The number of “extreme streamflow” events observed in river systems have increased significantly across the United States and Canada over the last century, according to a study from Dartmouth College.
In regions where water runoff from snowmelt is a main contributor to river streamflow, the study found a rise in extreme events, such as flooding.
In drought-prone regions in the western and southeastern U.S., the study found that the frequency of extreme low-flow events has also become more common, particularly during summer and fall.
Read more at: Dartmouth College
Blue boxes indicate change in high flow frequency during each season. High-flow seasons are not decreasing in any region in the U.S. and Canada. Red boxes indicate where low-flow events are increasing significantly. This is especially prevalent in the drought-prone Southwest and Southeast U.S. (Photo Credit: Figure courtesy of Evan Dethier)