APPLICATION OF SCS INFILTRATION MODEL1

ABSTRACT: The SCS infiltration model was applied to the Ralston Creek watershed in eastern Iowa. The criteria to determine the various model parameters were revised to obtain a better agreement between the observed and computed total runoffs. A procedure to calibrate the infiltration model is presented. The infiltration model was used in conjunction with an overland flow model to develop flood hydrographs. The results indicate that SCS infiltration model adequately describe the distribution of losses.     

Peak Runoff Model Comparison on Central Illinois Watersheds1

ABSTRACT: Four peak runoff rate models were tested with 183 gage years of record to determine the model most applicable to small watersheds of mild topography in east-central Illinois. The Cypress Creek, Rational, Chow, and SCS peak runoff models were evaluated for their performance. Statistical analyses indicated the Soil Conservation Service model was most appropriate for the watersheds tested.     

FIRST-YEAR EFFECTS OF CLEARCUTTING AN OAK-HICKORY WATERSHED ON WATER YIELD1

ABSTRACT: Two intermittent streams on oak-hickory watersheds in southern Illinois were gaged with a V-notch weir and sampled with an automatic water sampler. Baseline data was collected for a period of three years. Flow volume showed large variations between years and watersheds. Water samples were analyzed for Na, K, Ca, Mg, ortho-P, and NO₃-N. Water quality was consistently high, but there were significant differences between the watersheds during the calibration period. One watershed was clearcut in November 1979. One year of postharvest data has been analyzed. Flow volume increased 95 percent, but there was no evidence of increased sedimentation. There were significant increases in the stream water concentrations of K, Mg, and NO₃-N of 18 percent, 8 percent, and 274 percent, respectively. Nutrient budgets for the site were not adversely affected by the harvest. The clearcutting operation appears to have had a small impact on the watershed due to minimal disturbance during the logging and below normal precipitation the first year following the harvest.     

COMPREHENSIVE FLOOD PLAIN STUDIES USING SPATIAL DATA MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES1

ABSTRACT: A pilot study undertaken to develop and test analytical methodologies for application in comprehensive flood plain information studies is described. The methodology permits and encourages comprehensive, systematic, practical assessments of present and alternative future basin-wide development patterns as reflected by alternative land use patterns and physical works in terms of flood hazard, economic damage potential and selected environmental consequences. The analysis methodologies are centered about integrated use of computerized spatial, gridded geographic and resource data files. A family of special purpose utility computer programs access the data file and extract appropriate variables and interpret and format the data into specific analytical parameters that are subsequently formatted for input to traditional modeling computer programs. An example application to Trail Creek in Clarke County, Georgia, is described.     

PARTIAL AREA RESPONSE ON SMALL SEMIARID WATERSHEDS1

ABSTRACT: Significant errors in estimating surface runoff and erosion rates are possible if a watershed is assumed to contribute runoff uniformly over the entire area, when actually only a portion of the entire area may be contributing. Generation of overland flow on portions of small semiarid watersheds was analyzed by three methods: an average loss rate procedure, a lumped-linear model, and a distributed-nonlinear model. These methods suggested that, on the average, 45, 60, and 50% of the drainage area was contributing runoff at the watershed outlet. Infiltrometer data support the partial area concept and indicate that the low infiltration zones are the runoff source areas as simulated with the distributed-nonlinear model.     

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF GROUND WATER PUMPAGE ON LOW-FLOW HYDROLOGY1

ABSTRACT: Ground-water pumpage withdrew 57 cubic feet per second from aquifers beneath the Yahara River Basin in 1970. Forty-six cubic feet per second were exported by the diversion of treated wastewater from the drainage basin. The low-flow hydrology of the upper Yahara River has been impacted by this diversion. Prior to 1959, the wastewater was discharged into the river, augmenting the baseflow during low-flow periods. As much as 85% of streamflow was due to effluent discharge. In 1959 the wastewater was transferred from the river basin. The result was a decrease of about one-third in mean annual streamflow, and a decrease of more than 50% in the 7Q₂ and 7Q₁₀. Regression analysis showed the annual 7-day low-flow and 60-day low-flow have a statistically significant correlation with mean annual flow. Using predictions of future mean annual discharge of the river with increasing interbasin transfers, it is shown that by 1990 there is a significant probability that in some years the 60-day low-flow in the river will be zero.     

