Permafrost is a barrier to infiltration, percolation, recharge and groundwater flow
Seasonal changes
1. Accumulation of snow and river/lake ice in winter
2. Melting snow and ice and top 1m of permafrost in spring/summer = big increase in river flow creating extensive wetlands, ponds, lakes
3. Storage on the surface in the summer = a temporary store
4. Permafrost prevents water infiltrating
5. Minimal relief impedes drainage and leads to waterlogging
Physical factors affecting the flow and stores of water in the water cycle
Temperature
Relief
Temperature
8/9 months of the year there is a negative heat balance
Average monthly temperatures are below freezing so the ground is permanently frozen
Only the top metre or so thaws in the short summer
This essentially makes the ground impermeable for most of the year
In the summer when the top layer thaws, water sits on the surface as it is not able to infiltrate due to the impermeable ground
Relief
Minimal relief due to years of erosion and years of weathering means water does not flow downhill but tends to sit on the surface, leading to waterlogging
