HISTORICAL CLIMATE AND STREAMFLOW TRENDS OF THE GRAND TRAVERSE BAY REGION

The natural environment of the Grand Traverse Bay Region is not only accredited by residents as a top contributing factor to a high quality of life, it contributes to the region’s economy through recreation and tourism. Water is an extremely important part of the natural environment, as well as human use, and can be affected by climatic conditions. Because of the strong economic link, it is vital to study the Grand Traverse Bay Region‘s water resources and climate to better understand the complex relationships between driving and response factors. This in turn will help stakeholders assess potential impacts that a continually changing climate could have on the precious water resources this region depends on. Analyzing data collected by stream gauging and climate monitoring stations over the past century in the Boardman and Charlevoix River Watersheds provides insight on streamflow, temperature, and precipitation trends of this region have shifted. Cross-examination of climate change driver and response trends along with ecological and anthropological data can be used to assess the past, present, and possible future impacts of regional change in stream flow and climate.