Role of Interbasin Groundwater Flow on Streamflow Processes and Landscape Evolution - Dr. Frisbee's Groundwater/Surface Water Interactions Group - Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences - Purdue University Skip to main content

Role of Interbasin Groundwater Flow on Streamline Processes and Landscape Evolution

Rheology Studies

In general, groundwater flowpaths are often hidden from direct observation.  Therefore, we must quantify groundwater/surface-water interactions using environmental tracers, geochemical tracers, and/or heat as tracer.  Interbasin groundwater flow (flow between basins or watersheds) poses additional challenges.  It is difficult to determine when and where interbasin groundwater flow occurs, and the magnitude of those exchanges.  In addition, recent research indicates that interbasin groundwater flow may play a significant role in landscape evolution where it occurs (Frisbee et al., 2016, GRL).  In this research, we address the following questions: What aquifer properties are required for interbasin groundwater flow to occur?  What role does it play in the watershed response to perturbations?  What role does it play in landscape evolution?  We have built a fully 3D geological model of the study watersheds in northern New Mexico and are currently building fully coupled, fully 3D hydrogeologic models to address these questions.