Saturated and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity for Saddle Stream Network, 2017

Saturated and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity are important surface hydrologic properties that dictate the how fast water moves into the subsurface. Saturated and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity were measured at approximately 25 locations throughout the Niwot Ridge Saddle Stream Catchment in 2017. Saturated hydraulic conductivity was calculated from saturated infiltration rates determined using a single-ring infiltrometer. Unsaturated hydraulic conductivity was calculated from unsaturated infiltration rates determined using a mini-disk portable tension infiltrometer. Both measurements had over an order of magnitude variation across the catchment, suggesting a wide range in hydrologic function. Replicate measurements within 1m^2 were often comparable, but at some sites showed large differences. These differences likely reflect the small-scale variability in subsurface characteristics across the catchment.