Subsurface permeability contrasts control shallow groundwater flow dynamics in the critical zone of a glaciated, headwater catchment

Abstract

Groundwater flow direction within the critical zone of headwater catchments is often assumed to mimic land surface topographic gradients. However, groundwater hydraulic gradients are also influenced by subsurface permeability contrasts, which can result in variability in flow direction and magnitude. In this study, we investi-