Research at Mountain Lake

Research Papers:

Subterranean Loss and Gain of Water in Mountain Lake, Virginia: A Hydrologic Model

Authors:
Martin Jansons

P.E., Peed & Bortz, L.L.C
Civil/Environmental Engineers,
20 Midway Plaza Drive Suite 100,
Christiansburg, VA, 24073, U.S.A.

Bruce C. Parker

Department of Biology,
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University,
Blacksburg, VA 24061, U.S.A.

Jacob E. Waller

Department of Biology,
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University,
Blacksburg, VA 24061, U.S.A.

Abstract: Mountain Lake, Virginia is a small, unique, oligotrophic, subalpine ecosystem in the southern Appalachians. Previous studies have disclosed that this lake has manifested periodic prolonged low water levels during the several thousand years of its existence. The most recent low water level occurred during the drought years of 1999-2002. Measurements of lake level, precipitation, and other meteorological data including calculated evapotranspiration in the lake basin from 2/19/02 to 8/31/03 have enabled estimation of the net subterranean water losses presumably through cracks between Clinch sandstone boulders and/or the recently discovered deep hole at the northwest end of Mountain Lake. These net losses reflect the balance between total losses and any gains from springs and boulder cracks not quantified in this study. Scuba divers have documented the existence of these cracks and the deep hole. Subterranean net water losses of about 0.04-0.05 m3/s (634-792 gpm) apparently occur year-round.

A Review of Research Studies at Mountain Lake, Virginia

Authors:
Bruce C. Parker

Department of Biology,
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University,
Blacksburg, VA 24061, U.S.A.

Abstract: Mountain Lake, Giles County, Virginia (37° 27' 56''N, 80° 31'39''W) is the only natural lake of significance in the unglaciated highlands of the southern Appalachians . This oligotrophic montane lake located at 1181m (3875 ft) elevation near the summit of Salt Pond Mountain occupies a relatively small, undisturbed watershed which is about five times the surface area of the full lake. All surface outflow of water occurs at the northwest end into Pond Drain, then Little Stony Creek and the New River . Although Mountain Lake (or Salt Pond) has been known since its discovery by the British surveyor Christopher Gist in 1751 ( Johnston, 1898), it remained free of published scientific studies until 1884. This first and many subsequent scientific studies of Mountain Lake are scattered widely among various journals, books, documents, and theses (often unpublished or obscure), making acquisition and compilation difficult. Yet this literature is relevant and often essential for future investigations, especially in the physical, chemical, and biological limnology, the geology, and the origin and paleohistory of Mountain Lake. Accordingly, a brief chronological review of the pertinent scientific literature on Mountain Lake with some previously unpublished new information form the author's laboratory and field records are here included.