About
Welcome to the Virginia Tech Watershed Hydrology Lab website. The lab is directed by Dr. Kevin McGuire. We are pleased that you are interested in learning more about us.
Watershed hydrology is a cross-cutting discipline that requires understanding a complex system of interacting processes that control the movement, occurrence, and quality of water in the landscape. Our research focuses on how watershed ecosystems function hydrologically. The overall goal of the research group is to develop better conceptualizations of watershed hydrological processes that can be used to develop predictive models, describe hydrologic interactions with biogeochemical systems, and support management decisions. Ultimately, this work will provide the foundation for science-based decisions on land management activities and planning for environmental change or variability (e.g., climate, land use, and disturbance). When conducting research our aim is to apply multiple approaches to address questions, obtain better information from field observations, bring realism to models, and work collaboratively across disciplines.
RESEARCH TOPICS: Watershed, hillslope, and forest hydrology; runoff generation processes; tracer and isotope applications in hydrology; land use and climate change effects on watershed processes and water quality; forest watershed management and effectiveness of best management practices; and interactions between hydrology and biogeochemistry.
CaptionHubbard Brook WS3 field crew - summer 2011 (Scott Bailey, USFS collaborator; Maggie Burns, UMaine REU; Rebecca Bourgault, UVM; JP Gannon, VT).
CaptionTyler check suspended sediment samplers on Stroubles Creek.
CaptionKris on bare dirt forest road in a loblolly pine clearcut.
CaptionKevin and Maggie paddling on Squam Lake.
CaptionKris and Andy Neal after installing an open-top culvert.
CaptionJP and Scott Bailey (USFS) sampling a groundwater seep.
CaptionHubbard Brook Hydropedology team at a rainy day meeting.
CaptionThe Hubbard Brook Hydropedology Team.
CaptionShow and tell at an intensive hillslope hydrology monitoring site.
CaptionCody running the total station.
CaptionVirginia stream in Giles County.
CaptionKevin and Stephen Schoenholtz as it begins to rain (Photo: G. Schoenholtz).
CaptionKevin and Charley at rain gauge clearing at Coweeta (G. Schoenholtz).
CaptionTyler taking a break from field work and hiking in the Whites.
CaptionGround-penetrating radar survey.
CaptionWatershed 3 summer crew - 2011.
CaptionPreparing to hike equipment to remote locations.
CaptionMaggie Burns doing slug tests in her wells.
CaptionWatershed 3 soils crew, summer 2009.
CaptionMaggie Zimmer sampling wells.
CaptionREU students (Tyler and Patricia) receiving some soils training from the State Soil Scientist.
CaptionCleaning in-stream dissolved organic matter sensor.
CaptionHubbard Brook Hydropedology PIs.
CaptionJP resting after digging some soil pits.
CaptionJP installing groundwater wells.
CaptionCatena from FOR 4354 - Forest Soils and Hydrology.
CaptionJoel with bore-hole permeameter.
