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“After the snowier winter of 2010-2011 (left image), much of North America received less snow during the winter
of 2011-2012 (right image). Less snow often results in fewer springtime floods, but also means there will be less
melt water to fill reservoirs and lakes. These maps were compiled using data from the Moderate Resolution
Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument aboard the NASA Terra satellite.”
—Credit: NASA Earth Observatory
Impacted areas of
California
Albedo - temperature
feedback
● Predictions: NH is projected to
experience a 7-25% decrease of
snow cover
● Predictions: Near surface
permafrost area predicted to
decrease 37-81%
● Predictions: Average Spring
snow cover in NH projected to
decrease 10-30%
● Predictions: ⅓ - ½ of all
mountain glaciers could
disappear
● Impacts: Water resource
management must deal with the
decreased flow rates
Technology
California needs to “explore adaptation
measures to improve the reliability of future
water supplies in California,” (Chung).
The term ‘1 in 10 year storm’ describes a rainfall event which is rare and is
only likely to occur once every 10 years, so it has a 10 percent likelihood
any given year. The rainfall will be greater and the flooding will be worse
than the worst storm expected in any single year.
The potential adverse impacts of global warming include the exacerbation of air quality problems, a reduction in the
quality and supply of water to the state from the Sierra snowpack, a rise in sea levels resulting in the displacement of
thousands of coastal businesses and residences, damage to marine ecosystems and the natural environment, and an
increase in the incidences of infectious diseases, asthma, and other human health-related problems(California State
Assembly Bill 32, 2006)
● The bill introduced legislation focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG)
● Snowpack was only mentioned at the start of the legislation, defined as a natural water storage
resource in California
Mitigation Issue
● Snowpack melt serves as a resource water for 25 million residents as well as 750
thousand acres of farmland [NRDC].
● Accounts for a third of California’s water supply [DWR]
● State Water Project relies on environmental health of San Joaquin/Sacramento
Delta, where water is diverted from the upper parts of the rivers via accumulation
in reservoirs and watersheds [Nature Conservancy of California].
● State Water Project (State) runs in association with Central Valley Water Project
(Federal)
● 25% of Water from State Water Project stimulates economy by going to
agricultural use [NRDC].
E.G of State Water Project
Snowpack as an indicator
April 1 signifies transition into the melting phase of snowpack, the transition from
focus flood control to water distribution begins. The index of water storage and use
is indicated through the following 4 months of runoff accumulation, which resets
every year. Trend suggests melt is reoccuring earlier than April 1st and
recommends classifications based on runoff adapt to changes implicated by climate
change [California Climate Change].
Governor Brown Pillars of Climate Change Action
Moreover, this will exacerbate the rate of warming in the region due to climate
change, with reciprocal negative environmental effects expected to worsen (ex.
Landslides due to the increasing intense storms rather than seasonal precipitation).
Snowpack
Hint: OPEN YOUR MOUTH there are no wrong answers and we won’t make fun of
you!
Resources
● California, State of. “Edmund G. Brown Jr.” /, California Department of Water Resources, 2018, www.water.ca.gov/Programs/All-Programs/Climate-Change-
Program/Climate-Change-and-Water.
● Ferrell, Jesse. “Webcams show stark difference in California snowpack 2018 vs. 2017.” Local Weather from AccuWeather.Com - Superior Accuracy™, AccuWeather, 23
Jan. 2018, www.accuweather.com/en/weather-blogs/weathermatrix/webcams-show-stark-difference-in-california-snowpack-2018-vs-2017/70003892.
● “Snow and Climate.” Snow and Climate | National Snow and Ice Data Center, National Snow and Ice Data Center, 2018, nsidc.org/cryosphere/snow/climate.html.
● Chung, Francis, et.al. “Using Future Climate Projections to Support Water Resources Decision Making in California.” California Department of Water Resources, DWR,
May 2009,
www.water.ca.gov/LegacyFiles/pubs/climate/using_future_climate_projections_to_support_water_resources_decision_making_in_california/usingfutureclimateprojtosupp
water_jun09_web.pdf.
● Chang, Heejun, and Matthew Ryan Bonnette. “Climate change and water‐related ecosystem services: impacts of drought in California, USA.” Ecosystem Health and
Sustainability, Ecological Society of America, 27 Dec. 2016, onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ehs2.1254/full.
● Dove, Adrienne, et al. “Physics of a Thick Seasonal Snowpack with Possible Implications for Snow Algae.” Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research, vol. 44, no. 1, 2012,
pp. 36–49. JSTOR, JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/41416446.
● Climate Change Division (2008-12-17). "Precipitation and Storm Changes". United States Environmental Protection Agency. 17 December, 2017.
● Sangwan, Nikhil. “Calculating the Total Annual Precipitation.” Calculating the Total Annual Precipitation, Carleton College, 8 Nov. 2016,
serc.carleton.edu/hydromodules/steps/114218.html.
● Boulder Area Sustainability Information Network (2005). "What is a 100 year flood?". Boulder Community Network. Retrieved 2009-01-02.
● Barbour, M. G., et al. “Snowpack and the Distribution of a Major Vegetation Ecotone in the Sierra Nevada of California.” Journal of Biogeography, vol. 18, no. 2, 1991,
pp. 141–149. JSTOR, JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/2845288.
● Natural Resources Defence Council. 2014. California Snowpack and the Drought. NRDC fact sheet. Available from: https://www.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/ca-snowpack-
and-drought-FS.pdf
● California Department of Water Resources.2018. State Water Project. Available from: https://www.water.ca.gov/Programs/State-Water-Project
● Nature Conservancy of California. 2012. Where Does California’s Water Supply Come From? Land conservation and the watersheds that supply California’s drinking
water.