Classification and trends in intermittent river flow regimes in Australia, northwestern Europe and USA: a global perspective

Sauquet, Eric; Shanafield, Margaret; Hammond, John C.; Sefton, Catherine ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8157-0368; Leigh, Catherine; Datry, Thibault. 2021 Classification and trends in intermittent river flow regimes in Australia, northwestern Europe and USA: a global perspective. Journal of Hydrology, 597, 126170. 17, pp. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2021.126170

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2021.126170

Abstract/Summary

This study examines the spatial and temporal variability of flow intermittence over the period 1970–2018 across four countries (Australia, France, UK and the conterminous USA). Intermittence (no-flow periods) in 471 unregulated non-perennial rivers were analyzed using flow data collected from 1356 gauging stations distributed across the four countries. Climate data were also analyzed to place findings within a climate-change context. Intermittence of streamflow demonstrated high seasonality and showed regional differences. An aridity index was the most relevant explanatory factor of flow intermittence at the global scale; the more arid the climate, the higher the probability of non-perennial flow regimes. Flow intermittence was observed, however, in humid climate zones. A global classification of intermittent rivers was developed that included all the facets of the flow regime. This classification served as a basis for trend detection in annual frequency of no flows at the regional scale. Some, but not all, of the 14 examined regions in Australia and the US displayed significant trends and most of them displayed an upward trend in the occurrence of no-flow days.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2021.126170
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Water Resources (Science Area 2017-)
ISSN:	0022-1694
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.
Additional Keywords:	flow intermittence, streamflow variability, river flow classification, trend analysis
NORA Subject Terms:	Hydrology
Date made live:	29 Mar 2021 10:52 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/529968

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2021.126170

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Water Resources (Science Area 2017-)

ISSN:

0022-1694

Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:

Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.

Additional Keywords:

flow intermittence, streamflow variability, river flow classification, trend analysis