Responses of baseflow to snowpack variability in semiarid, snow-dominated, mountainous watersheds

Abstract:

Snow-dominated, mountainous catchments are important sources of water resources in New Mexico. These catchments typically receive the highest amounts of precipitation in the region, store water in the form of snowpack and groundwater, and feed into larger river basins. These watersheds are expected to experience earlier snowmelt and less snowpack due to climate change. Previous research has been done analyzing the streamflow responses to snowpack variability with a particular focus on snowmelt runoff pulses. However, less research is focused on responses of baseflow to snowpack and precipitation variability. In light of recent studies on groundwater contributions to streamflow in mountainous watersheds, more analysis needs to be conducted on responses of baseflow to precipitation and snowpack variability in these headwater catchments due to the importance of baseflow to supporting ecosystems and communities during times of lesser precipitation. In previous research related to snowpack-streamflow responses, snow water equivalent (SWE) and peak SWE have been shown to influence baseflow. Given anticipated changes in snowpack and snowmelt runoff, we test snowpack-related parameters for correlations to baseflow within the same water year and in ensuing water years. Relationships of snowpack parameters to baseflow in the Whiskey Creek, Rio Hondo, upper Rio Grande, Rio Chama, and Rio Ruidoso will be defined and used for further research and assessment of vulnerability to climate change in these watersheds.