Is the rate of decline in the volume of the flow of a spring more closely modeled by a linear function or an exponential function? For non-mathnerds that translates as "Does the water steadily follow a pattern of decline until it goes dry or does it begin by declining quickly and then slow more and more until the rate of lessening is almost imperceptible?
I only used the technical terms because I think it probably follows the logarithmic function for some springs (i.e. South Fork over on San G which seems to decline a bit at times, but even in drought seems to settle into a steady flow at some point and does not appear to drop perceptibly after that point) and yet for other springs, such as Columbine (on San B) and Round Valley, the flow seems to follow a steady decline and then disappear altogether. I am guessing the difference is due to the aquifer that is supplying the spring - the smaller the aquifer, the more linear the function and vice versa.
So, does anyone who actually knows about such things have any light to shed on the subject? I am guessing wildly here.
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