EXPLORING NEAR STREAM GROUNDWATER MEASUREMENTS IN A HEADWATER STREAM CATCHMENT

Studying streamflow generation in headwater catchments is essential to understanding processes that affect the water quality of larger water bodies downstream. In order to investigate spatial variation in streamflow generation, near stream groundwater measurements were taken in a headwater catchment at the Western Carolina Hydrologic Research Station (WCHRS). WCHRS is an experimental catchment in western NC, supported by Western Carolina University. Seven wells were installed and equipped with Odyssey Capacitance Water Level Recorders, which monitored water table depths in ten-minute intervals for a span of eight months. The data recorded showed differences in water table dynamics that may be attributed to evapotranspiration, landscape characteristics, or a combination of both at the well locations. There is a daily fluctuation in some of the wells, which may be attributed to evapotranspiration. Additionally, there are differences in the magnitude of response to precipitation, potentially indicating greater contribution from the hillslope and/or gaining and losing areas. Furthermore, water tables were relatively inactive in wells with close proximity (< 3 meters) of the stream, which may contrast with classic descriptions of runoff generation mechanisms. Wells further from the stream, however had much more dynamic water table functions. Significant changes in water table depths have been observed in hillslope wells father away from the stream. This investigation may provide insight into controls on spatial variations in runoff generation in headwater catchments.