Watershed structural influences on the distributions of stream network water and solute travel times under baseflow conditions

Anna Bergstrom, Brian McGlynn, John Mallard, Tim Covino

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

Watershed structure influences the timing, magnitude, and spatial location of water and solute entry to stream networks. In turn, stream reach transport velocities and stream network geometry (travel distances) further influence the timing of export from watersheds. Here, we examine how watershed and stream network organization can affect travel times of water from delivery to the stream network to arrival at the watershed outlet. We analysed watershed structure and network geometry and quantified the relationship between stream discharge and solute velocity across six study watersheds (11.4 to 62.8 km2) located in the Sawtooth Mountains of central Idaho, USA. Based on these analyses, we developed stream network travel time functions for each watershed. We found that watershed structure, stream network geometry, and the variable magnitude of inputs across the network can have a pronounced affect on water travel distances and velocities within a stream network. Accordingly, a sample taken at the watershed outlet is composed of water and solutes sourced from across the watershed that experienced a range of travel times in the stream network. We suggest that understanding and quantifying stream network travel time distributions are valuable for deconvolving signals observed at watershed outlets into their spatial and temporal sources, and separating terrestrial and in-channel hydrological, biogeochemical, and ecological influences on in-stream observations.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2671-2685
Number of pages15
JournalHydrological Processes
Volume30
Issue number15
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 Jul 2016

Keywords

  • solute transport
  • stream network
  • travel time

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Watershed structural influences on the distributions of stream network water and solute travel times under baseflow conditions'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this