CH Researcher Raised Concerns Years Before BC Flood

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Research by CH Paul Whitfield was featured in The Georgia Straight on flooding in the Kettle and Granby rivers which caused about 3,000 people to evacuate their homes in the Grand Forks, BC area.

A research paper by Paul Whitfield and others back in 1998, Evidence of climate change effects on the hydrology of streams in south-central BC, looked streamflow records from six watersheds in southern BC to identify changes that may be associated with climate change. The study found that “spring runoff starts earlier, late summer–early fall flows are lower, and early winter flows are higher with a warmer climate” and that “These changes were found to be statistically significant and are consistent with the hydrological impacts currently expected with global climate change”.

To read the full article: https://www.straight.com/news/1074481/researchers-raised-concerns-years-ago-about-climate-change-effects-kettle-river

Let’s Talk Climate & Water Science!

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The Centre for Hydrology is proud to co-present Let’s Talk Climate & Water Science, a public event where three internationally renowned climate and water scientists will speak about leading-edge studies on climate change and its impact on extreme events and changes to the water cycle. A panel discussion with questions from the audience will follow. This event is free and open to the public.

When: May 5, 2018 | Reception: 6:30 pm | Presentations: 7:00 pm

Where: Canmore Collegiate High School Theatre

For more details, including registering for free tickets: https://lets-talk-science.eventbrite.ca 

Event Poster

 

Seminar by Dr Juan Ignacio Lopez Moreno

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Dr Juan Ignacio Lopez Moreno, of the Pyrenean Ecology Institute of CSIC in Jaca, Spain, will present a CH seminar titled Climate Snow and Water Studies in the Pyrenees on Friday 20 April.

The Pyrenees is the largest mountain range in Spain and a good example of how climate and land use changes are affecting the hydrology of mountain headwaters and the water availability of neighbouring lowland areas.

The presentation will provide a summary of the research carried out in the Pyrenean Institute of Ecology to understand and quantify global change processes in mountain areas and its impacts on snowpack, glaciers and water resources.

The seminar will take place at 11am on Friday 20th April, in Room 1261 of the NHRC. It will also be streamed by WebEx.

 

 

High Snowpack Level Won’t Necessarily Lead to Flooding

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With snowpacks in the southern Canadian Rocky Mountains above to much above average normal (120%-144%), there is a rising concern for flooding as temperatures warm during the spring.

But John Pomeroy states that there isn’t a major concern for flooding – yet. The long-term forecast is still calling for a cooler spring, which means the snow in the mountains will likely melt slower this year. In addition, snowmelt alone has never driven flooding in Calgary and it would take a large rain-on-snow event to cause flooding. “With a changing climate, we can experience unprecedented weather extremes so it is important to stay vigilant, ” says John Pomeroy.

Read more:

 

Water Resources Warnings for Canada from Cape Town

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Writing in The Conversation, CH and Global Water Futures Director Dist. Prof. John Pomeroy has discussed the risk of extreme impacts related to water resources – in the form of drought, floods, adverse water quality and wildfires – in Canada.This post offers a synopsis of the article, which is available in full here.

In recent years, rationing has been implemented as a temporary solution to water shortages in several major cities and conurbations across the country. Such measures have yet to attain the extreme constraints currently being experienced in Cape Town, South Africa, but this may only be a matter of time. Where shifting meteorological patterns driven by anthropogenic climate-change diminish snow and rain, shortages are likely to become more intense and frequent, and will translate into increased wildfire risk, poor water-quality, and major impacts on agricultural and ecological systems.

At the other end of the scale, widespread settlement and development along major rivers, together with increasing occurrences of intense or extended rainstorms, has increased the potential for damaging flood events.

In Canada, disruption to the key contributions made by seasonal snowpack and glaciers is a particular cause for concern.

With many hitherto “unusual” weather events increasing in frequency as atmospheric and oceanic warming continues and meteorological systems respond, methods previously applied to gauge the risks of drought and flood are rapidly becoming obsolete.

