CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : Christensen, B.; Hayashi, M.; Quinton, W.; and Chasmer. L
Date : 2010.
Title : Run-off generation from aggregates of peat plateaus in the discontinuous permafrost zone of the NWT.
Publication : CMOS-CGU Ottawa 2010. 44th Annual CMOS Congress, 36th Annual Scientific Meeting of CGU, 3rd Joint CMOS-CGU Congress. May 31-June 4, 2010. Ottawa, Ontario.
Issue :
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Abstract
Peat plateaus have a strong influence on the hydrological characteristics of basins within the discontinuous permafrost zone of the North West Territories (NWT). Recent studies have developed a quasi-three dimensional coupled heat and water transfer model simulating seasonal frost table thaw and subsequent runoff generation for individual permafrost plateaus. Although effective in simulating runoff generation from a single peat plateau, this model is computationally intensive and impractical for modeling the mosaic of peat plateaus that define the discontinuous permafrost zone. A simpler approach was used to extend this model to a basin wide scale (1km x 1km), relating the physically based heat and water transfer model to the geometry of peat plateaus. The geometric parameters of peat plateaus, such as area, perimeter and height, have a strong influence on runoff volume and timing. To determine the relationship between these geometric parameters and runoff generation, the modelled hydraulic response of individual plateaus was compared to the plateaus area, perimeter and height. A relationship was derived for the individual response of a peat plateau to the basic plateau geometry. The individual response was then up-scaled to the aggregate response of peat plateaus over an entire basin based on the statistical distribution of plateau geometries. The Scotty Creek research basin in the NWT was used to verify the model. Scotty Creek lies in the discontinuous permafrost zone, just south of Fort Simpson, in the south-west portion of the NWT. This site is characterized by peat plateaus underlain with permafrost, supporting thriving black spruce forest. The peat plateaus stand 1 to 2 meters above the surrounding interconnected bogs and fens, where the plateaus act as the only source of runoff generation. The Scotty Creek basin is representative of many basins where the hydrological response is governed by runoff generation from peat plateaus.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology