25 River Corridor Processes and Related Decision Making I

Monday, 18 March 2019
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Connecticut Room

INVESTIGATION OF SNOWMELT IMPACT ON TRENDS IN RUNOFF COEFFICIENTS OF FLOODS CAPABLE OF DAM BREAKS IN NEW ENGLAND

Paper number: 25-11
Program: Theme Sessions
Time: 11:00 AM – 11:20 AM

Authors

Abstract

New England (NE) is among the regions in the USA that have a high density of dam constructions and receive very high amounts of annual precipitation. As a result, flooding and its consequent damages have been an issue for a long time in this region. Climate change projections suggest that NE will experience even higher frequency of extreme precipitation events in the 21st century. Therefore, the study of flood characteristics in NE is of great importance. This study intends to investigate possible trends in the runoff coefficients of floods greater than a 5-yr 24-hr return period flow in 28 mostly pristine basins with long term historical data in NE. In addition, an interannual flood frequency analysis will reveal the significance of snowmelt in floods (especially during March and April) when snowmelt plays a major role in flood production processes. Therefore, this study will investigate if the antecedent snowpack depth can be a predictor of the volume and magnitude of Spring floods in NE. Results of this study will reveal if there is a general trend in the probability of large floods in NE and how significant a role the antecedent snowpack depth and snowmelt can have in NE floods. The findings of this study will contribute to better decision-making for the removal of dams in snow-dominated flood-prone regions in NE.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 51, No. 1

doi: 10.1130/abs/2019NE-328499

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