the Buffalo River Basin.—Continued

Site

identifier Site description Latitude1 Longitude1

Distance

upstream

from mouth

(miles)
26 Base Flow, Water Quality, and Streamflow Gain and Loss of the Buffalo River, Arkansas, and Selected Tributaries, July 

and August 2003

T56 Tributary-Jamison Creek 355838 0925138 72.75

T55 Tributary 355752 0925150 71.68

T54 Tributary-Ben Branch 355731 0925143 71.26

T53 Tributary 355809 0925050 69.96

M20 Buffalo River mainstem 355757 0924956 68.89

T52 Tributary 355719 0925005 68.14

M19 Buffalo River mainstem 355748 0924932 67.00

T51 Tributary 355735 0924831 65.61

T50 Tributary 355826 0924859 64.24

T49 Tributary 355827 0924904 64.20

M18 Buffalo River mainstem Bakers Ford access2 355849 0924849 63.69

T48 Tributary 355852 0924832 63.38

T47 Tributary 355844 0924734 62.00

T46 Tributary-Calf Creek2 355845 0924621 60.26

M17 Buffalo River mainstem 355902 0924607 58.84

T45 Tributary-Mill Creek 355923 0924602 59.40

T44 Tributary 355914 0924524 58.69

07056000 Buffalo River near St. Joe2 355905 0924442 57.79

T43 Tributary 355903 0924416 57.26

T42 Tributary-Dry Creek 355906 0924306 53.90

M15 Buffalo River mainstem-Gilbert access2 355910 0924255 53.70

T41 Tributary 355947 0924212 52.67

T40 Tributary-Bear Creek2 355949 0924201 52.48

T39 Tributary 355952 0924154 52.37

T38 Tributary-Brush Creek 355959 0924121 51.82

T37 Tributary 360003 0924121 51.75

M14 Buffalo River mainstem 360054 0923931 48.89

T36 Tributary-Tomahawk Creek 360122 0924031 47.92

T35 Tributary 360118 0923830 45.39

T34 Tributary-Rocky Creek 360107 0923826 45.12

M13 Buffalo River mainstem 360103 0923826 45.06

T33 Tributary-Little Rocky Creek 360045 0923817 44.60

M12 Buffalo River mainstem-North Maumee access2 360157 0923740 42.34

T32 Tributary 360215 0923812 41.68

M11 Buffalo River mainstem 360113 0923548 38.32

Appendix 1. Description of surface-water measurement locations in the Buffalo River Basin.—Continued

Site

identifier Site description Latitude1 Longitude1

Distance

upstream

from mouth

(miles)
 APPENDIXES 27

T31 Tributary-Spring Creek 360113 0923519 37.80

T30 Tributary 360158 0923536 36.18

M10 Buffalo River mainstem 360231 0923523 35.24

T29 Tributary 360228 0923457 34.85

T28 Tributary-Kimball Creek 360252 0923432 34.22

T27 Tributary-Water Creek 360259 0923435 34.13

07056700 Buffalo River near Harriet2 360402 0923438 32.25

T26 Tributary 360404 0923431 32.13

T25 Tributary 360406 0923410 31.79

T24 Tributary-Rock Creek 360406 0923324 31.03

T23 Tributary-Hickory Creek 360419 0923314 30.63

T22 Tributary-Panther Creek 360508 0923319 29.34

M8 Buffalo River mainstem 360456 0923252 28.84

T21 Tributary-Ingram Creek 360452 0923233 28.51

M7 Buffalo River mainstem 360603 0923208 26.37

M6 Buffalo River mainstem-Rush access2 360718 0923300 23.61

T20 Tributary-Rush Creek 360727 0923256 23.43

T19 Tributary-Clabber Creek 360743 0923244 23.13

T18 Tributary 360716 0923211 22.42

T17 Tributary-Cabin Creek 360736 0923138 21.75

T16 Tributary-Cedar Creek 360755 0923049 20.91

T15 Tributary-Boat Creek 360751 0923040 20.78

M5 Buffalo River mainstem 360732 0923049 20.45

T14A Tributary 360624 0923124 18.94

T14 Tributary 360640 0923026 17.95

T13 Tributary 360542 0922957 16.42

T12 Tributary-Brush Creek 360608 0922920 15.66

M4 Buffalo River mainstem2 360609 0922839 14.93

T11 Tributary 360527 0922841 14.40

T10 Tributary-Big Creek2 360447 0922819 12.88

T9 Tributary 360455 0922808 12.68

M3 Buffalo River mainstem 360536 0922644 10.43

T8 Tributary 360518 0922638 10.08

T7 Tributary-Middle Creek 360508 0922539 9.17

T6 Tributary-Short Creek 360538 0922546 8.60

Appendix 1. Description of surface-water measurement locations in the Buffalo River Basin.—Continued

