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37-1 Quantifying Dynamic River Gains and Losses Using Inverse Temperature Modeling

Session: Innovations in Research of Groundwater-Surface Water Interactions over Multiple Spatio-Temporal Scales

Presenting Author:

Bethany Neilson

Authors:

Neilson, Bethany T.¹, Tennant, Hyrum², Hill, Devon³, Newell, Dennis L.⁴, McNamara, Jim P.⁵, Xu, Tianfang⁶

(1) Utah State University, Utah Water Research Laboratory, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Logan, UT, USA, (2) Utah State University, Utah Water Research Laboratory, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Logan, UT, USA, (3) Utah State University, Utah Water Research Laboratory, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Logan, UT, USA, (4) Utah State University, Geosciences, Logan, UT, USA, (5) Boise State University, Geosciences, Boise, ID, USA, (6) Arizona State University, School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Tempe, AZ, USA,

Abstract:

Quantifying lateral gains and losses (gains/losses) to streamflow is essential for understanding the variability in flow regimes and instream water quality which can be critical for effective water resource management, particularly in systems with complex and substantial groundwater–surface water interactions. Traditional methods for estimating gains/losses often require significant resources and can be limited in temporal or spatial scope. A practical methodology that applies inverse, process-based water temperature modeling was combined with temperature and differential flow gaging data to estimate and confirm net gain/loss estimates at reach scales under steady flow conditions. To extend short, steady state time period estimates of gains/losses, the inverse modeling approach was repeated during 18 two-day periods and estimated gains/losses were interpolated over five-months. These estimates were then included in the temperature model and predictions were compared to temperature observations to confirm the accuracy of the method and impact of assumptions. Results highlight that the inverse model estimates match patterns of net gains/losses and approach reach scale gross gains/losses estimated from more expensive chemical synoptic sampling techniques. The utility of this relatively low-cost, scalable solution is its ability to estimate the magnitude of net exchanges at different spatial scales that can inform hydrologic modeling, stream ecology, and water management in systems where significant lateral gains/losses (surface or subsurface) alter system response.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program. Vol. 57, No. 6, 2025

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-7046

Quantifying Dynamic River Gains and Losses Using Inverse Temperature Modeling

Description

Session Format: Oral

Presentation Date: 10/19/2025

Presentation Start Time: 01:35 PM

Presentation Room: HBGCC, 209

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