Application of Streamflow Reconstruction to Water Resources Management - Dendroclimatology - page 230

Chapter 8
Application of Streamflow Reconstruction
to Water Resources Management

David M. Meko and Connie A. Woodhouse

Abstract Streamflow reconstruction—the statistical augmentation of streamflow
time series using tree-ring data—has been increasingly applied as a planning and
research tool in water resources studies over the past few decades. Streamflow
reconstruction in North America has evolved from a largely qualitative science in
the first half of the twentieth century into a highly quantitative science that draws
heavily on probabilistic theory. The historical development of streamflow recon-
struction from a western United States perspective is reviewed, with an emphasis on
developments of the last 30 years. Contributions to the study of water resources are
discussed. Temporal extension of gauge flow records is the central contribution of
the paleo record, but the statistical summary of those records and their manner of
presentation are important factors in determining the value to water resources man-
agement. Probabilistic interpretations of flow reconstructions are needed because of
uncertainty stemming both from limitations of the basic data and from the recon-
struction process itself. Case studies are presented for the Colorado River, at the
large spatial scale, and for the water-supply region of a metropolitan area—Denver,
Colorado—at the smaller scale. Interaction of the tree-ring scientists with water
managers and the public is a hallmark of modern applied reconstruction studies.
Aspects receiving increased attention are the extent to which seasonal flows can
be resolved, and how water managers and planners concerned with future condi-
tions can overlay impacts of expected climate change on the natural hydroclimatic
variability of the past as reflected in the tree-ring record.

Keywords Dendrohydrology · Tree rings · Streamflow · Water resources · Drought