Modeling decadal timescale interactions between surface water and ground water in the central Everglades, Florida, USA

Surface-water and ground-water flow are coupled in the central Everglades, although the remoteness of this system has hindered many previous attempts to quantify interactions between surface water and ground water. We modeled flow through a 43,000 ha basin in the central Everglades called Water Conservation Area 2A. The purpose of the model was to quantify recharge and discharge in the basin's vast interior areas. The presence and distribution of tritium in ground water was the principal constraint on the modeling, based on measurements in 25 research wells ranging in depth from 2 to 37 m. In addition to average characteristics of surface-water flow, the model parameters included depth of the layer of ‘interactive’ ground water that is actively exchanged with surface water, average residence time of interactive ground water, and the associated recharge and discharge fluxes across the wetland ground surface. Results indicated that only a relatively thin (8 m) layer of the 60 m deep surfical aquifer actively exchanges surface water and ground water on a decadal timescale. The calculated storage depth of interactive ground water was 3.1 m after adjustment for the porosity of peat and sandy limestone. Modeling of the tritium data yielded an average residence time of 90 years in interactive ground water, with associated recharge and discharge fluxes equal to 0.01 cm d⁻¹. ³H/³He isotopic ratio measurements (which correct for effects of vertical mixing in the aquifer with deeper, tritium-dead water) were available from several wells, and these indicated an average residence time of 25 years, suggesting that residence time was overestimated using tritium measurements alone. Indeed, both residence time and storage depth would be expected to be overestimated due to vertical mixing. The estimate of recharge and discharge (0.01 cm d⁻¹) that resulted from tritium modeling therefore is still considered reliable, because the ratio of residence time and storage depth (used to calculated recharge and discharge) is much less sensitive to vertical mixing compared with residence time alone. We conclude that a small but potentially significant component of flow through the Everglades is recharged to the aquifer and stored there for years to decades before discharged back to surface water. Long-term storage of water and solutes in the ground-water system beneath the wetlands has implications for restoration of Everglades water quality.     

Numerical modeling of the effects of water flow,sediment transport and vegetation growth on the spatiotemporal patterning of the ridge and slough landscape of the Everglades wetland

A numerical model has been developed to simulate the spatiotemporal patterning of the ridge and slough landscape in wetlands, characterized by crests (ridges) and valleys (sloughs) that are elongated parallel to the direction of water flow. The model formulation consists of governing equations for integrated surface water and groundwater flow, sediment transport, and soil accretion, as well as litter production by vegetation growth. The model simulations show how the spatial pattern self-organizes over time with the generation of ridges and sloughs through sediment deposition and erosion driven by the water flow field. The spatial and temporal distributions of the water depth, flow rates and sediment transport processes are caused by differential flow due to vegetation and topography heterogeneities. The model was parameterized with values that are representative of the Everglades wetland in the southern portion of the Florida peninsula in the USA. Model simulation sensitivity was tested with respect to numerical grid size, lateral vegetation growth and the rate of litter production. The characteristic wavelengths of the pattern in the directions along and perpendicular to flow that are simulated with this model develop over time into ridge and slough shapes that resemble field observations. Also, the simulated elevation differences between the ridges and sloughs are of the same order of those typically found in the field. The width of ridges and sloughs was found to be controlled by a lateral vegetation growth distance parameter in a simplified formulation of vegetation growth, which complements earlier modeling results in which a differential peat accretion mechanism alone did not reproduce observations of ridge and slough lateral wavelengths. The results of this work suggest that ridge and slough patterning occurs as a result of vegetation's ability to grow laterally, enhancing sediment deposition in ridge areas, balanced by increased sediment erosion in slough areas to satisfy flow continuity. The interplay between sediment transport, water flow and vegetation and soil dynamic processes needs to be explored further through detailed field experiments, using a model formulation such as the one developed in this work to guide data collection and interpretation. This should be one of the focus areas of future investigations of pattern formation and stability in ridge and slough areas.     

