Spatial patterns and drivers of nonperennial flow regimes in the contiguous United States

John C. Hammond; Margaret Zimmer; Margaret Shanafield; Kendra E. Kaiser; Sarah E Godsey; Meryl C. Mims; Samuel Zipper; Ryan Burrow; Stephanie K. Kampf; Walter Dodds; C. Nathan Jones; Corey Krabbenhoft; Kate Boersma; Thibault Datry; Julian D. Olden; George H. Allen; Adam N. Price; Katie H. Costigan; Rebecca Hale; Adam S Ward; Daniel Allen

doi:10.1029/2020GL090794

Spatial patterns and drivers of nonperennial flow regimes in the contiguous United States

Geophysical Research Letters

By: John C. Hammond, Margaret Zimmer, Margaret Shanafield, Kendra E. Kaiser, Sarah E Godsey, Meryl C. Mims, Samuel Zipper, Ryan Burrow, Stephanie K. Kampf, Walter Dodds, C. Nathan Jones, Corey Krabbenhoft, Kate Boersma, Thibault Datry, Julian D. Olden, George H. Allen, Adam N. Price, Katie H. Costigan, Rebecca Hale, Adam S Ward, and Daniel Allen

https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GL090794

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Data Releases:
- USGS data release - Mean annual no flow, climate and watershed properties for 540 non-perennial USGS gages in the contiguous U.S.
- USGS data release - Mean annual no flow, climate and watershed properties for 540 non-perennial USGS gages in the contiguous U.S.
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Abstract

Over half of global rivers and streams lack perennial flow, and understanding the distribution and drivers of their flow regimes is critical for understanding their hydrologic, biogeochemical, and ecological functions. We analyzed nonperennial flow regimes using 540 U.S. Geological Survey watersheds across the contiguous United States from 1979 to 2018. Multivariate analyses revealed regional differences in no-flow fraction, date of first no flow, and duration of the dry-down period, with further divergence between natural and human-altered watersheds. Aridity was a primary driver of no-flow metrics at the continental scale, while unique combinations of climatic, physiographic and anthropogenic drivers emerged at regional scales. Dry-down duration showed stronger associations with nonclimate drivers compared to no-flow fraction and timing. Although the sparse distribution of nonperennial gages limits our understanding of such streams, the watersheds examined here suggest the important role of aridity and land cover change in modulating future stream drying.

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Additional publication details
Publication type	Article
Publication Subtype	Journal Article
Title	Spatial patterns and drivers of nonperennial flow regimes in the contiguous United States
Series title	Geophysical Research Letters
DOI	10.1029/2020GL090794
Volume	48
Issue	2
Year Published	2021
Language	English
Publisher	American Geophysical Union
Contributing office(s)	Maryland-Delaware-District of Columbia Water Science Center
Description	e2020GL090794, 11 p.
Country	United States
Other Geospatial	contiguous United States
Google Analytic Metrics	Metrics page