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 .