Hydroclimatology & Paleohydrology for Decision Support, 2009-2011

Periods of record for Arizona stream gauges
Historical flood frequency by storm type at Santa Cruz River, Tucson gauge
Historical flood frequency by storm type at Little Colorado at Holbrook, Az gauge

 

POSITION
Research Assistant

FUNDING
Institute of the Environment, University of Arizona

SUPERVISOR
Katie Hirschboeck

PROJECT DATES
Aug 2009 – May 2011

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
This project explored innovative ways to address risk and resilience related to hydroclimatic extremes in both the upper and lower tails of streamflow probability distributions. The goal was to transfer the knowledge and record length that climate information and paleodata provide into useful tools for hydrologic decision making involving risk and resilience related to both floods and drought. Specific objectives included: (1) transfer of information from tree-ring reconstructions about past extreme streamflow episodes to water managers for integration into operations; (2) ongoing construction of a flood hydroclimatology database for linking climate, floods, and paleofloods; (3) interaction with stakeholders to develop innovative ways to use the flood database information; and (4) exploration of issues surrounding flood risk and human behavior to improve flood hazard management and flood warning practice. More information at http://www.climas.arizona.edu/research/hydroclimatology-paleohydrology-decision-support.