Indicator Specification

River flow drought

Indicator Specification

Indicator codes: CLIM 018

Published 08 Sep 2008 Last modified 25 Aug 2017

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Topics: Climate change adaptation Water and marine environment

This page was archived on 25 Aug 2017 with reason: A new version has been published

Change in the severity of river flow droughts in Europe 1962-1990 Change in the severity of river flow droughts in France 1960-2000 Projected change in mean annual and summer minimum 7-day river flow between 2071-2100 and the reference period 1961-1990

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Assessment versions

Published (reviewed and quality assured)

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Rationale

Justification for indicator selection

Drought may refer to meteorological drought (precipitation well below average), hydrological drought (low river flows, lake and groundwater levels), agricultural drought (soil moisture deficit), environmental drought (impact on ecosystems) or socio-economic drought (impact on economic goods and services). The focus here is on hydrological drought, more specifically on river flow drought, as river flow is a measure of sustainable fresh water availability in a basin and is affected by climate change. River flow data are also more available than other hydrometric information such as groundwater recharge, surface water storage and soil moisture. Climate-induced trends in extreme low river flows are however often masked by land-use change, water management practices and extensive water withdrawals.
Prolonged droughts have considerable economic, societal and environmental impacts. They affect several sectors, such as energy production, both in terms of water availability for hydropower and cooling water for electricity generation, river navigation, agriculture, and public water supply.
Adverse effects of droughts and low river flow conditions can be mitigated on the supply side through the combined use of surface and groundwater, desalination of sea water, and water storage and transfer. Demand-side measures include improving water efficiency, metering, and water pricing. Shortages of water can be anticipated through effective monitoring and forecasting of future river flows and storage in reservoirs.

Scientific references

No rationale references available

Indicator definition

Change in the severity of river flow droughts in Europe 1962-1990
Change in the severity of river flow droughts in France 1960-2000
Projected change in mean annual and summer minimum 7-day river flow between 2071-2100 and the reference period 1961-1990

Units

http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/eea_report_2008_4/pp76-110CC2008_ch5-4to6_Water_quantity_and_quality.pdf

Policy context and targets

Context description

In April 2009 the European Commission presented a White Paper on the framework for adaptation policies and measures to reduce the European Union's vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. The aim is to increase the resilience to climate change of health, property and the productive functions of land, inter alia by improving the management of water resources and ecosystems. More knowledge is needed on climate impact and vulnerability but a considerable amount of information and research already exists which can be shared better through a proposed Clearing House Mechanism. The White Paper stresses the need to mainstream adaptation into existing and new EU policies. A number of Member States have already taken action and several have prepared national adaptation plans. The EU is also developing actions to enhance and finance adaptation in developing countries as part of a new post-2012 global climate agreement expected in Copenhagen (Dec. 2009). For more information see: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/climat/adaptation/index_en.htm