Quantifying surface water–groundwater interactions using time series analysis of streambed thermal records: Method development

1 We present a method for determining streambed seepage rates using time series thermal data. The new method is based on quantifying changes in phase and amplitude of temperature variations between pairs of subsurface sensors. For a reasonable range of streambed thermal properties and sensor spacing...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Water resources research 2006-10, Vol.42 (10), p.W10410-n/a
Main Authors: Hatch, C.E, Fisher, A.T, Revenaugh, J.S, Constantz, J, Ruehl, C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biogeosciences
estimation
groundwater
Groundwater/surface water interaction
heat as a tracer
hydrodynamics
Hydrology
Instruments and techniques
Mathematical Geophysics
methodology
monitoring
Oceanography
Remote sensing and electromagnetic processes
sediments
seepage
sensors
spatial variation
streams
subsurface flow
surface water
temporal variation
Time series analysis
water temperature
Water/energy interactions
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Summary:1 We present a method for determining streambed seepage rates using time series thermal data. The new method is based on quantifying changes in phase and amplitude of temperature variations between pairs of subsurface sensors. For a reasonable range of streambed thermal properties and sensor spacings the time series method should allow reliable estimation of seepage rates for a range of at least +/-10 m d(-1) (+/-1.2 x 10(-2) m s(-1)), with amplitude variations being most sensitive at low flow rates and phase variations retaining sensitivity out to much higher rates. Compared to forward modeling, the new method requires less observational data and less setup and data handling and is faster, particularly when interpreting many long data sets. The time series method is insensitive to streambed scour and sedimentation, which allows for application under a wide range of flow conditions and allows time series estimation of variable streambed hydraulic conductivity. This new approach should facilitate wider use of thermal methods and improve understanding of the complex spatial and temporal dynamics of surface water-groundwater interactions.
ISSN:0043-1397
1944-7973
DOI:10.1029/2005WR004787