The role of recharge and evapotranspiration as hydraulic drivers of ion concentrations in shallow groundwater on Everglades tree islands,Florida (USA)

Recently, evapotranspiration has been hypothesized to promote the secondary formation of calcium carbonate year‐round on tree islands in the Everglades by influencing groundwater ions concentrations. However, the role of recharge and evapotranspiration as drivers of shallow groundwater ion accumulation has not been investigated. The goal of this study is to develop a hydrologic model that predicts the chloride concentrations of shallow tree island groundwater and to determine the influence of overlying biomass and underlying geologic material on these concentrations. Groundwater and surface water levels and chloride concentrations were monitored on eight constructed tree islands at the Loxahatchee Impoundment Landscape Assessment (LILA) from 2007 to 2010. The tree islands at LILA were constructed predominately of peat, or of peat and limestone, and were planted with saplings of native tree species in 2006 and 2007. The model predicted low shallow groundwater chloride concentrations when inputs of regional groundwater and evapotranspiration‐to‐recharge rates were elevated, while low evapotranspiration‐to‐recharge rates resulted in a substantial increase of the chloride concentrations of the shallow groundwater. Modeling results indicated that evapotranspiration typically exceeded recharge on the older tree islands and those with a limestone lithology, which resulted in greater inputs of regional groundwater. A sensitivity analysis indicated the shallow groundwater chloride concentrations were most sensitive to alterations in specific yield during the wet season and hydraulic conductivity in the dry season. In conclusion, the inputs of rainfall, underlying hydrologic properties of tree islands sediments and forest structure may explain the variation in ion concentration seen across Everglades tree islands. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluating infiltration losses in a Mediterranean wetland: Las Tablas de Daimiel National Park,Spain

Las Tablas de Daimiel National Park is a series of wetlands which naturally originated from groundwater discharges from the Mancha Occidental aquifer, Spain. Despite the relatively large size of this aquifer, 30 years of intensive groundwater pumping have significantly depleted the water table. As a result, wetlands only remain functional due to artificial inflows. Infiltration loss is therefore a key parameter to evaluate how much water is needed to maintain ecosystem functionality. Although yearly infiltration estimates existed prior to this work, these did not take into account key parameters such as the temporal evolution of the flooded area. This paper presents a more concrete estimate of the average infiltration losses. Infiltration is calculated as the closure term of daily water balances during a period of time where all other elements were known to an acceptable accuracy. A validation mechanism is provided to check the potential utility of the calculated infiltration in wetland management practices. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dams in the last large free-flowing rivers of Patagonia,the Santa Cruz River,environmental features,and macroinvertebrate community

Three large rivers have their headwaters in the Patagonian Ice Fields (PIFs) in the Andes Mountains, the largest mid-latitude ice masses on Earth: Santa Cruz, Baker and Pascua. They are the last large free flowing rivers in Patagonia, but plans are advanced for building dams for hydroelectric power generation. The three PIF rivers, with a discharge dominated by ice melt, share a common, unique hydrograph compared to that of the other eight large rivers in the region: a distinct seasonal cycle, and an extremely stable discharge, with much lower variability than other rivers. In this study we present the first extensive survey of habitats and benthic macroinvertebrates in the least studied system, the Santa Cruz River. We assess how much of the natural capital provided and sustained by benthic invertebrates are expected to be lost by flooding and discuss how dams would affect riverine habitat and biota. In the Santa Cruz River, we conducted an intensive field survey during September 2010; a total of 52 sites located at regular 6 km intervals were sampled along the 310 river-km for macroinvertebrates and seventeen habitat variables. Although some habitat structure is apparent at the local scale, the Santa Cruz River could be described as very homogeneous. Macroinvertebrate density and the richness (38 genera) found in the Santa Cruz River resulted to be one of the lowest in comparison with 42 other Patagonian rivers. Albeit weak, the structure of the macroinvertebrates assemblages was successfully described by a reduced set of variables. The reduced flow variation and the lack of bed scouring flows have a direct and negative effect on the heterogeneity of riverbeds and banks. The high turbidity of the Santa Cruz River may also contribute to shorter food webs, by affecting autotrophic production, general trophic structure, and overall macroinvertebrate productivity and diversity. Dams will obliterate 51% of the lotic environment, including the most productive sections of the river according to our macroinvertebrate data. Since Santa Cruz River has a naturally homogeneous flow cycle, dams may provide more variable flows and more diverse habitat. Our data provide critically valuable baseline information to understand the effects of dams on the unique set of glacial driven large rivers of Patagonia.     

