You are here:
Modeling non-perennial streamflow to understand structural controls of flow permanence across scales
Citation:
Mahoney, D., J. Christensen, H. Golden, C. Lane, G. Evenson, C. Barton, E. D'Amico, AND K. Sena. Modeling non-perennial streamflow to understand structural controls of flow permanence across scales. 2023 American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA, December 11 - 15, 2023.
Impact/Purpose:
Modeling of headwaters and their stream permanence is challenging to do given their abundance and variability but such information is needed to inform OW policy and managers for protections. We have developed a process-based hydrologic model to characterize streamflow permanence in two well-monitored headwater catchments with distinct structural underpinnings on the Cumberland Plateau in Kentucky, USA. This work shows how streams how watershed configuration impacts streamflow duration and can be used in larger watersheds to inform OW policy.
Description:
Streamflow permanence is frequently used to assess the federal, state, and tribal protection of non-perennial streams throughout the United States. In recent years, process-based hydrologic models have been used to simulate the dynamics of streamflow permanence in headwater systems, complementing field-based streamflow permanence measurements by providing simulations in reaches where observations may not exist. While such methods have shown considerable advancement in recent years, seldom have models been used to investigate the physiographic controls of streamflow permanence in headwater systems across increasing stream orders. In this study, we use a process-based hydrologic model to characterize streamflow permanence in several nested headwater catchments with variable structural configurations on the Cumberland Plateau in Kentucky, USA. Streamflow permanence simulations are evaluated with discharge data collected at the outlet of several catchments and flow-state sensor data collected across multiple reaches with variable stream order. We investigate the capability of the models to simulate streamflow permanence considering variable model discretization strategies, including reach and sub-reach scale parameterizations. Preliminary findings highlight the variability of streamflow permanence with respect to catchment configuration and physiography. Further, the model highlights the variability of streamflow permanence across multiple stream orders. The approach may have utility in characterizing streamflow permanence in other physiographic regions throughout the United States.