Site

identifier Site description Latitude1 Longitude1

Distance

upstream

from mouth

(miles)
28 Base Flow, Water Quality, and Streamflow Gain and Loss of the Buffalo River, Arkansas, and Selected Tributaries, July 

and August 2003

T5 Tributary-Leatherwood Creek 360634 0922544 7.20

M2 Buffalo River mainstem2 360730 0922608 5.33

T4 Tributary-Brush Creek 360732 0922602 5.30

T3 Tributary-Cow Creek 360759 0922553 4.70

T2 Tributary-Stewart Creek 360912 0922449 2.39

T1A Tributary 360950 0922503 1.01

M1 Buffalo River mainstem2 360948 0922504 1.00

T1 Tributary 360944 0922536 0.49

1

Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 

(NAD 83), unless otherwise noted.

2

Water-quality sample collected at the measurement location.

Appendix 1. Description of surface-water measurement locations in the Buffalo River Basin.—Continued

Site

identifier Site description Latitude1 Longitude1

Distance

upstream

from mouth

(miles)
 APPENDIXES 29

Appendix 2. Streamflow and water-quality data for streamflow measurement sites in the Buffalo River Basin in northern Arkansas, July 

and August 2003. 

[ft3/s, cubic foot per second; temperature reported to the nearest 0.1 degree Celsius; °C, degrees Celsius; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees

Celsius; mg/L, milligrams per liter; mm Hg, millimeters of mercury; E, estimated; --, data not available]

Site identifier

Date of

sample

Time of

sample

Streamflow

instantaneous

(ft3/s)

Water

temperature

(° C)

pH

field

(standard

unit)

Specific

conductance

(μS/cm)

Dissolved

oxygen

(mg/L)

Barometric

pressure

(mm Hg)

07055646 Buffalo River

near Boxley

07/28/03 12:00 2.70 25.5 7.9 129 7.2 735

T125 07/28/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

M43 07/28/03 12:40 0.68 26.0 -- -- -- --

T124 07/28/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T123 07/28/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

S122 07/28/03 -- <0.10 16.6 -- 162 -- --

T122 07/28/03 13:48 <0.20 -- -- -- -- --

M42 07/28/03 15:00 5.44 27.9 -- 167 9.0 --

T121 07/28/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

M41 07/28/03 15:30 5.93 29.9 -- -- -- --

T120 07/28/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T119 07/28/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T118 07/28/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T117 07/28/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

M40 07/28/03 14:30 -- 29.5 8.3 180 9.2 738

M40 07/28/03 17:50 6.80 -- -- -- -- --

T116 07/28/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T115 07/28/03 11:45 <0.10 26.2 -- 259 11.6 --

M39 07/28/03 13:15 8.19 27.9 -- 194 7.1 --

M38 07/28/03 15:30 7.48 31.2 8.1 185 7.9 739

M38 07/29/03 7:00 6.34 27.0 -- -- -- --

T114 07/29/03 8:00 E<0.10 20.3 -- 305 5.0 --

T113 07/29/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

M37 07/29/03 9:55 7.09 27.7 -- 197 8.3 --

T112A 07/29/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T112 07/29/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T111 07/29/03 12:15 0.22 23.9 -- 241 8.0 --
30 Base Flow, Water Quality, and Streamflow Gain and Loss of the Buffalo River, Arkansas, and Selected Tributaries, July 

and August 2003

T110 07/29/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

M36 07/29/03 13:45 1.03 30.3 -- 207 7.5 --

T109B 07/29/03 15:00 E<0.10 -- -- -- -- --

T109A 07/29/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T109 07/29/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T108 07/29/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T107 07/29/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

M35 07/29/03 8:30 8.55 28.0 7.9 193 5.9 741

M35 07/29/03 17:00 7.57 -- -- -- -- --

T106A 07/29/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T106 07/29/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T105 07/29/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T104 07/29/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

