Hydrology and Earth System Sciences
Hydrology and Earth System Sciences
HESS
Articles | Volume 26, issue 15
Articles | Volume 26, issue 15
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-3989-2022
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-3989-2022
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Articles | Volume 26, issue 15
Research article
 | Highlight paper
 | 
04 Aug 2022
Research article | Highlight paper |  | 04 Aug 2022

Bedrock depth influences spatial patterns of summer baseflow, temperature and flow disconnection for mountainous headwater streams

Martin A. Briggs, Phillip Goodling, Zachary C. Johnson, Karli M. Rogers, Nathaniel P. Hitt, Jennifer B. Fair, and Craig D. Snyder

Data sets

Air-water temperature data for the study of groundwater influence on stream thermal regimes in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia C. D. Snyder, N. P. Hitt, and Z. C. Johnson https://doi.org/10.5066/F7B56H72

Seismic data for study of shallow mountain bedrock limits seepage-based headwater climate refugia, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia M. A. Briggs, J. W. Lane Jr., C. D. Snyder, E. A. White, Z. C. Johnson, D. L. Nelms, and N. P. Hitt https://doi.org/10.5066/F7JW8C04

Passive seismic data collected along headwater stream corridors in Shenandoah National Park in 2016-2020 P. J. Goodling, M. Briggs, E. White, Z. Johnson, A. Haynes, D. Nelms, and J. Lane https://doi.org/10.5066/P9IJMGIB

Sediment and Aquifer Characteristics of Quaternary Sediments in the Glaciated Conterminous United States L. J. Kauffman, R. M. Yager, and J. E. Reddy https://doi.org/10.5066/F7HH6J8X

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Executive editor
As also stated by both reviewers, this work is important and timely. It combines data from several sources to highlight the role of fine-scale hydrogeological features on hydrological processes. As nicely stated by reviewer 2: “The work addresses important questions regarding the description of connectivity and interaction between groundwater and surface water in mountainous catchments. The authors develop in their paper an interesting vision at the interfaces between geomorphology, hydrology and hydroecology (principally fish habitats)
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Short summary
The geologic structure of mountain watersheds may control how groundwater and streamwater exchange, influencing where streams dry. We measured bedrock depth at 191 locations along eight headwater streams paired with stream temperature records, baseflow separation and observations of channel dewatering. The data indicated a prevalence of shallow bedrock generally less than 3 m depth, and local variation in that depth can drive stream dewatering but also influence stream baseflow supply.
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