Quantifying the Complex Hydrologic Response of a Desert Ephemeral Wash
Abstract
The objective of this research is to increase current understanding of drylands hydrology by quantifying the hydrologic response of two geomorphic surfaces in an ephemeral wash to seasonal precipitation inputs. Specifically, the aim is to understand how water is partitioned in space and time across these geomorphic surfaces, and the associated soil and vegetative response to seasonal precipitation. The physiogeographic region of study is Yuma Wash, a hyperarid watershed located in the Lower Colorado River Valley region of the Sonoran desert in the southwestern United States. Yuma Wash drains an area of approximately 186 km2 and is politically bound within the United States Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG), the primary Department of Defense (DoD) desert environmental test center, which spans approximately 3390 km2 of the Sonoran Desert. The approach was field-based, using state of the science instrumentation to quantify several hydrologic components over a four year period, the details of which are outlined below.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 19, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA544641
Entities
People
- Jorge A. Ramirez
- Susan Howe
Organizations
- Colorado State University