The primary objectives of this study were to address how stream temperature is influenced by (1) spatial variability in energy exchanges, (2) reach-scale stream-subsurface water interactions and (3) the net radiation dynamics associated with standing dead riparian vegetation. Stream temperature, riparian microclimate, and hydrology were characterized for a 1.5 km reach of Fishtrap Creek, located north of Kamloops, British Columbia. Within-reach air temperature and humidity variability was small, while wind speed, net radiation and surface-subsurface interactions exhibited considerable spatially variability. The field data were used to drive a deterministic energy budget model to predict stream temperature. The model was evaluated against measured stream temperature and performed well. The model indicated that the spatially complex hydrology was a significant control on the observed stream temperature patterns. A modelling exercise using three canopy cover scenarios revealed that post-disturbance standing dead trees reduce daytime net radiation reaching the stream surface by one third compared to complete vegetation removal. However, standing dead trees doubled daytime net radiation reaching the stream compared to pre-wildfire conditions. The results of this study have highlighted the need to account for the spatial variability of energy exchange processes, specifically net radiation and surface-subsurface water interactions, when understanding and predicting stream thermal regimes.

The primary objectives of this study were to address how stream temperature is influenced by (1) spatial variability in energy exchanges, (2) reach-scale stream-subsurface water interactions and (3) the net radiation dynamics associated with standing dead riparian vegetation. Stream temperature, riparian microclimate, and hydrology were characterized for a 1.5 km reach of Fishtrap Creek, located north of Kamloops, British Columbia. Within-reach air temperature and humidity variability was small, while wind speed, net radiation and surface-subsurface interactions exhibited considerable spatially variability. The field data were used to drive a deterministic energy budget model to predict stream temperature. The model was evaluated against measured stream temperature and performed well. The model indicated that the spatially complex hydrology was a significant control on the observed stream temperature patterns. A modelling exercise using three canopy cover scenarios revealed that post-disturbance standing dead trees reduce daytime net radiation reaching the stream surface by one third compared to complete vegetation removal. However, standing dead trees doubled daytime net radiation reaching the stream compared to pre-wildfire conditions. The results of this study have highlighted the need to account for the spatial variability of energy exchange processes, specifically net radiation and surface-subsurface water interactions, when understanding and predicting stream thermal regimes.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2008. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 36-41). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wyoming, 2006. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on April 15, 2008). Includes bibliographical references.

Honors Project--Smith College, Northampton, Mass., 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 45-48).

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2007. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 60-63). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Nevada, Reno, 2006. / "December, 2006." Includes bibliographical references. Online version available on the World Wide Web.

Ecologically, the hyporheic zone (HZ) performs numerous roles within stream ecosystems (e.g. habitat, refugia from floods and droughts, nutrient cycling, pollution attenuation) with the dominant control on these various roles sediment composition. Recently, the body of literature on the role of sediment in the HZ has grown, though these studies rarely extend beyond the reach scale with little regional scale research undertaken in England and Wales. In this thesis, meio- and macrofaunal hyporheic assemblages at two depths (20cm and 50cm) across four geological regions (chalk – fine sediment, sandstone - fine to medium sediment and limestone – coarse sediment) two seasons (summer (n = 396) and winter (n = 192)) are described. The influence of recent glaciations (Devensian) on the distribution of stygobite fauna (summer (n = 192) and winter (n = 98)) is also considered. A reach scale experimental manipulation of sediment composition in the HZ of a highly dynamic, species rich and diverse study site (limestone) was also undertaken. I found the influence of glaciation on stygobite fauna still apparent in the two limestone areas with macrofaunal sized stygobite species rare or absent in both limestone areas. Meiofaunal sized stygobite fauna Antrobathynella stammeri (Crustacea: Syncarida) were recorded from the glaciated limestone site. These results suggest large stygobite fauna are rare or absent in the limestone areas of Northern England with meiofaunal stygobites possibly surviving in sub-glacial refugia. Stygobite fauna were abundant in southern England with alternative migratory routes north discussed (e.g. River Severn catchment and chalk aquifers). Geological regions had characteristic fauna with species richness and abundance of meio- and macrofauna high in the HZ of both limestone areas. Conversely, species richness and abundance was low in the chalk and sandstone HZ. The chalk HZ had a high abundance of macrofaunal sized Crustacea (Gammarus pulex) and low abundance of meiofaunal sized Crustacea (Copepoda). This suggested mechanical properties (burrowing) rather than morphology (body size and shape) was important in fine sediments, whereas in the limestone HZ morphology rather than mechanical properties was important. In the experimental study results were more intuitive with meiofauna abundant across all sediment treatments (fine, mixed, coarse and natural) with macrofauna abundant in sediment treatments containing a high proportion of coarse material. These results suggest Copepoda assume a greater role in ecological processes in fine sediment patches within a dynamic HZ, whereas when fine sediment dominates a system (e.g. chalk HZ) then the role of Copepoda is reduced. One implication could be the use of Copepoda as indicators of colmation and hydrologic exchange in the assessment of ecosystem health and give an indication of the refugial capacity of the HZ from projected high and low flow events in light of UK climate change forecasts.

