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Quantifying land use influences on event-based flow frequency, timing, magnitude, and rate of change in an urbanizing watershed of the central USA

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Abstract

There is a need for research that advances understanding of flow alterations in contemporary watersheds where natural and anthropogenic interactions can confound mitigation efforts. Event-based flow frequency, timing, magnitude, and rate of change were quantified at five-site nested gauging sites in a representative mixed-land-use watershed of the central USA. Statistically independent storms were paired by site (n = 111 × 5 sites) to test for significant differences in event-based rainfall and flow response variables (n = 17) between gauging sites. Increased frequency of small peak flow events (i.e., 64 more events less than 4.0 m3 s−1) was observed at the rural–urban interface of the watershed. Differences in flow response were apparent during drier periods when small rainfall events resulted in increased flow response at urban sites in the lower reaches. Relationships between rainfall and peak flow were stronger with decreased pasture/crop land use and increased urban land use by approximately 20%. Event-based total rainfall explained 40–68% of the variance in peak flow (p < 0.001). Coefficients of determination (r2) were negatively correlated with pasture/crop land use (r2 = 0.92; p = 0.007; n = 5) and positively correlated with urban land use (r2 = 0.90; p = 0.008; n = 5). Significant differences in flow metrics were observed between rural and urban sites (p < 0.05; n = 111) that were not explained by differences in rainfall variables and drainage area. An urban influence on flow timing was observed using median time lag to peak centroid and time of maximum precipitation to peak flow. Results highlight the need to establish manageable flow targets in rapidly urbanizing mixed-land-use watersheds.

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Acknowledgements

Funding was provided by the Missouri Department of Conservation and the US Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (P.N: G08-NPS-17) under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. Additional funding was provided through joint agreement of the University of Missouri, the City of Columbia, and Boone County Public works and partners of the Hinkson Creek Collaborative Adaptive Management (CAM) program. Results presented may not reflect the views of the sponsors, and no official endorsement should be inferred. Special thanks are due to many scientists of the Interdisciplinary Hydrology Laboratory (www.forh2o.net).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Water Resources Program, Department of Forestry, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, 203-T ABNR Building, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA

    Sean J. Zeiger

  2. Institute of Water Security and Science, West Virginia University, 4121 Agricultural Sciences Building, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA

    Jason A. Hubbart

  3. Davis College, Schools of Agriculture and Food, and Natural Resources, West Virginia University, 4121 Agricultural Sciences Building, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA

    Jason A. Hubbart

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Zeiger, S.J., Hubbart, J.A. Quantifying land use influences on event-based flow frequency, timing, magnitude, and rate of change in an urbanizing watershed of the central USA. Environ Earth Sci 77, 107 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-018-7312-y

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