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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Boise, Idaho » Northwest Watershed Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #199589

Title: The analysis of the trends in hydro-climatic parameters of a mountainous catchment in the western United States

Author
item NAYAK, A - UNIV OF IDAHO
item Marks, Daniel
item CHANDLER, DAVID - UTAH STATE UNIV

Submitted to: Trans American Geophysical Union
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/7/2005
Publication Date: 12/15/2005
Citation: Nayak, A., Marks, D., and Chandler, D.G. 2005. The analysis of the trends in hydro-climatic parameters of a mountainous catchment in the western United States, abstract H52B-04, Eos, Transactions of the American Geophysical Union, 86(52):F907

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Numerous investigators have reported changes in patterns of snow deposition and melt in the western US. The Reynolds Creek Experimental Watershed (RCEW) provides us the opportunity to evaluate these changes by looking at 40 years of data from multiple sites representing different elevation and site conditions. In this study we analyze the data form the three long term weather sites established in 60’s and investigate the trends present in hydro-climatic parameters (mostly temperature, precipitation and humidity) on a daily, monthly, seasonal and annual basis, over the period of data records. Preliminary analysis of the temperature data shows that over the 40 year period there has been an increase in average temperature of 0.5 C at the lower elevation sites and 1.2 C at the high elevation site. This is characterized by the significant increase in average annual daily minimum temperature (by 1.2 to 1.5 C) and small increase in average annual daily maximum temperature. Preliminary analysis also shows an increasing trend in the vapor pressure. The runoff data from a set of nested catchments within the watershed will also be analyzed to check whether it is consistent with trends in hydro-climatic parameters. This study will be helpful in improving our understanding of climate variability and change, and its effect on water resources and the hydrology of semi-arid mountainous watersheds in the northwestern US.