Variability and trends in runoff efficiency in the conterminous United States
Variability and trends in water-year runoff efficiency (RE) — computed as the ratio of water-year runoff (streamflow per unit area) to water-year precipitation — in the conterminous United States (CONUS) are examined for the 1951 through 2012 period. Changes in RE are analyzed using runoff and precipitation data aggregated to United States Geological Survey 8-digit hydrologic cataloging units (HUs). Results indicate increases in RE for some regions in the north-central CONUS and large decreases in RE for the south-central CONUS. The increases in RE in the north-central CONUS are explained by trends in climate, whereas the large decreases in RE in the south-central CONUS likely are related to groundwater withdrawals from the Ogallala aquifer to support irrigated agriculture.
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 2016 |
|---|---|
| Title | Variability and trends in runoff efficiency in the conterminous United States |
| DOI | 10.1111/1752-1688.12431 |
| Authors | Gregory J. McCabe, David M. Wolock |
| Publication Type | Article |
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Series Title | Journal of the American Water Resources Association |
| Index ID | 70173952 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
| USGS Organization | National Research Program - Central Branch |