Projected Changes to Streamflow Characteristics over Western Canada as Simulated by the Canadian RCM

Abstract

Abstract Intensification of the global hydrological cycle and increase in precipitation for some regions around the world, including the northern mid- to high latitudes, is expected in a changing climate. Changes in the amount of seasonal precipitation and the intensity and frequency of extreme precipitation events directly affect the magnitude of seasonal streamflows and the timing and severity of floods and droughts. In this study, the Canadian Regional Climate Model (CRCM) projected changes to streamflow characteristics (i.e., hydrologic regime, mean annual streamflows, and the timing, frequency, and magnitude of extreme flows—low and high) over selected basins in western Canada and assessment of errors associated with these characteristics in the current climate are presented. An ensemble of five current (1961–90) and five future (2041–70) simulations, corresponding to the Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (SRES) A2 scenario, are used in the assessment of projected changes; the ensemble of simulations allows better quantification of uncertainty in projected changes. Results of the study suggest an increase in the magnitude of winter streamflows and an earlier snowmelt peak for the northern basins. In addition, study of selected return levels of extreme flows suggest important changes to the timing, frequency, and magnitude of both low and high flows, with significant increases in 10-yr 15-day winter and fall low flows and 1-day high flows, for all the high-latitude west Canadian basins. The level of confidence in projected changes to mean annual streamflows is relatively higher compared to that for extreme flows for most of the basins studied.