Seasonal connections between meteoric water and streamflow generation along a mountain headwater stream

• Published in: Hydrological processes Vol. 35; no. 2
• Main Authors: Leuthold, Sam J., Ewing, Stephanie A., Payn, Robert A., Miller, Florence R., Custer, Stephan G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, USA John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.02.2021; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: altitude; Atmospheric precipitations; Catchments; climate; Climate change; Composition; Connectivity; deuterium; Elevation; Groundwater; Groundwater storage; Headwater catchments; Headwaters; humans; Hydrogen; Hydrology; Isotope composition; Isotopes; isotopic lapse rate; Lapse rate; Meteoric water; mineralization; Moisture content; Montana; mountainous watersheds; Mountains; nitrate flushing; nitrates; nitrogen; Oxygen; Precipitation; proximal area contributions; Rain; Rainfall; Rivers; Runoff; Seasonal rainfall; Seasons; Snowmelt; Soil; Soil water; Soil water storage; Stream discharge; Stream flow; Stream water; streamflow generation; streams; Summer; Summer precipitation; Surface water; Transpiration; water isotope; Water management; Water sources; Water storage; Watersheds; Wetlands; winter; Montana

In snowmelt‐driven mountain watersheds, the hydrologic connectivity between meteoric waters and stream flow generation varies strongly with the season, reflecting variable connection to soil and groundwater storage within the watershed. This variable connectivity regulates how streamflow generation...