The primary objectives of this study were to address how stream temperature is influenced by (1) spatial variability in energy exchanges, (2) reach-scale stream-subsurface water interactions and (3) the net radiation dynamics associated with standing dead riparian vegetation. Stream temperature, riparian microclimate, and hydrology were characterized for a 1.5 km reach of Fishtrap Creek, located north of Kamloops, British Columbia. Within-reach air temperature and humidity variability was small, while wind speed, net radiation and surface-subsurface interactions exhibited considerable spatially variability. The field data were used to drive a deterministic energy budget model to predict stream temperature. The model was evaluated against measured stream temperature and performed well. The model indicated that the spatially complex hydrology was a significant control on the observed stream temperature patterns. A modelling exercise using three canopy cover scenarios revealed that post-disturbance standing dead trees reduce daytime net radiation reaching the stream surface by one third compared to complete vegetation removal. However, standing dead trees doubled daytime net radiation reaching the stream compared to pre-wildfire conditions. The results of this study have highlighted the need to account for the spatial variability of energy exchange processes, specifically net radiation and surface-subsurface water interactions, when understanding and predicting stream thermal regimes. / Arts, Faculty of / Geography, Department of / Graduate

Hydropower regulation of rivers exhibits a threat to the riverine ecosystems. Fragmentation of flow, landscape disturbances, and water retention are key features of regulated catchments, resulting in reduced floods and geochemical tr¬ansport, non-natural water level fluctuations, and thus disturbed exchange between the river and the aquifer. Storing of water in reservoirs reduces peak flow and turbidity, which increases particle settling and sometimes favours enhanced primary production and formation of a clogging layer. This in turn alters the interaction between surface water and groundwater, with potential secondary effects on the entire watershed. In Scandinavia, only eight large rivers (16%) remain entirely unregulated. The Lule River, the primary focus of this study, belongs to the most regulated rivers of Eurasia with a degree of regulation (i.e. the volume of water that can be stored in the reservoirs and used for regulation) of 72%, and is exposed to both seasonal and short-time regulation.Using hydrogeochemical analysis of two adjacent boreal rivers (pristine Kalix and regulated Lule River) discharging into the Gulf of Bothnia, the effects of regulation on river geochemistry were investigated. For the Lule River, the average maximum runoff was almost halved while the average minimum runoff was tripled as a result of the regulation. The winter transport fraction of total organic carbon, Fe, Si, suspended Mn and P in the Lule River was at least two to three times higher than in the pristine river. During summer, the suspended C/N ratio in the regulated river was 10-20, compared to <10 for the pristine river, suggesting a presence of predominantly decaying organic material due to longer residence times for the regulated river. This was supported by a virtually constant suspended P/Fe ratio throughout the year in the Lule River, indicating low abundance of phytoplankton. Hence, a pronounced impact on the ecosystem of the river, the hyporheic/riparian zone, and the Gulf of Bothnia is expected.In spite of vast anthropogenic pressure on riverine ecosystems, the knowledge regarding the hyporheic zone (the interface between rivers and aquifers where exchange between surface water and groundwater occurs) is limited for regulated rivers. Therefore, this study was extended to also cover the hyporheic exchange along the Lule River. Temporal changes in hyporheic fluxes across the river channel (rates and directions) were determined using seepage measurements and continuous observations of water stages, temperatures, and electrical conductivity for both the river and the groundwater. While the river water level changed frequently (typically twice a day with up to ± 0.5 m), the river remained gaining 90% of the time, and the largest number of observed changes in flow direction (observed at 5 m orthogonal distance from the river) was six times per week. Flow velocities ≤10-4 m d-1 ( zero flow) constituted 1.5% of the total observation time.Although no changes in water temperature were observed for the hyporheic zone, effects of river level variations were detected up to 5 m inland, where electrical conductivity occasionally decreased to surface water levels indicating infiltration of river water into the aquifer (negative fluxes). River discharge regulation may therefore have severe implications on biogeochemical processes and deteriorate the hydroecological functions of the hyporheic zone.