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Water quality changes in hyporheic flow paths between a large gravel bed river and off‐channel alcoves in Oregon, USA
Author(s) -
Fernald Alexander G.,
Landers Dixon H.,
Wigington Parker J.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
river research and applications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.679
H-Index - 94
eISSN - 1535-1467
pISSN - 1535-1459
DOI - 10.1002/rra.961
Subject(s) - hyporheic zone , hydrology (agriculture) , water quality , surface water , groundwater , environmental science , subsurface flow , geology , ecology , environmental engineering , geotechnical engineering , biology
Changes in water quality that occur as water flows along hyporheic flow paths may have important effects on surface water quality and aquatic habitat, yet very few studies have examined these hyporheic processes along large gravel bed rivers. To determine water quality changes associated with hyporheic flow along the Willamette River, Oregon, we studied hyporheic flow at six‐bar deposit sites positioned between the main river channel and connected lentic alcoves. We installed piezometers and wells at each site and measured water levels and water quality in river, hyporheic and alcove water. Piezometric surfaces along with substrate characteristics were used to determine hyporheic flow path direction and hyporheic flow rate. At all sites, hyporheic flow moved from the river through bar deposits into alcove surface water. Stable isotope analysis showed little influence of upwelling groundwater. At a majority of sites, hyporheic dissolved oxygen and ammonium decreased relative to river water, and hyporheic specific conductance, nitrate and soluble reactive phosphorous increased relative to river water. At three sites, hyporheic temperature decreased 3–7°C relative to river water; there was less temperature change at the other three sites. At the two sites with the highest hyporheic flow rates, hyporheic cooling was propagated into the alcove surface water. Hyporheic changes had the greatest effect on alcove water quality at sites with highly permeable substrates and high‐hyporheic flow rates. The best approach to enhancing hyporheic flows and associated water quality functions is through restoring fluviogeomorphic channel processes that create and maintain high‐permeability gravel deposits conducive to hyporheic flow. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.