Dendrohydrological analysis of flood rings in Quercus lyrata Trees: Unveiling Southeast USA flood history

Six flood-plain sites in five Southeastern U.S. river basins, from expansive Lower Mississippi to the smaller White, Pascagoula, Altamaha, and Suwannee. This study focuses on using anatomical flood rings in Quercus lyrata to quantify multi-century flood variability and validate against instrumental flood records. Tree-ring chronologies spanning 1702–2021 were developed from 323 samples and compared with stage-height data using a duration-based threshold to identify flood events. The analysis examines the strength of correspondence between dendrochronological and hydrological records and highlights contrasts in flood dynamics between large and smaller river systems. The flood-ring record extends observed flood variability back to the early 1700 s and captures major 19th-century events absent from instrumental data. Along the Mississippi River, flood rings correspond closely with stage records, reflecting widespread spring inundation and prolonged high water. In contrast, smaller rivers such as the Pascagoula, Altamaha, and Suwannee reveal more localized flood patterns and earlier seasonal peaks. These findings enhance understanding of the significance of flood rings as reliable indicators of historical flood events, offering valuable insights into the region’s long-term flood patterns. • Paleoflood records aid understanding of long-term flood patterns in the SE. • Flood rings in Quercus lyrata trees correlate with instrumental flood data. • Mississippi River shows widespread flooding; smaller rivers display localized events. • Flood rings provide critical pre-instrumental flood data across diverse sites.