Effects of flowpath variation on the hydrogeochemical response of Walker Branch Watershed to storms
Precipitation and stream discharge have been monitored continuously since 1969 in the East and West Forks of Walker Branch Watershed, a 97.5-ha forested catchment underlain by dolomite (Knox Group) and typical of large portions of the Ridge and Valley Province of eastern Tennessee. Watershed topography is characterized by broad ridges with steep slopes and narrow stream valleys. Soils (primarily Ultisols) are acidic, low in exchangeable bases, and generally deep (up to 30 m) on ridges declining to 1--2 meters long perennial stream channels. On average, annual precipitation totals 137 cm and annual runoff about 71 cm, of which about one-half occurs as baseflow. Water budgets for the entire watershed indicate approximately 15% of the discharge originates outside of the watershed, with the West Fork gaining approximately 35% of its annual flow from outside its topographic boundaries and the East Fork, which has perennial reaches but is intermittent at the base of the catchment, losing flow. The differences in annual runoff between the catchments are primarily the result of larger baseflow on the West Fork. Analysis of storm hydrographs indicates that the East and West Fork watersheds generate similar amounts of storm area-specific runoff. 5 refs., 2 figs.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OR21400
- OSTI ID:
- 5558791
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9109234-1; ON: DE91015934
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 4. Tennessee water resources symposium, Knoxville, TN (United States), 24-26 Sep 1991
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
WATERSHEDS
GEOCHEMISTRY
HYDROLOGY
CALCIUM
FLUID FLOW
GEOLOGY
GROUND WATER
MAGNESIUM
OAK RIDGE
RAIN
RUNOFF
SOILS
STORMS
SURFACE WATERS
WATER CHEMISTRY
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
CHEMISTRY
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DISASTERS
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FEDERAL REGION IV
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MASS TRANSFER
METALS
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
TENNESSEE
USA
WATER
540310* - Environment
Aquatic- Basic Studies- (1990-)
540210 - Environment
Terrestrial- Basic Studies- (1990-)