鄱阳湖国家级自然保护区湿地植被的干旱响应及影响因素

近年来鄱阳湖干旱事件频发,干旱导致的气象水文要素变化直接影响植被生长状况,尤其是对于地上植被生物量的影响极为显著.研究鄱阳湖干旱事件对于湿地植被的影响,对于保护鸟类栖息地,认识湿地生态功能和结构的变化具有重要的现实意义.利用长期卫星遥感数据,结合植被生物量野外调查,以2003和2006年极端干旱年份为出发点,从湿地植被面积、生物量密度和总生物量的角度分析了鄱阳湖湿地植被生物量对于极端干旱的响应.研究表明:湿地植被面积、生物量密度以及总生物量均呈现双峰分布特征,在4和11月分别达到上、下半年的峰值.2003年植被生物量与多年均值一致,2006年下半年植被面积、生物量密度以及总生物量均明显超出多年均值.影响湿地植被面积的主要因素为鄱阳湖水位变化;而影响植被生物量密度的主要因素为气温和水位,退水时间提前对于生物量密度影响最大;总生物量同时受到植被面积与植被生物量密度的综合影响,其中植被面积的影响更大,植被面积对于总生物量的影响在2006年表现得比2003年更加显著.总之,2006年湿地植被对水文干旱的响应要比气象干旱强烈得多.     

Channel‐planform evolution in four rivers of Olympic National Park,Washington, USA: the roles of physical drivers and trophic cascades

Identifying the relative contributions of physical and ecological processes to channel evolution remains a substantial challenge in fluvial geomorphology. We use a 74‐year aerial photographic record of the Hoh, Queets, Quinault, and Elwha Rivers, Olympic National Park, Washington, USA, to investigate whether physical or trophic‐cascade‐driven ecological factors – excessive elk impacts after wolves were extirpated a century ago – are the dominant drivers of channel planform in these gravel‐bed rivers. We find that channel width and braiding show strong relationships with recent flood history. All four rivers widened significantly after having been relatively narrow in the 1970s, consistent with increased flood activity since then. Channel planform also reflects sediment‐supply changes, evident from landslide response on the Elwha River. We surmise that the Hoh River, which shows a multi‐decadal trend toward greater braiding, is adjusting to increased sediment supply associated with rapid glacial retreat. These rivers demonstrate transmission of climatic signals through relatively short sediment‐routing systems that lack substantial buffering by sediment storage. Legacy effects of anthropogenic modification likely also affect the Quinault River planform. We infer no correspondence between channel evolution and elk abundance, suggesting that trophic‐cascade effects in this setting are subsidiary to physical controls on channel morphology. Our findings differ from previous interpretations of Olympic National Park fluvial dynamics and contrast with the classic example of Yellowstone National Park, where legacy effects of elk overuse are apparent in channel morphology; we attribute these differences to hydrologic regime and large‐wood availability. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA     

Concentration of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in sediment cores of Sundarban mangrove wetland, northeastern part of Bay of Bengal (India)

The paper presents the first comprehensive survey of congener profiles (12 congeners) of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in core sediment samples (<63 microm) covering seven sites in Sundarban mangrove wetland (India). Gas-chromatographic analyses were carried out in GC-Ms/Ms for tri- to hepta- brominated congeners. Results pointed out a non-homogenous contamination of the wetland with summation operator(12) PBDE values ranging from 0.08 to 29.03 ngg(-1), reflecting moderate to low contamination closely in conformity to other Asian aquatic environments. The general order of decreasing congener contribution to the total load was: BDE 47>99>100>154, similar to the distribution pattern worldwide. Although tetrabromodiphenyl ether BDE 47 was found in all samples followed by hexabromodiphenyl ether BDE-154, they were not necessarily the dominant congeners. No uniform temporal trend on PBDE levels was recorded probably due to particular hydrological characteristics of the wetland and/on non-homologous inputs from point sources (untreated municipal wastewater and local industries, electronic wastes from the dump sites, etc.) of these compounds. Because of the propensity of PBDEs to accumulate in various compartments of wildlife and human food webs, evaluation of biological tissues should be undertaken as a high priority.     

