Hydrologic Climate Change Indicators
Science Center Objects
Background Streams and rivers are an important environmental resource and provide water for many human needs. Streamflow is a measure of the volume of water carried by rivers and streams. Changes in streamflow can directly influence the supply of water available for human consumption, irrigation, generating electricity, and other needs. In addition, many plants and animals depend on streamfl...
Background
- In the past 70 years, seven-day low flows have generally increased in the Northeast and Midwest (in other words, on the driest days, streams are carrying more water than before) in parts of the Southeast and the Pacific Northwest. Overall, more sites have seen increases than decreases. The graph shows the influence of widespread droughts—for example, during the 1950s and 1960s (see fig. 1).
- Three-day high flow trends vary from region to region across the country. For example, streams in the Northeast have generally seen an increase or little change in high flows since 1940, while some West Coast streams have seen a decrease and others have seen an increase (see Figure 2). Overall, more sites have seen increases than decreases.
- More than half of the streams measured show winter-spring runoff happening at least 2 days earlier than it did in the past. The most dramatic change has occurred in the Northeast(see Figure 3).
Project Location
by County
NYWSCStatewide