Tulula Hydrology

Hydrology and Soils of the Tulula Wetlands

Director of Research: Dr. Kevin K. Moorhead

UNCA Undergraduate Researchers (1994-2000): Diane Ducharme, Rachel Reese, Jay Ham, Rachel Moynihan, Kevin Colburn, William Kris Riddle, Robert Warren, Mamie Smith, Huma Alvarado.

Jay Ham measuring the water depth
in a well
Hydrographs of various areas of the floodplain and fens show the seasonal patterns of high water table during winter and spring months. Regular monitoring has shown that the hydrology of large portions of the Tulula floodplain is driven by increased soil interflow from surrounding slopes after precipitation events. In addition, we have observed significant annual variation in groundwater dynamics.

Hydrology. -- Seasonal fluctuations in the water table and patterns of lateral water flow are important elements of the hydrology of wetlands that affect soil characteristics and plant and animal communities. We have gathered baseline data on the hydrology of the Tulula Wetlands since June 1994 to characterize the site and to track changes in hydrology as restoration proceeds. Water table wells and piezometers have been used to document hydrologic conditions across the floodplain and fen areas of Tulula. The wells and piezometers were installed to investigate the hydrologic relationships between the largest intact fen and the surrounding floodplain, to compare disturbed and undisturbed areas of the site, and to determine direction of water flow.

Surface soil of Tulula Wetlands
Soils.-- Hydric soils are formed whenever soils are flooded, saturated, or ponded long enough during the growing season to develop anaerobic conditions. Hydric soils can be used to delineate wetland boundaries and to determine historical changes that have occurred at disturbed sites such as the Tulula Wetlands. Over 40 hectares of hydric soils are found at Tulula, principally in the floodplain of Tulula Creek. The floodplain soils have a loam to sandy loam surface layer with moderate organic content (10-16%). A clay loam layer occurs to depths of 50-70 cm below the surface in fens and about 90 cm below the surface of the floodplain. This clay loam horizon retards vertical water movement and maintains water near the soil surface in the fens. It also results in lateral flow toward the channel in the floodplain. Evidence such as the presence of sand-dominated linear strips in the floodplain indicate that Tulula Creek has shifted its course historically and meandered throughout the floodplain.


	Hydrology and Soils of the Tulula Wetlands
	Director of Research: Dr. Kevin K. Moorhead UNCA Undergraduate Researchers (1994-2000): Diane Ducharme, Rachel Reese, Jay Ham, Rachel Moynihan, Kevin Colburn, William Kris Riddle, Robert Warren, Mamie Smith, Huma Alvarado.
	Jay Ham measuring the water depth in a well Hydrographs of various areas of the floodplain and fens show the seasonal patterns of high water table during winter and spring months. Regular monitoring has shown that the hydrology of large portions of the Tulula floodplain is driven by increased soil interflow from surrounding slopes after precipitation events. In addition, we have observed significant annual variation in groundwater dynamics.	Hydrology. -- Seasonal fluctuations in the water table and patterns of lateral water flow are important elements of the hydrology of wetlands that affect soil characteristics and plant and animal communities. We have gathered baseline data on the hydrology of the Tulula Wetlands since June 1994 to characterize the site and to track changes in hydrology as restoration proceeds. Water table wells and piezometers have been used to document hydrologic conditions across the floodplain and fen areas of Tulula. The wells and piezometers were installed to investigate the hydrologic relationships between the largest intact fen and the surrounding floodplain, to compare disturbed and undisturbed areas of the site, and to determine direction of water flow.

	Surface soil of Tulula Wetlands	Soils.-- Hydric soils are formed whenever soils are flooded, saturated, or ponded long enough during the growing season to develop anaerobic conditions. Hydric soils can be used to delineate wetland boundaries and to determine historical changes that have occurred at disturbed sites such as the Tulula Wetlands. Over 40 hectares of hydric soils are found at Tulula, principally in the floodplain of Tulula Creek. The floodplain soils have a loam to sandy loam surface layer with moderate organic content (10-16%). A clay loam layer occurs to depths of 50-70 cm below the surface in fens and about 90 cm below the surface of the floodplain. This clay loam horizon retards vertical water movement and maintains water near the soil surface in the fens. It also results in lateral flow toward the channel in the floodplain. Evidence such as the presence of sand-dominated linear strips in the floodplain indicate that Tulula Creek has shifted its course historically and meandered throughout the floodplain.