Identification and characterization of watershed models for evaluation of impacts of climate change on hydrology

Technical Report · Thu Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:5348080

Shafer, J M; Skaggs, R L

The identification and characterization of rainfall/snowmelt-runoff models was conducted to assist in research of the effects of a carbon dioxide-induced climate change on hydrology and freshwater resources. To understand the effect of a climate change on the supply and use of freshwater resources it is first necessary to understand the effect of such a change on runoff. Specific watershed models representing the broad range of existing modeling technology were evaluated in detail. Results of the analysis indicate that a wide range of watershed modeling capability exists. Results also indicate that, with the availability of digital computers capable of efficently handling large computational requirements, the level of modeling sophistication is greater than the available data necessary to support complex modeling. There is evidence, however, that this gap is closing with the development of more sophisticated data gathering and data management technology. 97 references, 5 figures, 4 tables.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 5348080
• Report Number(s): PNL-SA-11924; ON: DE84005049
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
520200* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
58 GEOSCIENCES
580100 -- Geology & Hydrology-- (-1989)
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CLIMATES
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
HYDROLOGY
MASS TRANSFER
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RESOURCES
RUNOFF
WATER RESOURCES
WATERSHEDS