Water Monitoring and Climate Change in the Upper Columbia Basin: Summary of Current Status and Opportunities

Document Type

Report

Publisher

Columbia Basin Trust

Publication Date

1-1-2017

Keywords

Aquatic Ecosystems, Climate Change, Columbia Basin, Monitoring, Water Resources

First Page

1

Last Page

68

Abstract

This report, commissioned by Columbia Basin Trust (the Trust), provides a snapshot of current scientific knowledge about water resources within the Trust region (the Basin), and outlines the scope and extent of water monitoring efforts in the Basin, the changes projected to occur due to climate change and the challenges and opportunities associated with strengthening water monitoring efforts to meet future information needs. It is intended for Basin residents, natural resource managers, professional and citizen scientists, and others to better understand and prepare for changes underway in Basin water resources, and highlights key challenges and opportunities associated with the current state of knowledge of Basin water resources. Three key questions guide the report: 1. What is the current state of water monitoring within the Basin and the associated scientific understanding of the state of Basin water resources? 2. What are the expected effects of projected climate change on Basin water resources? 3. What opportunities exist to improve our understanding of Basin water resources in the future? The document begins with an overview of Basin water resources, including various effects from land use and climate change. A detailed summary of Basin water monitoring follows along with a selective account of significant scientific understanding of snow and glaciers, rivers and streams, wetlands, lakes and reservoirs. In considering the pressures on these water resources from a warming climate, land use and human demand, future needs are identified for expanded water monitoring, scientific analysis and understanding.

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