HomeMy WebLinkAbout13 - Discussion about impact of climate change on water suppliesCITY OF BOULDER
WATER RESOURCES ~DVISORY B4ARD
AGEND~ ITEM
1!'IEETING DATE: December 17, 2007
AGENDA TITLE: Discussion about impacts of climate change on ~~~ater supplies
PRESENTER/S: WRAB members
EYECUTIVE SLTNIMARY:
~1t the November 19 WRAB meeting t~~as an agenda item about the possible impacts of
climate change on Boulder's ~~~ater resources/supplies. Stratus Consulting, Hydrosphere
Resource Consultants and city staff presented some preliminary results.
«'RAB members requested ~n agenda item far the December 17 meeting vi order to
discuss thoughts and ideas about tlus topic after reflecting upon it for a month.
SuUsequent to the November 19 WR~B meeting, the consultants have re-examined the
climate change scenarios they selected and realized that the "dry" scenario, while ha~ing
the largest annual percentage decrease in precipitation, may not present the worst case for
Boulder among the climate models. The dry scenario they used projects an increase in
t~vinter and spring precipitation. This can offset the projected very large decreases in
summer and fall precipitation.
In looking at the climate tnodel output again, the consultants decided to use another
climate change model that has a reduction in ~~inter and spring precipitation. While the
annual reduction in precipitation is smaller than the previous model, they think the
consequences of a decrease in winter and spring precipitation may be more signiticant.
The consultants plan to complete this new model iun in the ne~t few months and «•ill
then issue a final repoY-t.
AGENDA ITE11~i # PAGE 1