Linking local ecological outcomes with basin-wide water planning: a case study of Yanga National Park,an important Australian inland forested wetland

Abstract

Maintaining and restoring the ecological integrity of floodplains remains a priority for many Australian federal and state government agencies. The Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) introduced the Proposed Basin Plan 2012, the Australian government’s latest basin-scale water planning instrument to promote a healthy, working river system. The proposal seeks to limit surface water (consumptive) use to 10 873 GL year^-1 on a long-term average. The controversy prompted by this proposed reduction has underscored a need for rigorous and transparent modelling of ecological benefits. In this paper, we investigate the likely ecological outcomes of the proposal for Yanga National Park, one of the most significant environmental assets in the Murray-Darling Basin, using a decision support system. Our results indicate that the proposal will increase the inundation extent with a 33% (or 7000 ha) increase in median flood. The increase in inundation would improve the hydrological conditions in most wetlands in terms of the frequency and duration of events and inter-flood dry periods and enhance the habitat quality for a range of biota, though benefits are not distributed evenly across the wetland.

Editor D. Koutsoyiannis; Guest editor M. Acreman

Citation Wen, L. and Saintilan, N., 2014. Linking local ecological outcomes with basin-wide water planning: a case study of Yanga National Park, an important Australian inland forested wetland. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 59 (3–4), 904–915.     

Comparison of taxon calibrations,modern analogue techniques,and forest-stand simulation models for the quantitative reconstruction of past vegetation

We compared results of three quantitative methods for reconstructing past vegetation, including (1) calibrations of per cent dominance vs. per cent pollen for individual tree taxa; (2) coefficients of dissimilarity between fossil and modern pollen assemblages; and (3) simulation modelling of long-term forest succession. For calibration, we used 1684 modern pollen samples and 1742 forest-inventory summaries from eastern North America. We applied the calibrations at 1 000-year intervals to the 19000-year pollen record from Anderson Pond, Tennessee. Dominance values reconstructed using taxon calibrations typically paralleled the changes in percentages of arboreal pollen. Dissimilarity values between fossil and modern pollen assemblages were lowest from 19 000 yr BP to 15 000 yr BP and from 9 000 yr BP to the present, indicating good modern analogues for both full-glacial and Holocene time periods. During times of good analogue, forest composition estimated from forest inventories at the locations of best pollen analogues was similar to that reconstructed using taxon calibrations. Relatively poor modern analogues exist for late glacial and early Holocene pollen spectra from Anderson Pond. During times of poor analogues, forest composition reconstructed from taxon calibrations differed from that derived from analogue methods. FORET-model simulations of forest-stand biomass differed markedly from palaeovegetation estimates made from the other two methods. This is primarily because the FORET model is scaled to forest succession on 1/12-ha forest plots rather than forest dynamics integrated over a broad landscape mosaic. Because they are based upon fundamental relationships of pollen production and dispersal, taxon calibrations provide the best available means for reconstructing forest history both during times of good and of poor analogues.     

Long‐term effects of aquifer overdraft and recovery on groundwater quality in a Ramsar wetland: Las Tablas de Daimiel National Park,Spain

Las Tablas de Daimiel National Park is one of Spain's most representative groundwater‐dependent ecosystems. Under natural conditions, water inflows combined brackish surface water from River Gigüela with freshwater inputs from River Guadiana and the underlying aquifer. Since the mid‐1970s, aquifer overexploitation caused the desiccation of the wetlands and neighbouring springs. The National Park remained in precarious hydrological conditions for three decades, with the only exception of rapid floods due to extreme rainfall events and sporadic water transfers from other basins. In the late 2000s, a decrease in groundwater abstraction and an extraordinarily wet period reversed the trend. The aquifer experienced an unexpected recovery of groundwater levels (over 20 m in some areas), thus restoring groundwater discharge to springs and wetlands. The complex historical evolution of the water balance in this site has resulted in substantial changes in surface and groundwater quality. This becomes evident when comparing the pre‐1980 groundwater quality and the hydrochemical status in the wetland in two different periods, under “dry” and “wet” conditions. Although the system is close to full recovery from the groundwater‐level viewpoint, bouncing back in the major hydrochemical constituents has not yet been obtained. These still appear to evolve in response to the previous overexploitation state. Moreover, in some sectors, there are groundwater‐dependent ecosystems that remain different to those found in preoverexploitation times. The experience of Las Tablas de Damiel provides an observatory of long‐term changes in wetland water quality, demonstrating that the effects of aquifer overexploitation on aquatic ecosystems are more than a mere alteration of the water balance and that groundwater quality is the key to aquifer and aquatic ecosystem sustainability.     

