A distributed analysis of lateral inflows in an Alaskan Arctic watershed underlain by continuous permafrost. Issue 3 (10th November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: King, Tyler V.; Neilson, Bethany T.; Overbeck, Levi D.; Kane, Douglas L.
• Is Part Of: Hydrological processes. Volume 34:Issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: 633
• Page End: 648
• Publication Date: 2019-11-10
• Subjects: Arctic -- hydrology -- lateral inflows -- permafrost -- river -- stream gauging -- uncertainty; Hydrology -- Periodicals; Hydrology -- Research -- Periodicals; Hydrologic models -- Periodicals; Hydrological forecasting -- Periodicals; 631.432
• DOI: 10.1002/hyp.13611
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0885-6087

Abstract

Abstract: Lateral inflows control the spatial distribution of river discharge, and understanding their patterns is fundamental for accurately modelling instream flows and travel time distributions necessary for evaluating impacts of climate change on aquatic habitat suitability, river energy budgets, and fate of dissolved organic carbon. Yet, little is known about the spatial distribution of lateral inflows in Arctic rivers given the lack of gauging stations. With a network of stream gauging and meteorological stations within the Kuparuk River watershed in northern Alaska, we estimated precipitation and lateral inflows for nine subcatchments from 1 July to 4 August, 2013, 2014, and 2015. Total precipitation, lateral inflows, runoff ratios (area‐normalized lateral inflow divided by precipitation), percent contribution to total basin discharge, and lateral inflow per river kilometre were estimated for each watershed for relatively dry, moderate, or wet summers. The results show substantial variability between years and subcatchments. Total basin lateral inflow depths ranged 24‐fold in response to a threefold change in rainfall between dry and wet years, whereas within‐basin lateral inflows varied fivefold from the coastal plain to the foothills. General spatial trends in lateral inflows were consistent with previous studies and mean summer precipitation patterns. However, the spatially distributed nature of these estimates revealed that reaches in the vicinity of a spring‐fed surficial ice feature do not follow general spatial trends and that the coastal plain, which is typically considered to produce minimal runoff, showed potential to contribute to total river discharge. These findings are used to provide a spatially distributed understanding of lateral inflows and identify watershed characteristics that influence hydrologic responses. Abstract : Lateral inflow was estimated for three summers in the Kuparuk River watershed (A), located in a region of continuous permafrost (B), which was divided into nine subcatchments including two tributaries, the Toolik River (TR)and Imnavait Creek (IC)(Aand C). Lateral inflows increased with distance from the ocean and showed strong intrabasin variability in the vicinity of the Kuparuk River aufeis (Dand E). These estimates of lateral inflows can improve hydrologic, habitat, and carbon process modelling.