Impact of climate change on water supply in the upper Yukon River

A study was carried ot to determine the impact of projected climate change on water supply in the Yukon River above Whitehorse. The system is glacier fed with peak flows in late summer. Earlier low elevation snowmelt keeps water levels high for most of the summer. Historical monthly values of temperature and precipitation were used to develop a relationship with streamflow. Changes in temperature and precipitation based on a projected 100 percent increase in CO2 were used as a starting point to assess water supply impact. Evapotranspiration rates were estimated using a method which requires readily available parameters. These values were compared with projected monthly inflows to assess climate chamge impacts on the water balance.