Korean Streamflow Patterns In Relation To EI NiNO/Southern Oscillation

Abstract

Streamflow patterns at two gauging stations in Korea, An-Dong dam and Chung-Ju dam, are statistically analyzed in relation to EI Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO). As a measure of ENSO, the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) is used on a monthly and seasonal basis. The traditional correlation analysis shows that cross correlations of the SOI with the seasonal streamflow are generally weak. To investigate the relationship between the extreme values of the SOI, which represent the EI Nino and La Nina events, and the corresponding streamflow patterns, the composite analysis is employed in this study. The composite analysis demonstrates that when EI Nino occurs, seasonal streamflows at An-Dong and Chung-Ju dams during the period from September of the EI Nino year to February of the following year appear to be drier than their means.