The impact of air temperature and precipitation change on water flows in British Columbia's North Thompson watershed

This study uses a network of air temperature stations, precipitation stations, and discharge stations to examine how air temperature and precipitation changes have impacted water flows in British Columbia's North Thompson River basin over the years 1951--2003. The North Thompson River is important to the flow regime of the Fraser River basin; it contributes over 13 percent of the Fraser River's mean annual flows. Air temperature increases in spring and April have likely resulted in earlier timing of flows, increased volume of spring and April flow, increased maximum discharges and reduced summer flows. Future climate change in combination with impacts to hydrology from the mountain pine beetle epidemic may lead to increased flooding and summer drought.