Earth Science and Society
Water Budget
The water budget of a particular area can differ greatly depending on a number of factors. Climate, geographical location, altitude, and soil density can all have major impacts on the water budgets of specific areas. Precipitation is the primary source of acquiring water; "Precipitation in the form of rain, snow, hail, etc. makes up the primarily supply of water to the surface," (Ritter 2006). Thus, the climates of individual areas have a huge role in the amount of precipitation seen. Climate also rules over evaporation, and "Actual evapotranspiration increases as temperature increases, so long as there is water to evaporate and for plants to transpire," (Ritter 2006). However, climate, as determined by geographical location, is not the only factor. The actual constitution of soul in particular areas will influence how much water that area can hold. According to research, "The amount of water in the soil depends soil properties like soil texture and organic matter content," (Ritter 2006). Land takes up about 2.4% of the held water on earth (University of Illinois 2010). This, the soil in each area also plays a key role not only in the construction of the water budget, but also how much water will be evaporated. There are a number of different soil formulations, based on the resources and materials which are around the area. These different formulations then hold water in different levels; "Different surfaces hold different amounts of water and absorb water at different rates," (University of Illinois 2010). With this in mind, specific geographical locations can be analyzed in comparison based on these fundamental elements.
WATER BUDGET for BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA (Figure 1)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
P
13.0
11.2
9.4
3.7
2.4
0.5
0.1
0.1
1.3
3.1
6.2
10.6
PE
2.6
3.2
4.5
5.6
7.1
8.4
8.8
8.2
7.5
6.3
4.3
2.8
P-PE
10.4
8.0
4.9
-1.9
-4.7
-7.9
-8.7
-8.1
-6.2
-3.2
1.9
7.8
Change in ST
0.0
0.0
0.0
-1.9
-4.7
-3.4
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
1.9
7.8
ST
10.0
10.0
10.0
8.1
3.4
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
1.9
9.7
AE
2.6
3.2
4.5
5.6
7.1
3.9
0.1
0.1
1.3
3.1
4.3
2.8
D
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
4.5
8.7
8.1
6.2
3.2
0.0
0.0
S
10.4
8.0
4.9
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
In comparison to Terre Haute Indiana's water budget, there are primary differences in location and climate which justify those differences. The city itself sits at 37°52'17.73" N, 122°16'13.86" W. Its elevation is at 179 feet above sea level. This keeps it closer to the oceanic controls that regulate coastal temperatures. In fact, Berkeley is a west-coast Mediterranean climate. Thus, it has hot, dry summers, with little water acquisition during the summer months. Therefore, this hot and dry element of summer has a huge impact on the water budget for those months, in comparison to the more humid summers in Indiana which witnesses lots of summer storms. According to research, Mediterranean climates have "Extremely dry summers are caused by the sinking air of the subtropical highs and may last for up to five months," (Schaffner & Robinson 2009). Additionally, they have mild winters with little or no snow. The water acquisition in these areas depends specifically on the amount of rain fall. Its climate is affected by the North Pacific High, an oceanic high pressure cell that regulates the moderate temperature ranges. The city lies on the west side of the mountains, so the area receives much more precipitation (University of Illinois 2010). Most Mediterranean climates occur on the Western end of continents. Berkeley, and the entire Californian coast receives most of its rainfall during the winter months, therefore the precipitation rates will be the highest in the winter months than the rest of the year. Moreover, the Ocean regulates temperature in this area, which is completely absent in the case of Terre Haute Indiana. Rather, Berkeley is surrounded by the ocean and mountains, which are the factors that have a primary affect on the differences between the two areas' water budgets.
WATER BUDGET for TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA (Figure 2)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
P
7.4
6.8
9.6
9.4
10.1
10.2
8.1
8.2
8.7
6.9
8.4
7.5
PE
0.0
0.0
1.8
4.9
10.2
13.4
15.8
13.8
9.9
5.2
1.7
0.1
P-PE
7.4
6.8
7.8
4.5
0.1
-3.2
-7.7
-5.6
-1.2
1.7
6.7
7.4
Change in ST
0
0
0
0
0
-3.2
-4.5
0
0
1.7
6.7
2.6
ST
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
6.8
2.3
0
0
1.7
8.4
10
AE
7.4
6.8
9.6
4.5
0.1
-3.2
-7.7
8.2
8.7
6.9
6.7
7.4
D
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5.6
1.2
0
0
0
S
0
0
0
4.9
10.1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.1
Terre Haute, Indiana presents much different conditions than Berkeley, California. These differences in conditions are what affect each individual water budget. Terre Haute is a mid-latitude continental climate and sits at 39°28'00.13" N, 87°24'50.07" W. it's elevation is much higher than that of Berkeley's, being about 491 ft above sea level. This altitude change then affects the amount of precipitation the area gets. Terre Haute is far from major mountain ranges, so there is less water transport through run off and snow melt. However, the mountain ranges to the west and south block cold air from leaving the region. According to research, "Moist ocean air masses are blocked by mountain ranges to the west and south. These mountain ranges also trap polar air in winter, making winters very cold," (Schaffner & Robinson 2010). These cold winters are much different than the mild, wet one seen in Berkeley. Since it snows heavily in the winter months, precipitation includes not only rain, but also snow and sleet.
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