Remote detection of water management impacts on evapotranspiration in the Colorado River Basin
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
Journal Volume
43
Journal Issue
10
Pages
5089-5097
Date Issued
2016
Author(s)
Abstract
The complexity involved in accurate estimation and numerical simulation of regional evapotranspiration (ET) can lead to inconsistency among techniques, usually attributed to methodological deficiencies. Here we hypothesize instead that discrepancies in ET estimates should be expected in some cases and can be applied to measure the effect of anthropogenic influences in developed river basins. We compare an ensemble of corrected ET estimates from land surface models with Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer satellite-based estimates in the intensively managed Colorado River Basin to contrast the roles of natural variability and human impacts. Satellite-based approaches yield larger annual amplitudes in ET estimates than land surface model simulations, primarily during the growing season. We find a total satellite-based ET flux of 142 ± 7 MAF yr−1 (175 ± 8.63 km3 yr−1), with 38% due to anthropogenic influences during summer months. We evaluate our estimates by comparison with reservoir storage and usage allotment components of the basin water management budget. ©2016. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.
Subjects
Colorado River Basin; evapotranspiration; GRACE; land surface models; water budget; water management
Other Subjects
Budget control; Climate models; Evapotranspiration; Geodetic satellites; Image reconstruction; Radiometers; Reservoir management; Reservoirs (water); Rivers; Satellites; Surface measurement; Water management; Watersheds; Anthropogenic influence; Colorado River Basin; GRACE; Gravity recovery and climate experiments; Land surface models; Moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer satellites; Regional evapotranspiration; Water budget; Water resources; anthropogenic effect; estimation method; evapotranspiration; flux measurement; GRACE; MODIS; numerical method; remote sensing; river basin; summer; water management; water storage; Colorado Basin [North America]
Type
journal article