Skip to main content
Erschienen in: Hydrogeology Journal 2/2021

16.11.2020 | Paper

Quantifying the base flow of the Colorado River: its importance in sustaining perennial flow in northern Arizona and southern Utah (USA)

verfasst von: Riley K. Swanson, Abraham E. Springer, David K. Kreamer, Benjamin W. Tobin, Denielle M. Perry

Erschienen in: Hydrogeology Journal | Ausgabe 2/2021

Einloggen

Aktivieren Sie unsere intelligente Suche um passende Fachinhalte oder Patente zu finden.

search-config
loading …

Abstract

Water in the Colorado River, USA, is known to be a highly over-allocated resource, yet managers and decision makers rarely consider one of the most important contributions to the existing water in the river, i.e. groundwater. This oversight may result from the contrasting results of base-flow studies conducted on the amount of streamflow into the Colorado River sourced from groundwater. Some studies rule out the significance of groundwater contribution, while others show groundwater contributing the majority of flow to the river. This study uses new and extant instrumented data (not indirect methods) to quantify the groundwater base-flow contribution to surface flow. The precipitation, streamflow, and base flow of 10 remote subbasins of the Colorado Plateau in southern Utah and northern Arizona were examined in detail. These tributaries have an annual average base-flow discharge of 0.45 km3/year (367,000 acre-feet per year) with an average base-flow fraction of 72% summing to more than 3% of the mean flow of the Colorado River at Phantom Ranch. The groundwater storage trend of the Colorado River Basin when measured with remote sensing is declining; however, when utilizing instrumented data, the average annual base-flow trend in the study area remains constant. This trend suggests that base-flow signatures in streams may have a delayed response from the decline observed in groundwater storage from remote sensing. The simple extant data measurement methods employed in this study can be applied to the entire drainage basin, revealing the quantity of base flow throughout the basin to better inform water resource management.

Sie haben noch keine Lizenz? Dann Informieren Sie sich jetzt über unsere Produkte:

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 102.000 Bücher
  • über 537 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe
  • Versicherung + Risiko

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Springer Professional "Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 67.000 Bücher
  • über 390 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe




 

