Climate Impacts on Source Contributions and Evaporation to Flow in the Snake River Basin Using Surface Water Isoscapes (δ2H and δ18O)

Abstract

Rising global temperatures are expected to decrease the precipitation amount that falls as snow, causing greater risk of water scarcity, groundwater overdraft, and fire in areas that rely on mountain snowpack for their water supply. Streamflow in large river basins varies with the amount, timing, and type of precipitation, evapotranspiration, and drainage properties of watersheds; however, these controls vary in time and space making it difficult to identify the areas contributing most to flow and when. In this study, we separate the evaporative influences from source values of water isotopes from the Snake River basin in the western United States to relate source area to flow dynamics. We developed isoscapes (δ2H and δ18O) for the basin and found that isotopic composition of surface water in small watersheds is primarily controlled by longitude, latitude, and elevation. To examine temporal variability in source contributions to flow, we present a 6-years record of Snake River water isotopes from King Hill, Idaho, after removing evaporative influences. During periods of low flow, source water values were isotopically lighter indicating a larger contribution to flow from surface waters in the highest elevation, eastern portion of the basin. River evaporation increases were evident during summer likely reflecting climate, changing water availability, and management strategies within the basin. Our findings present a potential tool for identifying critical portions of basins contributing to river flow as climate fluctuations alter flow dynamics. This tool can be applied in other continental-interior basins where evaporation may obscure source water isotopic signatures. © 2021. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.