The role of bedrock topography on subsurface storm flow

Freer, Jim and McDonnell, J. J. and Beven, K. J. and Peters, N. E. and Burns, D. A. and Hooper, R. P. and Aulenbach, B. and Kendall, C. (2002) The role of bedrock topography on subsurface storm flow. Water Resources Research, 38 (12): 1269. 5-1-5-16. ISSN 0043-1397

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Abstract

We conducted a detailed study of subsurface flow and water table response coupled with digital terrain analysis (DTA) of surface and subsurface features at the hillslope scale in Panola Mountain Research Watershed (PMRW), Georgia. Subsurface storm flow contributions of macropore and matrix flow in different sections along an artificial trench face were highly variable in terms of timing, peak flow, recession characteristics, and total flow volume. The trench flow characteristics showed linkages with the spatial tensiometer response defining water table development upslope. DTA of the ground surface did not capture the observed spatial patterns of trench flow or tensiometric response. However, bedrock surface topographic indices significantly improved the estimation of spatial variation of flow at the trench. Point-scale tensiometric data were also more highly correlated with the bedrock surface-based indices. These relationships were further assessed for temporal changes throughout a rainstorm. Linkages between the bedrock indices and the trench flow and spatial water table responses improved during the wetter periods of the rainstorm, when the hillslope became more hydrologically connected. Our results clearly demonstrate that in developing a conceptual framework for understanding the mechanisms of runoff generation, local bedrock topography may be highly significant at the hillslope scale in some catchments where the bedrock surface acts as a relatively impermeable boundary.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Water Resources Research
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2300/2300
Subjects:
?? bedrock topographymacroporessoil moisturesubsurface storm flowtopographic indextrench flowgeneral environmental scienceenvironmental chemistryaquatic sciencewater science and technology ??
ID Code:
129644
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
11 Dec 2018 14:34
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
15 Jul 2024 18:44