ABSTRACT: In this study, surface waters and groundwater interactions were investigated at the Attepe-Elmadağ-Menteş-

Karaçat iron fields. The study area takes place in the Menteş upper watershed and the nearby surroundings, which

is located in the Seyhan River main basin. The study area is composed of the metamorphic metacarbonates and

metaclastics, which were subjected to low grade metamorphism in the Precambrian-Ordovician age range. Miocene

conglomerates and current alluviums overlie them with angular unconformity. In the region where the basin is

located, the metacarbonates (recrystallized limestone and dolomites) which are highly fractured, cracked and in

some places have dominantly karstic structure, have been identified as the main aquifer. The Menteş Stream forms

the natural groundwater discharge route and the erosion level of karstification of the aquifer. The faults prevent

the continuity of the karstic aquifer by determining the lateral and vertical positions of other impermeable units. It has been shown that groundwater, recharged with diffuse infiltration by precipitation and a large amount of point

infiltration from the Menteş creek, is shallow circulated young water with a short residence time of 5-10 years. It is

determined that a large part of the Menteş Creek (150-1000 L/s at dry and wet seasons, respectively) disappeared and

added to the Karaçat aquifer. The average flow rate of the Menteş stream was calculated as 474 L/s at the eastern

lower basin exit. The Karaçat aquifer, which also includes Karaçat underground mine quarry, is recharged from

the Menteş Creek rather than neighboring basins. Hydrogeological investigations and isotope data confirmed the

previous work result that there is no flow relation between Attepe lake and Karaçat aquifer.