Kansas Water Science Center
Publications
Highlights
Estimates of Runoff Using Water-Balance and Atmospheric General Circulation ModelsBy D. M. Wolock and G. J. McCabeAbstractThe effects of potential climate change on mean annual runoff in the counterminous United States (U.S.) are examined using a simple water-balance model and output from two atmospheric general circulation models (GCMs). The two GCMs are from the Canadian Centre for Climate Prediction and Analysis (CCC) and the Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research (HAD). In general, the CCC GCM climate results in decreases in runoff for the counterminous U.S., and the HAD GCM climate produces increases in runoff. These estimated changes in runoff primarily are the result of estimated changes in precipitation. The changes in mean annual runoff, however, mostly are smaller than the decade-to-decade variability in GCM-based mean annual runoff and errors in GCM-based runoff. The differences in simulated runoff between the two GCMs, together with decade-to-decade variability and errors in GCM-based runoff, cause the estimates of changes in runoff to be uncertain and unreliable. Additional information on Watershed Processes can be found at: http://ks.water.usgs.gov/studies/watershed/ Wolock, D.M., and McCabe, G.J., 1999, Estimates of runoff using water-balance and atmospheric general circulation models: Journal of the American Water Resources Association, v. 35, no. 6, p. 1341-1350.
To request a paper copy of this journal article, email:
GS-W-KS_info@usgs.gov |
U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey
URL: /pubs/abstracts/wolock.awra.html
Page Contact Information: GS-W-KS_info@usgs.gov
Page Last Modified:Thursday, 05-Jan-2012 16:11:38 CST
The USGS has collected hydrologic information in Kansas since 1895 with the first USGS Cooperative
Water Program funding agreement for 6 streamflow gages with the Kansas Water Board. USGS collects streamflow
and gage-height data; reservoir content; water-quality and water-quantity data; suspended-sediment data;
and groundwater levels. Hydrologic studies are conducted on national, regional, statewide, and local levels.
The USGS in Kansas works cooperatively with 31 Federal, State, and local agencies, such as the Kansas Water Office, the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers, and the City of Wichita