M34 07/29/03 11:23 8.64 27.5 -- 193 8.1 --

T103 07/29/03 Dry -- -- -- -- --

M33 07/29/03 8:06 8.56 -- -- -- -- --

M33 07/29/03 11:20 -- 28.3 7.8 195 6.6 743

M33 07/29/03 14:20 6.58 28.5 -- 198 6.8 --

T102 07/29/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T101 07/29/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

M32 07/29/03 11:30 11.6 28.0 -- 194 5.5 --

T100 07/29/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T99 07/29/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T98 07/29/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T97 07/29/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T96 07/29/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

M31 07/29/03 13:15 -- 29.0 8.0 192 7.8 743

M31 07/29/03 15:00 9.62 -- -- -- -- --

M31 07/30/03 7:55 9.11 27.2 -- 213 6.1 --

Appendix 2. Streamflow and water-quality data for streamflow measurement sites in the Buffalo River Basin in northern Arkansas, July 

and August 2003.—Continued

[ft3/s, cubic foot per second; temperature reported to the nearest 0.1 degree Celsius; °C, degrees Celsius; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees

Celsius; mg/L, milligrams per liter; mm Hg, millimeters of mercury; E, estimated; --, data not available]

Site identifier

Date of

sample

Time of

sample

Streamflow

instantaneous

(ft3/s)

Water

temperature

(° C)

pH

field

(standard

unit)

Specific

conductance

(μS/cm)

Dissolved

oxygen

(mg/L)

Barometric

pressure

(mm Hg)
 APPENDIXES 31

M30 07/30/03 7:50 10.6 27.3 -- 199 6.0 744

T95 07/30/03 8:20 1.68 24.0 -- 338 6.7 --

S94 07/30/03 10:30 0.01 -- -- -- -- --

T94A 07/30/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T94 07/30/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T93 07/30/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

S92 07/30/03 10:40 0.10 -- -- -- -- --

T92 07/30/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T91 07/30/03 8:30 -- 27.3 7.6 224 5.6 --

T91 07/30/03 11:30 8.76 -- -- 222 7.7 --

M29 07/30/03 12:05 27.0 26.9 -- 219 7.2 --

T90 07/30/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T89 07/30/03 13:15 E0.50 -- -- -- -- --

T88 07/30/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T87 07/30/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T86 07/30/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T85 07/30/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

M28 07/30/03 10:20 25.5 27.9 7.7 215 6.4 745

M28 07/30/03 14:45 26.8 28.9 -- 214 7.9 --

T84 07/30/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T83 07/30/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T82 07/30/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T81 07/30/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T80 07/30/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

M27 07/30/03 13:40 25.3 28.3 -- 231 7.1 --

T79 07/30/03 13:40 0.25 15.8 -- 322 10.1 --

T78 07/30/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

M26 07/30/03 7:40 23.3 -- -- -- -- --

M26 07/30/03 11:40 -- 28.0 7.9 214 6.6 747

Appendix 2. Streamflow and water-quality data for streamflow measurement sites in the Buffalo River Basin in northern Arkansas, July 

and August 2003.—Continued

[ft3/s, cubic foot per second; temperature reported to the nearest 0.1 degree Celsius; °C, degrees Celsius; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees

Celsius; mg/L, milligrams per liter; mm Hg, millimeters of mercury; E, estimated; --, data not available]

Site identifier

Date of

sample

Time of

sample

Streamflow

instantaneous

(ft3/s)

Water

temperature

(° C)

pH

field

(standard

unit)

Specific

conductance

(μS/cm)

Dissolved

oxygen

(mg/L)

Barometric

pressure

(mm Hg)
32 Base Flow, Water Quality, and Streamflow Gain and Loss of the Buffalo River, Arkansas, and Selected Tributaries, July 

and August 2003

M26 07/30/03 16:10 25.6 -- -- -- -- --

T77 07/30/03 8:38 3.88 27.5 -- 246 6.0

T76 07/30/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T75 07/30/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T74 07/30/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T73 07/30/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T72 07/30/03 11:15 0.01 -- -- -- -- --

