Articles tagged with Dams
Hundreds of migratory fish species are facing accelerating declines due to dam construction, habitat fragmentation, pollution, overfishing, and climate-driven ecosystem changes. The Global Assessment of Migratory Freshwater Fishes identifies 325 species needing coordinated international conservation efforts.
Nature-based solutions can significantly reduce flood impacts by slowing and absorbing runoff, offering added benefits such as improved air quality and biodiversity. Public awareness and education are key to expanding support for these approaches, with communities needing clear communication about flood risks and benefits.
A new study uses radar technology to reveal crumbling dams across the US, threatening socially vulnerable communities. The research aims to create a country-wide database of unsafe dams, their flood risks, and impacted communities.
A 2,800-year-old study using Carbon-14 dating reveals that the Siloam Pool and Dam were constructed as part of a comprehensive water management system for ancient Jerusalem. The findings point to early urban planning and impressive engineering skills in addressing climate change.
Researchers from FAMU-FSU College of Engineering have identified US dams with the highest probability of overtopping, classified as large and high hazard. The study found an increasing trend in critical overtopping probabilities and a decline in non-critical overtopping probabilities since 1973.
Research uncovering rapid changes in river temperatures across the US highlights importance of observational records for environmental variability. The findings provide insights into managing habitats and understanding impacts on socioeconomic activities.
Recent studies analyze hurricane damage, water flow into dams, marine heatwaves, and the impact of air pollution on vegetable market prices in South Korea. Hurricane Katrina remains the most damaging U.S. hurricane, while a new system predicts extreme air pollution episodes in India's New Delhi megacity.
The Fundão dam collapse, one of the world's most significant environmental tragedies, has left a lasting legacy of devastation in Brazil. Researchers have found that the environmental damage has intensified over the years, threatening human and wildlife health.
Researchers found that first-generation, wild-born descendants of hatchery-origin Chinook salmon produced more adult offspring than hatchery-origin salmon, improving reproductive success. This study offers hope for recovering endangered populations using hatchery-origin salmon.
Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University developed a system to assess water quality challenges in Suzhou, China. The study found that the city's water capacity has increased since 2001 due to effective water management measures.
A research team employed deep learning techniques to scrutinize dam operation patterns, achieving remarkable accuracy in forecasting dam water levels. The study demonstrates the potential of an artificial intelligence model trained on extensive big data to surpass conventional physical models.
New research reveals that dams have flooded over 1.13 million acres of tribal land in the US, exacerbating land dispossession and cultural heritage destruction. The study calls for dam removal, tribal ownership, or funding for repairs to address this issue.
A study found that more than 70% of Chinook populations have declined over the last 50 years, but some populations are recovering due to their diverse migration and spawning strategies. Cold water and marine habitats play a key role in their success, particularly for fall and summer stocks.
A new Dartmouth study examines how changes in precipitation and temperature due to global warming affect streamflow and flooding in the Northeast. The research finds that a warmer climate will lead to increased streamflow and higher flood risk, particularly if soils become wetter and more prone to heavy rainfall events.
A study by Carnegie Mellon University researcher Edson Severnini found that large-scale hydroelectric dams constructed in the US before 1950 spurred short- and long-term growth, while those built after 1950 had modest effects on local economies. The decline is attributed to advancements in high-tension transmission lines.
A study using tree rings reveals a 400-year trend of increasing droughts and floods in the Kabul River Basin, with severe events becoming more frequent. The research suggests that climate change is intensifying hydrological cycles, leading to devastating consequences for natural resources management.
The UN reports that roughly 50,000 large dams worldwide will lose an estimated 23% to 28% of their combined original storage capacity by 2050, resulting in a loss of around 1.65 trillion cubic meters of water. This loss will undermine water security, irrigation, power generation, and other essential services.
Stanford researchers found that dams could store over 50% of water needed for crop irrigation, but emphasize alternatives like small dams and recharged groundwater systems as more environmentally friendly options. The study aims to increase food security without depleting water stocks or harming nature.
A new study by UNSW and the University of Melbourne found that estimates of Probable Maximum Precipitation (PMP) for large dams in Australia are expected to increase by 14-38% on average over the next 80 years. This is due to climate change and outdated modelling, which has not been updated since at least 20 years ago.
A new study by Stanford University scientists reveals that beaver dams can have a significant positive impact on river water quality in the US West. The dams raise water levels, diverting nutrients and contaminants into surrounding soils, which act as filters, improving water quality.
