The Kings River Experimental Watersheds: Infrastructure and data

• Published in: Hydrological processes 2021-05, Vol.35 (5), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Wagenbrenner, Joseph W., Dralle, David N., Safeeq, Mohammad, Hunsaker, Carolyn T.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Algae; Aquatic populations; Atmospheric models; Baseline studies; Bed load; Biological activity; Burning; Catchment area; Catchments; Data collection; End users; Experimental basins; Experimental watersheds; forest hydrology; Headwaters; Hydrologic models; Hydrology; Infrastructure; Ion dynamics; Macroinvertebrates; Meteorology; Mineral nutrients; Nutrient dynamics; paired catchment; Physical properties; Prescribed fire; Research programmes; Rivers; Schedules; Sediment; Sediment concentration; Sediment transport; Sierra Nevada; Soil chemistry; Soil physical properties; Soil properties; Strata; Stream discharge; Stream flow; Streams; Suspended sediments; Thinning; Turbidity; Vegetation; Water resources; Water resources planning; watershed; Watersheds; Zoobenthos
• ISSN: 0885-6087; 1099-1085
• DOI: 10.1002/hyp.14142

The Kings River Experimental Watersheds (KREW) were established in 2002 to expand our knowledge of catchment physical, chemical, and biological processes in Sierra Nevada headwater forests, and to better understand the impacts of prescribed burning and forest thinning on these processes. Two elevation strata (high and low) were selected for the KREW sites, with four independent catchments and one nested catchment within each stratum. Both high and low elevation study areas were instrumented for continuous measurements of meteorology, streamflow, and turbidity. Atmospheric and stream chemistry, suspended sediment concentration, and bedload sediment delivery were measured on a regular schedule. Soil chemical and physical properties and vegetation were systematically sampled before and after the initial thinning and prescribed burning treatments, which were implemented between 2012 and 2016. Post‐treatment data collection continues today as we explore opportunities for the second round of possible treatments. The critical research infrastructure and long‐term baseline data collection has been instrumental in building partnerships with downstream managers, end users, non‐governmental organizations, academic researchers, and national research programmes. Contributions to date include fundamental understanding of magnitude and variability of nutrient deposition; carbon, nutrient, and major ion dynamics in headwater streams; aquatic algae and macroinvertebrate populations; vegetation composition and structure; and streamflow responses to precipitation in the two elevation strata. Data from the experimental watersheds also support calibration and validation of diverse hydrologic models used for water resources planning.