EFFECT OF CLIMATE CHANGE on THE WATER RESOURCES AND GEOMORPHOLOGY OF THE NECHES RIVER BASIN, TEXAS

This research evaluates the impact of climate change on both water resources and geomorphology of the Neches River basin, Texas. We have investigated possible change in regional streamflow, groundwater, and geomorphology resulting climate change. The Neches River basin, Texas, is an important source of water for agriculture, urban centers, and electrical power generation. Changes in the streamflow and groundwater are the main factors that must be considered in undertaking a hydrological impact assessment of climate change. The streamflow and groundwater series provide in interesting look at the high and low flow seasons within a year, their interannual variation, and within season attributes. Evidence for variances in the timing and amplitude of these seasons the annual flow is detected. These hydrologic changes appear to be associated with geomorphic adjustments. Both modest channel widening as well as channel decrease within the study reach occurred during the last century. Also, flood magnitudes and frequencies have changed and flow discharges have increased since the 1950s. To accomplish this research, we modeled the Neches River basin using GIS and field mapping in a multiscale approach by using linked geomorphic systems. Potential impacts of climate change on water yield and other hydrologic budget components were quantified by using SWAT with current and future climate scenarios.