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Storm runoff processes and subcatchment characteristics in a new zealand hill country catchment
Author(s) -
Taylor Colin H.,
Pearce Andrew J.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
earth surface processes and landforms
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.294
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1096-9837
pISSN - 0197-9337
DOI - 10.1002/esp.3290070505
Subject(s) - surface runoff , antecedent moisture , storm , hydrology (agriculture) , environmental science , saturation (graph theory) , drainage basin , antecedent (behavioral psychology) , subsurface flow , runoff curve number , geology , geography , ecology , groundwater , psychology , developmental psychology , oceanography , geotechnical engineering , mathematics , cartography , combinatorics , biology
The quickflow responses of six subcatchment areas in a small hill country catchment in the Craigieburn Range, South Island, New Zealand, were compared for a range of storm sizes, rainfall intensities and antecedent wetness conditions. Topography and soil characteristics suggested that all subcatchments would receive subsurface stormflow input, but that some would receive larger saturation overland flow inputs than others. Quickflow yields and response ratios were positively correlated with storm size and antecedent wetness conditions in the subcatchment most suited to producing saturation overland flow. In subcatchments more likely to be dominated by subsurface flow, quickflow yields and response ratios were positively correlated with storm size, but were either not correlated, or negatively correlated, with antecedent wetness. Quickflow responses were either not significantly or negatively correlated with rainfall intensity variables. Quickflow from the subcatchment most suited to produce saturation overland flow providing an increasing proportion of total catchment quickflow in larger storms and as antecedent conditions became wetter. Subcatchment responses varied greatly in space and time and there was less pattern to the variation than had been expected. Where topographic and pedologic conditions permit substantial responses to storm rainfall by both saturation overland flow and subsurface stormflow, simple topographic and soil indicators may not be useful guides to the relative importance of runoff mechanisms, or to the identification of runoff‐source areas.