HYDROLOGIC EFFECTS OF THE FLOOD ABATEMENT PROGRAM IN SOUTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA1

ABSTRACT: Winter Creek is a tributary of the Washita River in south-western Oklahoma. The Soil Conservation Service installed floodwater retarding structures which controlled runoff from 56 percent of a 33-square-mile (8550-hectare) gaged drainage area. Application of a hydrologic model to the flood peaks indicated that the structural treatment reduced the flood peaks an average of 61 percent. The Winter Creek channel has narrowed and deepened since the structural treatment was applied. The severe bank erosion occurring before treatment has been arrested and sediment yield from the watershed has been reduced 50 to 60 percent. In some reaches of the channel there has been a dense growth of trees in recent years.     

INFLUENCE OF VEGETATION,ROCK COVER,AND TRAMPLING ON INFILTRATION RATES AND SEDIMENT PRODUCTION1

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the impact of selected soil surface characteristics on infiltration rates and sediment production from interrill erosion from loam soil. Treatments were two different grass species (crested wheatgrass and intermediate wheatgrass), three levels of grass cover (30, 50, and 80 percent), four levels of rock cover (5, 10, 15, and 20 percent), and six levels of simulated trampling (10 to 60 percent of the respective plot area by 10 percent increments). Results indicated that plots with sod forming grass infiltrated only slightly more water than plots with bunchgrass, though the differences were significant. Trampling reduced infiltration rates significantly. On uncompacted soil, infiltration rates increased as percentage of rock cover increased. Trampling gradually destroyed this relationship however. Rock cover did not significantly affect sediment production. The tradeoff between vegetal cover and rock cover was affected by simulated trampling. Once trampling disturbance reached 20 percent, no relationship between vegetal cover and rock cover existed. Trampling was the most important factor influencing infiltration rates, explaining 35 to 48 percent of the variation in infiltration rates. The most important factor influencing sediment production was grass cover, which explained 40 to 62 percent of the variations associated with sediment yield at various trampling percentages. Results strongly suggest that, for slopes and soils as used here, adequate watershed protection may be obtained by maintaining 50 percent protective ground cover. Additional validation studies are recommended.     

Evaluating the cumulative effects of alteration on New England wetlands

In New England, patterns of glacial deposition strongly influence wetland occurrence and function. Many wetlands are associated with permeable deposits and owe their existence to groundwater discharge. Whether developed on deposits of high or low permeability, wetlands are often associated with streams and appear to play an important role in controlling and modifying streamflow. Evidence is cited showing that some wetlands operate to lessen flood peaks, and may have the seasonal effect of increasing spring discharges and depressing low flows. Wetlands overlying permeable deposits may be associated with important aquifers where they can produce slight modifications in water quality and head distribution within the aquifer. Impacts to wetlands undoubtedly will affect these functions, but the precise nature of the effect is difficult to predict. This is especially true of incremental impacts to wetlands, which may, for example, produce a change in streamflow disproportionate to wetland area in the drainage basin, i.e., a nonlinear effect as defined by Preston and Bedford (1988). Additional research is needed before hydrologic function can be reliably correlated with physical properties of wetlands and landscapes.A model is proposed to structure future research and explore relationships between hydrologic function and physical properties of wetlands and landscapes. The model considers (1) the nature of the underlying deposits (geologic type), (2) location in the drainage basin (topographic position), (3) relationship to the principal zone of saturation (hydrologic position), and (4) hydrologic character of the organic deposit.