Integrating Runoff Processes
Across Scale in a Subarctic
Catchment
Sean K. Carey
Dept. Geography & Environmental Studies
Carleton University, Ottawa
IP3 Workshop #1
Outline
ƒ Brief Overview of Wolf Creek Research Basin
and Previous Research
ƒ Background and Scientific Objectives
ƒ Research to Date
ƒ Future Program
The Wolf Creek Research Basin
Location:
60o31 N, 135o 31’ W
Area:
Approx. 200 km2
Elevation Range:
800 to 2250 m a.s.l.
(3 ecozones)
Mean Annual Precipitation:
300 to 400 mm (40% snow)
Mean Annual Temperature:
-3 oC
Previous Research
Seasonally Frozen Soils
- well drained
Permafrost Soils
-capping organic layer
-Relatively impermeable base
Influence of permafrost on runoff processes
Figure Source: Encyclopedia of Hydrological Sciences, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Topography alone does not control runoff response
700
600
Modelled (L s-1)
500
400
ln a/tanb
300
200
100
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
Measured (L s-1)
•In the alpine subartic, topography is not the key element
controlling the position of the water table and contributing
areas as in temperate regions
Runoff is strongly influenced by ecozones
5
ƒCertain ecosystems are more capable
of trapping snow, enhancing runoff
production and developing a soil profile
capable of conveying water rapidly to
the stream
TS1
TS2
TS3
Outlet
4
mm
3
2
1
ƒTall shrubs have a particular efficacy in
trapping snow and generating runoff
0
100
110
120
130
140
Julian Day
150
160
170
180
Deep subsurface groundwater is important
1600
-1
Discharge (L s )
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
Pre-Event
Event
0.75
200
0.50
Pre-event Water
Pre-event Water
0.25
Event Water
Event Water
0.00
1.00
-1
0
δ O-DOC
c.
18
d.
δ O-DOC
18
300
Groundwater
200
0.75
0.50
Groundwater
Organic Layer
100
0
0.25
Organic Layer
Event Water
Event Water
δ18O-SpC
e.
δ18O-SpC
f.
0.00
0.75
300
Groundwater
Groundwater
0.50
200
100
Event Water
17
18
0.25
Organic Layer
Organic Layer
0
Event Water
19
26
July 2001
18
Two-component
300
100
Discharge (L s )
1.00
b.
27
28
Water
Fraction
Two-component
0.00
29
150
100
50
-21
-22
-23
-24
-25
1.00
Stream
Event
0.75
Pre-Event
0.50
0.25
0.00
May 10
Water Fraction
400 a.
δ O
SWE (mm)
200
Event
May 15
May 20
May 25
May 30
June 4
2002
ƒIntra and sub-permafrost groundwater
contributions are poorly characterized
ƒNew results highlight the importance
of this water in discontinuous
permafrost catchments
IP3 Objectives – Carey Theme 1
ƒ Determine how connectivity in the drainage network controls
streamflow response at the Hydrological Response Unit scale
ƒ Improve understanding of frozen soil infiltration and hydraulic
properties
Research Approach
ƒ Couple small-scale process work with catchment
response at the larger scale
ƒ To what extent are plot/hillslope responses realized at
increasing scales
Research Approach
ƒNested watersheds among ecozones
Study Site
Stream Gauge
5 km
N
Research Approach
ƒ Major ion chemistry and stable isotopes will be
combined with distributed runoff data to evaluate the
role of different ecozones, topology and channel
processes on streamflow generation.
-156
-158
-160
δ2H(%0)
-162
-130
-18
-19
-20
Summer Rain
Snowmelt
Streamflow
Riparian
Hillslope
Winter Baseflow
-140
δ2H(%0)
δ18O
-150
-21
-22
3.
-166
1.
-168
Stream
LMBT
North
gbm
South
gbbf
Early Melt
Peak Melt
Late Melt
-164
-170
-172
2.
-174
-176
-178
-23
-22
-21
δ18O(%0)
-160
-170
-23
-180
-24
-190
-25
100
110
120
130
140
Julian Day
150
160
170
-26
-24
-22
δ18O(%0)
-20
-18
Research Approach
ƒMapping hydrochemistry to evaluate source areas
Celina Ziegler – MSc (ion analysis conducted this week)
Research Approach
ƒHigh-frequency water quality data as a way forward
9.0
80
1000
8.5
60
pH
Discharge (L s-1)
1200
800
8.0
600
40
400
7.5
20
30
25
20
-1
1400
100
15
10
5
200
0
May 1
7.0
June 1
July 1
2002
Aug 1
0
DOC (mg C L )
Discharge
pH
SpC
DOC
9.5
Specific Conductance (μs cm-1)
1600
0
Research Approach
100
Upper Basin
Lower Basin
-1
SpC (μs cm )
80
60
40
20
0
May
ƒUtilize high-frequency data with timeseries analysis to provide new light on
basin-wide hydrological controls
June
July
August
Research Approach – Organic Soils
ƒ Field and Laboratory studies of organic soil properties
– Frozen and thawed soil infiltration/percolation studies
ƒ (tracer/TDR)
– Pressure plate analysis
– Image analysis (Quinton)
– Air permeameter experiments
IP3 Objectives - Carey Theme 2
ƒ Develop basin parameterization strategies to represent
HRU processes and interactions
– Dr. Yinsuo Zhang