Climate Change Impacts in the Humid East and Midwest

Warmer Overall

• More rain with seasonal shift

• More rainfall in winter and late spring
• Potentially less rainfall in late summer and fall with more extreme droughts

• Lower summer and fall base flows in surface waters
• Lower summer and fall reservoir levels

• Changes in vegetation of watershed and aquifer recharge areas

• Altered recharge of groundwater aquifers
• Changes in quality (e.g. TOC, alkalinity) and quantity of runoff into surface waters

• Increased water temperature

• Increased evaporation and eutrophication in surface sources
• Water treatment and distribution challenges (e.g. disinfection, byproducts, regrowth)

• Increased water demand

• Possible increased urban demand during drought periods

More intense rainfall events

• Increased turbidity and sedimentation

• Loss of reservoir storage

• Shallower, warmer water; increased evaporation and eutrophication
• Potential conflicts with flood control objectives

• Water filtration or filtration/avoidance treatment challenges

• Increased risk of direct flood damage to water utility facilities

From: Implications of Climate Change for Urban Water Utilities." Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies. Washington D.C: Stratus Consulting Inc., 2007.