Results of a solute transport experiment at Uvas Creek, September 1972, California

A 3-hour constant-rate injection of chloride, strontium, and sodium was made into Uvas Creek, Santa Clara County, California, to determine solute transport and sorption properties of a small stream. Seven observation stations were selected within a 635-m reach of the stream where water samples were collected before, during and after the injection. Size-sorted stream sediments placed in the stream prior to the injection were sampled to determine sediment sorption properties. Dissolved solute concentration data are presented in both original and normalized forms to illustrate the different transport properties of the three solutes. Sorbed concentrations are tabulated as a function of both time and grain size. Calculations of streamflow and sorptive distribution coefficient are given.