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Anhänge
Nur mit Berechtigung zugänglich
Literatur
Zurück zum Zitat Abbey E (1968) Desert solitaire: a season in the wilderness. McGraw-Hill, New York Abbey E (1968) Desert solitaire: a season in the wilderness. McGraw-Hill, New York
Zurück zum Zitat Boning CW (1992) Policy statement on stage accuracy. United States Geological Survey, Office of Surface Water Technical Memorandum no. 93.07, USGS, Reston, VA Boning CW (1992) Policy statement on stage accuracy. United States Geological Survey, Office of Surface Water Technical Memorandum no. 93.07, USGS, Reston, VA
Zurück zum Zitat Brown TC, Mahat V, Ramirez JA (2019) Adaptation to future water shortages in the United States caused by population growth and climate change. Earth’s Future 7:219–234CrossRef Brown TC, Mahat V, Ramirez JA (2019) Adaptation to future water shortages in the United States caused by population growth and climate change. Earth’s Future 7:219–234CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Caine N (1989) Hydrograph separation in a small alpine basin based on inorganic solute concentrations. J Hydrol 112:89–101CrossRef Caine N (1989) Hydrograph separation in a small alpine basin based on inorganic solute concentrations. J Hydrol 112:89–101CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Christensen NS, Lettenmaier DP (2007) A multimodel ensemble approach to assessment of climate change impacts on the hydrology and water resources of the Colorado River basin. Hydrol Earth Syst Sci 3:3727–3770 Christensen NS, Lettenmaier DP (2007) A multimodel ensemble approach to assessment of climate change impacts on the hydrology and water resources of the Colorado River basin. Hydrol Earth Syst Sci 3:3727–3770
Zurück zum Zitat Crossey LJ, Karlstrom KE, Springer AE, Newell D, Hilton DR, Fischer T (2009) Degassing of mantle derived CO2 and he from springs in the southern Colorado Plateau region: neotectonic connections and implications for groundwater systems. GSA Bull 121(7–8):1034–1053. https://doi.org/10.1130/B26394.1CrossRef Crossey LJ, Karlstrom KE, Springer AE, Newell D, Hilton DR, Fischer T (2009) Degassing of mantle derived CO2 and he from springs in the southern Colorado Plateau region: neotectonic connections and implications for groundwater systems. GSA Bull 121(7–8):1034–1053. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1130/​B26394.​1CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Davis SK (2001) The politics of water scarcity in the western states. J Soc Sci 38:527–542CrossRef Davis SK (2001) The politics of water scarcity in the western states. J Soc Sci 38:527–542CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Frisbee MD, Phillips FM, Campbell AR, Liu F, Sanchez SA (2011) Streamflow generation in a large, alpine watershed in the southern Rocky Mountains of Colorado: is streamflow generation simply the aggregation of hillslope runoff responses? Water Resour Res 47:W06512. https://doi.org/10.1029/2010WR009391CrossRef Frisbee MD, Phillips FM, Campbell AR, Liu F, Sanchez SA (2011) Streamflow generation in a large, alpine watershed in the southern Rocky Mountains of Colorado: is streamflow generation simply the aggregation of hillslope runoff responses? Water Resour Res 47:W06512. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1029/​2010WR009391CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Gober PA, Kirkwood CW (2010) Vulnerability assessment of climate-induced water shortage in Phoenix. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 107:21295–21299CrossRef Gober PA, Kirkwood CW (2010) Vulnerability assessment of climate-induced water shortage in Phoenix. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 107:21295–21299CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Jacobs J (2011) The sustainability of water resources in the Colorado River basin. Bridge 41(4):6–12 Jacobs J (2011) The sustainability of water resources in the Colorado River basin. Bridge 41(4):6–12
Zurück zum Zitat Jones CJR, Springer AE, Tobin BW, Zappitello SJ, Jones NA (2018) Characterization and hydraulic behavior of the complex karst of the Kaibab Plateau and Grand Canyon National Park, USA. Geol Soc London Spec Publ 466(1):237–260. https://doi.org/10.1144/SP466.5CrossRef Jones CJR, Springer AE, Tobin BW, Zappitello SJ, Jones NA (2018) Characterization and hydraulic behavior of the complex karst of the Kaibab Plateau and Grand Canyon National Park, USA. Geol Soc London Spec Publ 466(1):237–260. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1144/​SP466.​5CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Kreamer DK, Springer AE (2008) The hydrology of Desert Springs in North America. In: Stevens LE, Meretsky VJ (eds) Aridland springs in North America: ecology and conservation. University of Arizona Press, Tucson Kreamer DK, Springer AE (2008) The hydrology of Desert Springs in North America. In: Stevens LE, Meretsky VJ (eds) Aridland springs in North America: ecology and conservation. University of Arizona Press, Tucson
