Abstract

The periodicity of a river expressed in cycles of various lengths (monthly, seasonal, multiannual) is a result of climatic factors and overlapping environmental conditions within its catchment. In uncontrolled or poorly surveyed catchments, it is very difficult to determine the duration of a stream’s hydrological activity. This is especially relevant for catchments with complicated water circulation in karstic rocks. The present study concerns the small catchment of the Strążyski Potok river located in the area of the Tatra National Park, in the Western Tatras. The observation period covered the 2015 hydrological year, which differed hydrologically from average conditions. This study aims to develop a simple method to explain the processes shaping the mountain stream discharge periodicity. The research employed periodic field observations linked with climatic and non-climatic factors. Environmental conditions were assessed as four classes reflecting their influence on appearance or disappearance of mountain stream water. Class boundaries were the values of quartiles. The degree of correspondence between environmental factors and stream field observations was described via the Index DC (Degree Correspondence Index) approach. Complete correspondence (Index DC =0) was found in 23% catchments, a weak relationship between conditions favouring discharge and actual condition (Index DC= -1, +1) was noted within 11 catchments, while in 9 catchments, no such relationship was found (Index DC = -2, +2). The obtained results indicate a correspondence or lack thereof between the environmental potential of the catchment and its discharge periodicity. The discrepancies between the assessment of the influence of climatic and non-climatic factors and the data collected during field observations provide a basis for more detailed studies. Continuation of these studies based on the proposed classifications will allow for a more complete explanation of water disappearance in river channels and the determination of their short- and long-term discharge periodicity.

Highlights

  • The discharge periodicity of rivers is affected by a number of factors

  • The periodicity of a river expressed in cycles of various lengths is a result of climatic factors and overlapping environmental conditions within its catchment

  • This study aims to develop a simple method to explain the processes shaping the mountain stream discharge periodicity

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Summary

Introduction

The discharge periodicity of rivers is affected by a number of factors. Meteorological droughts recorded in recent years have brought about a change in the character of streams from perennial - to intermittent, or even episodic (Spinoni et al 2015; Dorney and Russell 2018; Sauquet et al 2020; Shanafield et al 2021). This concerns areas of the Temperate Zone that are have been formerly subject to melioration works and high withdrawal of groundwaters and surface waters for economic purposes, as well as areas that have experienced transformations of spatial management

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