Journal article
Estimation of tile drainage contribution to streamflow and nutrient loads at the watershed scale based on continuously monitored data
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT, Vol.189(9), 426
2017
DOI: 10.1007/s10661-017-6139-4
Abstract
Nitrogen losses from artificially drained watersheds degrade water quality at local and regional scales. In this study, we used an end-member mixing analysis (EMMA) together with high temporal resolution water quality and streamflow data collected in the 122 km(2) Otter Creek watershed located in northeast Iowa. We estimated the contribution of three end-members (groundwater, tile drainage, and quick flow) to streamflow and nitrogen loads and tested several combinations of possible nitrate concentrations for the end-members. Results indicated that subsurface tile drainage is responsible for at least 50% of the watershed nitrogen load between April 15 and November 1, 2015. Tiles delivered up to 80% of the stream N load while providing only 15-43% of the streamflow, whereas quick flows only marginally contributed to N loading. Data collected offer guidance about areas of the watershed that should be targeted for nitrogen export mitigation strategies.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Estimation of tile drainage contribution to streamflow and nutrient loads at the watershed scale based on continuously monitored data
- Creators
- A A Amado - University of IowaK E Schilling - University of IowaC S Jones - University of IowaN Thomas - University of IowaL J Weber - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT, Vol.189(9), 426
- DOI
- 10.1007/s10661-017-6139-4
- ISSN
- 1573-2959
- Grant note
- DOI: 10.13039/100000199, name: USDA, award: 69-6114-15-011
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 2017
- Academic Unit
- Earth and Environmental Sciences; IIHR--Hydroscience and Engineering; Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Record Identifier
- 9984231889002771
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