Floodplain Management SESSION 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

Winter Temperature Data Typical 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

Earth’s Water Sources: Outer Space Volcanoes Rock Disintegration Total Volume: 309,000 Units One Unit (1) = 4475 Cubic Km (1070 Cubic Miles) 100 Units = Yearly Evaporation From Oceans 300,000 Units = Present Volume All Oceans

Water Distribution ( Total Units)

Hydrologic Cycle Evaporation From Oceans Wind Moves Moisture Laden Clouds Moisture Condenses & Falls Precipitation Falls 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 Flow Controlled by Subsurface Structure

River Basin Example

Basin Topographic Map Grand River NOTE: Subbasins Marked

Block Diagram Grand River Basin

Moisture Forecast ptoducts/analysis/monitoring/cdus/palmer_drought_outlook.gif

River Forecast Centers

Hazards Assessment Briefing products/predictions/threats

Precipitation Data National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) National Water & Climate Center Snow Survey & Water Supply Western Regional Climate Center (WRCC)

NRCS Snow Water Content

River Basin Precipitation Data

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 Extremely Wet Near Normal Extremely Dry

Dendrochronology Example: Determining Past Climate Conditions

Drought Information Center (NOAA) Home Page Menu Lists Links To Numerous Products Precipitation Soil Moisture Drought Fire Potential Temperature

Drought Conditions

Drought Prediction products/expert_assessment/season_drought.gif

Local Microclimates Orographic Precipitation Caused by Anabatic (Blowing Up Slope) Wind Rain Shadows Caused by Katabatic (Blowing Down Slope) Wind Lake Effects Caused by Wind Blowing Over Water Heat Islands Caused by Urban Heat Sources Acid Rain Caused by SO 4 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’s Fire Suppression Increased Fuel Load Triggered Species Changes 1980’s Period Major Wild Fires Controlled Burns Started

Fire History Example Tree Ring Studies

Slide Presentation Prepared By Geomax, P.C. Dr. Donald R. Reichmuth, President 1023 W. 30 th Ave. Spokane, WA Phone & FAX – –