The Rio Grande is naturally a water-scarce basin in which droughts have been classified as severe (with almost no rain during some years) and extended (lasting more than 10, or even 15 years). Severe and persistent droughts in the Rio Grande basin reduce water availability, which triggers economic, environmental, and social impacts, and affects compliance with interstate compacts and international treaty commitments. In contrast, the Rio Grande basin is also affected by flood events that cause major losses to lives, properties, and economies. Understanding each of these periods of water scarcity and water abundance can help water managers to design adaptation strategies that cope with these two extremes while still supporting human and environmental water management needs.
The overall goal of this project is to assess the climate variability of the southern branch of the Rio Grande basin and characterize the periods of historical drought and water abundance for 110 years [1900 – 2010]. Results will help to understand extreme climatic events in the past to inform predictions of near future conditions of drought and floods. This study will also explore adaptation strategies relevant for agriculture, urban and rural communities, water management agencies, and environmental restoration to cope with extreme events.
This study addresses two chronic problems (droughts and floods) that have affected water users in the basin for the last 150 years and will continue to affect them in the future. Products from this research include documentation and brochures that explain possible adaptation strategies to cope with extreme climatic events and short videos for public outreach and education for communities and organizations in the Rio Grande basin.
