Analysis of flows from a large Carboniferous limestone drainage adit, Derbyshire, England

The flow hydrograph of a large mine drainage adit, the Meerbrook Sough, has been analysed to determine the large-scale hydraulic behaviour of the artificially drained Carboniferous limestone aquifer. A conceptual model has been constructed using available hydrological and hydrogeological data. The analysis shows that the Carboniferous limestone can behave at a larger scale as a dominantly diffuse flow system in which storage processes are also important. The conceptual model of groundwater flow is supported by numerical modelling. The dominance of a diffuse flow response is attributed to the large-scale dewatering below the base level of drainage, which has disconnected a significant proportion of the natural conduit flow system. The storage process that provides the relatively reliable flow response from the Carboniferous limestone is discussed with reference to hydrogeological field data and historical and industrial archaeological sources on the mining in Derbyshire.