Using Precipitation Climatology to Examine the Role of Climate Change in Extreme Events of the Mississippi River Basin Completed
The greater Mississippi River Basin drains 3.2 million square kilometers of land and spans 31 U.S. states. Ninety percent of all U.S. agricultural exports are grown in the Mississippi River Basin, and about 40 percent of the nation's total exports are transported through its major rivers. About 1.3 million people, accounting for $405 billion in annual revenues, work in river-related jobs across the basin. Ecologically, the Mississippi River Basin supports about 100 amphibious, reptile, and mammal species and provides habitat for almost 250 fish and 50 mussel species. Its floodplain supports about 40 percent of North America’s wading birds and waterfowl and over 180 National Wildlife Refuges. Yet, even with engineered river systems, the region has experienced over 30 disaster-level floods and dozens of major drought events since 2017. Climate change is projected to continue to disrupt the amount, frequency, extent, and timing of precipitation events across the Mississippi River Basin. These changes have direct and indirect impacts on aquatic and riverine ecosystems. It is clear that an all-basin approach to the impacts of climate change in the Mississippi River Basin is necessary, yet most studies to date have focused on sub-basins.
In this study, researchers will document a case history of extreme precipitation events across the Mississippi River Basin from 1990–2019, including the surface observations of precipitation for these events, the atmospheric drivers (e.g., El Niño, La Niña) of each event, and major local or remote hydrologic impacts of the event. For a subset of these cases, the team will conduct a literature review and will analyze reanalysis data to examine what atmospheric, oceanic, or other characteristic conditions are precursors of these events and what, if any, commonalities can be found.
These cases will be packaged into datasets and text descriptions for use beyond this project. The project will improve our understanding of the risks and impacts of extreme precipitation events on the fish, wildlife, and agroecosystems supported by the rivers and streams of the Mississippi River Basin.
- Source: USGS Sciencebase (id: 615dc705d34e7b019243c02c)
The greater Mississippi River Basin drains 3.2 million square kilometers of land and spans 31 U.S. states. Ninety percent of all U.S. agricultural exports are grown in the Mississippi River Basin, and about 40 percent of the nation's total exports are transported through its major rivers. About 1.3 million people, accounting for $405 billion in annual revenues, work in river-related jobs across the basin. Ecologically, the Mississippi River Basin supports about 100 amphibious, reptile, and mammal species and provides habitat for almost 250 fish and 50 mussel species. Its floodplain supports about 40 percent of North America’s wading birds and waterfowl and over 180 National Wildlife Refuges. Yet, even with engineered river systems, the region has experienced over 30 disaster-level floods and dozens of major drought events since 2017. Climate change is projected to continue to disrupt the amount, frequency, extent, and timing of precipitation events across the Mississippi River Basin. These changes have direct and indirect impacts on aquatic and riverine ecosystems. It is clear that an all-basin approach to the impacts of climate change in the Mississippi River Basin is necessary, yet most studies to date have focused on sub-basins.
In this study, researchers will document a case history of extreme precipitation events across the Mississippi River Basin from 1990–2019, including the surface observations of precipitation for these events, the atmospheric drivers (e.g., El Niño, La Niña) of each event, and major local or remote hydrologic impacts of the event. For a subset of these cases, the team will conduct a literature review and will analyze reanalysis data to examine what atmospheric, oceanic, or other characteristic conditions are precursors of these events and what, if any, commonalities can be found.
These cases will be packaged into datasets and text descriptions for use beyond this project. The project will improve our understanding of the risks and impacts of extreme precipitation events on the fish, wildlife, and agroecosystems supported by the rivers and streams of the Mississippi River Basin.
- Source: USGS Sciencebase (id: 615dc705d34e7b019243c02c)