Water yield, annual peaks and exposure in mountainous terrain

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

In steep, mountainous terrain of the western United States, where summer rains are negligible and annual runoff is primarily dependent on melting snow, the runoff distribution is such that a high energy recipient (HE) watershed generally yields more water per unit area than a low energy recipient (LE) watershed except during the latter's flood peak period, at which time the ratio of yields is reversed. HE watersheds peak sooner than their corresponding LE watersheds, but also vary more in their peaking date. The ratio of maximum peak flows may be greater or less than 1.0 depending on environmental circumstances.