Analysis and synthesis of headwater streamflow modeling and downstream effects
There is a critical need for improved headwater stream modeling as headwaters are vulnerable to loss, destruction, or hydrologic alterations.
There is a critical need for improved headwater stream modeling as headwaters are vulnerable to loss, destruction, or hydrologic alterations. Advancing the science of headwater hydrology and their connections and effects downstream will better inform management of these systems. To help meet this need, an EPA-USGS Joint Headwaters Working Group will organize an analysis and synthesis of modeling headwater streamflow and downstream effects across CONUS, identify where gaps and challenges exist in our current streamflow modeling and consider downstream hydrological effects. While we hope to have multiple in-person meetings, the first meeting (July 2023 – outlined more below) will focus on developing the conceptual framework and synthesizing the current state of the science on process-based and statistical hydrological models for headwater streamflow characterization. A subsequent meeting would focus on quantifying downstream effects of headwaters on flooding, drought, and baseflow, concurrently assessing the effects of scale and spatial resolution on outcomes.
Principal Investigators:
Kris Jaeger (USGS)
Roy Sando (USGS)
Jay Christensen (EPA)
Heather Golden (EPA)
Charles Lane (EPA)
Tyler Mahoney (University of Louisville)
Publications:
Golden, H.E., Christensen, J.R., McMillan, H.K. et al. Advancing the science of headwater streamflow for global water protection. Nat Water 3, 16–26 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44221-024-00351-1.
Advancing the science of headwater streamflow for global water protection Advancing the science of headwater streamflow for global water protection
There is a critical need for improved headwater stream modeling as headwaters are vulnerable to loss, destruction, or hydrologic alterations.
There is a critical need for improved headwater stream modeling as headwaters are vulnerable to loss, destruction, or hydrologic alterations. Advancing the science of headwater hydrology and their connections and effects downstream will better inform management of these systems. To help meet this need, an EPA-USGS Joint Headwaters Working Group will organize an analysis and synthesis of modeling headwater streamflow and downstream effects across CONUS, identify where gaps and challenges exist in our current streamflow modeling and consider downstream hydrological effects. While we hope to have multiple in-person meetings, the first meeting (July 2023 – outlined more below) will focus on developing the conceptual framework and synthesizing the current state of the science on process-based and statistical hydrological models for headwater streamflow characterization. A subsequent meeting would focus on quantifying downstream effects of headwaters on flooding, drought, and baseflow, concurrently assessing the effects of scale and spatial resolution on outcomes.
Principal Investigators:
Kris Jaeger (USGS)
Roy Sando (USGS)
Jay Christensen (EPA)
Heather Golden (EPA)
Charles Lane (EPA)
Tyler Mahoney (University of Louisville)
Publications:
Golden, H.E., Christensen, J.R., McMillan, H.K. et al. Advancing the science of headwater streamflow for global water protection. Nat Water 3, 16–26 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44221-024-00351-1.