Detection of Change in Flood Return Levels under Global Warming

Mondal, Arpita and Mujumdar, PP (2016) Detection of Change in Flood Return Levels under Global Warming. In: JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGIC ENGINEERING, 21 (8).

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Abstract

Using recent advancements in the statistical extreme value theory, this study proposes a methodology for detection of change in flood return levels under climate change. Nonstationary scaling of regional projected peak flows with global warming is first tested by a likelihood ratio test. For nonstationary possible future realizations, the authors then investigate how long the stationary historical design magnitudes or return levels of floods will remain valid, taking into account the uncertainties in the estimation of observed and projected return levels. Although some flood projections are found to be nonstationary, many are stationary in nature. No coherent change in flood return level across the projections is detected in the case study of floods in the Columbia River using available streamflow projections. Most projections yield flood quantiles that are not likely to be critical in the coming century. However, for some simulations detection is achieved, with earlier detection in design magnitudes of lower return periods. A possible worst-case scenario considering the maximum of all the projections shows detection of change in floods of higher return periods in the 21st century.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGIC ENGINEERING
Additional Information:	Copy right for this article belongs to the ASCE-AMER SOC CIVIL ENGINEERS, 1801 ALEXANDER BELL DR, RESTON, VA 20191-4400 USA
Department/Centre:	Division of Mechanical Sciences > Divecha Centre for Climate Change Division of Mechanical Sciences > Civil Engineering
Date Deposited:	22 Oct 2016 07:31
Last Modified:	22 Oct 2016 07:31
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/54947

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