7-30 Establishing a Hydrologic Baseline for Undisturbed Forested Headwater Stream Watershed in Eastern Kentucky

Session: Undergraduate Research, Part I (Posters)

Poster Booth No.: 30

Presenting Author:

Lauren Breiner

Authors:

Benson , Andrew ¹, Bingham , Samuel ², Breiner , Lauren ³, Castro Platonoff , Esteban ⁴, Hamby , Lauren ⁵, Richie , Matthew⁶, Haile, Estifanos⁷

(1) Physics, Geosciences, and Astronomy, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY, USA, (2) Physics, Geosciences, and Astronomy, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY, USA, (3) Physics, Geosciences, and Astronomy, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY, USA, (4) Physics, Geosciences, and Astronomy, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY, USA, (5) Physics, Geosciences, and Astronomy, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY, USA, (6) Physics, Geosciences, and Astronomy, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY, USA, (7) Physics, Geosciences, and Astronomy, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY, USA,

Abstract:

In recent years, more frequent high-intensity rainfall events have led to increased flash flooding in Eastern Kentucky’s Appalachian region. While land-use changes such as surface mining and logging are known to alter hydrologic responses, the effects of shifting precipitation patterns on these systems are less understood. This is largely because high-resolution, site-specific hydrologic data, especially from undisturbed watersheds, are scarce, making it difficult to establish baseline conditions. This study seeks to address that gap by establishing a hydrologic baseline for a minimally disturbed forested watershed.

The study area, Lilley Cornett Woods, is situated in Letcher County, eastern Kentucky, and encompasses a 650-acre forested watershed, including approximately 250 acres of old-growth forest. Streamwater level data at 15-minute intervals were collected at five locations within the watershed beginning in March 2025. Due to the absence of historical discharge records, this study constitutes the initial year of a long-term monitoring initiative to characterize natural streamflow dynamics. Preliminary observations indicate a muted hydrologic response to typical rainfall events, which is consistent with high infiltration rates, substantial subsurface storage, and delayed runoff generation commonly associated with intact forest soils and canopy structure.

Two primary limitations currently constrain interpretation of the results. First, precipitation data for the area are limited to daily cumulative totals, which restricts assessment of rainfall intensity and timing. Second, no extreme rainfall events capable of generating flash floods have occurred during the monitoring period; consequently, the watershed’s response to intense or prolonged precipitation has not yet been observed.

To address these uncertainties, the next phase of the project will involve installing rain gauges to measure gross precipitation and throughfall, and deploying soil moisture sensors. These measurements will be temporally synchronized with the 15-minute stream stage records, facilitating improved analysis of lag times, canopy interception, and the relationship between antecedent moisture and event-based stream response. Although this study represents an early stage of a long-term effort, the resulting dataset is intended to provide valuable context for interpreting hydrologic behavior in nearby watersheds. By monitoring streamwater levels, precipitation, and soil moisture in an undisturbed forested system, this work aims to serve as a reference point for investigations seeking to understand the onset of flash flooding driven by climate variability and land-use change in headwater watersheds.

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