An Overview of Climate Change Induced Hydrological Variations in Canada for Irrigation Strategies

Climate change is impacting different parts of Canada in a diverse manner. Impacts on temperature, precipitation, and stream flows have been reviewed discussed region province-wise. The average warming was 1.6 °C during the 20th century, which 0.6 above global average. Spatially, southern western got warmer than others, temporally winters summers. Explicit implications include loss Arctic ice @ 12.8% per decade, retreat British Columbian glaciers 40–70 giga-tons/year, sea level rise 32 cm/20th century east coast, etc. precipitation increased since 1950s from under 500 to around 600 mm/year, with up 10% reduction Prairies 35% increase northern parts. Precipitation patterns exhibited short-intense trends, due urban drainage other hydraulic structures may require re-designing. Streamflow stability overall temporal re-distribution intense peaks. However, surface water withdrawals were well sustainable limits. For agriculture, rainfed semi-arid regions supplemental irrigation Availability mostly not limitation, but raised energy demands thereof are. Supplemental by energy-efficient systems, adaptation, regulation can ensure sustainability changing climate.