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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Southeast Watershed Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #191522
Title: LONG TERM HYDROLOGIC TRENDS ON THE LITTLE RIVER EXPERIMENTAL WATERSHED

Author
item Bosch, David - Dave
item Sheridan, Joseph

Submitted to: Interagency Conference on Research in the Watersheds
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/13/2006
Publication Date: 5/18/2006
Citation: Bosch, D.D., Sheridan, J.M. 2006. Long term hydrologic trends on the little river experimental watershed [abstract]. Interagency Conference on Research in the Watersheds.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The USDA-ARS, Southeast Watershed Research Laboratory (SEWRL) in Tifton, Georgia has continuously collected hydrologic and climatic data from the 334 km2 Little River Watershed (LRW) since 1968. The data are representative of conditions throughout the low-gradient regions of the East Gulf Coastal Plain physiographic region of the southeastern United States. The LRW is typical of the heavily vegetated, slow-moving stream systems in the region. Hydrologic and climatic data are available from up to eight watersheds ranging in area from 2.6 to 334 km2. Total stream flow from each of these watersheds was characterized for the 30+ year period of record and compared to climatic patterns. Relationships and trends between the observed precipitation and flow were examined. Long term hydrologic budgets indicate approximately 30% of the watershed precipitation leaves as streamflow. However, annual streamflow is sensitive to precipitation volume and to some degree changes in land-use. Flow distribution curves and basic statistical characterizations of extreme events on the watersheds were determined. Generalizations relating watershed yield to watershed drainage area along with expressions relating annual streamflow to annual precipitation illustrate differences between this region and other areas of the U.S.