HR: 1400h
AN: H73A-01    [Abstracts]
TI: Quantifying Groundwater Discharge and Streambed Heat Flux in Fortune Creek, British Columbia, Using Time Series of Streambed Temperature Profiles
AU: * McGrath, E O
EM: elinorjochum@hotmail.com
AF: University of British Columbia Okanagan, 3333 University Way, Kelowna, BC V1V1V7, Canada
AU: Nichol, C
EM: Craig.Nichol@ubc.ca
AF: University of British Columbia Okanagan, 3333 University Way, Kelowna, BC V1V1V7, Canada
AU: Wei, A
EM: adam.wei@ubc.ca
AF: University of British Columbia Okanagan, 3333 University Way, Kelowna, BC V1V1V7, Canada
AB: Time series of streambed temperature profiles and hydraulic head measurements in piezometers were used to characterize groundwater discharge to a small salmonid stream in the interior of British Columbia. Of particular interest was the heat flux into and out of the streamed resulting from groundwater discharge, in light of providing cool water habitat for salmonid species. The larger study objectives were to link salmonid habitat use to habitat quality, including water temperature. Over the summer of 2008, streambed temperature profiles were collected at eight locations along the stream and in two piezometers in a known groundwater upwelling area. Water levels were recorded continuously in the piezometers. Streambed temperature profiles were used in an analytical solution of the one dimensional groundwater and heat flow equation to estimate groundwater flux into and out of the stream. In addition, a time- series analytical model was used to quantify groundwater and heat flux throughout the low flow season using transient temperature profile data. Groundwater flux estimates derived from the models were compared to flux estimates derived from head measurements and slug testing of the piezometers. Heat flux estimates from groundwater were incorporated into an energy balance model assessing the cooling effect of groundwater discharge on stream temperatures.
DE: 1813 Eco-hydrology
DE: 1830 Groundwater/surface water interaction
DE: 1871 Surface water quality
DE: 1878 Water/energy interactions (0495)
SC: Hydrology [H]
MN: 2009 Joint Assembly