Characterizing hydrological processes in the headwater region of the Yukon River: Impacts on discharge and implications for hydroelectric security

育空河源头地区水文过程特征：对流量的影响和对水电安全的影响

• 批准号: 441667-2012
• 负责人: Sawicki, Clint
• 金额: $ 6.22万
• 依托单位: Yukon College
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 3
• 财政年份: 2016
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2016-01-01 至 2017-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=596966
• 关键词: Characterizing; hydrological; processes; headwater; region

Power demands in Yukon are largely met through hydroelectric generation in Whitehorse, and thus runoff from the headwaters of the Yukon River (YR) represents an important territorial resource. Sound water management and planning is required to ensure future hydroelectric security, but there is currently significant uncertainty regarding the response of the river's flow to climate change. This is due to a lack of meteorological data and direct observations at high elevations where most of the runoff is produced, poor understanding of the role of snowmelt and glacier storage in YR discharge, and a lack of predictive tools for assessing changes in runoff in response to climate variability. To address this knowledge gap, Yukon College, Yukon Geological Survey, and Yukon Energy Corporation (YEC) propose to conduct a 3-year research project that will involve (1) installation of automated weather/snowpack monitoring stations at three locations in the upper YR watershed (complementing two existing stations already established by the the project team); (2) field and modeling studies of the current form, flow dynamics, and mass balance characteristics of Llewellyn Glacier, BC, and its potential responses to future climate variability; and (3) the development of a predictive regional hydrological model that will operate at various timescales. Outcomes from this project will establish appropriate monitoring networks and develop predictive tools for YEC, that will form the basis of climate-related risk assessment and management strategies. These tools will allow YEC to operate hydropower facilities more efficiently under various demand scenarios, which is of key economic importance for YEC and Yukon, where a growing resource-based economy demands secure power resources. Additionally, this project will involve students from Yukon College, thus contributing to the development of highly qualified personnel with valuable experience in Canada's North. Ultimately, the research project outlined here will improve our understanding of, and preparedness for, the impacts of climate change in northern Canada, which is of vital importance for continued economic prosperity in Yukon, and in Canada's North.

育空地区的权力需求在很大程度上是通过白马的水力发电来满足的，因此育空河（YR）的源头径流是一个重要的领土资源。需要声音水管理和计划以确保将来的水力发电安全，但是目前，河流对气候变化的反应存在严重的不确定性。这是由于缺乏气象数据和在产生大部分径流的高海拔地区的直接观察，对融雪和冰川存储在年排出中的作用的了解不足，并且缺乏评估响应气候变化的径流变化的预测工具。为了解决这一知识差距，育空学院，育空地区地质调查局和育空能源公司（YEC）提议进行一项为期3年的研究项目，涉及（1）安装自动化天气/积雪/雪堆监测站，在上层水域的三个地点（补充了该项目团队已经建立的两个现有站点）； （2）对当前形式，流动动力学和BC Llewellyn冰川的质量平衡特征的现场和建模研究及其对未来气候变化的潜在反应； （3）开发将在各个时间尺度运行的预测区域水文模型。该项目的结果将建立适当的监视网络并为YEC开发预测工具，这将构成与气候有关的风险评估和管理策略的基础。这些工具将使YEC能够在各种需求方案下更有效地运营水电设施，这对YEC和Yukon来说至关重要，YEC和Yukon的经济重要性是基于资源的经济需要安全的电力资源。此外，该项目将涉及育空学院的学生，从而为在加拿大北部具有宝贵经验的高素质人员的发展做出贡献。最终，这里概述的研究项目将改善我们对加拿大北部气候变化影响的理解和准备，这对于育空地区以及加拿大北部的持续经济繁荣至关重要。