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Estimating Ground Water Discharge by Hydrograph Separation
Author(s) -
Hannula Steven R.,
Esposito Kenneth J.,
Chermak John A.,
Runnells Donald D.,
Keith David C.,
Hall Larry E.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
groundwater
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.84
H-Index - 94
eISSN - 1745-6584
pISSN - 0017-467X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1745-6584.2003.tb02606.x
Subject(s) - interflow , hydrograph , hydrology (agriculture) , surface runoff , groundwater , environmental science , geology , geotechnical engineering , ecology , biology
Iron Mountain is located in the West Shasta Mining District in California. An investigation of the generation of acid rock drainage and metals loading to Boulder Creek at Iron Mountain was conducted. As part of that investigation, a hydrograph separation technique was used to determine the contribution of ground water to total flow in Boulder Creek. During high‐flow storm events in the winter months, peak flow in Boulder Creek can exceed 22.7 m 3 /sec, and comprises surface runoff, interflow, and ground water discharge. A hydrograph separation technique was used to estimate ground water discharge into Boulder Creek during high‐flow conditions. Total ground water discharge to the creek approaches 0.31 m 3 /sec during the high‐flow season. The hydrograph separation technique combined with an extensive field data set provided reasonable estimates of ground water discharge. These estimates are useful for other investigations, such as determining a corresponding metals load from the metal‐rich ground water found at Iron Mountain and thus contributing to remedial alternatives.