Water Stewardship Information Sources
| ID | 1912 |
|---|---|
| Citation | Emili, LA and Price, JS. 2006. Hydrological processes controlling ground and surface water flow from a hypermaritime forest-peatland comples, Diana Lake Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada. Hydrological Processes 20:2819-2837. |
| Organization | University of Waterloo |
| URL | http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hyp.6077/full |
| Abstract/Description or Keywords | The proposed harvesting of previously undeveloped forests in north coastal British Columbia requires an understanding of hydrological responses. Hydrometric and isotopic techniques were used to examine the hydrological linkages between meteoric inputs to the surface-groundwater system and runoff response patterns of a forest-peatland complex. Quickflow accounted for 72–91% of peak storm discharge. The runoff ratio was lowest for open peatland areas with thick organic horizons (0Š02–0Š05) due to low topographic gradients and many surface depressions capable of retaining surface water. Runoff ratio increased comparatively for ephemeral surface seep flows (0Š06–0Š40) and was greatest in steeply sloping forest communities with more permeable soils (0Š33–0Š69). The dominant mechanism for runoff generation was saturated shallow subsurface flow. Groundwater fluxes from the organic horizon of seeps (1Š70–1Š72 m3 day_1 m_1) were an important component of quickflow. The homogeneous _2H_18O composition of groundwater indicated attenuation of the seasonal rainfall signal by mixing during recharge. The positive correlation (r2 = 0Š64 and 0Š38, _ = 0Š05) between slope index and _18O values in groundwater suggests that the spatial pattern in the _18O composition along the forest-peatland complex is influenced by topography and provides evidence that topographic indices may be used to predict groundwater residence time. |
| Information Type | Article |
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