M25 07/30/03 11:34 35.7 27.7 -- 230 6.3 --

T71 07/30/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T70 07/30/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T69 07/30/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T68 07/30/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T67 07/30/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T66 07/30/03 14:50 0.70 23.5 -- 427 7.1 --

T66 08/13/03 8:10 0.16 20.4 -- 434 4.3 --

M24 07/30/03 13:50 -- 28.5 7.9 221 7.5 752

M24 07/30/03 16:00 42.4 -- -- -- -- --

M24 08/13/03 8:30 24.8 25.0 -- 235 7.4 --

T65 07/30/03 15:03 3.18 17.1 -- 456 10.2 --

T65 08/13/03 9:08 2.57 16.0 -- 446 8.0 --

M24A 07/30/03 13:15 -- 27.5 8.0 247 7.7 752

M24A 07/30/03 16:15 45.6 -- -- -- -- --

T64 08/13/03 10:32 1.00 24.2 -- 226 5.2 --

M23 08/13/03 11:42 29.1 25.6 -- 239 7.1 --

T63 08/13/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T62 08/13/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T61 08/13/03 13:06 E0.03 19.7 -- 329 6.4 --

T60 08/13/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

M22 08/13/03 14:03 30.5 26.3 -- 240 6.1 --

Appendix 2. Streamflow and water-quality data for streamflow measurement sites in the Buffalo River Basin in northern Arkansas, July 

and August 2003.—Continued

[ft3/s, cubic foot per second; temperature reported to the nearest 0.1 degree Celsius; °C, degrees Celsius; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees

Celsius; mg/L, milligrams per liter; mm Hg, millimeters of mercury; E, estimated; --, data not available]

Site identifier

Date of

sample

Time of

sample

Streamflow

instantaneous

(ft3/s)

Water

temperature

(° C)

pH

field

(standard

unit)

Specific

conductance

(μS/cm)

Dissolved

oxygen

(mg/L)

Barometric

pressure

(mm Hg)
 APPENDIXES 33

T59 08/13/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T58A 08/13/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

S58 08/13/03 15:21 E0.03 17.5 -- 291 6.8

M21 08/13/03 8:45 31.4 27.0 -- 238 6.6 752

M21 08/13/03 15:52 31.9 27.0 -- 235 6.3 --

T58 08/13/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T57 08/13/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T561 08/13/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T551 08/13/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T541 08/13/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T53 08/13/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

M20 08/13/03 13:00 47.2 23.3 -- 242 7.2 --

T52 08/13/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

M19 08/13/03 15:02 54.9 25.2 -- 219 9.1 --

T51 08/13/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T50 08/13/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T49 08/13/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

M18 08/13/03 8:21 50.3 -- -- -- -- --

M18 08/13/03 12:45 -- 25.3 8.1 227 7.6 753

M18 08/13/03 17:04 46.6 -- -- -- -- --

T48 08/13/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T47 08/13/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T46 08/13/03 11:04 3.52 21.6 -- 330 7.9

T46 08/13/03 13:50 -- 23.2 8.6 329 9.9 754

M17 08/13/03 12:06 61.9 25.2 -- 229 7.3 --

T45 08/13/03 13:00 2.34 19.4 -- 368 9.4

T44 08/13/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

07056000 Buffalo River

near St. Joe

08/13/03 14:50 -- 26.3 8.2 230 8.6 754

Appendix 2. Streamflow and water-quality data for streamflow measurement sites in the Buffalo River Basin in northern Arkansas, July 

and August 2003.—Continued

[ft3/s, cubic foot per second; temperature reported to the nearest 0.1 degree Celsius; °C, degrees Celsius; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees

Celsius; mg/L, milligrams per liter; mm Hg, millimeters of mercury; E, estimated; --, data not available]

Site identifier

Date of

sample

Time of

sample

Streamflow

instantaneous

(ft3/s)

Water

temperature

(° C)

pH

field

(standard

unit)

Specific

conductance

(μS/cm)

Dissolved

oxygen

(mg/L)

Barometric

pressure

(mm Hg)
34 Base Flow, Water Quality, and Streamflow Gain and Loss of the Buffalo River, Arkansas, and Selected Tributaries, July 

and August 2003

07056000 Buffalo River

near St. Joe

08/14/03 8:30 60.9 -- -- -- -- --

T43 08/13/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T42 08/13/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

