Assessment of Climate Change Effects of Drought Conditions Using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool

Abstract

A combination of annual peak water demand due to seasonal population spikes along with small and shallow aquifers has prompted an assessment of the region’s watersheds as operating at a net water deficit. This study uses the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to simulate historical drought conditions in the Chipuxet watershed in Rhode Island, USA. The calibrated and validated model uses the Soil Moisture Deficit Index (SMDI) and Evapotranspiration Deficit Index (ETDI) as well as an Indicators of Hydrological Alteration (IHA) calculation to determine the frequency and severity of historical droughts and to simulate climate change conditions developed through a downscaled climate model selection. The output data for the historical and climate change scenarios were analyzed for drought frequency and severity. Results indicate that water stress will increase in both low-emission (RCP4.5) and high-emission (RCP8.5) scenarios. Additionally, the SMDI and ETDI show that RCP8.5 climate scenarios will have more severe deficits. Finally, IHA data indicate that zero-flow days and low-flow durations increase under all climate scenarios.