International Journal of
Water Resources and Environmental Engineering

  • Abbreviation: Int. J. Water Res. Environ. Eng.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-6613
  • DOI: 10.5897/IJWREE
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 350

Full Length Research Paper

Low flow characteristics for regulated and unregulated streams in North Carolina and prediction using climate signals

Jenberu Feyyisa
  • Jenberu Feyyisa
  • United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Washington DC, United States.
  • Google Scholar
Scott DeNeale
  • Scott DeNeale
  • Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, United States.
  • Google Scholar
Brenda Pracheil
  • Brenda Pracheil
  • Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington, United States.
  • Google Scholar


  •  Received: 17 December 2023
  •  Accepted: 21 June 2024
  •  Published: 31 August 2024

Abstract

In this work, low flow statistics of regulated and unregulated streams in the state of North Carolina were updated with streamflow data through 2019. About 22% of the streams considered show a significant downward trend, but considerable low-frequency variability confounding trends. The relationship between regional index time series of groundwater-depth low flow and the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) was examined to determine whether low-frequency climate modes can account for the long-term pattern in low flows. Consequently, a significant correlation was found between AMO and groundwater-depth low flow, such that positive AMO is associated with lower groundwater-depth low flow and vice versa, particularly for the Piedmont region. Predictive equations for annual low flows at the ecoregion level shows that springtime average streamflow and AMO were selected as the primary predictors of low flow for coastal and Piedmont regions, whereas springtime average streamflow and the November–December–January average Oceanic Niño Index were used as the primary predictors for the mountain region. The relative root mean square error (RMSE) of the disaggregated predictions to US Geologic Survey gauge locations was <23% at 79% of the stations, between 24% and 43% at 10% of the stations, and greater than 44% at 1% of the stations. The remaining 10% of stations showed large RMSEs. This latter percentage is characterized by smaller drainage basins and intermittent flows, suggesting the prediction models are not applicable to drainage basins smaller than roughly 20 square km and intermittent streams.

Key words: Low flow, unit flow, eco-regions, prediction, AMO, ONI, 7Q10, regulated stream, unregulated stream.