Evapotranspiration from two peatland watersheds

Abstract

Measurements of precipitation, runoff, and bog water table levels have provided data for the calculation of evapotranspiration from two forested peatland watersheds near Grand Rapids, Minnesota (ca. 47? 32'N, 93? 28'W). Continuous hydrologie records were collected on one experimental bog for 6 years (1961-1966) and on the other for the past 2 years (1965-1966). Water level changes in each bog were converted to inches-depth of storage by water yield coefficients for specific peat horizons and used to adjust precipitation-runoff calculations. Evapotranspiration estimates for the growing-season period May 1 to November 1 ranged from 87 to 121 percent of potential evapotranspiration computed by the Thornthwaite method. Midsummer evapotranspiration totals (June 1 to September 1) were 70 to 99 percent of potential evapotranspiration. Mean daily evapotranspiration values from both bogs during short summer drying periods were consistently less than the calculated potential values.

Citation

Bay, Roger R. 1968. Evapotranspiration from two peatland watersheds. In: IAHS, ed. geochemistry precipitation, evapotranspiration, soil-moisture, hydrometry. General Assembly of Bern, UVESCO/IAHS: 78: 300-307.