Indicators of streamflow alteration, habitat fragmentation, impervious cover, and water quality for Massachusetts stream basins

Weiskel, Peter K.; Brandt, Sara L.; DeSimone, Leslie A.; Ostiguy, Lance J.; Archfield, Stacey A.

doi:10.3133/sir20095272

Cited by 10 publications

(11 citation statements)

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“…Differences between spatial patterns for potential baseflow and for baseflow adjusted for consumptive use and interbasin transfers can be illustrated for the state of Massachusetts, which has developed a database of water use at approximately the HUC12 scale (Weiskel et al. ). Although somewhat patchy, groundwater withdrawals as a fraction of modeled median August flows tend to be greatest in the eastern third of Massachusetts, corresponding to population centers, with some areas of net surplus discharge (from wastewater) along major tributaries (Figure ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Statistical Models to Predict and Assess Spatial and Temporal Low‐Flow Variability in New England Rivers and Streams

Detenbeck

2018

J American Water Resour Assoc

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In the northern hemisphere, summer low flows are a key attribute defining both quantity and quality of aquatic habitat. I developed one set of models for New England streams/rivers predicting July/August median flows averaged across 1985–2015 as a function of weather, slope, % imperviousness, watershed storage, glacial geology, and soils. These models performed better than most United States Geological Survey models for summer flows developed at a statewide scale. I developed a second set of models predicting interannual differences in summer flows as a function of differences in air temperature, precipitation, the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index, and lagged NAO. Use of difference equations eliminated the need for transformations and accounted for serial autocorrelations at lag 1. The models were used in sequence to estimate time series for monthly low flows and for two derived flow metrics (tenth percentile [Q10] and minimum 3‐in‐5 year average flows). The first metric is commonly used in assessing risk to low‐flow conditions over time, while the second has been correlated with increased probability of localized extinctions for brook trout. The flow metrics showed increasing trends across most of New England for 1985–2015. However, application of summer flow models with average and extreme climate projections to the Taunton River, Massachusetts, a sensitive watershed undergoing rapid development, projected that low‐flow metrics will decrease over the next 50 years.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, water use restrictions and impacts on biological resources are high in this region due to the extensive groundwater withdrawals (Weiskel et al. ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Statistical Models to Predict and Assess Spatial and Temporal Low‐Flow Variability in New England Rivers and Streams

Detenbeck

2018

J American Water Resour Assoc

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“…Numerous scientific investigations have explored the relationship between the biological or ecosystem health of streams and the amount of impervious surface in associated tributary watershed areas. Results of these investigations consistently reveal that even relatively small amounts of untreated impervious surfaces in tributary drainage areas are a significant causative factor to aquatic life impairments and nonattainment of water quality standards (Klein 1979;Schueler 1994;Booth and Jackson 1997;Schueler et al 2009;Weiskel et al 2009;Armstrong et al 2011). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 89%

The Performance Analysis of Two Relatively Small Capacity Urban Retrofit Stormwater Controls

Houle¹,

Puls

Ballestero

2017

JWMM

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This paper details field investigations that were conducted on the performance of small capacity urban retrofit stormwater control measures. The objective of the two year study (2013)(2014)(2015) was to provide performance data on stormwater retrofits that could not be fully sized according to conventional standards due to space constraints. In many states performance credits are not granted to stormwater management controls that are not designed to manage regionally derived water quality volumes. In retrofit applications there may exist numerous limitations to conventionally sized systems such as limited rights of way, setback distances or existing utilities. The larger scale objective of green infrastructure implementation is to improve receiving water quality and therefore even undersized systems, to some extent, meet this objective.This study introduces data on two systems: an innovative bioretention design with a water treatment residual amended filter media and an internal storage reservoir; and an undersized linear subsurface gravel wetland sized to optimize both phosphorus and nitrogen removal. The systems were retrofitted into existing developed areas and were sized at less than the water quality volume due to limited space at each location. The bioretention system (IBSC) was constructed in a commercial area in the town of

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“…Estimated unregulated streamflow can be compared to current average net water withdrawals and user‐defined ecological streamflow targets to determine whether water use in the basin is within sustainable levels. The SYE has been used to quantify streamflow alteration due to water use at various temporal scales across the state (Weiskel et al ., ). The SYE is currently used as part of the Massachusetts Sustainable Water Management Initiative to estimate water availability under current water use conditions and to evaluate the impact of potential new or increased water withdrawals within a basin.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterizing Uncertainty in Daily Streamflow Estimates at Ungauged Locations for the Massachusetts Sustainable Yield Estimator

Farmer

Levin

2017

J American Water Resour Assoc

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Hydrologic characterization at ungauged locations is one of the quintessential challenges of hydrology. Beyond simulation of historical streamflows, it is similarly important to characterize the level of uncertainty in hydrologic estimates. In tandem with updates to Massachusetts Sustainable Yield Estimator, this work explores the application of global uncertainty estimates to daily streamflow simulations. Expanding on a method developed for deterministic modeling, this approach produces confidence intervals on daily streamflow developed through nonlinear spatial interpolation of daily streamflow using flow duration curves; the 95% confidence is examined. Archived cross-validations of daily streamflows from 66 watersheds in and around Massachusetts are used to evaluate an approach to uncertainty characterization. Neighboring sites are treated as ungauged, producing relative errors that can be resampled and applied to target sites. The method, with some modification, is found to provide appropriately narrow confidence intervals that contain 95% of the observed streamflows in cross-validation. Further characterizing uncertainty, multiday means of daily streamflow are evaluated. Working through cross-validation in Massachusetts, two-to three-month averages of daily streamflow show the best performance. These two approaches to uncertainty characterization inform how streamflow simulation produced for prediction in ungauged basins can be used for water resources management.

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Indicators of streamflow alteration, habitat fragmentation, impervious cover, and water quality for Massachusetts stream basins

Cited by 10 publications

References 0 publications

Statistical Models to Predict and Assess Spatial and Temporal Low‐Flow Variability in New England Rivers and Streams

Statistical Models to Predict and Assess Spatial and Temporal Low‐Flow Variability in New England Rivers and Streams

The Performance Analysis of Two Relatively Small Capacity Urban Retrofit Stormwater Controls

Characterizing Uncertainty in Daily Streamflow Estimates at Ungauged Locations for the Massachusetts Sustainable Yield Estimator

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