Climate Change and Water

Precipitation Changes

Human communities (our infrastructure and development patterns) and the natural ecosystems we depend upon are all adapted to historical precipitation patterns. Those patterns are changing. The dominant trend in precipitation throughout the Northeast United States, including Ulster County, has been towards increases in rainfall intensity (heavy downpours) and further increases in rainfall intensity are expected.

This map shows percent increases in the amount of precipitation falling in very heavy events (defined as the heaviest 1% of all daily events) from 1958 to 2012 for each region of the continental United States. Adapted from: Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States.

Change in the amount of precipitation, both observed and predicted, varies across the seasons. The largest increase in precipitation has been observed recently in the fall (a 15% increase in the Northeast). Projected changes by the end of the century are less certain in summer and fall, and for the entire year. Although winter and spring precipitation is projected to increase.

However, the frequency of heavy downpours is projected to continue to increase as the century progresses. Extreme precipitation (measured as daily precipitation total) has increased the most in the spring and fall in the Northeast. An additional 14-22% increase in extreme daily precipitation is predicted for the Northeast, depending on the amount that emissions are reduced.

In addition, hurricanes are anticipated to become both more frequent and more intense in the future, with greater amounts of precipitation.

The mechanism driving these changes is well understood. Warmer air can contain more water vapor than cooler air. Global analyses show that the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere has in fact increased due to human-caused warming. This extra moisture is available to storm systems, resulting in heavier rainfalls.

Streamflows

Shifts in the volume and timing of streamflows can be critical to aquatic species, existing human infrastructure, and water quality and quantity for drinking water supply. Some aquatic species are particularly vulnerable to temperature and streamflow changes, including stream invertebrates, freshwater mussels, amphibians, and coldwater fish.

Annual minimum streamflows in the Northeast have increased during the last century, but late-summer warming could lead to decreases in the minimum streamflows in late summer and early fall by mid-century.

In Ulster County, the period from 1996-2011 was uniquely wet and extreme. The fall of 2011, which experienced rainfall from Tropical Storm Irene was unique – the one to five day event was in the top three on record for streamflows (source: Allan Frei, Department of Geography, Hunter College).

Sea Level Rise

Ulster County is directly connected to the Atlantic Ocean through the Hudson River Estuary, creating an “arm of the sea” and a tidal coastline in the county. As a result, the coastal portions of Ulster County, including the estuary shoreline and tributary mouths, are affected by sea-level rise.

Projections for the Northeast suggest that sea-level rise will be greater than the global average of approximately 0.12 inches per year. The latest projections (2017) project sea-level rise of 2 feet and 4.5 feet on average in the region by 2100 for low and intermediate emissions scenarios, respectively. The worst-case scenarios project that sea levels will rise upwards of 11 feet on average by the end of the century. Sea level rise of two feet, without any changes in storms, would more than triple the frequency of dangerous coastal flooding throughout most of the Northeast.

The Northeast is seeing greater than average sea level rise due to changes in the ocean and atmosphere, thermal expansion, ice melt contributions from Greenland and Antarctica, and ongoing land-mass subsidence in the region due to tectonics and effects such as groundwater withdrawal.

The Sea Level Rise Mapper (seen here) is a tool that Hudson River communities and stakeholders can use to create visualizations and future scenarios of sea-level rise. The data and mapping products are a combination of results from new analyses by Scenic Hudson and existing data from a variety of sources including NYS DEC, US EPA, US Census Bureau, Dr. Roger Flood (SUNY Stony Brook) and FEMA. Data layers include submerged aquatic vegetation, shoreline types, and tidal wetlands.

Flooding

A number of factors determine whether precipitation events lead to flooding, including weather and human-related factors. Major weather factors include heavy or prolonged precipitation, snowmelt, thunderstorms, storm surges from hurricanes, and ice or debris jams. Human factors include structural failures of dams and levees, altered drainage, and land-cover alterations (such as pavement). Climate change is adding to weather-related factors. Warming increases heavy downpours, causes more extension storm surges due to sea-level rise, and leads to more rapid spring snowmelt.

Ocean Warming and Acidification

Climate projections indicate the ocean over the Northeast Continental Shelf will experience more warming than most other marine ecosystems around the world. Species that are already endangered and federally protected in the Northeast – Atlantic sturgeon, Atlantic salmon, and right whales – are expected to be further threatened by climate change.

A species vulnerability assessment indicated that approximately 50% of the commercial, forage, and protected fish and invertebrate species on the Northeast Continental Shelf will be highly or very highly vulnerable to climate change through 2050 under a higher emissions scenario. Species population models projected for future ocean conditions also indicate declines of species that support some of the most valuable and iconic fisheries in the Northeast, including Atlantic cod, Atlantic sea scallops, and American lobster.

Reducing the Effects of Climate Change

• Support local, state, and national policies that reduce emissions of carbon dioxide. Learn more about Ulster County initiatives.
• Develop away from coastal areas prone to flooding and floodplains.
• Promote high-density urbanization that limits the conversion and fragmentation of natural areas.
• Maintain native plants adapted to local conditions along streams, in landscaping, and in non-agricultural open spaces.
• Get involved in local flood analysis and planning to identify the causes and solutions to riverine flooding.
• Property owners can floodproof, elevate, or relocate structures vulnerable to flooding, sometimes with local, state, or federal funding assistance.
• Prospective buyers can research the likelihood of riverine flooding on a property by stopping by their town hall and speaking with the local Code Enforcement Officer. Ask to see FEMA flood maps for the area. To view FEMA flood maps, regulated wetlands, and the locations of rivers online, use the Ulster County Parcel Viewer.
• Learn how to properly size private bridges and culverts. If you live in the Ashokan Reservoir watershed, call the stream program office at (845) 688-3047 for assistance.

