Amherst, United States - November 12, 2024 Climate change is accelerating in New England, with the region warming faster than any other part of the United States. The impacts on the region’s water cycle are becoming increasingly apparent, from rising water tables to more intense storms and longer droughts. In response, a team led by UMass Amherst hydrologist David Boutt is working to predict how New England’s “water budget” will evolve in the coming decades. Thanks to a $498,999 grant from the US Geological Survey (USGS), Boutt and his team are developing advanced hydrologic models that will offer spatially precise forecasts for water patterns across New England. The study aims to tackle everything from shifting precipitation patterns to changes in groundwater recharge, which will affect everything from snowmelt to algal blooms. “The frequency and intensity of rainstorms are increasing, and droughts are getting longer. We’re seeing major shifts across the region,” says Boutt. His research will use decades of hydrological data from Massachusetts and the USGS, combined with cutting-edge isotope analysis, to understand how precipitation is changing and where it originates. Ultimately, these insights will help the region prepare for future challenges related to water availability, storm intensity, and ecosystem health.