M15 08/13/03 16:00 64.9 27.5 8.7 222 9.1 755

M15 08/14/03 8:37 62.8 25.7 -- 222 6.7 --

T41 08/14/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T40 08/14/03 9:49 11.6 24.5 8.1 260 7.4 753

T39 08/14/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T38 08/14/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T37 08/14/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

M14 08/14/03 11:30 65.4 26.6 -- 226 6.7 --

T36 08/14/03 12:54 0.06 24.6 -- 339 7.4 --

T35 08/14/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T34 08/14/03 14:20 0.32 21.8 -- 350 7.5 --

M13 08/14/03 14:47 87.5 28.4 -- 224 8.8 --

T33 08/14/03 15:43 0.01 15.3 -- 354 8.8 --

M12 08/14/03 9:41 88.5 26.5 -- 217 7.0 752

M12 08/14/03 12:10 -- 27.6 8.2 213 8.2 752

T32 08/14/03 10:36 0.17 14.9 -- 336 9.2 --

M11 08/14/03 12:35 86.7 27.4 -- 212 8.5 --

T31 08/14/03 13:22 3.97 17.8 -- 322 9.4 --

T30 08/14/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

M10 08/14/03 14:52 90.9 28.9 -- 206 9.8 --

T29 08/14/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T28 08/14/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T27 08/14/03 16:07 3.51 27.7 -- 261 7.8 --

07056700 Buffalo River

near Harriet

08/14/03 10:42 91.1 -- -- -- -- --

Appendix 2. Streamflow and water-quality data for streamflow measurement sites in the Buffalo River Basin in northern Arkansas, July 

and August 2003.—Continued

[ft3/s, cubic foot per second; temperature reported to the nearest 0.1 degree Celsius; °C, degrees Celsius; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees

Celsius; mg/L, milligrams per liter; mm Hg, millimeters of mercury; E, estimated; --, data not available]

Site identifier

Date of

sample

Time of

sample

Streamflow

instantaneous

(ft3/s)

Water

temperature

(° C)

pH

field

(standard

unit)

Specific

conductance

(μS/cm)

Dissolved

oxygen

(mg/L)

Barometric

pressure

(mm Hg)
 APPENDIXES 35

07056700 Buffalo River

near Harriet

08/14/03 14:30 -- 28.7 8.8 209 10.5 752

07056700 Buffalo River

near Harriet

08/14/03 17:15 91.9 29.5 -- 205 10.4 --

T26 08/14/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T25 08/14/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T24 08/14/03 12:20 E<0.10 15.0 -- 324 7.6 --

T23 08/14/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T22 08/14/03 12:57 0.21 15.2 -- 315 8.1 --

M8 08/14/03 13:34 89.1 27.7 -- 205 9.3 --

T21 08/14/03 14:40 <0.05 16.1 -- 472 3.4 --

M7 08/14/03 15:54 85.9 29.8 -- 202 9.6 --

M6 07/14/03 13:20 -- 28.5 8.2 198 7.1 755

M6 08/15/03 9:02 81.4 -- -- -- -- --

T20 08/15/03 8:21 0.72 21.1 -- 365 -- --

T19 08/15/03 8:20 0.73 23.8 -- 429 7.5 --

T18 08/15/03 8:50 <0.05 14.0 -- 333 9.1 --

T17 08/15/03 9:00 E0.10 19.4 -- 417 8.6 --

T16 08/15/03 9:14 0.19 22.1 -- 428 6.6 --

T15 08/15/03 9:30 E<0.20 20.7 -- 447 6.8 --

M5 08/15/03 9:04 91.5 27.6 -- 201 6.9 --

T14A 08/15/03 10:05 E<0.01 19.9 -- 317 9.3 --

T14 08/15/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T13 08/15/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T12 08/15/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

M4 08/15/03 11:20 96.2 28.5 8.4 198 7.4 763

T11 08/15/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T10 08/15/03 11:43 11.1 -- -- -- -- --

T10 08/15/03 13:00 -- 28.3 8.0 235 8.4 --

T9 08/15/03 12:30 E<0.20 21.9 -- 501 7.2 --

Appendix 2. Streamflow and water-quality data for streamflow measurement sites in the Buffalo River Basin in northern Arkansas, July 

and August 2003.—Continued

[ft3/s, cubic foot per second; temperature reported to the nearest 0.1 degree Celsius; °C, degrees Celsius; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees

