University of Arizona Southern California Tree-Ring Study

The main objective is to provide information on the variability of water supply to Southern California. Tasks include field collections of tree-ring samples, development of chronologies, statistical reconstruction of annual flows and precipitation, and interpretation of reconstructions. Dr. Erica Bigio is a post-doc with major responsibilities on the project.

• Develop new tree-ring chronologies from Southern California and the Colorado River Basin
• Reconstruct annual flows of specified rivers in Southern California
• Update reconstruction of annual flow of the Colorado River at Lees Ferry
• Place instrumental droughts and wet periods in long-term perspective
• Document any cyclic tendencies in moisture
• Document covariation of local (S. California) and regional (Northern California, Upper Colorado River Basin) sources of water