Use of Streamflow Data to Estimate Base Flow/Ground‐Water Recharge For Wisconsin¹

Abstract

The average annual base flow/recharge was determined for streamflow‐gaging stations throughout Wisconsin by base‐flow separation. A map of the State was prepared that shows the average annual base flow for the period 1970‐99 for watersheds at 118 gaging stations. Trend analysis was performed on 22 of the 118 streamflow‐gaging stations that had long‐term records, unregulated flow, and provided aerial coverage of the State. The analysis found that a statistically significant increasing trend was occurring for watersheds where the primary land use was agriculture. Most gaging stations where the land cover was forest had no significant trend. A method to estimate the average annual base flow at ungaged sites was developed by multiple‐regression analysis using basin characteristics. The equation with the lowest standard error of estimate, 9.5%, has drainage area, soil infiltration and base flow factor as independent variables. To determine the average annual base flow for smaller watersheds, estimates were made at low‐flow partial‐record stations in 3 of the 12 major river basins in Wisconsin. Regression equations were developed for each of the three major river basins using basin characteristics. Drainage area, soil infiltration, basin storage and base‐flow factor were the independent variables in the regression equations with the lowest standard error of estimate. The standard error of estimate ranged from 17% to 52% for the three river basins.

Spatial distribution of groundwater recharge and base flow: Assessment of controlling factors

“…Statistical regression techniques are commonly employed in hydrologic studies for multiple purposes (Helsel and Hirsch, 2002), as e.g., estimation of recharge and/or base flow on basis of watershed characteristics (Holtschlag, 1997;Flynn and Tasker, 2004;Mazvimavi et al, 2005;Delin et al, 2007;Gebert et al, 2007;Longobardi and Villani, 2008;Zhang et al, 2013). However, when the independent variables are correlated with each other, the regression approach can face serious difficulties (Rajab et al, 2012;McAdams et al, 2000).…”

Estimation of annual baseflow at ungauged sites in Indiana USA

“…Neff et al (2005) also used regression analysis and observed spatial and geographic trends in baseflow within the Great Lakes region, suggesting that attention must be given to watershed specific properties when characterizing baseflow at different locations (Stuckey, 2006;Delin et al, 2007;Santhi et al, 2008). Baseflow is naturally influenced by a variety of watershed characteristics (Mazvimavi et al, 2005;Stuckey, 2006;Delin et al, 2007;Gebert et al, 2007;Santhi et al, 2008;Bloomfield et al, 2009;Zhu and Day, 2009). Examples of baseflow-related watershed characteristics, as well as methods used and study locations reported by previous studies are shown in Table 1.…”

“…Baseflow or dry-weather flow refers to the portion of streamflow generated from groundwater and delayed shallow subsurface flow into the stream channel (Cherkauer and Ansari, 2005;Gebert et al, 2007;Santhi et al, 2008). Groundwater and surface water interact with each other such that changes in the amount or quality of one will generally affect the other (Sophocleous, 2002).…”

“…Estimation of baseflow using regression analysis is a process for transferring hydrologic information from gauged to ungauged watersheds (Gebert et al, 2007). Baseflow estimation at various spatial scales has previously attracted researchers in different parts of the world (Nathan and McMahon, 1990;Haberlandt et al, 2001;Mazvimavi et al, 2005;Longobardi and Villani, 2008;Santhi et al, 2008).…”

An at-grade stabilization structure impact on runoff and suspended sediment

“…The USGS-WWSC groundwater seepage and recharge analysis reported that only 50% of the expected baseflow was discharged at the NW gaging site, and less than 25% at the SW site (Todd Stuntebeck, personal communication, February 2010). This is based on a 20.32 cm (8 in) average annual baseflow recharge for watersheds located in Buffalo County, Wisconsin (Gebert et al 2007). Seepage runs conducted downstream of the gaging stations resulted in baseflow recharge depths closer to 20.32 cm (8 in).…”