Effects of climate change on the distribution of the Arkansas River flow
Date
2006
Authors
Elgaali, Elgaali, author
Garcia, Luis A., author
Colorado State University, publisher
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
Understanding the effects of climate change on the distribution of river flow has been a longstanding objective. This paper investigates the possible effects of such climatic changes on streamflow of the Arkansas River in Colorado. Changes in monthly flow regimes were projected and aggregated to a decadal time scale using two future climate scenarios. The streamflow projections were derived from a relationship between streamflow and accumulated snow and temperature in the study re-gion mapped by a neural network developed for this purpose. April-September streamflow projections for the Arkansas River were analyzed for any changes. Results indicate an increase in the river flow, and in most cases the increases coincided with increased precipitation and temperature within the river basin. The historical peak flow shifted to from June to April. Frequency analyses of flow show that any flow in the months of April-July would be exceeded more frequently in the future. The percent of exceedance varies between the months. It is high for April-July; very low for August and almost negligible for September.
Description
2006 annual AGU hydrology days was held at Colorado State University on March 20 - March 22, 2006.
Includes bibliographical references.
Includes bibliographical references.