SACRAMENTO, CA, Sept. 17, 2014 -- Aside from documenting evidence of California's historic drought, new statistics from the national streamflow database have indicated that the state has experienced earthquake-induced increases in streamflow -- a recently-occurring hydrologic phenomenon.
Rivers and streams across California are flowing at record lows. Streamflow data from 182 U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) streamgages throughout the state currently show that 62 percent of them are recording flows less than 25 percent of normal, and 44 percent are recording flows less than 10 percent of normal.
At several streamgage sites, scientists have had to extend measurement scales and rating formulas that help calculate accurate streamflow, because of record-low water flows. Meanwhile, in the aftermath of the late August magnitude-6.0 South Napa Earthquake, water has begun to flow again in some previously-dry surrounding creeks, rivers and streams, prompting many nearby residents to inquire as to the reason.
Hydrogeologic responses to earthquakes have been observed by scientists for decades. In the case of South Napa, the discharge of springs and groundwater to some streams has increased. Based on experience in previous earthquakes, stream and spring flows are expected to decline again over the next several months, assuming that the Napa region does not get significant rainfall over that time period.
Post-earthquake changes in streamflow were recorded at a USGS streamgage on Sonoma Creek, for example, near the city of Sonoma where measured increases in streamflow began after 4:15 a.m. on August 24, about an hour after the earthquake occurred. Streamflow has increased intermittently since then from 0.1 to nearly 3 cubic feet per second (CFS) on September 12.
Accordingly, the median historical streamflow for this time period is about 0.5 CFS. Scientists theorize that this increase in streamflow is due to groundwater flow entering the river, and the intermittent nature of the streamflow is due to the non-uniform release of groundwater across the basin.
See also:
"CA drought lowers streamflow levels across state, affects water resources"
"USGS celebrates 125th anniversary of its first streamgage in U.S."
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