Earth’s hydrology consists of many complicated processes that influence or directly impact the availability, as well as the quality, of water resources in a region. Rising global temperatures are projected to have a significant influence on these natural processes, affecting many components of the hydrological cycle. Hydrology, in the broadest definition, is the study of water. More specifically, it is a physical science, which “encompasses the distribution, movement, and quality of water in the Earth system” (Yarnal, 2014). Water resources, unlike hydrology, are defined as a social science in which “the use of water by humans” is studied (Yarnal, 2014). Water resources can be thought of as a component in the hydrological cycle, and are
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Precipitation, in the form of rain, is projected to increase considerably over the coming decades in the Mid-Atlantic region. In contrast, precipitation in the winter is expected to decrease (EPA, 2013). Excessive rainfall is likely to enhance the frequency of extreme flood events throughout the region, especially in low-lying areas prone to flooding. Additionally, rising sea levels are expected to create disproportionate flooding in coastal areas. As a resident of State College, Pennsylvania, my local watershed, Bald Eagle Watershed, lies within Region 3 and will likely incur similar impacts as other inland areas of the Mid-Atlantic …show more content…
As a ridge and valley region, precipitation and water resources within the Bald Eagle Watershed are influenced by the topography of the area. As weather systems move over the mountain tops (ridges), water vapor condenses and falls to the surface as precipitation. Subsequently, higher elevations typically receive greater volumes of precipitation than the low-lying valleys. As an example, annual precipitation in State College is fairly consistent, however, average annual precipitation is as much as 20% below that received at surrounding higher elevations (Joel N. Myers Weather Center, 2014). Moreover, runoff from the mountains increases water supply at lower elevations within Bald Eagle Watershed. Excessive rainfall enhances flow, volume and rate of runoff from the mountain ridges into the valleys. A greater frequency of extreme events such as flooding will likely occur across the region, especially in Bald Eagle Watershed as a result of these changing precipitation
Precipitation, in the form of rain, is projected to increase considerably over the coming decades in the Mid-Atlantic region. In contrast, precipitation in the winter is expected to decrease (EPA, 2013). Excessive rainfall is likely to enhance the frequency of extreme flood events throughout the region, especially in low-lying areas prone to flooding. Additionally, rising sea levels are expected to create disproportionate flooding in coastal areas. As a resident of State College, Pennsylvania, my local watershed, Bald Eagle Watershed, lies within Region 3 and will likely incur similar impacts as other inland areas of the Mid-Atlantic …show more content…
As a ridge and valley region, precipitation and water resources within the Bald Eagle Watershed are influenced by the topography of the area. As weather systems move over the mountain tops (ridges), water vapor condenses and falls to the surface as precipitation. Subsequently, higher elevations typically receive greater volumes of precipitation than the low-lying valleys. As an example, annual precipitation in State College is fairly consistent, however, average annual precipitation is as much as 20% below that received at surrounding higher elevations (Joel N. Myers Weather Center, 2014). Moreover, runoff from the mountains increases water supply at lower elevations within Bald Eagle Watershed. Excessive rainfall enhances flow, volume and rate of runoff from the mountain ridges into the valleys. A greater frequency of extreme events such as flooding will likely occur across the region, especially in Bald Eagle Watershed as a result of these changing precipitation