Quantifying the controls of discharge and regional hydrogeologic gradients on hyporheic exchange

Prediction of hyporheic exchange flux and residence time is critical for hyporheic restoration projects. However, predictability is limited due to a lack in understanding of the spatial and temporal extent of hyporheic zone development under varying hydrologic settings. This study isolates discharge and regional setting (i.e., gaining vs. losing) in a controlled scale model to both visualize and quantify the influence of these controls on hyporheic exchange. The results present electrical resistivity images revealing how discharge and regional setting control hyporheic zone development independently and simultaneously around a restoration structure.