Evidence of climate change effects on the hydrology of streams in south-central bc

Abstract

This study is a selected search of streamflow records in south-central British Columbia for changes that may be associated with climate change. A force analysis approach was used to identify watersheds and segments of hydrologic records which were most likely to be responsive to changing climate. Initially three watersheds were selected and an additional three were added to study the effects of drainage area and land use intervention. It was found that spring runoff starts earlier, late summer – early fall flows are lower, and early winter flows are higher with a warmer climate. These changes were found to be statistically significant and are consistent with the hydrological impacts currently expected with global climate change. © 1998 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.