Optically stimulated luminescence age of the Old Cedar midden, St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, Florida

We report optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating results from the Old Cedar midden in St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, located between the Gulf of Mexico and St. Joseph Bay near Port St. Joe, FL, USA. The Old Cedar site (8GU85) is located on top of a relict beach ridge which is actively eroding into St. Joseph Bay. Old Cedar is noted for its conch shell tool assemblage, otherwise rare at northwest Florida archaeological sites, and is believed to have been utilized during the Late Woodland Weeden Island and possibly the Fort Walton periods [Benchley, E.D., Bense, J.A., 2001. Archaeology and history of St. Joseph Peninsula State Park: Phase I investigations. Report of Investigations, No. 89, University of West Florida Archaeology Institute]. After removing surficial erosion deposits, we extracted OSL core samples from both the midden layer and the underlying beach ridge. The resulting OSL age is compared with the age of another beach ridge on St. Joseph Peninsula. We hope that this study will aid in the investigation and conservation of Old Cedar specifically and other Weeden Island sites in the St. Joseph Bay area.     

鄱阳湖洲滩湿地植物演替对土壤微生物量的影响

湿地植物演替对土壤微生物量具有显著影响,但不同土壤理化环境下的植物演替对湿地土壤微生物量影响的具体差异还不清楚。以鄱阳湖土壤理化性质不同的4个碟形子湖(包括相对肥沃的东湖和白沙湖以及相对贫瘠的蚌湖和大湖池)为研究对象,运用空间代替时间的方法,在泥滩带、湿生植被带(苔草)和挺水植被带(南荻或芦苇)采集0～10 cm表层土壤,分析不同土壤理化性质条件下植物群落演替对土壤微生物量的影响。采用土壤微生物量碳(MBC)和微生物熵(qMB)指示土壤微生物量。蚌湖、大湖池、东湖和白沙湖洲滩湿地表层土壤MBC的平均值分别为1077.27、888.29、942.45和1162.46 mg/kg,土壤qMB的平均值分别为6.07%、6.17%、3.60%和3.79%。在泥滩—苔草—南荻植物演替洲滩,土壤MBC先增加后减少;但是在泥滩—苔草—芦苇植物演替洲滩,土壤MBC持续增加。植物演替没有显著改变土壤qMB。尽管植物的生长会增加所有洲滩湿地的土壤MBC,但增加的幅度在相对贫瘠的蚌湖和大湖池明显强于相对肥沃的东湖和白沙湖。蚌湖和大湖池的土壤qMB也显著高于东湖和白沙湖。在植被演替梯度上,洲滩湿地土壤MBC和...     

洞庭湖湿地植被长期格局变化(1987-2016年)及其对水文过程的响应

基于长序列遥感影像数据、水位日观测数据以及高精度湖盆地形数据,通过提取洞庭湖1987—2016年湿地植被信息,并构建表征水位波动的多周期水情变量,采用逐步回归分析法识别影响洞庭湖湿地植被分布格局的关键水情变量并建立其与植被面积的响应关系.结果表明：1）1987—2016年,洞庭湖湿地典型植被面积在全湖尺度上呈增加趋势,尤其是林地面积,占比由1.77%上升为7.24%.湿地植被格局演变上,东洞庭湖呈现芦苇群落挤占苔草群落空间,并推动湿地植被整体向湖心扩张的趋势.2）影响东洞庭湖苔草和芦苇分布最关键的水情变量是丰水期水位.苔草对丰水期水情存在非线性阈值响应,丰水期平均水位维持在29 m左右,最适宜苔草生长;对于芦苇,丰水期偏枯的水情条件对其生长发育起到促进作用.涨水期和退水期水文过程是影响东洞庭湖湿地植被分布的次为重要的水情因子.涨水期、退水期水位偏低的水情条件对芦苇分布面积的扩张起促进作用.     

入湖河口湿地四种植物群落类型的土壤氮素空间分布特征

对江苏省溧阳市大溪水库的洙漕河河口湿地中香蒲、水蓼、灯心草和芦苇四种植物生物量、氮含量及植物群落的土壤氮素分布特征进行研究,结果表明:四种植物地上生物量、地上组织氮含量、地下生物量、地下组织氮含量存在显著差异;土壤烧失量(LOI)、总氮(TN)、硝态氮(NO₃^--N)在垂直分布上表现为由表层向下减少的总体分布趋势,铵态氮(NH₄⁺-N)浓度的剖面变化呈现先减少后增加的趋势;四种植物群落土壤氮浓度各不同,但均大于对照,以有机氮为主,说明湿地具有一定的储氮能力;不同的植物群落影响湿地氮素的分布.相关性分析显示,土壤LOI与TN、NO₃^--N和NH₄⁺-N均存在极显著相关性,无机氮构成比例较小,仅为1.41%,表明土壤中的氮素主要以有机氮的形式存在;土壤氮浓度与植物生物量及组织氮含量相关性不大,说明土壤氮形态浓度不仅受到植物生长的影响,同时也可能受到植物根区环境、微生物数量与活性等的影响.     

