loading page

Multi-Proxy, Multi-Season Streamflow Reconstruction with Mass Balance Adjustment
  • +1
  • Hung Nguyen,
  • Stefano Galelli,
  • Chenxi Xu,
  • Brendan Buckley
Hung Nguyen
Singapore University of Technology and Design

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

Author Profile
Stefano Galelli
Singapore University of Technology and Design
Author Profile
Chenxi Xu
Institute of Geology and Geophysics Chinese Academy of Sciences
Author Profile
Brendan Buckley
Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University
Author Profile

Abstract

Despite having offered important hydroclimatic insights, streamflow reconstructions still see limited use in water resources operations, because annual reconstructions are not suitable for decisions at finer time scales. Attempts towards sub-annual reconstructions have relied on statistical disaggregation, which uses none or little proxy information. Here, we develop a novel framework that optimizes proxy combinations to simultaneously produce seasonal and annual reconstructions. Importantly, the framework ensures that total seasonal flow matches annual flow closely. This mass balance criterion is necessary to avoid misguiding water management decisions, such as water allocation. Using the framework, and leveraging a multi-species network of ring width and cellulose δ18O in Southeast Asia, we reconstruct seasonal and annual inflow to Thailand’s largest reservoir. The reconstructions are statistically skillful. This work is one step closer towards operational usability of streamflow reconstruction in water resources management.