Changes in the discharge regime of Finnish rivers

Abstract

Study regionFinland divided into three subregions, each representing different environmental conditions. Study focusThis study investigates long-term changes in unregulated river discharge. Trends in high- and low-flow event volumes, magnitudes, timings, and frequencies are analysed across 36 gauging stations in 19 watershed areas from 1911 to 2021. The average measurement period for discharge in the stations is 60 years, with over 765,000 daily records examined statistically. New hydrological insights for the regionHigh-flow events show advancing timings and decreasing magnitudes, notably in the coastal region and less so in the north. These events, occurring from 6 to 68 days earlier in 21 stations, now in the late winter and early spring, align with increasing spring low-flow volumes. On a monthly scale, a trend of rising volume magnitude is observed in late autumn, winter, and early spring, especially in Northern Finland's rivers. High flows during autumn and winter occur 30 to 60 days later in 8 stations. Changes in the monthly mean volumes were found in 30 stations, suggesting a redistribution of annual volumes across a broader time period, while the overall annual volumes have remained relatively unchanged. This underscores the complexity of hydrological patterns, emphasizing the need to consider total volumes and their temporal distribution in analyses. The findings enhance understanding of current changes and align with findings in the boreal-subarctic area.