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Droughts in river basins of the western United States
Author(s) -
Loaiciga Hugo A.,
Michaelsen Joel,
Garver Sara,
Haston Laura,
Leipnik Roy B.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/92gl01697
Subject(s) - streamflow , drainage basin , dendrochronology , hydrology (agriculture) , climatology , distribution (mathematics) , geology , physical geography , environmental science , geography , mathematical analysis , cartography , geotechnical engineering , mathematics , paleontology
Tree‐ring reconstructions of centuries‐long streamflows in four river basins of western United States were used to assess the severity, frequency and distribution of duration of droughts in the basins, and the probability of extreme drought in well‐populated areas of California and Arizona. Our results show (i) greater long‐drought threat than that inferred from historical streamflow records; (ii) weak statistical dependence of streamflows across the river basins; and (iii) significant probability of droughts in individual river basins.