Some Hydrologic Effects of Climate Change for the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee, and Flint River Basins

Abstract

The Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) River basin drains about 19,600 square mi1es in Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. About 2.5 mil1ion people live in the basin which includes much of the metropolitan Atlanta area. Surface water in the basin is used for cooling in thermoelectric-power generation, public water supply, commercial and industrial activities, recreational activities, agricultural activities, and hydroelectric-power generation. Changes in regional climate caused by increases in atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (C02) and other gases could change the amount of water available for use in the ACF Basin and thus affect water management practices.