A COMPARATIVE HYDROLOGIC ANALYSIS OF SURFACE MINED AND FORESTED WATERSHEDS IN WESTERN MARYLAND

Abstract

This thesis presents the results of a hydrologic analysis conducted as part of a larger, multi-faceted, collaborative effort to study ecosystem function of a watershed subjected to surface mining and reclamation in the Appalachian Region of the United States. The primary goal of this study was to determine whether a small watershed subjected to surface mine reclamation practices (MAT 1) displayed a stormflow response to rain events that was different from those displayed by a young second-growth forested watershed (NEFl). A secondary goal was to investigate whether intensive surface mining in the Georges Creek basin has altered stormflow response at a larger river basin scale when compared to a similar, but predominantly forested basin (Savage River). At the small watersheds, MATl produced greater a) runoff coefficients (2.5x); b) total runoff (3x); and c) peak runoff rates (2x) compared to NEFl. Total rainfall explained 63% of the variation in total runoff at MAT I compared to only 21 % of the variation in total runoff at NEF I. Regardless of a recent 13% increase in surface mine reclamation in the Georges Creek basin, little difference in stormflow response was observed for 15 storms analyzed across the two larger basins. Georges Creek on average responded 3 hr more quickly than Savage River, However the hydrological response characteristics of the two basins were similar. In addition, hydrological response characteristics for Georges Creek and Savage River remained relatively stable over time. Further research is needed to address inabilities to scale responses observed at the small watersheds.