Date of Graduation
Summer 2024
Degree
Master of Natural and Applied Science in Geography, Geology, and Planning
Department
College of Natural & Applied Science
Committee Chair
Tasnuba Jerin
Abstract
Climate change has led to unpredictable hydrological patterns, significantly altering the fluvial environment and their flow regime. Despite extensive research, our knowledge about the impacts of climate change on flow regimes in the US Midwest is limited, particularly in karst-dominated fluvial landscapes. This research addresses this gap by investigating the effects of climatic change on the hydrogeomorphology of the James River, located in the karst-dominated Ozark Highlands in southwest Missouri, USA. The study focuses on two ~1.5 km stream segments—one relatively active and one stable in the context of geomorphology—near Springfield, Missouri. The research aims to (i) understand the changing streamflow regime in response to climate change by comparing streamflow return intervals between pre- (1956 – 1990) and post-(1990- 2023) climate change periods and (ii) explore the impacts of the shifting flow regime on the hydrogeomorphology of the active and stable reaches, and their variable responses. Peak streamflow data from USGS gaging stations is used to analyze flood frequency distributions, and HEC-RAS simulations are utilized to model inundation at different recurrence interval events. Results indicate that while streamflow magnitudes at all return intervals have increased with changing climate, larger floods with lower frequencies have increased considerably. The 2-year flood shows a 5% increase in magnitude, while the 25-year and 50-year floods exhibit significant increases of 86% and 72%, respectively. This finding highlights that climate change impacts are more pronounced for larger, less frequent floods, while the effect on 2-year channel-forming floods is relatively minor. The study also revealed considerable differences in the geomorphic responses between the stable and active reaches. The stable reach, characterized by confined valleys, exhibited a uniform increase in inundation width and depth before and after 1990 for all floods. In contrast, the active reach displayed varied impacts on inundation width and depth, influenced by the stream segments' topographic and geomorphic characteristics. These differences highlight the critical role of large scale geomorphic settings in determining the response of fluvial systems to larger floods. The results of this study contribute to our understanding of fluvial hydrogeomorphic interactions in response to climate change. Thus, it enhances our ability to predict future floods and develop more effective flood management and preparedness strategies.
Keywords
climate change, streamflow, shifting flow regime, karst-landscape, flood simulation model
Subject Categories
Geomorphology
Copyright
© Afrida Aranya
Recommended Citation
Aranya, Afrida, "Hydrogeomorphic Response of Fluvial Systems to Climate Change - An Example From James River, Missouri" (2024). MSU Graduate Theses. 3997.
https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/3997
