Using Streamflow Recession Analysis to Understand Variations in Hydrologic Connectivity During Baseflow
Using Streamflow Recession Analysis to Understand Variations in Hydrologic Connectivity During Baseflow
Previously Published Material: Some of this work is currently in a manuscript under revision in the journal Hydrological Processes. This presentation will incorporate new field work from 2014 that was not included in the manuscript.
Abstract ID#: 34397
English Abstract:
The concept that runoff generation occurs from temporally varying source areas in watersheds with steep terrain and shallow soils has been well established for decades. However, this same concept of time-varying source areas is often not considered for baseflow; in many cases baseflow is presumed to originate uniformly across a catchment’s area from groundwater contributions. In this work, we use detailed observations of changes in the active channel network of head water streams in conjunction with recession analysis of aggregate flow at the catchment outlet to investigate seasonal changes in baseflow source areas. By linking discharge recession analysis to field observations, we suggest that insights into the degree of spatial variation in hydrologic activity during baseflow can potentially be inferred from stream discharge and does not necessarily require extensive field work. We present data from two watersheds in New York State as well as analysis of recession data from multiple sites with long-term discharge records. Besides providing insights into seasonal changes in hydrologic connectivity during baseflow, this work also supports new interpretations of stream flow recession analysis.