EARTH.COM - A recent study from UC Riverside has revealed that the effects of drought can linger in streams and rivers for up to 3.5 years, regardless of intervening storms. Contrary to common belief, the research highlights that a lack of rainfall is not the sole indicator of drought.
The study, published in the Journal of Hydrology, introduces a new approach to understanding and measuring drought. The research focuses on two crucial factors: total water level and baseflow in streams.
Total water level, often analyzed by researchers, is influenced by both snowmelt and rainfall. Baseflow, which is less frequently examined due to previous measurement challenges, represents the segment of streamflow originating from groundwater.