A new study found that large river dams are significant barriers to platypus movements, leading to increased genetic differentiation and vulnerability to threats. This restriction of movement limits gene flow between groups, making separate populations more susceptible to inbreeding depression and loss of adaptive genetic variation.
Researchers from Singapore University of Technology and Design show that restoring natural water availability to the Mekong's floodplains is possible through coordination among hydropower producers. By altering dam release decisions and production plans, key components of hydrological variability can be restored, leading to improved ec...
Researchers aim to create intelligent drones that can autonomously inspect coal waste storage facilities, detecting cracks and deformities with thermal and visual images. The drones will be equipped with AI-based software to identify potential hazards, providing a faster and long-term solution to prevent environmental damage.
Researchers found that the Southern cattail plant can scavenge up to 34 times more manganese from contaminated soil than other plants. The study suggests its potential for sustainable rehabilitation of areas affected by iron mine tailings, demonstrating its high efficiency in phytoremediation.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory demonstrate a system that can detect propane leaks within seconds, alerting emergency services. They also study the secrets of silicon deposits in plants to enhance soil carbon storage. Additionally, they assess the viability of retrofitting untapped dams for hydropower electricity generation.
The construction of dams and changes in land use have significantly impacted the amount of sediment rivers carry to oceans. Sediment transport has decreased by 49% globally due to dam construction, while increasing on 36% of rivers in the south, primarily driven by deforestation.
A SUTD study has uncovered the reservoir filling strategies and operating rules of China's big hydropower dams on the Lancang-Mekong river. The data shows that dam operations remained steady during a severe drought, indicating no need for emergency releases to mitigate its impact.
The Mekong delta, Southeast Asia's most productive agricultural region and home to 17 million people, is at risk of disappearing by the end of the century due to subsidence. Sediment loss from upstream dams and poor water management exacerbates the issue, threatening food security and livelihoods.
A new computational tool, 'Amazon EcoVistas,' analyzes proposed dam projects collectively for their energy generation and environmental impacts. The tool identifies hydroelectric dam portfolios that meet energy production goals with the least environmental harm, taking into account five environmental criteria and social values.
Researchers have developed an interest in studying glacial lakes and their impact on glacier behavior and downstream ecosystems. Over a 35-year period, a team of scientists has produced a detailed inventory of glacial lakes and dams in Alaska and northwest Canada.
Scientists have developed a mathematical method to interpret data on underground water flows, providing more efficient and accurate imaging for planning construction works and inspecting dams. The technique has great potential for locating water reservoirs in dry areas and tapping into this resource for agricultural and industrial needs.
Climate change-driven reductions in precipitation and river discharge will diminish the Amazon's hydropower capacity, according to a new study. As a result, alternative energy sources like solar and wind are expected to become more important.
Researchers say the July 2021 flood in western Germany was more destructive than predicted, with mobilization of dead wood and sediment contributing to its impact. The event highlights the need for science to better understand precipitation-induced floods and their associated self-reinforcing effects.
Researchers have created a global database of 63 tailings flows since 1928, revealing catastrophic events occur every two to three years on average. The study highlights the importance of understanding water-to-solids ratios and downstream terrain in preventing mass casualties and environmental damage.
A new study reveals that dams in California do not adequately replicate natural thermal patterns, making them incapable of supporting cold-water species effectively. Key cold-water conservation candidates include streams highly influenced by groundwater and places where water easily infiltrates the soil.
A study by McGill University researchers found that planned hydropower dams could sever over 260,000 km of river, threatening free-flowing rivers globally. The dams would collectively generate less than 2% of the renewable energy needed by 2050 to keep global temperature increase below 1.5°C.
A new USC study forecasts significant water shortages downstream of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which could reduce Egypt's water supplies by over one-third. The research projects economic losses to agriculture reaching $51 billion, with potential unemployment of 24% and displacement of people.
Researchers mapped extreme snowmelt events across the US over 30 years, finding that unusually warm temperatures drive most cases. Machine learning revealed regional differences in moisture transport, with Pacific Northwest and northeastern US experiencing rain-driven extreme snowmelt.
Researchers used gravity-defying rock formations to determine the peak ground accelerations that could topple them, setting new design ground motion values for the Clyde Dam. The new values are similar to those used when the dam was built in the 1980s, but with a reduced risk due to modern regulations.
