HR: 0800h
AN: B11A-0137    [Abstracts]
TI: Analysis of Hydrologic Flowpaths in Two Meso-scale Watersheds, Mt. Mansfield, VT
AU: * Zinni, B J
EM: bzinni@uvm.edu
AF: University of Vermont Department of Geology, Delahanty Building Colchester Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401 United States
AU: Wemple, B C
EM: Beverley.Wemple@uvm.edu
AF: University of Vermont Department of Geology, Delahanty Building Colchester Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401 United States
AU: Lini, A
EM: Andrea.Lini@uvm.edu
AF: University of Vermont Department of Geology, Delahanty Building Colchester Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401 United States
AU: Shanley, J B
EM: jshanley@usgs.gov
AF: University of Vermont Department of Geology, Delahanty Building Colchester Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401 United States
AU: Shanley, J B
EM: jshanley@usgs.gov
AF: United States Geological Survey, PO Box 628, Montpelier, VT 05601 United States
AB: The various paths by which water moves through forested watersheds are complex and not well understood. Much of our insight into runoff production processes and the effects of landuse are drawn from studies in small watersheds and on experiments involving traditional forest management activities (timber harvesting, road construction). The purpose of this research is to better understand stream water generation processes under varying seasonal and land-use conditions in two meso-scale basins in northern Vermont. An additional aspect of this research is an analysis of the impact of ski resort development on hydrologic flowpaths. We are utilizing stream and potential source water chemistries to characterize the flowpaths within the Ranch Brook (9.6 km$^{2}$) and West Branch (11.7 km$^{2}$) watersheds on the eastern slope of Mt. Mansfield. The West Branch basin encompasses an alpine ski resort while the Ranch Brook basin serves as our forested control site. Event-based samples of stream water have been collected since October 2000, and precipitation, soilwater, groundwater and snowpack samples were collected beginning in late spring of 2004. All were analyzed for their basic solute chemistry and oxygen isotopic signatures. Chemical data and principal components analysis have revealed dynamic systems of stream water generation in both watersheds. Our results provide new insights into runoff production and the effects of landuse activities in meso-scale basins.
DE: 9800 GENERAL OR MISCELLANEOUS
SC: Biogeosciences [B]
MN: 2004 AGU Fall Meeting