Techniques used in mine-water problems of the east Tennessee zinc district

A study of ground water as related to mining in cavernous limestones and dolomites in eastern Tennessee was made in 1946 by the U. S. Geological Survey. Surface and subsurface mapping indicated the geologic control of underground channels. Several methods of tracing water were tried and new techniques in using these methods evolved from the work. Rainfall data, when correlated with ground-water volumes and velocities, gave much information as to expected pumping volumes for any period. The use of fluorescent dye for tracing the flow of the water is described and other methods are discussed briefly. Four examples, each from a different mine, are discussed in detail and some remedies for the problems are suggested.