Some effects of urbanization on streamflow records in a small watershed in the lower Fraser Valley, B.C

Abstract

Times series of monthly, mean daily and maximum instantaneous streamflows were examined for changes which may be associated with urbanization within the Nicomekl watershed in the lower Fraser Valley of British Columbia, Canada. An adjacent watershed, the Salmon which has had much less urbanization, provided a comparison. In these low lying watersheds which receive heavy winter precipitation even slight increases in runoff could lead to increased flooding problems. Urbanization is relatively new in this area and though land use changes due to urbanization are not yet extensive, statistically significant increases in streamflow were detected. Continued urbanization causing increased runoff may generate increased flooding problems in the futureLeith and Whitfield "Some effects of urbanization on streamflow records in a small watershed in the lower Fraser Valley, B.C." Northwest Science. 2000; 74(1): 69-7