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

Technical Report · Tue May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984

OSTI ID:6118084

Shafer, J M; Skaggs, R L

There is growing concern that increases in the ambient concentration of atmospheric CO/sub 2/ will effectuate a significant change in the distribution of global precipitation as global temperatures rise. The identification and characterization of rainfall/snowmelt-runoff modeling capability is conducted to research the effects of a carbon dioxide-induced climate change on hydrology. To understand the effects of climate change on the supply and use of freshwater resources, it is necessary to understand the effects of climate change on hydrology, particularly runoff. The three general categories of watershed models reviewed are transfer functions, lumped parameter models, and distributed parameter models. Within each general classification specific watershed models that are publicly available and implementable on digital computers are reviewed in detail. Key factors in the model characterization are the component hydrologic processes, if any, each model addresses along with its climatology/meteorology-related input data requirements. Assumptions are made regarding the probable circumstances surrounding the application of watershed models to the analysis of climate change on hydrology. Based on these assumptions, in relation to the characteristics of the models, a subset of watershed models that appears suited for the evaluation of the impacts of climate change on hydrology was determined. 17 references, 2 figures, 6 tables.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, WA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 6118084
• Report Number(s): PNL-SA-12372; ON: DE85008575
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
520100 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- (-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
RUNOFF
WATERSHEDS