Christopher Spence

Research Scientist - Hydrological Processes Research

National Hydrology Research Centre (Saskatoon, SK)

CURRENT S&T / RESEARCH - Contributing to Environment Canada’s mandate by ensuring hydrological processes are understood so that aquatic ecosystems are conserved and protected

• Hydrology and hydrometeorology of Canada's cold regions, especially the subarctic Canadian Shield
• Hydrological processes in the Prairie Pothole region of Saskatchewan, particularly on deriving the hydrological and ecological functions of ponds
• Monitoring network planning and evaluation techniques and application
• Lead planning and implementation of Canada's contribution to the International Association of Hydrological Science’s Prediction in Ungauged Basins (PUB) initiative
• Headwater hydrology manipulation at the Experimental Lakes Area in Northern Ontario

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES / INTERESTS

President, Canadian Society for Hydrological Sciences

Chair, Canadian National Committee for the International Association for Hydrological Sciences Prediction in Ungauged Basins Initiative

Canadian Deputy Delegate to the Northern Research Basins Working Group

KEY PUBLICATIONS

Spence, C., S. Hamilton, P. Whitfield, M. Demuth, D. Harvey, D. Hutchinson, B. Davison, T.B.M.J. Ouarda, J.G. Deveau, H. Goertz, J.W. Pomeroy and P. Marsh, 2009. Invited Commentary: A Framework for Integrated Research and Monitoring (FIRM), Canadian Water Resources Journal 34: 1-6.

Spence, C. 2007. On the relation between dynamic storage and runoff: A discussion on thresholds, efficiency and function. Water Resources Research Vol. 43, W12416, doi:10.1029/2006WR005645.

Spence, C., P. Saso and J. Rausch. 2007. Quantifying the impact of hydrometric network reductions on regional streamflow prediction in northern Canada. Canadian Water Resources Journal. 32: 1-20.

Spence C., J.W. Pomeroy and A. Pietroniro. 2005. Prediction in Ungauged Basins: Approaches for Canada's Cold Regions. Canadian Water Resources Association, Cambridge, 218 pp.

Spence, C. and M.K. Woo. 2003. Hydrology of subarctic Canadian Shield: Soil filled valleys. Journal of Hydrology. 279: 151-166.