Dataset for Flow Presence and Groundwater Fluxes at Murphy Creek, Southwest Idaho

Non-perennial streams comprise over half of the global stream network and impact downstream water quality. Stream drying occurs when groundwater is the primary flow source, but the dynamic relationship between spatiotemporal stream drying patterns, shallow groundwater inputs, and topographic controls remains poorly characterized and understood. We measured stream drying patterns at 15-minute intervals at 25 locations in Murphy Creek, part of the larger Reynolds Creek Critical Zone Observatory in southwest Idaho, from June 3 to October 1, 2019. In addition we collected continuous 15-minute, water level and specific conductivity data that was used to estimate discharge and groundwater flux. Discharge was determined using a stage discharge curve informed by in person measurements. Groundwater flux was calculated using a two-endmember mixing equation with runoff and groundwater endmembers. Conclusions from these data suggest that surface flow persists when groundwater inputs are stable and that at the stream scale drying is most likely when the ratio of groundwater to total discharge is high