articleJAWRA Journal of the American Water Resources AssociationJan 26, 2007BRONZE OA

The Role of Headwater Streams in Downstream Water Quality 1

RBRichard B. AlexanderEWElizabeth W. BoyerRARichard A. SmithGEGregory E. SchwarzRBRichard B. Moore

United States Geological Survey · University of California, Berkeley

PubMed
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Abstract

Knowledge of headwater influences on the water-quality and flow conditions of downstream waters is essential to water-resource management at all governmental levels; this includes recent court decisions on the jurisdiction of the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA) over upland areas that contribute to larger downstream water bodies. We review current watershed research and use a water-quality model to investigate headwater influences on downstream receiving waters. Our evaluations demonstrate the intrinsic connections of headwaters to landscape processes and downstream waters through their influence on the supply, transport, and fate of water and solutes in watersheds. Hydrological processes in headwater catchments…

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651
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100%
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Authors

5

Topics & keywords

Topics
Keywords
  • Environmental science
  • Hydrology (agriculture)
  • STREAMS
  • Water quality
  • Perennial stream
  • Watershed
  • Biogeochemical cycle
  • Streamflow
UN Sustainable Development Goals
  • Clean water and sanitation
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