Characterizing stream temperature hysteresis in forested headwater streams

Stream temperature (T-s) is a key water quality parameter that controls several biological, ecological, and chemical processes in aquatic systems. In forested headwaters, exchanges of energy across air-water-streambed interfaces may influence T-s regimes, especially during storm events as the sources of runoff change over space and time. Analysis of the hysteretic behaviour of T-s during storm events may provide insights into rainfall-runoff responses, but such relationships have not been thoroughly investigated. As such, our objectives were to (a) quantify the variability of stream temperature hysteresis across seasons in different sub-regions and (b) investigate the relationship between the hysteretic response and catchment characteristics. T-s hysteresis during storm events was assessed based on the hysteresis index (HI), which describes the directionality of hysteresis loops, and the temperature response index (TRI), which indicates whether T-s increased or decreased during a storm event. We analysed T-s data from 10 forested headwater reaches in two sub-regions (McGarvey and West Fork Tectah) in Northern California. We also performed a clustering analysis to examine the relationship amongst HI, TRI, topographic metrics, and meteorological characteristics of the study areas. Overall, the hysteretic behaviour of T-s varied across seasons-the greatest HI occurred during spring and summer. Interestingly, in the McGarvey streams the variability in T-s hysteresis co-varied strongly with topographic metrics (i.e., upslope accumulative area, average channel slope, topographic wetness index). Comparatively, in West Fork Tectah the variability of T-s hysteresis co-varied most strongly with meteorological metrics (i.e., antecedent rainfall events, solar radiation, and air temperature). Variables such as the gradient between stream and air temperatures, slope, and wetted width were significant for both sub-regional hysteretic patterns. We posit that the drivers of T-s response during storms are likely dependent on catchment physiographic characteristics. Our study also illustrated the potential utility of stream temperature as a tracer for improving the understanding of hydrologic connectivity and shifts in the dominant runoff contributions to streamflow during storm events.

Automated summary

Stream temperature (T-s) plays a crucial role in controlling the biology, ecology, and chemistry of aquatic systems. The exchange of energy between air, water, and streambed interfaces in forested headwaters can influence T-s regimes, especially during storm events. Understanding the hysteresis behavior of T-s during storms can provide insights into rainfall-runoff responses and the effects of catchment characteristics. This study analyzed T-s data from forested headwater reaches in Northern California and found that T-s hysteresis varied across seasons, with the highest variability occurring in spring and summer. The relationship between T-s hysteresis and catchment characteristics differed between sub-regions, with topographic metrics being more influential in one sub-region and meteorological metrics being more influential in the other. The findings highlight the importance of catchment physiographic characteristics in driving T-s response during storm events and demonstrate the potential of T-s as a tracer for understanding hydrologic connectivity.