A new method for determining how resistant rivers are to drought could help water managers develop strategies to protect these vital resources during dry spells.

The method, developed by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, uses a combination of satellite data and computer modeling to assess the vulnerability of rivers to drought. The researchers found that rivers with higher levels of vegetation cover were less vulnerable to drought, while rivers with high levels of impervious surfaces, such as roads and parking lots, were more vulnerable.

"Our study provides a new way to identify rivers that are most at risk of drying up during droughts," said lead author Michael Loheide, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at UC Berkeley. "This information can be used to develop strategies to protect these rivers and ensure that they continue to provide water for drinking, irrigation, and recreation."

The researchers tested their method on several rivers in California, which has experienced a series of severe droughts in recent years. They found that the method was able to accurately predict which rivers were most likely to dry up during droughts.

"Our method could be used to help water managers develop drought preparedness plans," said co-author Jeffrey Mount, a professor of environmental science at UC Berkeley. "By knowing which rivers are most at risk, water managers can take steps to protect these rivers before they dry up."

The researchers hope that their method will be used by water managers around the world to help protect rivers from drought.

"Rivers are vital resources, and we need to do everything we can to protect them," said Loheide. "Our method is a tool that can help us do just that."

The study was published in the journal Water Resources Research.