Global-Warming Effects on New York Streamflows
Publication: Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 121, Issue 2
Abstract
Impacts of global warming on streamflows were estimated for four large watersheds in New York State using a daily streamflow model. Three different 100-yr daily weather sequences were input to the model. The first was produced using statistics of current (1961–90) weather records. The second and third sequences were based on modifications of these historic statistics according to the monthly mean temperature and precipitation changes associated with a doubling of atmospheric CO 2 as predicted by two different general circulation models. For 2 × CO 2 conditions, mean annual water balances for all four watersheds indicated modest (1–9%) decreases in precipitation, but much larger (16–42%) decreases in streamflow due to increases in evapotranspiration. Winter flows generally increased, but flows in the remaining seasons often decreased. Monthly streamflow changes varied considerably among watersheds, and we could not attribute these changes to specific differences in land uses or soils.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 121 • Issue 2 • March 1995
Pages: 216 - 225
Copyright
Copyright © 1995 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Mar 1, 1995
Published in print: Mar 1995
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