Model analysis of effects on water levels at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore caused by construction dewatering
Marie JR. 1976. Model analysis of effects on water levels at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore caused by construction dewatering. Water-Resources Investigations 76-82. USGS. Indianapolis, IN
The model analysis indicates that the planned dewatering would cause a drawdown of about 4 ft (1.2 m) under the westernmost pond of the Lakeshore and that this drawdown would cause the pond to go almost dry--less than 0.5 ft (0.15 m) of water remaining in about 1 percent of the pond-- under average conditions during the 18-month dewatering period. When water levels are below average, as during late July and early August 1974, the pond would go dry in about 5 + months. However, the pond may not have to go completely dry to damage the ecosystem. If the National Park Service's independent study determines the minimum pond level at which ecosystem damage would be minimized, the models developed in this study could be used to predict the hydrologic conditions necessary to maintain this level.