Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID IN_2024_Li

Impacts of hydrologic intensification on the long-term mean water budget in the continental United States

Institute: Indiana
USGS Grant Number:
Year Established: 2024 Start Date: 2025-01-01 End Date: 2027-12-31
Total Federal Funds: $208,047 Total Non-Federal Funds: $208,220

Principal Investigators: Zhiying Li

Project Summary: This research explores how the intensity and spacing of precipitation events impacts long-term water resources in the U.S., both now and in the future. While long-term total precipitation changes are very uncertain, it is widely accepted that the water cycle is intensifying globally as the climate warms. However, the effect of this intensification on water budgets is not yet well understood. Using various modeling tools, we examine how variations in hourly rainfall have affected historical streamflow patterns. We then use this information to project how future changes in rainfall distribution under warming will affect streamflow. The results offer valuable insights into future water resources amid climate change, particularly for the U.S. Geological Survey, stakeholders, and the broader scientific community. This research addresses a significant gap in understanding, which holds promise to improve confidence in how climate change will impact US water resources.