Effects of the Time Period Length on the Determination of Long-Term Mean Annual Discharge

Abstract

Currently, the 40-year-long reference period 1961–2000 is used in Slovakia for systematic assessment of the hydrological regime. The World Meteorological Organization recommends unifying the climatic normal 1991–2020 with a reference period for hydrological characteristics for the purpose of climate change research. We have analyzed changes in the long-term mean annual discharges at 113 water-gauging stations over different time periods. Considering the history of the reference periods used in Slovakia, we have focused on the analysis of the 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50-year-long moving averages of the long-term mean annual discharges in the period 1961–2020 in comparison with the 1961–2000 reference period and the whole selected and analyzed period. The deviations of the annual flow rates for the area of Slovakia and river sub-basins have been analyzed. The results indicate that the new reference period to be used in Slovakia should include the time period after the year 2000. To determine its precise length, a more detailed analysis is needed.