Characterizing streamflow trends is important for water resources management. Streamflow conditions, and trends thereof, are critical drivers of all aspects of stream geomorphology, sediment and nutrient transport, and ecological processes. Using the non-parametric modified Mann-Kendall test, we analyzed streamflow trends from 1996 to 2022 for the Southern Appalachian (SA) region of the U.S. The forested uplands of the SA receive high amounts of rain and act as a "water tower" for the surrounding lowland area, both of which have experienced higher than average population growth and urban development. For the total of 127 USGS gages with continuous streamflow measurements, we also evaluated precipitation and land change rates and patterns within the upstream contributing areas. Statistical methods (i.e., generalized linear models) were then used to assess any linkages between land cover change (LCC) and streamflow trends. Our results show that 42 drainage areas are experiencing increasing trends in their precipitation, and 1 is experiencing a negative trend. A total of 71 drainage areas are experiencing increasing trends in either their annual streamflow minimums, maximums, medians, or variability, with some experiencing changes in multiple. From our models, it is suggested that agricultural expansion is associated with increasing minimum streamflow trends, but increasing precipitation is also positively linked. With this information, water managers would be aware of which areas are experiencing changes in streamflow amounts from LCC or precipitation and could then apply this in planning and predictions. / Master of Science / Water availability is important for resources management. Streamflow is a measure of available surface water and is an important component in the hydrological cycle. Using the non-parametric modified Mann-Kendall test, we analyzed streamflow trends from 1996 to 2022 for the Southern Appalachian (SA) region of the U.S. The forested uplands of the SA receive high amounts of rain and act as a "water tower" for the surrounding lowland area, both of which have experienced higher than average population growth and city expansion. For the total of 127 USGS gages with continuous streamflow measurements, we also evaluated precipitation and land cover change rates within the area upstream of the gage (or drainage/contributing area). Statistical methods (i.e., generalized linear models) were then used to assess any linkages between land cover change (LCC) and streamflow trends. Our results show that 42 drainage areas are experiencing increasing trends in their precipitation, and 1 is experiencing a negative trend. A total of 71 drainage areas are experiencing increasing trends in either their annual streamflow minimums, maximums, medians, or variability, with some experiencing changes in multiple. From our models, it is suggested that agricultural expansion is associated with increasing minimum streamflow trends, but increasing precipitation is also positively linked. With this information, water managers would be aware of which areas are experiencing changes in streamflow amounts from LCC or precipitation and could then apply this in planning and predictions.

Submitted by Danilo José Brandao Vitor Silva null (danilojbrandao@yahoo.com.br) on 2017-02-03T15:40:19Z No. of bitstreams: 1 TESE DANILO BRANDÃO.pdf: 1732370 bytes, checksum: 2cb226321b60bf10a72d6f5d86091dfb (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by LUIZA DE MENEZES ROMANETTO (luizamenezes@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2017-02-07T11:31:33Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 silva_djbv_dr_guara.pdf: 1732370 bytes, checksum: 2cb226321b60bf10a72d6f5d86091dfb (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-02-07T11:31:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 silva_djbv_dr_guara.pdf: 1732370 bytes, checksum: 2cb226321b60bf10a72d6f5d86091dfb (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-01-19 / Este trabalho analisou os parâmetros hidroclimatológicos, buscando encontrar o padrão de precipitação em uma abordagem espaço-temporal para a porção paulista da bacia do rio Paraíba do Sul, empregando o interpolador geoestatístico krigagem. Além disso, verificou a existência de tendência de precipitação e de vazão em séries históricas nesta mesma bacia, utilizando o teste estatístico de Mann-Kendall. Com relação a espacialização da precipitação, foi constatada uma significativa variação espacial para os períodos analisados (verão, outono, inverno e primavera). No verão, período de recarga dos reservatórios, foram registrados os menores índices de precipitação na área de contribuição das sub-bacias que abastecem os reservatórios do Paraibuna e do Jaguari, implicando em uma possível redução na vazão afluente. Não se constatou tendência de precipitação estatisticamente significativa em escala de tempo interanual para os postos pluviométricos, entretanto, foi identificada tendência de diminuição para o outono. Para os postos fluviométricos das sub-bacias do rio Paraibuna, do rio Paraitinga e do rio Jaguari-Buquira, em um período interanual, houve tendência de aumento de vazão para séries históricas de 1930 a 1970 e de diminuição para séries de 1930 a 2015. As estações de medição de vazão utilizadas foram aquelas localizadas a montante dos reservatórios, não estando submetidas assim ao efeito de regularização de vazão. A tendência de diminuição de vazão encontrada para a região pode levar a uma alteração na disponibilidade hídrica e a um possível impacto no abastecimento e na geração de energia. / This research analyzed the hydroclimatological parameters, seeking to find the precipitation pattern in a space-time approach for the São Paulo portion of the Paraíba do Sul river basin, using the geostatistical interpolator kriging. In addition, it verified the existence of precipitation and streamflow trends in historical series for the same basin, using the statistical test of Mann-Kendall. Regarding the precipitation pattern, a significant spatial variability was observed for the periods analyzed (summer, autumn, winter and spring). In the summer, reservoir recharge period, the lowest precipitation rates were recorded in the sub-basin contribution area that supply the Paraibuna and Jaguari reservoirs, implying a possible reduction in the inflow. There was no statistically significant precipitation trend in the interannual time scale for the pluviometric stations, however, a decrease trend was identified for the autumn. For fluviometric stations in the sub-basins of the Paraibuna, Paraitinga and Jaguari-Buquira rivers, in the interannual time scale, there was a trend towards an increase in streamflow for historical series from 1930 to 1970 and decrease for series from 1930 to 2015. The streamflow stations used were those located upstream of the reservoirs and were not subject to the effect of flow regulation. The downward trend in streamflow found in the region can lead to a change in water availability and a possible impact on the supply and energy generation.