Summary
This commentary addresses a fundamental gap in hydrological science: how to define the lower boundary of a watershed. The authors document substantial inconsistency between surface water and groundwater hydrological communities in conceptualising watershed depth and subsurface flow paths. The paper calls for improved interdisciplinary dialogue and identifies research priorities needed to develop realistic watershed models that account for deep subsurface hydrological processes.
UK applicability
UK watershed management and hydrological assessment frameworks may benefit from clearer definitions of watershed boundaries and integration of deep groundwater flow considerations, particularly in regions with complex hydrogeology or significant groundwater-surface water interactions. The paper's call for standardised approaches could inform UK guidance on catchment characterisation and environmental assessment.
Key measures
Conceptual and physical model approaches to watershed depth definition; variability in how 'deep' is defined across hydrological disciplines; identification of situations where deep flow paths are essential to watershed conceptualisation
Outcomes reported
The paper reviews existing approaches to defining watershed lower boundaries across surface water and groundwater hydrological communities, identifying substantial variability in conceptualisation of depth and watershed extent. It identifies key research priorities at the interface of catchment hydrology and hydrogeology where deep subsurface flow paths influence realistic watershed system models.
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