Assessing the effect on streamflow of two snow dominated watersheds in Sierra Nevada, California using hydrologic modeling in GIS

One of main water sources in California is mountain snowpack. Peak streamflow affected by snowmelt water from snowpack is reported two to three weeks happening earlier in a seasonal cycle for last several decades. This study estimates prediction of the future peak streamflow and total annual average streamflow in two basins, the American basin and Upper Merced basin in Sierra Nevada in California using a hydrologic model, SWAT and future climate scenarios, Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5. Results from analyses using the model show that peak streamflow could happen one or two month earlier than the period of 1975 to 2014 and total annual average streamflow could increase in both of the basins. The results from this thesis could be useful for water resource planners to develop a future plan of these basins and the methods used in this thesis could be applied to other similar snow dominated mountainous areas