Heterogeneous Precipitation and Streamflow Trends in the Xiangxi River Watershed, 1961–2010
Publication: Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 19, Issue 6
Abstract
This study aims to perform a comprehensive trend analysis of precipitation and streamflow at the watershed scale. Multiple techniques were employed to examine the temporal trends in annual, seasonal, and monthly precipitation as well as streamflow in the Xiangxi River watershed, China. Results showed that heterogeneous trends existed in precipitation and streamflow. To be specific, statistically insignificant trends in annual and seasonal precipitation were discovered, but varying monthly precipitation exhibited complex changes, especially for the decreasing precipitation in September. Annual and autumn average streamflow in addition to monthly streamflow in April, May, September, October, and November were found to experience a downward trend. Also, negative trends were detected in all low flow statistics, including annual minimum instantaneous streamflow; , , monthly, seasonal-minimum, and annual-minimum daily-mean streamflow; and 7-, 14-, and 30-day consecutive minimum streamflow. For high flow statistics, monthly maximum streamflow showed a slight upward tendency in dry months (December, January, and February), while its values in April, May, September, and October indicated a decreasing trend. In addition, and were found to have a statistically significant negative trend. Sequential Mann-Kendall (MK) test revealed an earlier beginning of the trends in low flow statistics than the other stream flows. Change point analysis suggested that changes in streamflow statistics had occurred since 1989, and accordingly, a new relation between precipitation and streamflow was established after 1988. Anthropogenic activities, especially small hydropower development, were found to be mainly responsible for changes in streamflow regime during the last 50 years. Thus, the obtained findings would help to better implement hydrologic engineering design and water resources planning and management over the watershed under changing environment.
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Acknowledgments
This research was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 51190095 and 51225904) and the Program for Innovative Research Team in University (IRT1127). The authors are also indebted to the editors and reviewers for their valuable comments and suggestions on improving the manuscript.
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Published In
Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 19 • Issue 6 • June 2014
Pages: 1247 - 1258
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© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Feb 27, 2013
Accepted: Aug 19, 2013
Published online: Aug 21, 2013
Discussion open until: Jan 21, 2014
Published in print: Jun 1, 2014
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