Celsius; mg/L, milligrams per liter; mm Hg, millimeters of mercury; E, estimated; --, data not available]

Site identifier

Date of

sample

Time of

sample

Streamflow

instantaneous

(ft3/s)

Water

temperature

(° C)

pH

field

(standard

unit)

Specific

conductance

(μS/cm)

Dissolved

oxygen

(mg/L)

Barometric

pressure

(mm Hg)
36 Base Flow, Water Quality, and Streamflow Gain and Loss of the Buffalo River, Arkansas, and Selected Tributaries, July 

and August 2003

M3 08/15/03 13:13 111 31.1 -- 200 10.3 --

T8 08/15/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T7 08/15/03 15:00 E0.30 24.1 -- 436 7.4 --

T6 08/15/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T5 08/15/03 15:38 0.18 25.2 -- 380 -- --

M2 08/15/03 15:40 100 30.0 8.1 203 8.1 --

T4 08/15/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T3 08/15/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

T2 08/15/03 17:45 E0.09 26.7 -- 423 6.6 --

T1A 08/15/03 18:30 E<0.10 21.3 -- 523 5.7 --

M1 08/15/03 18:00 117 31.9 8.5 194 9.5 761

T1 08/15/03 -- Dry -- -- -- -- --

1

Tributary was assumed to be dry.

Appendix 2. Streamflow and water-quality data for streamflow measurement sites in the Buffalo River Basin in northern Arkansas, July 

and August 2003.—Continued

[ft3/s, cubic foot per second; temperature reported to the nearest 0.1 degree Celsius; °C, degrees Celsius; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees

Celsius; mg/L, milligrams per liter; mm Hg, millimeters of mercury; E, estimated; --, data not available]

Site identifier

Date of

sample

Time of

sample

Streamflow

instantaneous

(ft3/s)

Water

temperature

(° C)

pH

field

(standard

unit)

Specific

conductance

(μS/cm)

Dissolved

oxygen

(mg/L)

Barometric

pressure

(mm Hg)
21

21

7

7

27

27

14

14

65

65

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data, 1:100,000

Little

Buffalo

Rive

r

BUFFALO

RIVER

BUFFALO

RIVER

Big

Creek

Cave

Creek

Richland

Creek

Calf

Creek

Bear

Creek

Big

Creek

Brush

Creek

BUFFALO

RIVER

Creek

Water

Tomahawk

Cree

M

k

ill

Creek

Rush

Creek

Clabber

Creek

SEARCY CO.

NEWTON CO.

MARION CO.

