Changes in the timing and magnitude of high and low flows, 1958-1988, Eagle Creek, Oregon

TitleChanges in the timing and magnitude of high and low flows, 1958-1988, Eagle Creek, Oregon
Publication TypeConference Proceedings
Year of Conference1990
AuthorsFedora, M. A.
Conference Name58th Annual Western Snow Conference
Series TitleProceedings of the 58th Annual Western Snow Conference
Date PublishedApril 1990
PublisherWestern Snow Conference
Conference LocationSacramento, California
KeywordsOregon, Regression, Snowmelt
Abstract

Eagle Creek is located on the south face of the Wallowa Mountains in northeastern Oregon and has a snow dominated runoff regime. A multiple regression approach was used to detect changes in streamflow extremes over a 31 year period. Measures of snow-water equivalent, temperature, precipitation and time were used as independent variables with peak flows and the timing and volume of streamflow available for irrigation as dependent variables. The magnitude of peak flows was best explained by the April 1 snow-water equivalent. Variation in the timing of low flows during the irrigation season was best explained by the April 1 snow-water equivalent and mean April-June temperature. The volume of streamflow through the irrigation season (July 1-September 30) was best explained by the April 1 snow-water equivalent, mean April-June temperature and time (in years). The time variable was significant at the 90% confidence level and indicated that streamflow available for irrigation increased by an average of 0.038 inches per year (316 acre-feet per year) over the study period.

URLsites/westernsnowconference.org/PDFs/1990Fedora.pdf