Floodplain ManagementSESSION 3

Stream Systems on Dynamic Earth

Meteorological Framework

Prepared By

Donald R. Reichmuth, PhD.

Meteorological Framework

Objectives:Show Temperature & Pressure

Gradients

Show Water Sources

Define A River Basin

Explain Published Resource Data

Illustrate Factors Affecting Weather

List Weather Related Disasters

North American Temperature Data

Mid-Continent:(North Central US & Canadian Plains)

Normally has cold winters and hot summers

that causes Mid-Continent

Winter High Pressure &

Summer Low Pressure

WinterTemperature

DataTypical Winter Pattern:

Coldest in Northern Mid-Continent

2004 Departure:

From Mean

North American Air Flow

Monsoon Pattern

Monsoon Defined:

A wind system that reverses direction

between summer and winter.

Monsoon Air Flow

Monsoon Air Flow

Earth’s Water

Sources:Outer SpaceVolcanoesRock Disintegration

Total Volume: 309,000 Units

One Unit (1) = 4475 Cubic Km (1070 Cubic Miles)

100 Units = Yearly Evaporation From Oceans300,000 Units = Present Volume All Oceans

Water Distribution(Total Units)

Hydrologic Cycle

Evaporation From Oceans

Wind Moves Moisture Laden Clouds

Moisture Condenses & Falls

PrecipitationFalls Back Into Oceans

Produces Stream Flow On Land

Enters Groundwater On Land

Water Returns To Oceans

Simplified Hydrologic Cycle

Detailed Hydrologic Cycle(Units Per Year)

River Basin Defined

The surface catchment area

upstream from a given point on a stream.

River Basin Runoff:Surface Stream Flow

Controlled by Surface Topography

Groundwater FlowControlled by Subsurface Structure

River Basin Example

Basin Topographic

Map

Grand River

• NOTE:

Subbasins Marked

Block DiagramGrand River Basin

Moisture Forecasthttp://www.cpc.ncp.noaa.gov/

ptoducts/analysis/monitoring/cdus/palmer_drought_outlook.gif

River Forecast Centerswww.nws.noaa.gov/er/nerfc

Hazards Assessment Briefinghttp://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/

products/predictions/threats

Precipitation Data

National Resources Conservation Service

(NRCS)

National Water & Climate Centerwww.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/

Snow Survey & Water Supplywww.nrcs.gov/programs/snowsurvey/

Western Regional Climate Center

(WRCC)wrcc@dri.edu

NRCS Snow Water Contenthttp://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/snow/data.current.html

River Basin Precipitation Data(wrcc@dri.edu)

Floodthreat Example

Flood Risk Example

Flood Warning Example

April 11, 2004

Red River, ND

Palmer Drought Severity Index

1. A “Meteorological” Drought Index

2. Widely Used In The USA

3. Measures Abnormality

4. Range+6 ---- Extremely Wet

0 ------ Near Normal

-6 ----- Extremely Dry

Dendrochronology

Example: Determining

Past Climate

Conditions

Drought Information Center(NOAA)

http://www.drought.noaa.gov/index.html

Home Page MenuLists Links To Numerous Products

PrecipitationSoil MoistureDroughtFire PotentialTemperature

Drought Conditionshttp://drought.unl.edu/dm

Drought Predictionhttp://www.ncep.noaa.gov/

products/expert_assessment/season_drought.gif

Local MicroclimatesOrographic Precipitation

Caused by Anabatic (Blowing Up Slope) Wind

Rain ShadowsCaused by Katabatic (Blowing Down Slope) Wind

Lake EffectsCaused by Wind Blowing Over Water

Heat IslandsCaused by Urban Heat Sources

Acid RainCaused by SO4 Emissions

Topographic Influence

Effect of Smoke Stack Emissions

Effect Of Urban Heat Islands

Lake Effect On Snowfall

Average Runoff Patterns

Low ----- Western Plains & Southwest

High ----- New England, Appalachians, Gulf Coast

& Pacific Northwest

Major Disasters By State

Major Disasters

Fire Management

Early 1900’sFire Suppression

Increased Fuel Load

Triggered Species Changes

1980’s Period

Major Wild Fires

Controlled Burns Started

Fire HistoryExample

Tree

Ring

Studies

Slide Presentation Prepared By

Geomax, P.C.Dr. Donald R. Reichmuth, President

1023 W. 30th Ave.Spokane, WA 99203-1324

Phone & FAX – 509-838-6390E-mail – geomax@comcast.net