Changes in Precipitation Timing and Their Links to Flash Floods and Droughts

In the past decade, many regions of Maryland have experienced hot, dry periods during summer months leading to flash droughts that have affected crops, forests, and stream baseflow. In the same time period, the intensity of summer storms has been increasing, with some sites experiencing multiple storm events in excess of the 100-year storm in the same year. My research group has been developing techniques to characterize precipitation clustering and the impacts on streamflow. We also have been monitoring small streams in Maryland urban and non-urban areas to measure flood rise rates, stream channel erosion, and the underlying geologic, geomorphic, and land use characteristics that mitigate or enhance these stream responses. Our goal is to provide information that can be used to identify existing flood hazard regions and to identify areas that have enhanced responses when developed.