Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from soil water was monitored in a tallgrass prairie using porous cup lysimeters positioned at two depths (20 and 80 cm) in Tully soils on six watersheds representing two different burn treatments and a control. In 1983, DOC averaged 31.8 + 2.5 (SE) mg/liter and ranged from 1.1 to 169.5 mg/liter. DOC was lower in 1984, averaged 4.6 + 0.3 (SE) mg/liter and ranged from 1.4 to 22.8 mg/liter. Mean DOC concentration at the 20 cm and 80 cm depths across six watersheds were similar during 1983 but differed in 1984 with higher DOC concentrations occurring at the 20 cm depth. Depth comparisons within watersheds for samples taken in 1983 indicated that soil profile depth did not significantly affect DOC concentrations. In 1984, three of six watersheds had significantly higher levels of DOC at the 20 cm depth. During 1983, a seasonal effect in DOC concentrations occurred early in the year, peaked in June and July, and declined thereafter. In 1984, seasonal fluctuations were not evident, possibly reflecting restricted sampling dates. Mean comparisons during 1983 between annual burned, 4-year burned, and unburned sites indicated that annual burned sites had lower DOC levels than unburned sites. In 1984, differences resulting from burn regimes were not apparent. Results suggest that many factors acting independently or synergistically influence DOC concentrations, reflecting the complexity of DOC dynamics in the tallgrass prairie