Estimating Transmission Losses in Ephemeral Stream Channels

From the Proceedings of the 1980 Meetings of the Arizona Section - American Water Resources Assn. and the Hydrology Section - Arizona - Nevada Academy of Science - April 11-12, 1980, Las Vegas, NevadaProcedures have been developed to estimate transmission loss volumes in abstracting (losing) ephemeral streams. A two -parameter linear regression equation relates outflow volume for a channel reach to the volume of inflow. A simplified two-parameter differential equation describes the transmission loss rate as a function of length and width of the wetted channel. Linkage relationships between the regression and differential equation parameters allow parameter (and thus, transmission loss) estimation for channels of arbitrary length and width. The procedure was applied using data from 10 channel reaches. Maximum loss rates were observed on Walnut Gulch, Arizona, and minimum loss rates were observed on Elm Fork of the Trinity River, Texas. All other data were between limits established at these two locations. Examples illustrate typical applications and show step-by-step procedures required to use the proposed method. Results and interpretations were summarized, and needs for additional research were specified.This article is part of the Hydrology and Water Resources in Arizona and the Southwest collections. Digital access to this material is made possible by the Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science and the University of Arizona Libraries. For more information about items in this collection, contact anashydrology@gmail.com