Abstract
Snowmelt recharge to shallow (less than 25 m) groundwater systems is the primary source of streamflow in many mountainous watersheds, but characteristics of these systems are not well understood. Response time between snowmelt, piezometers and streamflow in the Upper Sheep Creek Watershed within the Reynolds Creek Experimental Watershed differs drastically from year to year depending on the extent of recharge from snowmelt. This is believed to be caused by groundwater flow becoming confined during years with normal or above normal snowmelt recharge. A two-dimensional, variably saturated, groundwater model was applied to 3 years of data to validate the computer model and to test the conceptual model of the basin. Groundwater response measured in piezometers was simulated quite accurately when a confining layer (observed in drilling logs) was included, but not when the confining layer was omitted. Simulation results give credence to the variably saturated groundwater model, support the conceptual model of the basin, and improve our understanding of the shallow groundwater system in this mountainous watershed.
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