Evaluating the usefulness of soil moisture (forecasts) in streamflow prediction for central Texas

The past decade has brought significant advancements in seasonal climate forecasting. However, water resources decision support and management continues to be based almost entirely on historical observations and does not take advantage of climate forecasts. This study builds on previous work that conditioned streamflow ensemble forecasts on observable climate indicators, such as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) for use in a decision support model for the Highland Lakes multi-reservoir system in central Texas operated by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA). In the current study, seasonal soil moisture is explored as a climate indicator and predictor of annual streamflow for the LCRA region. The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the correlation of fractional soil moisture with streamflow using the 1950-2000 Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) Retrospective Land Surface Data Set over the LCRA region. Correlations were determined by examining different annual and seasonal combinations of VIC modeled fractional soil moisture and observed streamflow. The applicability of the VIC Retrospective Land Surface Data Set as a data source for this study is tested along with establishing and analyzing patterns of climatology for the watershed study area using the selected data source (VIC model) and historical data. Correlation results showed potential for the use of soil moisture as a predictor of streamflow over the LCRA region. This was evident by the good correlations found between seasonal soil moisture and seasonal streamflow during coincident seasons as well as between seasonal and annual soil moisture with annual streamflow during coincident years. With the findings of good correlation between seasonal soil moisture from the VIC Retrospective Land Surface Data Set with observed annual streamflow presented in this study, future research would evaluate the application of NOAA Climate Prediction Center (CPC) forecasts of soil moisture in predicting annual streamflow for use in the decision support model for the LCRA.

A REGIONAL ASSESSMENT OF GROUNDWATER AVAILABILITY AS CONSTRAINED BY LOCAL HYDROGEOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL LIMITS TO STREAMFLOW DEPLETION

Groundwater pumping from aquifers in hydraulic connection with nearby streams is known to cause adverse impacts by decreasing flows to levels below those necessary to maintain aquatic ecosystems. The recent passage of the Great Lakes--St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact has brought attention to this issue in the Great Lakes region. In particular, the legislation requires the Great Lakes states to enact measures for limiting water withdrawals that can cause adverse ecosystem impacts. This study explores how both hydrogeologic and environmental flow limitations constrain groundwater availability in the Great Lakes Basin. A methodology for calculating maximum allowable pumping rates is presented. Groundwater availability across the basin is shown to be constrained by a combination of hydrogeologic yield and environmental flow limitations varying over both local and regional scales. The results are sensitive to factors such as pumping time and streamflow depletion limits as well as streambed conductance. Understanding how these restrictions constrain groundwater usage and which hydrogeologic characteristics and spatial variables have the most influence on potential streamflow depletions has important water resources policy and management implications.

Streamflow recharge to the Madison Limestone and the Casper Formation in the Glenrock area, east-central Wyoming /

Mode of access: Internet.

Hydrogeologic evaluation of the streamflow records in the Rogue River Basin, Oregon.

Mode of access: Internet.

Runoff evaluation and streamflow simulation by computer /

"A United States contribution to the International Hydrological Decade."

Report on Snake River streamflow depletion.

"Supplement A to Report ... prepared by a special task force of the Water Management Subcommittee, CBIAC, December, 1952" (7 l.) inserted at front of main report.

Estimated natural streamflow in the Rio San Jose upstream from the Pueblos of Acoma and Laguna, New Mexico /

Mode of access: Internet.

Simulation of streamflow of Flambeau River at Park Falls, Wisconsin to define low-flow characteristics /

Prepared in cooperation with Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Streamflow characteristics of the Yellowstone River Basin, Montana, through 1976 /

"July 1980."

Statistical summaries of Indiana streamflow data /

Includes bibliographical references (p. 5) and index.

Effects of the drought of 1980-81 on streamflow and on ground-water levels in Georgia /

Bibliography: p. 46.

Estimation of natural streamflow in the Jemez River at the boundaries of Indian lands, central New Mexico /

Bibliography: p. 24-25.

Watershed management : an annotated bibliography of erosion, streamflow, and water yield publications by the California Forest & Range Experiment Station /

Mode of access: Internet.

Streamflow synthesis for ungaged rivers.

Mode of access: Internet.