Central Welland River Watershed Plan - Niagara Peninsula ...

CENTRAL WELLAND RIVER WATERSHED PLANThe following table summarizes commonly identified changes to the hydrological cycle that areexpected in the Great Lakes Basin resulting from climate change. This chart is taken directly fromMainstreaming Climate Change in Drinking Water Source Protection Planning (de Loe and Berg2006).HydrologicalParameterRunoffLake LevelsGroundwaterRechargeGroundwaterDischargeIce CoverSnow CoverWaterTemperatureSoil MoistureExpected Change in the 21 st Century, Great Lakes BasinDecreased annual runoff, but increased winter runoffEarlier and lower spring freshet (the flow resulting from melting snow and ice)Summer and fall flows are lower and last longerIncreased frequency of high flows due to extreme precipitation eventsLower net basin supplies and declining levels due to increased evaporationand timing of precipitationIncreased frequency of low water levelsDecreased groundwater recharge, with shallow aquifers being especiallysensitiveChanges in amount and timing of baseflow to streams, lakes and wetlandsIce cover season reduced, or eliminated completelyReduced snow cover (depth, area, and duration)Increased water temperature in surface and water bodiesSoil moisture may increase by as much as 80% during winter in the basin,but decrease by as much as 30% in summer and autumn210