CLASSIFICATION OF SPRINGS^ 



KIRK BRYAN 



U.S. Geological Survey, Washington, D.C. 



CONTENTS 



Introduction 



Acknowledgments 



Definition of the Term "Spring" 



Characteristics of Springs 



Spring Water 



Classification 



Springs Due to Deep-seated Water 

 Springs Due to Shallow Water 



Springs in Porous Rock (Depression Springs) 



Springs in Porous Rock Overlying Impervious Rock (Contact Springs) 

 Springs at the Outcrop of a Horizontal Surface 

 Springs at the Outcrop of an Inclined Surface 

 Springs at the Outcrop of an Irregular Surface 

 Springs in Porous Rock between Impervious Rock (Artesian Springs) 

 Springs in Impervious Rock 

 Tubular Springs 

 Fracture Springs 

 Key to the Classification of Springs 



INTRODUCTION 



Among the common phenomena of nature, springs are notable 

 because of their high usefulness. Since the earliest times ' the 

 homes of men have clustered, around them. In arid regions their 

 number and size may limit the population. In many humid 

 regions springs are so numerous and similar that distinctions 

 between them are not recognized, yet they may be caused by so 

 many principal and minor factors or by so many combinations of 

 these factors as to make the origin of any one spring exceedingly 

 complex or obscure. An interesting account of the many erroneous 



^ Published by permission of the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey. The 

 illustrations were prepared by the Survey. 



522 