Zurück zum Zitat Kreamer DK, Stevens LE, Ledbetter JD (2015) Groundwater dependent ecosystems: policy challenges and technical solutions, groundwater, hydrochemistry, environmental impacts and management impacts, chap 9. In: Adelana SM (ed) Groundwater. Nova, New York, pp 205–230 Kreamer DK, Stevens LE, Ledbetter JD (2015) Groundwater dependent ecosystems: policy challenges and technical solutions, groundwater, hydrochemistry, environmental impacts and management impacts, chap 9. In: Adelana SM (ed) Groundwater. Nova, New York, pp 205–230
Zurück zum Zitat Leake SA, Pool DR (2010) Simulated effects of groundwater pumping and artificial recharge on surface-water resources and riparian vegetation in the Verde Valley subbasin, Central Arizona. US Geol Surv Sci Invest Rep 2010–5147, pp 18 Leake SA, Pool DR (2010) Simulated effects of groundwater pumping and artificial recharge on surface-water resources and riparian vegetation in the Verde Valley subbasin, Central Arizona. US Geol Surv Sci Invest Rep 2010–5147, pp 18
Zurück zum Zitat Leake SA, Pool DR, Leenhouts JM (2008) Simulated effects of ground-water withdrawals and artificial recharge on discharge to streams, springs, and riparian vegetation in the Sierra Vista Subwatershed of the Upper San Pedro Basin, southeastern Arizona. US Geol Surv Sci Invest Rep 2008-5207, pp 14. https://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2008/5207/sir2008-5207.pdf Leake SA, Pool DR, Leenhouts JM (2008) Simulated effects of ground-water withdrawals and artificial recharge on discharge to streams, springs, and riparian vegetation in the Sierra Vista Subwatershed of the Upper San Pedro Basin, southeastern Arizona. US Geol Surv Sci Invest Rep 2008-5207, pp 14. https://​pubs.​usgs.​gov/​sir/​2008/​5207/​sir2008-5207.​pdf
Zurück zum Zitat Lyne V, Hollick M (1979) Stochastic time-variable rainfall-runoff modeling. In: Institute Engineers Australia National Conference. Inst of Eng Canberra Australia 10: 89–93 Lyne V, Hollick M (1979) Stochastic time-variable rainfall-runoff modeling. In: Institute Engineers Australia National Conference. Inst of Eng Canberra Australia 10: 89–93
Zurück zum Zitat MacDonald GM (2010) Climate change and water in southwestern North America special feature: water, climate change, and sustainability in the southwest. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 107:21256–21262CrossRef MacDonald GM (2010) Climate change and water in southwestern North America special feature: water, climate change, and sustainability in the southwest. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 107:21256–21262CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Meixner T, Manning AH, Stonestrom DA, Allen DM, Ajami H, Blasch KW, Brookfield AE, Castro CL, Clark JF, Gochis D, Flint AL, Neff KL, Niraula R, Rodell M, Scanlon BR, Singha K, Walvoord MA (2016) Implications of projected climate change for groundwater recharge in the western United States. J Hydrol 534:124–138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2015.12.027CrossRef Meixner T, Manning AH, Stonestrom DA, Allen DM, Ajami H, Blasch KW, Brookfield AE, Castro CL, Clark JF, Gochis D, Flint AL, Neff KL, Niraula R, Rodell M, Scanlon BR, Singha K, Walvoord MA (2016) Implications of projected climate change for groundwater recharge in the western United States. J Hydrol 534:124–138. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1016/​j.​jhydrol.​2015.​12.​027CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Milman A, Galindo L, Blomquist W, Conrad E (2018) Establishment of agencies for local groundwater governance under California’s sustainable groundwater management act. Water Altern 11(3):458–480 Milman A, Galindo L, Blomquist W, Conrad E (2018) Establishment of agencies for local groundwater governance under California’s sustainable groundwater management act. Water Altern 11(3):458–480
Zurück zum Zitat Miller MP, Susong DD, Shope CL, Heilweil VH, Stolp BJ (2014) Continuous estimation of baseflow in snowmelt-dominated streams and rivers in the Upper Colorado River Basin: a chemical hydrograph separation approach. Water Resour Res 50:6986–6999. https://doi.org/10.1002/2013WR014939CrossRef Miller MP, Susong DD, Shope CL, Heilweil VH, Stolp BJ (2014) Continuous estimation of baseflow in snowmelt-dominated streams and rivers in the Upper Colorado River Basin: a chemical hydrograph separation approach. Water Resour Res 50:6986–6999. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1002/​2013WR014939CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Mott Lacroix KE, Xiu BC, Nadeau JB, Megdal SB (2016) Synthesizing environmental flow needs data for water management in a water-scarce state: the Arizona environmental water demands database. River Res Appl 32. https://doi.org/10.1002/rra.2858 Mott Lacroix KE, Xiu BC, Nadeau JB, Megdal SB (2016) Synthesizing environmental flow needs data for water management in a water-scarce state: the Arizona environmental water demands database. River Res Appl 32. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1002/​rra.​2858