太湖贡湖湾水生植被分布现状(2012年)

贡湖湾是无锡和苏州两市的重要水源地,随着近些年太湖水质的急速恶化,贡湖湾蓝藻暴发现象日益严重,危及饮水安全.为提供贡湖湾水资源管理的理论依据,于2012年开展贡湖湾水生植被野外调查.对8个断面进行为期5天的调查,结果表明:(1)共记录贡湖湾水生植物20科27属34种,单子叶植物和沉水植物分别为优势分类群和生态型;(2)贡湖湾水生植被分布区面积占总水域面积的45.35%,为典型半草型湖泊;(3)共有8种水生植物群落分布,其中马来眼子菜群落分布区面积和生物量最大;(4)贡湖湾水生植被总体表现出北部无水生植被分布,东部生物量高、群落及物种组成复杂,其他区域生物量小、群落组成单一的分布格局.水质恶化和插网捕鱼对贡湖湾水生植被分布现状存在影响,过度清淤可能是造成北部水域裸露的原因.结合贡湖湾水生植被分布现状分析结果,建议在贡湖湾水生植被管理中要开展北部裸水区植被修复,促进湾口区域马来眼子菜群落生长,加强对"引江济太"工程上游来水和贡湖湾水质的监测,并注重外来入侵植物尤其是水盾草群落的监测.     

寒区湿地春、夏浮游植物群落划分——以三江平原安邦河湿地为例

运用多元分析方法对安邦河湿地春、夏浮游植物群落进行划分,结果表明,两季节均可分为3个组群:(1)核心区组群,春季为绒毛平板藻.四角盘星藻群落,夏季为四角盘星藻群落;(2)边缘区组群,春季为梅尼小环藻-尖针杆藻群落,夏季为鱼腥藻-铜绿微囊藻.梅尼小环藻群落;(3)莲花池组群,春季为地中尖头藻群落,夏季为银灰平裂藻群落.各群落的种类组成、数量及多样性存在季节差异,与寒区环境因子季节变化相关.     

Comparison of taxon calibrations,modern analogue techniques,and forest-stand simulation models for the quantitative reconstruction of past vegetation: A critique

Taxon calibrations based on eastern North America or on the southeastern United States alone suggest a different forest composition from that based on Wisconsin/Michigan, which is argued as preferable. Questions are raised about how well comparison with modern analogues distinguishes forest characteristics. The simulation model used by Delcourt and Delcourt is thought to be inappropriate, partly because it is constrained by faulty climatic data. Models are seen as complementary to other techniques rather than as an alternative methodology.     

Effects of 2003 wildfires on stream chemistry in Glacier National Park,Montana

Changes in stream chemistry were studied for 4 years following large wildfires that burned in Glacier National Park during the summer of 2003. Burned and unburned drainages were monitored from December 2003 through August 2007 for streamflow, major constituents, nutrients, and suspended sediment following the fires. Stream‐water nitrate concentrations showed the greatest response to fire, increasing up to tenfold above those in the unburned drainage just prior to the first post‐fire snowmelt season. Concentrations in winter base flow remained elevated during the entire study period, whereas concentrations during the growing season returned to background levels after two snowmelt seasons. Annual export of total nitrogen from the burned drainage ranged from 1·53 to 3·23 kg ha^?1 yr^?1 compared with 1·01 to 1·39 kg ha^?1 yr^?1 from the unburned drainage and exceeded atmospheric inputs for the first two post‐fire water years. Fire appeared to have minimal long‐term effects on other nutrients, dissolved organic carbon, and major constituents with the exception of sulfate and chloride, which showed increased concentrations for 2 years following the fire. There was little evidence that fire affected suspended‐sediment concentrations in the burned drainage. Sediment yields in subalpine streams may be less affected by fire than in lower elevation streams because of the slow release rate of water during spring snowmelt. Published in 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.