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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Southeast Watershed Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #182872
Title: HYDROLOGIC AND CLIMATIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LITTLE RIVER EXPERIMENTAL WATERSHED

Author
item Bosch, David - Dave
item Sheridan, Joseph
item Lowrance, Robert
item Strickland, Timothy - Tim

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/28/2005
Publication Date: 6/28/2005
Citation: Bosch, D.D., Sheridan, J.M., Lowrance, R.R., Strickland, T.C. 2005. Hydrologic and climatic characteristics of the little river experimental watershed [abstract]. Suwaneee River Basin and Estuary Initiative: Second Annual Integrated Science Workshop, June 28-29, 2005, Folkston, Georgia, CDROM.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The USDA-ARS, Southeast Watershed Research Laboratory (SEWRL) in Tifton, Georgia has collected over 30 years of hydrologic and climatic data from the 334 km2 Little River Watershed (LRW) at the headwaters of the Suwannee River Basin. The SEWRL collects hydrologic and water quality data representative of the Gulf-Atlantic Coastal Plain region of the southeastern United States. The LRW is typical of the heavily vegetated, slow-moving stream systems in the region. Hydrologic data are available from up to eight watersheds ranging in area from 2.6 to 334 km2. Precipitation data indicate the watershed receives approximately 1220 mm of rainfall each year. LRW long term hydrologic budgets have established that approximately 30% of the watershed precipitation leaves as streamflow. This includes both surface runoff and shallow groundwater flow which contributes to streamflow. Field studies indicate the surface runoff component varies from 7 to 20% of precipitation while shallow return flow varies from 3% to 22%. Flow distribution curves and basic statistical characterizations of extreme events on the watersheds have been determined. Generalizations relating watershed yield to watershed drainage area along with expressions relating annual streamflow to annual precipitation illustrate differences between this region and other areas of the U.S.