Zurück zum Zitat Rice SE, Springer AE (2006) Level 2 springs inventory of the Escalante River headwaters area, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Cooperative agreement no. JSA041002, Bureau of Land Management, Lakewood Rice SE, Springer AE (2006) Level 2 springs inventory of the Escalante River headwaters area, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Cooperative agreement no. JSA041002, Bureau of Land Management, Lakewood
Zurück zum Zitat Richter BD, Postel S, Revenga C, Scudder T, Lehner B, Churchill A, Chow M (2010) Lost in development’s shadow: the downstream human consequences of dams. Water Alternat 3(2):14–42 Richter BD, Postel S, Revenga C, Scudder T, Lehner B, Churchill A, Chow M (2010) Lost in development’s shadow: the downstream human consequences of dams. Water Alternat 3(2):14–42
Zurück zum Zitat Sanford WE, Nelms DL, Pope JP, Selnick DL (2011) Quantifying components of the hydrologic cycle in Virginia using chemical hydrograph separation and multiple regression analysis. US Geol Surv Sci Invest Rep, pp 78 Sanford WE, Nelms DL, Pope JP, Selnick DL (2011) Quantifying components of the hydrologic cycle in Virginia using chemical hydrograph separation and multiple regression analysis. US Geol Surv Sci Invest Rep, pp 78
Zurück zum Zitat Sinclair DA (2018) Springs geomorphology influences on physical and vegetation ecosystem characteristics, Grand Canyon ecoregion, USA. MSc Thesis, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff Sinclair DA (2018) Springs geomorphology influences on physical and vegetation ecosystem characteristics, Grand Canyon ecoregion, USA. MSc Thesis, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff
Zurück zum Zitat Stevens LE, Meretsky VJ (2008) Aridland Springs in North America: ecology and conservation. University of Arizona, Tucson, 432 pp Stevens LE, Meretsky VJ (2008) Aridland Springs in North America: ecology and conservation. University of Arizona, Tucson, 432 pp
Zurück zum Zitat Stevens LE, Springer AE, Ledbetter JD (2016) Springs ecosystem inventory protocols. Springs Stewardship Institute, Museum of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff Stevens LE, Springer AE, Ledbetter JD (2016) Springs ecosystem inventory protocols. Springs Stewardship Institute, Museum of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff
Zurück zum Zitat USBR (2012) Colorado River basin water supply and demand study. Study report, US Bureau of Reclamation, Washington, DC, pp 95 USBR (2012) Colorado River basin water supply and demand study. Study report, US Bureau of Reclamation, Washington, DC, pp 95
Zurück zum Zitat Wahl KL, Wahl TL (1988) Effects of regional groundwater declines on streamflows in the Oklahoma panhandle. In: Proceedings of symposium on water-use data for water resource management. Am. Water Resour. Assoc., Tucson, pp 239–249 Wahl KL, Wahl TL (1988) Effects of regional groundwater declines on streamflows in the Oklahoma panhandle. In: Proceedings of symposium on water-use data for water resource management. Am. Water Resour. Assoc., Tucson, pp 239–249
Zurück zum Zitat Williams MW, Brown AD, Melack JM (1993) Geochemical and hydrologic controls on the composition of surface water in a high-elevation basin, Sierra Nevada, California. Limnol Oceanogr 38(4):775–797CrossRef Williams MW, Brown AD, Melack JM (1993) Geochemical and hydrologic controls on the composition of surface water in a high-elevation basin, Sierra Nevada, California. Limnol Oceanogr 38(4):775–797CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Wood AJ, Springer AE, Tobin BW (2020) Using springs to evaluate karst-siliciclastic aquifers: Kaibab Plateau, Grand Canyon. Environ Eng Geosci 26(3):367–381CrossRef Wood AJ, Springer AE, Tobin BW (2020) Using springs to evaluate karst-siliciclastic aquifers: Kaibab Plateau, Grand Canyon. Environ Eng Geosci 26(3):367–381CrossRef
Metadaten
Titel
Quantifying the base flow of the Colorado River: its importance in sustaining perennial flow in northern Arizona and southern Utah (USA)
verfasst von
Riley K. Swanson
Abraham E. Springer
David K. Kreamer
Benjamin W. Tobin
Denielle M. Perry
Publikationsdatum
16.11.2020
Verlag
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Erschienen in
Hydrogeology Journal / Ausgabe 2/2021
Print ISSN: 1431-2174
Elektronische ISSN: 1435-0157
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-020-02260-5

Weitere Artikel der Ausgabe 2/2021

Hydrogeology Journal 2/2021 Zur Ausgabe