Forestville North Dye Trace: September 5, 2008 to November 12, 2008

Abstract

A dye trace was conducted in an area near Forestville State Park in Minnesota from September 5, 2008 to November 12, 2008 (Figure 1). Numerous dye traces have been completed in this area in the past and this effort was made in order to better delineate the springsheds in this area due to the close proximity of numerous State of Minnesota designated trout streams. Achieving a better understanding of the connection of these sinkholes receiving surface water flow and their connectivity to springs that provide a cold water source for the designated trout streams in the area was the goal of this trace. However, the goal of this trace was two‐fold, one sinkhole that received dye, Minnesota Karst Feature Database number 23:D2474, had previously been studied and was shown to be connected to cold water sources for two trout streams. The previous dye trace was completed during wet, spring conditions and this trace was completed during a much drier time in the late fall. Completing the trace during these differing conditions may help to better understand the seasonal changes of the subsurface flow of groundwater.