Summer Streamflow and Water Level in a Midlatitude Forested Swamp

Abstract A hydrologic study was carried out in a forested, midlatitude swamp from late April to late November 1977. Water level in the swamp declined until late August, but rose gradually as evaporation decreased in September, Over the study period, rainfall was roughly balanced by evaporation, and streamflow out of the swamp was maintained by streamflow entering the swamp. Streamflow through the swamp underwent varying degrees of exchange with the groundwater. Where influence was pronounced, some streams disappeared in the swamp, and reappeared at lower elevations where effluence prevailed. Such thorough interaction between stream and ground waters resulted in a considerable modification of streamflow regime by the swamp. In contrast, streams flowing through the swamp along well-defined channels experienced less exchange with groundwater storage, and the swamp exerted less control on their summer flow regimes. Forest Sci. 27:177-189.