Sierra Nevada Network River Hydrology Trend Analysis
Nanda A , Heard AM , Fong C , Safeeq M . 2026. Sierra Nevada Network River Hydrology Trend Analysis. Science Report. NPS/SR—2026/491. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado. https://doi.org/10.36967/2318221
The Sierra Nevada mountains serve as a critical water source for California. Recent effects of a changing climate and the increasing frequency of wildfires could make the region ecologically vulnerable, which underscores the importance of studies focusing on the variability of hydroclimatic parameters of this region. This study leverages hydrological data from the Sierra Nevada Network (SIEN), climate data from PRISM, and remotely sensed evapotranspiration data to assess long-term trends in hydroclimatic variables and runoff dynamics across Yosemite National Park (YNP) and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (SEKI) catchments. Results indicate significant warming trends, shifts in precipitation from snow to rain, and earlier snowmelt-driven runoff timing, with SEKI exhibiting faster warming rates and higher runoff ratio increases than YNP. Analysis using the Budyko and climate elasticity frameworks revealed that precipitation primarily drives runoff in YNP, whereas surface characteristics dominate in SEKI, influenced by greater wildfire activity. These findings underscore the compounded impacts of climate change, drought, and wildfire on Sierra Nevada’s hydrological resilience.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Nanda, Aliva; Heard, Andrea; Fong, Catherine; Safeeq, Mohammad
- Date of Issue
- 2026-10
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- DOI
- 10.36967/2318221
- Units
- DEPO , NRSS , SEKI , SIEN , YOSE
- Keywords
- river monitor, watershed hydrology; wildfires; hydrologic trend