INTERMITTENT AND EPHEMERAL STREAM DYNAMICS

Intermittent and ephemeral streams (IRES) refer to streams that experience periods of dry conditions or only have flowing water directly after precipitation events. IRES make up approximately 81% of stream lengths in the southwestern U.S. Globally, they are forecasted to become more prevalent due to climate change and increased human extraction of water resources. Thus it is critical that we understand what drives and sustains streamflow. The active stream network expands, contracts, connects and disconnects with downstream reaches and outlets within these systems. These shifting spatial patterns of surface water have a significant impact on the movement of sediment, solutes, pollutants, other materials, and habitat. My research aims to understand water storage and release in IRES streams in coastal California through detailed topographic analysis and mapping of the flowing stream network throughout the rainy season.