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IMPACTS OF COAL-FIRED POWER PLANTS ON LOCAL GROUND-WATER SYSTEMS: WISCONSIN POWER PLANT IMPACT STUDY
Citation:
Andrews, C. AND M. Anderson. IMPACTS OF COAL-FIRED POWER PLANTS ON LOCAL GROUND-WATER SYSTEMS: WISCONSIN POWER PLANT IMPACT STUDY. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/3-80/079.
Description:
Quantitative techniques for simulating the impacts of a coal-fired power plant on the ground-water system of a river flood-plain wetland were developed and tested. Effects related to the construction and operation of the cooling lake and ashpit had the greatest impact. Ground-water flow system models were used to simulate ground-water flows before and after the cooling lake and ashpit were filled. The simulations and field data indicate that the cooling lake and ashpit altered local flow systems and increased ground-water discharge. Chemical changes in the ground-water system were minor. Contaminated ground water was confined to a small area near the ashpit. Thermal changes in the ground water are a major impact of the cooling lake. Changes in water temperature and levels have altered the vegetation of the wetland, a major ground-water discharge area. Ground-water temperatures near the cooling lake were monitored. A model was used to simulate the response of subsurface temperatures to seasonal changes in a lake and air temperatures.