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AN APPLICATION OF SURFACE GEOPHYSICAL TECHNIQUES TO THE STUDY OF WATERSHED HYDROLOGY 1
Author(s) -
Shields Ronald R.,
Sopper William E.
Publication year - 1969
Publication title -
jawra journal of the american water resources association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.957
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1752-1688
pISSN - 1093-474X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-1688.1969.tb04900.x
Subject(s) - bedrock , watershed , water table , geology , hydrology (agriculture) , seismic refraction , geophone , groundwater , environmental science , geophysics , geomorphology , geotechnical engineering , machine learning , computer science
The applicability of geophysical methods to experimental watershed research is demonstrated by a study of a 106‐acre forested watershed in central Pennsylvania. Data from a shallow seismic refraction study and an electrical resistivity study of the watershed were used to determine the depth of soils, their volumes, depth to bedrock, configuration of the bedrock surface and delineation of the bedrock surface and delineation of the water table. With this information on the subsurface conditions, the hydrologic properties of the watershed were described in greater detail. This information will be of value in explaining the watershed's response to various watershed treatment practices that eventually will be used. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS Data from a study using the shallow seismic refraction method and electrical resistivity method were used on an experimental watershed to determine the depth, volume, and water‐storage characteristics of the soil mantle and its relationship to the water table and underlying bedrock. The seismic survey grid system, which covered the entire 106‐acre watershed, established 154 geophone locations for depth measurements. Results were used to plot vertical and horizontal profiles depicting the subsurface conditions of the watershed. Water‐storage capacities were calculated for each major soil type and also for the entire soil mantle of the watershed.