Potential effects of global warming on the Sacramento/San Joaquin watershed and the San Francisco estuary
January 1, 2002
California's primary hydrologic system, the San Francisco estuary and its upstream watershed, is vulnerable to the regional hydrologic consequences of projected global climate change. Projected temperature anomalies from a global climate model are used to drive a combined model of watershed hydrology and estuarine dynamics. By 2090, a projected temperature increase of 2.1°C results in a loss of about half of the average April snowpack storage, with greatest losses in the northern headwaters. Consequently, spring runoff is reduced by 5.6 km3(∼20% of historical annual runoff), with associated increases in winter flood peaks. The smaller spring flows yield spring/summer salinity increases of up to 9 psu, with larger increases in wet years.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 2002 |
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Title | Potential effects of global warming on the Sacramento/San Joaquin watershed and the San Francisco estuary |
DOI | 10.1029/2001GL014339 |
Authors | Noah Knowles, Daniel R. Cayan |
Publication Type | Article |
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Series Title | Geophysical Research Letters |
Index ID | 70174623 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
USGS Organization | California Water Science Center; San Francisco Bay-Delta; Toxic Substances Hydrology Program |