Reconstructing snowmelt in Idaho's watershed using historic streamflow records

In recent decades, a warming climate likely has accelerated the timing of spring snowmelt in the western United States; however, records of the timing of snowmelt typically only extend to the 1980s. Stream gage data can lengthen records of the timing of snowmelt back to the early 1900s, enhancing un...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Climatic change 2010-01, Vol.98 (1-2), p.155-176
Main Authors: Kunkel, Melvin L, Pierce, Jennifer L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Atmospheric Sciences
Bgi / Prodig
Climate change
Climate Change/Climate Change Impacts
Creeks & streams
Discharge measurement
Drought
Earth and Environmental Science
Earth Sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
Fourier transforms
Freshwater
Gages
Global warming
Historic
Hydrology
Hydrology. Hydrogeology
Hydrometeorology
Intervals
Nivology. Glaciology
Physical geography
Precipitation
Reconstruction
Rivers
Snow
Snowmelt
Snowpack
Spring
Stream discharge
Stream flow
Summer
Telemetry
Time measurements
Trends
Watersheds
Wavelet transforms
Wildfires
Winter
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Summary:In recent decades, a warming climate likely has accelerated the timing of spring snowmelt in the western United States; however, records of the timing of snowmelt typically only extend to the 1980s. Stream gage data can lengthen records of the timing of snowmelt back to the early 1900s, enhancing understanding of past, current, and future climate change on snowmelt-dominated watersheds and associated ecosystems. We used snowpack telemetry data and historic streamflow records to test reconstructions of final snowmelt dates using Short Time Fourier Transform (STFT) wavelet analysis of hydrographs. STFT reconstructions tested against known final snowmelt dates over the last ~25 years indicate final snowmelt can be determined within ±4 days ~95% of the time and within ±7 days 100% of the time. Comparison of the STFT method with the center of timing method indicates that in addition to reconstructing actual snowmelt dates (as opposed to dates associated with the center of timing of streamflow), the STFT method may limit interpretation errors associated with changes in discharge not related to snowmelt. Reconstructions of final snowmelt dates in the Idaho, U.S. study area show intervals of early snowmelt (1920s-1930s), later and less variable snowmelt (1940s-1970s), and both variable and early snowmelt (~1985-2007). Early and variable snowmelt during the last ~20 years is associated with large wildfires.
ISSN:0165-0009
1573-1480
DOI:10.1007/s10584-009-9651-x