And here is the last of the nine articles on Pacific Northwest Water in the September-October 2022 Water Resources IMPACT. It's by Dr. Megan L. Foster and Dr. Alan S. Kolokof the University of Idaho:
Download Idaho_Climate_WR_IMPACT_Sept_Oct2022
The first section:
In July 2022 scientists were shocked to find that temperatures in the United Kingdom soared above 40°C for the first time in recorded history. Despite what these and similar events may foretell, discussing climate change remains challenging in many parts of the United States.
Like many states within the intermountain region of the United States, Idaho is facing premature snowmelt and annual hydrographs that are substantially different from historical patterns. With changes in climate, the region’s snowmelt starts earlier in the spring than in previous years. Furthermore, the peak flow from the annual snowmelt is attenuated and stretched out over time.
These changes are consequential for water availability and water storage in Idaho. Earlier snowmelt and attenuated flow means less water is readily available for use in mid- to late summer— the exact time that agricultural needs for water peak in the region. The Idaho Water Resources Research Institute and the University of Idaho McClure Center for Public Policy Research framed these issues in terms of economic impact to reach a broad spectrum of stakeholders.
This graphic is not from the article but it illustrates what they mean when they talk about earlier snowmelt. This is from the McKenzie River in Oregon. The heavy dashed line is a simulation of the runoff ~2050.
Enjoy!
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