Stream restoration effects on storage and baseflow generation
Ninemile Creek, Montana
Christine Brissette Trout Unlimited
K. G. Jencso, W.P. Gardner University of Montana Restoration Goals
Habitat Bank Stabilization
Nutrient Reduction Natural Storage Natural Storage
Modified from: Herbst Lab, Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Lab, UC Santa Barbara Hydrologic Exchange & • Nested scales of Storage exchange • Form Function • Long flowpaths = Storage How can Restored Degraded restoration Subsurface flow a) paths promote storage? Hyporheic Zone 1 . Induce longer flowpaths b) 2. Extend interactive hyporheic zone
c) 3. Prolong bank storage period High Flow
Base Flow 4. Raise water table Restored
Missoula Ninemile Creek Watershed
Degraded Restored
Degraded
Project Area ~25 cfs
~5 cfs
How do you measure storage? Aquifer Drainage or Storage? Lateral hydraulic gradients
Storage
Aquifer discharge Results: Lateral hydraulic gradients Discharge
Storage/Underflow How much water is being stored or drained?
Net Change in Discharge
Net Δ Q= Qdownstream- QUpstream
Q Upstream Net Gain 100 liters /sec +20 liters /sec
Qdownstream 120 liters /sec Aquifer Discharge
Aquifer Storage
Brissette et al. 2017 In review How much groundwater is entering the stream? Radon-222 modeling
Cook et al. 2006 0.5 cfs/mile restored ~1 acre ft/day/mile restored
Brissette et al. 2017 In review Summary
a) Restored Degraded Subsurface • Increased flow paths Hyporheic underflow/storage Zone • b) Longer duration of storage
• More gradual decline in GW discharge
• Higher volumetric c) gains/groundwater discharge at base flow High Flow
Base Flow Transferring results:
Climate & Basin characteristics
Is natural storage enough?
University of Montana Kelsey Jencso & Jencso Watershed Hydrology lab Thank you W. Payton Gardner Lisa Eby H. Maurice Valett
Paul Parson, Trout Unlimited Funding - IoE - University Grant Program - Montana Water Center
Data Acquisition/Field Help - Fire Center - Patrick Hurley - Cat Wiechmann - Kevin Hyde - Liangheng Lin