Spatial Patterns and Drivers of Nonperennial Flow Regimes in the Contiguous United States

Spatial Patterns and Drivers of Nonperennial Flow Regimes in the Contiguous United States

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 w...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: John C. Hammond, Margaret Zimmer, Margaret Shanafield, Kendra Kaiser, Sarah E. Godsey, Meryl C. Mims, Samuel C. Zipper, Ryan M. Burrows, Stephanie K. Kampf, Walter Dodds, C. Nathan Jones, Corey A. Krabbenhoft, Kate S. Boersma, Thibault Datry, Julian D. Olden, George H. Allen, Adam N. Price, Katie Costigan, Rebecca Hale, Adam S. Ward, Daniel C. Allen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2021-01-01
Series:Geophysical Research Letters
Subjects:
drying
flow regime
human influence
intermittent
nonperennial
streamflow
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GL090794
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary: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.
ISSN:0094-8276
1944-8007

Similar Items