The timing and amount of stream flow is expected to change over then next century across New England and northern New York.

Submitted by sdhandler on

The shifts in winter precipitation and temperature described above are expected to alter several hydrological variables. Warmer temperatures are expected to accelerate the hydrologic cycle by reducing winter snow cover and shifting an increasing amount of runoff to winter and away from spring and summer. Researchers project that peak (winter/spring) streamflow may advance by 10 to greater than 15 days by the end of the century, with the greater shifts in the north due to the influence of snowmelt on streamflow. Similarly, low streamflows are generally projected to be lower, particularly during the fall and under scenarios projecting greater warming. Additionally, there is expected to be greater annual variation, with increases in both low- and high-flow events through the course of the year.

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