What CCE Ulster County is Doing

Hurricanes Irene and Sandy demonstrated the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather events and the potential for adaptation to reduce impacts. Hurricane Irene produced a broad swath of very heavy rain (4 to 12 inches in Ulster County and 2 to 3 inches per hour in some locations) from August 27 to 29, 2011. These heavy rains were part of a broader pattern of wet weather preceding the storm that exacerbated the flooding. The highest rainfall totals were observed in the Catskills region.

In response to record-setting riverine flooding that caused widespread damage, municipalities in the Catskills region developed a comprehensive flood mitigation program to recover from Irene and prevent future flood damages. CCE Ulster has been a key partner in the delivery of this program in Ulster County.

• CCE Ulster is part of a large effort in northwest Ulster County to determine the causes of flooding and identify cost-effective, feasible actions that town, county, and state government agencies can take to lower flood elevation levels and reduce risks and damages. The program was developed in partnership with New York City, which operates a drinking water supply in the Catskills, and is called Local Flood Analysis.
• CCE Ulster administers contracts for towns to complete flood studies that utilize computer models of rivers and flooding. Promising solutions are examined for their feasibility and cost and recommended in a final report to the community.
• CCE Ulster is partnering with the Ulster County Department of Environment and the Ulster County Soil & Water Conservation District to assist towns with implementing flood mitigation solutions. We work with towns to convene flood advisory committees that guide implementation actions and conduct outreach to local residents.
• CCE Ulster trains municipal officials in how to carry out procedures and policies that lead to funding eligibility and reduced flood risk.
• CCE Ulster piloted a comprehensive assessment of over 600 road-stream crossings (bridges and culverts) in the Ashokan Reservoir watershed to determine each crossing’s ability to pass stream flows and remain stable and not erode. We assessed whether bridges and culverts were barriers to aquatic organism passage with results added to a county-wide assessment. We are developing a field manual on how to conduct the multi-objective assessment and extending results to local highway managers.
• CCE Ulster is the founding county partner in the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program, which the NYC Department of Environmental Protection began funding in the early 2000s. We've convened a watershed stakeholder council to develop the Upper Esopus Creek Stream Management Plan and conduct outreach to landowners and municipal leaders to raise awareness of stream management plan recommendations.
• CCE Ulster manages an education program in the Ashokan watershed to train streamside landowners, highway managers, code enforcement officers, and other municipal officials in stream management techniques. We also deliver a similar education effort focused on floodplain management.
• Under contract with New York City and as part of the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program, CCE Ulster administers a community grants program that supports the implementation of stream management plans and flood mitigation recommendations. We've managed the completion of over 90 projects totaling over $4.75 million in grant funds. Through the grants program, CCE Ulster coordinates development of a research program to support stream and floodplain management.

Sources:

USGCRP, 2017: Climate Science Special Report: Fourth National Climate Assessment, Volume I [Wuebbles, D.J., D.W. Fahey, K.A. Hibbard, D.J. Dokken, B.C. Stewart, and T.K. Maycock (eds.)]. U.S. Global Change Research Program, Washington, DC, USA, 470 pp, doi: 10.7930/J0J964J6

Dupigny-Giroux, L.A., E.L. Mecray, M.D. Lemcke-Stampone, G.A. Hodgkins, E.E. Lentz, K.E. Mills, E.D. Lane, R. Miller, D.Y. Hollinger, W.D. Solecki, G.A. Wellenius, P.E. Sheffield, A.B. MacDonald, and C. Caldwell, 2018: Northeast. In Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation in the United States: Fourth National Climate Assessment, Volume II [Reidmiller, D.R., C.W. Avery, D.R. Easterling, K.E. Kunkel, K.L.M. Lewis, T.K. Maycock, and B.C. Stewart (eds.)]. U.S. Global Change Research Program, Washington, DC, USA, pp. 669–742. doi: 10.7930/NCA4.2018.CH18

Walsh, J., D. Wuebbles, K. Hayhoe, J. Kossin, K. Kunkel, G. Stephens, P. Thorne, R. Vose, M. Wehner, J. Willis, D. Anderson, S. Doney, R. Feely, P. Hennon, V. Kharin, T. Knutson, F. Landerer, T. Lenton, J. Kennedy, and R. Somerville, 2014: Ch. 2: Our Changing Climate. Climate Change Impacts in the United States: The Third National Climate Assessment, J. M. Melillo, Terese (T.C.) Richmond, and G. W. Yohe, Eds., U.S. Global Change Research Program, 19-67. doi:10.7930/J0KW5CXT.

Horton, R., G. Yohe, W. Easterling, R. Kates, M. Ruth, E. Sussman, A. Whelchel, D. Wolfe, and F. Lipschultz, 2014: Ch. 16: Northeast. Climate Change Impacts in the United States: The Third National Climate Assessment, J. M. Melillo, Terese (T.C.) Richmond, and G. W. Yohe, Eds., U.S. Global Change Research Program, 16-1-nn.On the Web: http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/regions/northeast. First published May 2014. PDF revised October 2014. 

Last updated January 18, 2024