The geometric, sedimentologic and hydrologic attributes of spring-dominated channels in volcanic areas

In volcanic areas of Idaho, Oregon and Montana, a number of perennial streams emerge from single springs or zones of springs. Surface drainage areas to these springs can be very small, often much smaller than the recharge area of the springs. Channels downstream of springs are often straight, or if sinuous, without regularity to the pattern. Bars are absent or poorly defined, but islands or downed timber are common in the channel. Channel width-to-depth ratios are large relative to those of runoff-dominated channels. Downstream hydraulic geometry exponents are similar, but the exponents for width and velocity are greater in spring-dominated channels. Manning roughness values are relatively large. The bedsurface in gravel-bed spring-dominated streams is armored. Computations indicate that bed material is probably capable of moving at bankfull stage. drograph of spring-dominated streams is damped as compared to runoff-dominated streams locally and elsewhere. Peak flows occur months after precipitation or snowmelt. Mean annual flow for spring-dominated streams averages 72% of the flood with a recurrence interval of 2 years; the mean annual flow for runoff-dominated channels averages 18% locally and 25% elsewhere. The 50-year flood averages 1.6 times the 2-year flood on the annual series while the corresponding value for runoff-dominated channels in the region is 2.5. The damped hydrograph of spring-dominated streams suggests that they are somewhat different from runoff-dominated channels in the relationship between water and sediment. In spring-dominated channels, 34% of sediment is transported by flows above the 2-year flood—less than is observed typically in runoff-dominated channels. The effective discharge is similar in magnitude to the 2-year flood.