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Streamflow response to potential changes in climate in the Upper Rio Grande Basin Active

By New Mexico Water Science Center March 3, 2022

The Rio Grande is a vital water source for Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and northern Mexico. A model was developed to determine how Rio Grande streamflow could change in the future. Both streamflow timing and volume displayed substantial potential changes. However, streamflow timing was most affected, and runoff could arrive a month earlier than the historic average if temperatures continue to warm.

 USGS Upper Rio Grande Basin Climate Projections

Upstream image of Lobatos stream gage on Rio Grande, CO
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.
Upstream image of Lobatos stream gage on Rio Grande, New Mexico Water Science Center

 

Streamflow response to potential changes in climate in the Upper Rio Grande Basin

The Rio Grande is a vital water source for the southwestern States of Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas and for northern Mexico. The river serves as the primary source of water for irrigation in the region, has many environmental and recreational uses, and is used by more than 13 million people including those in the Cities of Albuquerque and Las Cruces, New Mexico; El Paso, Texas; and Ciudad Juárez
Authors
C. David Moeser, Shaleene B. Chavarria, Adrienne M. Wootten
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New Mexico Water Science Center

Application of the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) to simulate near-native streamflow in the Upper Rio Grande Basin

The U.S. Geological Survey’s Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) is widely used to simulate the effects of climate, topography, land cover, and soils on landscape-level hydrologic response and streamflow. This study developed, calibrated, and assessed a PRMS model that simulates near-native or naturalized streamflow conditions in the Upper Rio Grande Basin. A PRMS model framework of 1,021
Authors
Shaleene B. Chavarria, C. David Moeser, Kyle R. Douglas-Mankin
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New Mexico Water Science Center
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Future Peak Flow Along Rio Grande May Arrive Early Due to Climate Change

A new study finds that peak runoff on the Rio Grande could arrive earlier in the season by the end of the century, negatively impacting a watershed...

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