Streamflow Metrics: A dataset of modeled flow metrics for streams in the contiguous U.S. for historical and future climate change scenarios

Climate change is projected to alter the flow regimes of streams and rivers, with consequences for physical processes, aquatic organisms, and water resource management. To study these hydrologic changes, we have developed a database of flow metrics for streams across much of the United States (extent shown in Figure 1 of the User Guide) under historical conditions and future climate change scenarios. These are based on daily simulations of the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) macroscale hydrologic model from the Climate and Hydrology Projections Archive.

The U.S. Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station and the Office of Sustainability and Climate used these model outputs to calculate a set of summary streamflow metrics to describe key attributes of the flow regime for each stream segment in the 1:100,000-scale National Hydrography Dataset (NHDPlus version 2) in the conterminous United States. Datasets are available for the historical period (1977-2006), mid-century (2030–2059) and end-of-century (2070–2099). Future projections are based on the average of five global climate models (GCMs) associated with the RCP 8.5 high emissions scenario. Please see the User Guide for more information and important caveats on appropriate use.

Note: This dataset updates the prior dataset, which was available for the western U.S. only. For information on the prior dataset, see the archived version of this page here.

Related datasets:

• National forest contributions to streamflow
• National Stream Internet Project
• NorWeST stream temperature scenarios for the western U.S.
• Climate Shield cold-water refuge streams for native trout

Streamflow Metrics StoryMap
The Streamflow in a Changing Climate StoryMap provides a map viewer allowing users to compare key streamflow metrics for historical and future time periods, as well as the absolute and percent changes between these. Users can zoom in on their location of interest and click to query the flow metrics in a particular stream, for the currently selected time period. This StoryMap also provides background information and a description of each of these metrics. Additionally, the StoryMap includes a map exporter, allowing users to select a Region and Forest and generate a map for their streamflow metric and time period of interest. This map can be included in reports, presentations, and other documents.

Dataset Download

The full set of streamflow metrics for the historical and future time periods, and for the changes between time periods, for the entire contiguous U.S., can be downloaded from the FSGeodata Clearinghouse. These data can also be explored on ArcGIS Online.

Publications & Documentation