Runoff and Erosional Processes in an Arid Watershed

This paper reports the results of geomorphic, hydrologic, and hydraulic analyses that integrated a physical process computer model of rainfall/runoff processes with a geomorphic process/response model of contemporary arroyo behavior for an arid watershed in New Mexico. Sensitivity modeling demonstrates the importance of headwater areas in producing runoff in comparison to valley areas nearer the principal arroyos of the drainage system. Based on these results and observations, a process/response model of contemporary arroyo behavior is presented. This model unifies the different processes operating in different geographic locations of the watershed.