Assessment of Water Availability and Associated Drivers for Historic and Future Conditions in the South Central Climate Science Center Region

Andy Bock, Lauren Hay, Jacob LaFountaine, Steven Markstrom, Roland Viger, Donald Brown, Christopher Emmerich, Gail Montgomery, Haylee Schweizer, Marian Talbert
Posted on: 7/18/2022 - Updated on: 8/10/2023

Posted by

CAKE Team

Published

Abstract

Understanding the changes in the distribution and quantity of, and demand for, water resources in response to a changing climate is essential to planning for, and adapting to, future climatic conditions. In order to plan for future conditions and challenges, it is crucial that managers understand the limitations and uncertainties associated with the characterization of these changes when making management decisions.

Changes in consumptive water use (water removed without return to a water resources system) will change streamflow, impacting downstream water users, their livelihoods, as well as aquatic ecosystems. Historical changes in available water may be attributed to changes in precipitation; but these changes may also be attributable to changes in consumptive use. Understanding the roles of natural and anthropogenic influences on the water cycle is an important component of this proposal.

The objective of this project is to provide an automated methodology and data products that the public can view, work with, and download through ScienceBase to assess: the accuracy of available climate data and climate projections, the hydrologic effects of these drivers on runoff for historical and future conditions, and the role of consumptive water use on available water supply.

Citation

Bock A., Hay L., LaFountaine J., Markstrom S., Viger R., Brown D., Emmerich C., Montgomery G., Schweizer H., Talbert M. (2015). Assessment of Water Availability and Associated Drivers for Historic and Future Conditions in the South Central Climate Science Center Region.

Affiliated Organizations

Established in 2012, the South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center provides decision makers with the science, tools, and information they need to address the impacts of climate variability and change on their areas of responsibility. The Center will transform how climate science is conducted and applied in the south-central United States. We support big thinking, including multi-institutional and stakeholder-driven approaches to assessing the impact of climate extremes on natural and cultural resources.

The USGS is a science organization that provides impartial information on the health of our ecosystems and environment, the natural hazards that threaten us, the natural resources we rely on, the impacts of climate and land-use change, and the core science systems that help us provide timely, relevant, and useable information.