In the light of such challenges, improvements in water security in Canada could be achieved by:

  1. Improving integration and coordination of water governance, planning and services, by developing national-scale capabilities to forecast floods, droughts, water quality and water supply.
  2. Working to reduce flood damage through more active and integrated river basin water management, calculating future flood risk and restricting development in future flood zones.
  3. Reassessment of infrastructure, and capabilities to manage and store water, in expectation of droughts longer and more severe than any previously experienced.
  4. Managing the cumulative effects of development within watersheds, thereby reducing the contamination of lakes and rivers, so that the water is safe to drink and sustains aquatic ecosystems.

This in turn will depend on moving away from the mosaic of local, regional, provincial and federal authorities which currently manages water governance, and establishing more coordinated, inclusive and effective services within a national water security strategy. The Global Water Futures program seeks to drive progress towards these goals, both nationally and internationally.

Canada Not Immune to Water Shortages

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In the wake of a water crisis in Cape Town, Dist. Prof. John Pomeroy talked to CBC News about the rising risk of water shortages in Western Canada. In a country known for its abundance of fresh water, Canadian scientists warn that some communities could face their own water crisis in the not-so-distant future.

Read the CBC article here.

For a more in-depth look at the water risks Canada is facing, read John Pomeroy’s article in the Conversation.

 

Researchers Use More Precise Models to Better Predict the Water Future

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Western and Northern Canada has experienced some of the highest rates of warming anywhere in the world. This warming has affected various aspects of the environment, from increased rainfall in the winter months to changes in the magnitude and timing of streamflow across the region.

As the Changing Cold Regions Network comes to an end in March 2018, researchers have improved models at both small and large scales to better predict what the future may hold under more changing climatic and environmental conditions. These models have been used to evaluate changes in the Mackenzie and Saskatchewan River basins and included work from 40 scientists from eight universities who worked with four federal agencies.

More information can be read in a National Post article here.

A short documentary film on the research conducted during the Changing Cold Regions Network can be viewed here.

Cold Regions Hydrology Research Opportunities at CH

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There are several research studentships and positions with Professor John Pomeroy, Director of the Global Water Futures Programme (GWF) and of the Centre for Hydrology at the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Sask. & Canmore, Alberta. GWF is the largest freshwater research programme in the world and is transforming our ability to understand and predict cold regions water security. Exceptional students may also be considered for a $45,000/year GWF Excellence Scholarship (see www.usask.ca/water)

GRADUATE STUDENTS

  • PhD Student – Cryospheric representation in large scale hydrological models
  • PhD Student – Contributing Area and Streamflow Dynamics

RESEARCHERS

  • Canadian Rockies Hydrological Observatory Research Scientist / Coldwater Laboratory Manager
  • Cold Regions Sensor Design and Construction – PDF or Electrical Engineer or Electronic Technologist

PhD Studentships

PhD Student – Cryospheric representation in large scale hydrological models
The successful candidate for this position will have a MSc in hydrology with experience in hydrological model development, excellent mathematics, computer coding and environmental physics skills and an understanding of cold regions hydrology: glaciers, snow, permafrost, frozen soils. This student will be working within the Integrated Modeling Program for Canada (IMPC) project of Global Water Futures on advancing the representation of glacier and snow dynamics, and heat and mass transfer in frozen ground in large scale hydrological models used in the GWF programme. The student will review, develop, encode and test advanced algorithms describing these processes in Environment Canada’s MESH hydrological model. Test sites in the Canadian Rockies, Prairie and North are available for model validation. This research will help quantify the impact of climate warming on cold regions hydrology with particular reference to quantifying pan‐Canadian changes in water supply and water security.

Co-supervised by Dr. John Pomeroy (Geography & Planning) and Dr. Al Pietroniro (Civil Engineering). Interested applicants should contact Dr. Pomeroy (centre.hydrology@usask.ca) with a cover letter explaining their motivation, academic CV, unofficial transcript and contact details for three academic references. http://artsandscience.usask.ca/geography/graduates/welcome.php

PhD Student – Contributing Area and Streamflow Dynamics
The successful candidate for this position will have a MSc in hydrology with experience in both field work and numerical hydrological modelling and excellent quantitative physical environmental science skills. A background in agricultural hydrology and knowledge of cold regions hydrology is an advantage. The student will be working within the Prairie Water Project of Global Water Futures on investigating the dynamics of Prairie streamflow as it relates to variations in basin contributing area. The student will use a combination of field and modelling studies to evaluate the contributing area-streamflow relationship and determine the influence of geomorphology, climate and wetland distribution. This research will contribute to knowledge that will inform land management decisions as it pertains to sustainable water management and water and nutrient transport to water bodies. The PhD will be expected to collaborate with others to evaluate the influence of best management practices on the health of Prairie water bodies.

