BC3 Seminars: Altering Hydrology due to a Changing Climate and the Perception of these Changes: Examples from the Mountains of Colorado and Mongolia

BC3 Seminars
“Altering Hydrology due to a Changing Climate and the Perception of these Changes: Examples from the Mountains of Colorado and Mongolia.“

Prof Steven R. Fassnacht

ESS-Watershed Science, Warner College of Natural Resources, Colorado State University

Abstract

The analysis of a changing climate has explored variations in annual temperatures and precipitation quantities, as well as seasonal variations and various indices of extreme conditions. The investigation of hydrological change is more recent and includes annual peak, average and low streamflows, as well as the timing of peak flows. Changes in snow accumulation patterns, typically April 1st snowpack quantities, have also been explored. This talk will present some of the hydrological changes that have been computed in the snow dominated regions of the Western United States, especially in the context of climate change. Some public perceptions of inter-annual variability among winters will be presented. The perception of hydro-climatic change observed by herders near the Khangai Mountains of central Mongolia will be compared to the station-based analysis of change. Finally, since the perception of change may be based on different time periods, an analysis of the significance of the length of record will be presented.