SPRINGFIELD

PLATEAU

BOSTON MOUNTAINS

SALEM

PLATEAU

07055875

07055893

07056515

M43

0.68

----

26.0

T114

<0.10

305

20.3

T122

<0.20

T109B

<0.10

T89

0.50

T72

0.01

S92

0.10

S94

0.01

M1

117

194

31.9

M2

100

203

30.0

T7

0.30

436

24.1

M3

111

200

31.1

T2

0.09

423

26.7

T9

<0.20

501

21.9

M4

96.2

198

28.5

M5

91.5

201

27.6

T17

0.10

417

19.4

M6

81.4

198

28.5

M7

85.9

202

29.8

M8

89.1

205

27.7

07056700

91.1

209

28.7

M41

5.93

----

29.9

T1A

<0.10

523

21.3

T10

11.1

235

28.3

T20

0.72

365

21.1

T22

0.21

315

15.2

T24

<0.10

324

15.0

T27

3.51

261

27.7

M10

90.9

206

28.9

T31

3.97

322

17.8

M11

86.7

212

27.4

T32

0.17

336

14.9

M12

88.5

213

27.6

T33

0.01

354

15.3

M13

87.5

224

28.4

T34

0.32

350

21.8

T36

0.06

339

24.6

M14

65.4

226

26.6

T40

11.6

260

24.5

M15

64.9

222

27.5

07056000

60.9

230

26.3

T45

2.34

368

19.4

M17

61.9

229

25.2

T46

3.52

329

23.2

M18

50.3

227

25.3

M19

54.9

219

25.2

M20

47.2

242

23.3

M21

31.4

238

27.0

S58

0.03

291

17.5

M22

30.5

240

26.3

T61

0.03

329

19.7

M23

29.1

239

25.6

T64

1.00

226

24.2

T65

3.18

456

17.1

M24

42.4

221

28.5

T66

0.70

427

23.5

M25

35.7

230

27.7

T77

3.88

246

27.5

M26

23.3

214

28.0

T79

0.25

322

15.8

M27

25.3

231

28.3

M28

25.5

215

27.9

M29

27.0

219

26.9

T95

1.68

338

24.0

M30

10.6

199

27.3

M31

9.62

192

29.0

M32

11.6

194

28.0

M33

6.58

195

28.3

M34

8.64

193

27.5

M35

8.55

193

28.0

M36

1.03

207

30.3

M38

7.48

185

31.2

M40

6.80

180

29.5

M42

5.44

167

27.9

07055646

2.70

129

25.5

T21

<0.05

472

16.1

T111

0.22

241

23.9

T115

<0.10

259

26.2

T14A

<0.01

317

19.9

S122

<0.10

162

16.6

M39

8.19

194

27.9

T18

<0.05

333

14.0

M37

7.09

197

27.7

T91

8.76

224

27.3

T19

0.73

429

23.8

T16

0.19

428

22.1

T15

<0.20

447

20.7

T5

0.18

380

25.2

5

95

90

85

80

75 70

60

55

50

45

35

30

25

20

15

133

130

125

120

115

105 100

110

10

40

65

WHITE

RIVER

Davis

Creek

Prepared in cooperation with the

National Park Service

SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS REPORT 2004-5274

Locations of streamflow measurement and water-quality sampling sites for the

Buffalo River Basin, July 28-30 and August 13-15, 2003--PLATE 1

Moix, M.W., and Galloway, J.M.,2004, Base flow, water quality, and streamflow gain and loss

of the Buffalo River, Arkansas, and selected tributaries, July and August 2003

0 5 10 Kilometers

0 5 10 Miles

LOCATIONS OF STREAMFLOW MEASUREMENT AND WATER-QUALITY SAMPLING SITES FOR THE BUFFALO RIVER BASIN,

JULY 28-30 AND AUGUST 13-15, 2003

A R K A N S A S

LOCATION OF STUDY AREA

Boxley

St. Joe

Silverhill

Jasper

Buffalo

City

Marshall

Ponca

Hemmedin-Hollow

Erbie

Mt. Hersey

Woolum

Baker

Ford

Maumee

South

Rush

Landing

Witts Springs

BOSTON MOUNTAINS

SPRINGFIELD PLATEAU

SALEM PLATEAU

PHYSIOGRAPHIC SECTION

07055875

07055646

2.70

129

25.5

M5

91.5

201

27.6

25

EXPLANATION

USGS STREAMFLOW GAGING STATION

USGS STREAMFLOW GAGING STATION AND WATER QUALITY

SAMPLING LOCATION--Top number is the station identifier number,

the following numbers are measured discharge (in cubic feet per

second), specific conductance (in microsiemens per centimeter at

25 degrees Celsius), and water temperature (in degrees Celsius)

MEASUREMENT LOCATION--Top number is the station identifier

number, the following numbers are measured discharge (in cubic

feet per second), specific conductance (in microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius), and water temperature (in degrees

Celsius)

MEASUREMENT AND WATER-QUALITY SAMPLING LOCATION--

Top number is the station identifier number, the following numbers

are measured discharge (in cubic feet per second), specific conductance

(in microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius), and water

temperature (in degrees Celsius)

RIVER MILES FROM MOUTH

NO FLOWS (dry or isolated pools)

GAINING REACH

LOSING REACH

NO CHANGE IN FLOW (within the range of error of flow measurements)

STREAM NOT ANALYZED FOR GAIN OR LOSS

BUFFALO RIVER DRAINAGE AREA BOUNDARY

M40

6.80

180

29.5

93 15' o

93 00' o

92 45' o

92 30' o

36 05' o

35 55' o

35 45' o
Moix, M.W., and Galloway, J.M.—BASE FLOW, WATER QUALITY, AND STREAMFLOW GAIN AND LOSS OF THE BUFFALO RIVER,

ARKANSAS, AND SELECTED TRIBUTARIES, JULY AND AUGUST 2003—U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2004-5274