Current Research
Headwater stream drying in future climate
Manitou Experimental Forest, COPhysical watershed metrics such as slope and streambed hydraulic conductivity serve as good predictors of a stable groundwater-surface water connection. We hypothesize that stream drying is more probable in future climate scenarios where slopes are steep and hydraulic conductivity is high.
Water-rock interactions drive chemostasis
Manitou Experimental Forest, COChemostasis, as observed by concentration-discharge patterns, is driven by the unique geochemical reactions that shape groundwater and stream geochemistry where streams are supported by old groundwater. At Manitou, these reactions include bedrock dissolution and clay precipitation, followed by cation exchange.
Long-term CONUS C-Q Patterns
Watersheds throughout the USResearch Questions:
Where have stream chemistry and discharge patterns changed the most over the last 30-years?
What watershed and climatic metrics cause significant change?
Past Research
What drives spatial and temporal stream
drying patterns?
Reynolds Creek Critical Zone Observatory, IDGroundwater inputs dictate where streamflow persists and are influenced by watershed topography. While spatial patterns are driven by watershed structure, the exact timing of stream drying is driven by balance between groundwater inputs and evapotranspiration outputs.
Groundwater geochemistry and flow in the
Spring Mountains, NV
Spring Mountains, NV & Death Valley, CAStrontium isotopes show that thrust faults serve as mixing zones and ultimately impact the geochemistry of water that recharges the Death Valley regional groundwater flow system.