A new system using a drone with an electronic nose detects odor concentration in WWTPs, providing maps for targeted control actions. The technology represents a significant advance in odor management, surpassing previous methods that only tested single-odor chemical sources in controlled scenarios.
Researchers found that dams release significantly more carbon dioxide than previously thought, with areas drying out releasing considerably more carbon. The study used satellite imagery and found that 15% of dam reservoirs were not completely filled, leading to increased carbon emissions.
Researchers assess underwater habitat to understand how spawning fish would fare in the river's blocked stretch, finding acres of suitable habitat. The study reveals that hundreds of miles of streams are available to support both adult and juvenile salmon.
Researchers used machine learning to detect and alert against debris flows in the Illgraben torrent, achieving 90% accuracy in detecting early flows. The system could provide crucial warning time for nearby people and infrastructure, potentially saving lives.
Researchers found that PAHs toxins degrade in sunlight into smaller 'children' compounds that are often more toxic than the original 'parent' PAHs. These compounds can accumulate in rivers, dams, and agricultural land, posing significant environmental challenges.
Researchers are using multibeam sonar to study shifting sands in the Colorado River system, aiming to preserve sandbars through conservation management. The project involves mapping underwater topography and analyzing changes in sediment storage, with potential implications for native fish populations and ecosystem sustainability.
The University of Melbourne is establishing a Contemplative Studies Centre, led by Dr Nicholas Van Dam, with a focus on evidence-based research and guidelines for contemplative practices. The centre aims to bring together experts from around the world to critically assess practices and provide authentic experiences.
A recent study found that dams can decrease the number of people globally exposed to historical once-in-100-year floods by approximately 15% downstream of dams. Integrating dam landscapes into existing flood modeling frameworks is crucial for realistic assessments of population exposure to present and future floods.
A new study by the University of Nottingham and Durham University found that advanced InSAR techniques could have foreseen the catastrophic tailings dam collapse in Brazil, which killed over 200 people. The research reveals that different areas of the dam were moving at different rates, indicating that failure was foreseeable.
Research found that beaver-dammed sites had 2.7 times more amphibian species than undammed sites, supporting species that develop slowly like red-legged frogs and northwestern salamanders.
Researchers found that Amazon fish species can rapidly adapt their body shape in response to environmental changes. The study used geometric morphometrics to analyze changes in six native species across five genera, revealing that even specialist species are capable of changing their anatomy to survive in the new environment.
The new global standard on tailings management establishes comprehensive best practices for planning, design, operation, and closure of mine tailings facilities. This system-wide change is expected to dramatically improve safety and prevent catastrophic failures.
Research on heat-stressed gestating dairy cows found negative effects on the productivity and health of their female offspring, including reduced milk yield, length of productive lifespan, and increased rates of illness. These impairments translate to considerable annual costs to US dairy producers.
Researchers tracked beaver activity in two regions of Alaska and found that they created 56 new lakes in just five years, with the number doubling every four years. This can accelerate permafrost thawing, releasing greenhouse gases and intensifying climate change.
Researchers developed tailored polyimide membranes to efficiently separate H2S and CO2 from sour gas. By adjusting the ratio of building blocks, they achieved balanced separation efficiency for both gases.
A new model developed by Duke University engineers can accurately recreate the dynamics of historic and current landslides, pointing to the temperature of a thin layer of clay as critical to its potential for sudden cataclysmic failure. The approach is being used to monitor an evolving landslide in Andorra.
Researchers found that flooding and invasive species alter mercury pathways through food webs, affecting top predators like fish and birds. Algae and blackfly larvae are key sources of mercury, which can be transported to land by flying adults.
A new study found that an individualized mosaic of microbial strains is transmitted from the maternal gut to the infant gut during birth, influencing the infant's metabolic disease susceptibility. Researchers used a 'fingerprint' method to track mothers' microbial strains inherited by infants.
A proposed North Sea dam could protect over 25 million Europeans from the consequences of a predicted sea level rise. The estimated cost of building such a dam is between 250-500 billion euros, which is relatively small compared to the potential costs of inaction.
Researchers found that within a year of a dam's opening, downstream river temperatures dropped by up to 3.6 degrees F, persisting where the rivers meet the Mekong River. The cooling effect is driven by dams releasing cold water from reservoirs during dry season.
A new study predicts that proposed hydropower dams in Gabon will block access to freshwater habitats suitable for marine species, impacting at least 350 fish species. The dams may cut off 60% of the most suitable habitats in the Nyanga river, representing 392 river kilometers.