Trends in the Maximum, Mean, and Low Flows of Turkish Rivers

Abstract

Abstract In this study the existence of trend in maximum, mean, and low flows of Turkish rivers has been investigated. The data consisted of the daily mean flows of nearly 100 flow stations in 24 hydrological regions of Turkey. Trend analysis has been carried out using the parametric t test and nonparametric τ (Mann–Kendall) test. Both tests have been applied to annual maximum, mean, 1-day, and 7-day low flows. Trend existence was detected in the majority of rivers in western and southern Turkey and in some parts of central and eastern Turkey. Trends in mean and low flows were more common compared with maximum flows. Except at a few stations, flows showed a decreasing trend. In the time period of the last 30–60 yr, statistically significant decrease was found especially in the mean and low flows (and in some of the maximum flows) in western, central, and southern parts of Turkey. Such trends were not observed in other regions. These results are in agreement with those of the precipitation trend studies in Turkey.