Effect of Pond Storage on the Hydrologic and Nutrient Output of a Forested Watershed in Northern Vermont

摘要

A study of the chemical nutrient and hydrologic behavior of a forested pond watershed and adjacent stream watershed was performed between July 1980 and September 1982. The purpose was to determine how pond surface water storage influenced watershed outputs relative to forest-stream ecosystems in which residence time differs significantly. Hydrologic output from the two watersheds was monitored daily by V-notch weirs. Stream water samples were collected weekly along the elevational gradient. Precipitation was measured and rain water was sampled. Water samples were analyzed for pH, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium and alkalinity; nitrate and sulfate were measured occasionally. The pond watershed exhibited a relatively stable and constant discharge of water without the high peak flows and very low flows experienced in the stream watershed.