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Estimation of tile drainage contribution to streamflow and nutrient loads at the watershed scale based on continuously monitored data

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Abstract

Nitrogen losses from artificially drained watersheds degrade water quality at local and regional scales. In this study, we used an end-member mixing analysis (EMMA) together with high temporal resolution water quality and streamflow data collected in the 122 km2 Otter Creek watershed located in northeast Iowa. We estimated the contribution of three end-members (groundwater, tile drainage, and quick flow) to streamflow and nitrogen loads and tested several combinations of possible nitrate concentrations for the end-members. Results indicated that subsurface tile drainage is responsible for at least 50% of the watershed nitrogen load between April 15 and November 1, 2015. Tiles delivered up to 80% of the stream N load while providing only 15–43% of the streamflow, whereas quick flows only marginally contributed to N loading. Data collected offer guidance about areas of the watershed that should be targeted for nitrogen export mitigation strategies.

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Acknowledgements

This work was partially funded by the United States Department of Agriculture under the award number: 69-6114-15-011.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. IIHR—Hydroscience & Engineering, The University of Iowa, 300 South Riverside Dr, Iowa City, IA, 52242–1585, USA

    A. Arenas Amado, K. E. Schilling, C. S. Jones, N. Thomas & L. J. Weber

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  1. A. Arenas Amado
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  3. C. S. Jones
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Correspondence to A. Arenas Amado.

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Arenas Amado, A., Schilling, K.E., Jones, C.S. et al. Estimation of tile drainage contribution to streamflow and nutrient loads at the watershed scale based on continuously monitored data. Environ Monit Assess 189, 426 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-017-6139-4

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