Investigating the role of groundwater in catchment functioning in the Eddleston Catchment, Scotland

MacDonald, Alan ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6636-1499; Peskett, Leo; O Dochartaigh, Brighid; Black, Andrew; Archer, Nicole. 2021 Investigating the role of groundwater in catchment functioning in the Eddleston Catchment, Scotland. In: 41st Annual Conference IAH Irish Group Catchment Science and Managment: the role of geoscience and groundwater, Online, 26-27 April 2021.

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Official URL: https://www.iah-ireland.org/annual-conference/

Abstract/Summary

BGS have been investigating the role of groundwater in catchment functioning for the past 10 years in the Eddleston Research Catchment – a tributary of the River Tweed, located in the Scottish Borders. The research is part of a wider initiative funded by the Scottish Government examining the evidence for the efficacy of natural flood management and river restoration measures. Here we give a brief summary of several of the experiments undertaken: (1) exploring the coupling of an upland floodplain aquifer with the river and hillslope; (2) examining soil permeability and infiltration in different land uses and superficial geology; (3) monitoring groundwater flow and soil moisture changes underneath a forest strip; and (4) using tracers to measure the partitioning between groundwater flow, soil water and event runoff during storm events. The research experiments reinforce the importance of subsurface conditions, and in particular geology in shaping the response of catchments to rainfall. Groundwater plays an important, but often unrecognised role in mediating catchment flows, and variability in superficial geology often exerts a larger control on flooding than land use.

Item Type:	Publication - Conference Item (Paper)
Additional Keywords:	GroundwaterBGS, Groundwater
Date made live:	10 Aug 2021 13:40 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/530867

Item Type:

Publication - Conference Item (Paper)

Additional Keywords:

GroundwaterBGS, Groundwater

Date made live:

10 Aug 2021 13:40 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/530867