Co-supervised by Dr. John Pomeroy and Dr. Chris Spence (Geography & Planning). Interested applicants should contact (centre.hydrology@usask.ca) with a cover letter explaining their motivation, academic CV, unofficial transcripts and contact details for three academic references. http://artsandscience.usask.ca/geography/graduates/welcome.php

RESEARCH POSITIONS

Canadian Rockies Hydrological Observatory Research Scientist / Coldwater Laboratory Manager
A rare opportunity exists for a post-doctoral scientist to be a field-based research scientist working in close collaboration with Professor John Pomeroy in conducting cold regions hydrology studies in the Canadian Rockies Hydrological Observatory, UAV-based hydrology studies with the Smart Water Systems Laboratory, and managing the GWF Coldwater Laboratory in Canmore, Alberta. This is part of the Global Water Futures programme. The successful candidate for this job will have a top-rated PhD and substantial publication record and evidence of leading successful field programmes in mountain snow and cold regions hydrology plus interest in leading a UAV and field station based measurement programme in the Canadian Rockies. Proven capability to conduct research outdoors in extreme conditions, exceptional leadership skills and training in wilderness first aid are essential for this position. Experience piloting UAVs and/or in hydrological modelling is an asset. Employment as a Research Scientist is directed only towards those with a valid Canadian work permit. International candidates may be considered for Post-Doctoral Fellow (PhD within 5 years of appointment) or Visiting Professorship (must take leave from home institution) appointments in support of this function.

Based in the Canadian Rockies town of Canmore, Alberta, your primary duties will be:

  • Advance scientific knowledge of mountain hydrological cycling
  • Conduct research towards a better understanding of mountain hydrology sensitivity to change
  • Contribute towards modelling glacier, alpine and forest hydrology in the Canadian Rockies
  • Conduct UAV-based investigation of mountain surface characteristics.
  • Engage with stakeholders and users of research in the Canadian Rockies
  • Write scientific papers, progress reports, conference presentations
  • Assist in mentoring MSc/PhD students, researchers and technicians at the Coldwater Lab.

Cold Regions Sensor Design and Construction – PDF or Electrical Engineer or Electronic Technologist
The successful candidate for this post will have extensive experience in developing and making circuit boards, assembly and contribution to design of environmental sensors, and deployment and testing of environmental sensors in testing facilities and outdoor environments. This post is in support of the Smart Water Systems Laboratory of the Global Water Futures programme at the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon. The candidate will work with a research scientist in development, construction and deployment of new snow, streamflow, micrometeorology, gas flux and soil moisture sensors for cold regions. International candidates are welcome to apply at the PDF level (5 years or less since PhD). Others should have a valid Canadian work permit.

Western Economic Diversification provides funding for Smart Water Systems Lab

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CH has received $1.37M from Western Economic Diversification (WED) to establish the Smart Water Systems Laboratory (formally the Autonomous and Airborne Cold Regions Innovation Laboratory), which will deliver transformative technological capabilities for water-related observation and data collection.

The funding will be used to purchase a range of advanced equipment (including drones, specialized cameras, a 3D printer and scanning system), and fund the development of new specialized sensors.

More information of the broader award to the U. of S. from W.E.D. is available here.

Tundra Hydrology Research Profiled by CCRN

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The research of Sebastian Krogh, a CH student from Chile working towards his PhD under the supervision of Dist. Prof. John Pomeroy, has been profiled in an article released by the Changing Cold Regions Network (CCRN).

Sebastian is studying interactions between climate, landscape and hydrology near Inuvik in the Northwest Territories. Using the Cold regions Hydrological Model (CRHM), he has reconstructed flows over the past 56 years in order to improve understanding of the processes associated with warming air temperatures and increasing vegetation on the tundra.

The article is available here.