Skip Links

USGS - science for a changing world

Scientific Investigations Report 2011–5077

>> Pubs Warehouse > SIR 2011–5077

Integrated Watershed-Scale Response to Climate Change for Selected Basins Across the United States

By Steven L. Markstrom, Lauren E. Hay, Christian D. Ward-Garrison, John C. Risley, William A. Battaglin, David M. Bjerklie, Katherine J. Chase, Daniel E. Christiansen, Robert W. Dudley, Randall J. Hunt, Kathryn M. Koczot, Mark C. Mastin, R. Steven Regan, Roland J. Viger, Kevin C. Vining, and John F. Walker

Thumbnail of and link to report PDF (14.1 MB)Abstract

A study by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) evaluated the hydrologic response to different projected carbon emission scenarios of the 21st century using a hydrologic simulation model. This study involved five major steps: (1) setup, calibrate and evaluated the Precipitation Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) model in 14 basins across the United States by local USGS personnel; (2) acquire selected simulated carbon emission scenarios from the World Climate Research Programme’s Coupled Model Intercomparison Project; (3) statistical downscaling of these scenarios to create PRMS input files which reflect the future climatic conditions of these scenarios; (4) generate PRMS projections for the carbon emission scenarios for the 14 basins; and (5) analyze the modeled hydrologic response. This report presents an overview of this study, details of the methodology, results from the 14 basin simulations, and interpretation of these results.

A key finding is that the hydrological response of the different geographical regions of the United States to potential climate change may be different, depending on the dominant physical processes of that particular region. Also considered is the tremendous amount of uncertainty present in the carbon emission scenarios and how this uncertainty propagates through the hydrologic simulations.

First posted March 16, 2012

For additional information:
USGS Branch of Regional Research, Central Region
Box 25046, Mail Stop 418
Denver, CO 80225
water.usgs.gov/nrp/

Part or all of this report is presented in Portable Document Format (PDF); the latest version of Adobe Reader or similar software is required to view it. Download the latest version of Adobe Reader, free of charge.

Suggested citation:

Markstrom, S.L., Hay, L.E., Ward-Garrison, C.D., Risley, J.C., Battaglin, W.A., Bjerklie, D.M., Chase, K.J., Christiansen, D.E., Dudley, R.W., Hunt, R.J., Koczot, K.M., Mastin, M.C., Regan, R.S., Viger, R.J., Vining, K.C., and Walker, J.F., 2012, Integrated watershed-scale response to climate change for selected basins across the United States: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2011–5077, 143 p.


Contents

Abstract

Introduction

Study Sites

Description of the Simulation Models Used in this Study

Methods

Assumptions and Limitations

Precipitation Runoff Modeling System Projections by Application

Integrated Watershed Scale Response to Climate Change for Selected Basins Across the United States

Summary

Acknowledgments

References Cited

Appendix


Accessibility FOIA Privacy Policies and Notices

Take Pride in America logo USA.gov logo U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://pubsdata.usgs.gov/pubs/sir/2011/5077/index.html
Page Contact Information: GS Pubs Web Contact
Page Last Modified: Thursday, 10-Jan-2013 20:14:32 EST