Effects of Snow Water Storage on Hydrologic Partitioning Across the Mountainous, Western United States

A decrease in the Snow Storage Index (SSI) due to climate warming is projected to reduce the volume of water partitioned to streamflow non-uniformly across the western United States, with significant implications for ecosystems and water supplies. The study employed a Budyko-based framework combined with SSI to assess hydrologic partitioning in snow-influenced watersheds. Greater snow water storage was positively correlated with increased streamflow, particularly in regions like the North Cascades/Cascades (r²: 0.62), Blue Mountains (r²: 0.56), and Canadian Rockies (r²: 0.55). The weekly Surface Water Inputs to Precipitation ratio was also a strong predictor of hydrologic partitioning, especially during mid-spring months (March/April). This research highlights the critical role of snow water storage in maintaining streamflow and underscores the potential impacts of climate change on water availability.

Hale, K. E., Musselman, K. N., Newman, A. J., Livneh, B., & Molotch, N. P. (2023). Effects of Snow Water Storage on Hydrologic Partitioning Across the Mountainous, Western United States. Water Resources Research, 59(8). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1029/2023wr034690