Measurement of slope runoff in a permafrost region

Installations at a High Arctic experimental site that is underlain by continuous permafrost allowed the measurement of slope runoff. Surface flow was collected near the base of the slope and the water was led to a flume with a V-notch weir. The water level in the flume was recorded and subsequently converted to discharge measurements. Subsurface flow was intercepted by an impermeable flow barrier set in a trench dug down to the permafrost table and later back-filled by the excavated slope materials. Water draining from above the flow barrier was fed into another flume unit similar to that for surface runoff. During the operational period, regular inspection of the flumes was required to ensure the prevention of ice formation or evaporative losses from the water in the flumes. Keywords: surface flow, subsurface flow, slope hydrology, permafrost.