Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID KY_2024_Day

Spatiotemporal Shifts in Extreme Streamflow Events Across the Kentucky River Watershed

Institute: Kentucky
Year Established: 2024 Start Date: 2024-09-01 End Date: 2025-08-31
Total Federal Funds: $9,861 Total Non-Federal Funds: $10,152

Principal Investigators: C. Andrew Day

Project Summary: Climate change can disrupt hydrological cycles at a variety of spatial scales, leading to changes in the timing and magnitude of extreme high and low streamflow events. Climate change has been linked to an increase in the intensity and frequency of extreme precipitation events, resulting in rapid increases in streamflow. Droughts can also be exacerbated by variations in precipitation patterns and prolonged periods of reduced rainfall and extended low flow periods. Existing research has, however, generated conflicting outcomes as to the resulting impacts on surface flow responses, resulting in both increased high and low flow events depending on the season. We propose to quantify the scale and effect of these potential changes on historical extreme streamflow responses for the Kentucky River watershed in Eastern Kentucky. To examine the potential role these changes have in driving historical extreme flow responses we will analyze daily discharge data and corresponding monthly air temperature and precipitation datasets for the period 1982-2022 for a series of watersheds that represent headwater and lower streams within the main watershed. Spatial and seasonal patterns and temporal trends in these drivers will be explored. Long/short-term changes in either extreme high or low flow events have the potential to interrupt the operation of watershed scale human and environmental systems. Our objectives will answer the following research questions: 1) What temporal trends exist in key extreme high/low streamflow variables?; 2) Do any spatial/seasonal patterns exist in these trends across the watershed?; 3) What climate drivers are responsible for these spatiotemporal changes/patterns?