Quantification and regionalization of groundwater–surface water interaction along an alluvial stream

• Published in: Journal of hydrology (Amsterdam) Vol. 320; no. 3; pp. 342 - 358
• Main Authors: Langhoff, Jesper H., Rasmussen, Keld R., Christensen, Steen
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 15.04.2006; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Alluvial stream; alluvial streams; alluvium; Bank; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; floodplains; Freshwater; groundwater flow; Groundwater–surface water interaction; Hydrogeology; Hydrology; Hydrology. Hydrogeology; Regionalization; Seepage; stream channels; Streambed; streams; watershed hydrology; Denmark; Scandinavia; Jutland; Western Europe; Seepage; Regionalization; Groundwater–surface water interaction; Streambed; Bank; Alluvial stream; base flow; tributaries; floods; interfaces; Europe; streams; ground water; water balance; seepage; bedforms; surface water; drainage basins; wetlands; aquifers; plains; discharge; water resource management; alluvium; Groundwater-surface water interaction
• ISSN: 0022-1694; 1879-2707
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2005.07.040

In the present study, groundwater seepage to an alluvial stream and two tributary streams was examined at nine field sites using hydrological, geophysical, and geomorphological observations. The data indicate that seepage enters the streams in the following ways: (i) directly through the streambed; (ii) as nearly superficial flow from diffuse discharge areas on the flood plains or; (iii) as a combination of (i) and (ii). At about 40% of the sites more than 50% of seepage flows through the streambed. Moreover, it was found that the ratio C, defined as the width of the wet zone of the flood plain divided by the effective width of the stream, can be used as an indicator of the percentage of water entering the stream directly through the streambed. When C is small streambed seepage is large, while when C is large streambed seepage is small and ground water enters the stream mainly as nearly superficial or over-bank flow from the wet zone.