Runoff generation in a plough-drained cutover fen in Central Finland

• Published in: Journal of hydrology (Amsterdam) Vol. 218; no. 3; pp. 157 - 168
• Main Authors: Kløve, B, Bengtsson, L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 24-05-1999; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Civil Engineering; Drainage; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Engineering and Technology; Exact sciences and technology; fens; Flow separation; Geophysics: general, magnetic, electric and thermic methods and properties; groundwater recharge; Hydrology; Hydrology. Hydrogeology; Internal geophysics; Peak discharge; Peatlands; Samhällsbyggnadsteknik; Teknik; Vattenteknik; Water Engineering; watershed hydrology; watersheds; Scandinavia; Finland; Drainage; Flow separation; Peak discharge; Peatlands; rainfall; Europe; streams; ground water; water table; runoff; surface water; drainage basins; peat bogs; discharge; lakes; electrical conductivity; hydrographs; storms
• ISSN: 0022-1694; 1879-2707
• DOI: 10.1016/S0022-1694(99)00036-0

The hydrology of a cutover fen was studied from May to October in 1995 and 1996. Rainfall equivalent depths were measured every 15
min and stream runoff was continuously monitored. Water table depths were measured bi-weekly during 1995 and continuously during 1996. Storm runoff was separated into different components; rain falling directly into channels and rapid groundwater response based on a contributing area method and on different electrical conductivities of rain-, ground- and streamwater. The results show three sources of storm runoff from cutover fens. Frequent small runoff peaks were caused by rain falling directly into channels. The amount of quick runoff increased when rain fell on wet soil, resulting in intermediate sized runoff peaks generated by rapid groundwater response. The largest runoff values were observed after prolonged rainfall when water from the upper part of the catchment flooded the fen.