JACKSON HOLE, WYO – Intermittent streams—those that occasionally are dry—make up as much as half of all streams worldwide; about one-third of US households rely on these types of streams for at least part of their water supply.
If intermittent streams are so common and so important, it might be a surprise to learn that scientists cannot accurately predict when and where streams will be dry.
Sarah Godsey of Idaho State University, will stop by in Jackson to present a talk on intermittent streams. She will explore what we know about stream drying, why our predictions about stream drying are wrong almost half the time, and what we’re doing to improve those predictions.
The discussion will also review the Clean Water Rule and the proposed definitions of ‘jurisdictional waters’ (and why that matters). What is the science behind those definitions—including lateral, longitudinal, and vertical connections between surface waters and groundwater?
New observations from the past several years, including a case study from the Intermountain West, have helped delineate how connections between the hillslope, riparian zone, and the stream itself affect stream drying.
Godsey will also examine how subsurface hydraulic properties control surface flows, using arrays of real-time water quality and geophysical measurements to trace water as it flows into and out of the banks and stream beds. Finally, the discussion will explore how interactions between subsurface characteristics and plants control daily expansion and contraction of the stream network.
Geologists of Jackson Hole present Sarah Godsey.
Tuesday, February 19, 6 pm, Teton Co. Library Auditorium
