Articles tagged with Dams
Researchers suggest adjusting dam operations to mitigate negative impacts on river ecosystems, such as hydropeaking. Small changes can have significant effects downstream, benefiting fish and other organisms. Strategic planning for new dam construction is also crucial to minimize environmental degradation.
Researchers provide geological evidence for China's Great Flood, dated to 1920 BC, contradicting traditional timelines and offering a new perspective on the Xia dynasty's origins. The study suggests that the flood may have inspired a cultural response to an extreme natural disaster that connected groups along the Yellow River.
A recent study reveals galectin-3's ability to interact with GAGs and proteoglycans, challenging previous biological functions. This discovery has significant implications for cancer treatment and research into immunodeficiency, neural growth, and inflammation.
Hydroelectric dams can have devastating effects on aquatic insect populations and the food webs they support. Hydropeaking, which generates artificial tides to meet power needs, is a significant contributor to these environmental impacts.
A seven-year experiment in Oregon's Bridge Creek Watershed demonstrates the positive impact of beaver dams on stream restoration and fish habitat. The study found significant increases in juvenile steelhead numbers, survival, and production in restored streams with beaver dam analogs.
A new study published in Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene found that removing dams in New England can help reconnect fragmented river networks and improve watershed resilience. The study, conducted by a team of researchers at Dartmouth College, examined the impact of dam removal on regional aquatic ecosystems.
A study reveals Amazonian fish species' life stories through otolith microchemistry, tracing migratory routes and environments. The research provides critical groundwork for conservation and management of threatened species.
A new study reveals that hydropower dams across the world are causing continued species extinctions on island habitats, with some communities losing up to 87% of their species. The research highlights the need for stronger environmental regulations and assessments to mitigate the impact of large-scale dam construction.
Hydroelectric dams devastate aquatic insect populations and food webs by creating an 'extensive intertidal zone' along river shorelines. Citizen science data show that species with river-edge egg laying behaviors have been largely extirpated from the Grand Canyon.
A recent study found that hydropeaking, or the daily raising and lowering of river flows, has a devastating impact on aquatic insect abundance. The researchers discovered a clear correlation between hydropeaking and the number of insect species present, with certain insects being nearly absent in areas where they should have been present.
A new study by the USGS reveals that hydropeaking, a widespread practice in hydroelectric dam operations, can disrupt river food webs and harm aquatic insects. Alternative hydropower practices, such as leaving river levels low and stable during periods of minimal power production, may help mitigate these negative effects.
A new species of flightless beetle, Trigonopterus chewbacca, has been discovered in New Britain with its unique scales resembling Han Solo's loyal companion. The beetle genus thrives best in Melanesia, the Oceania subregion where Papua New Guinea is located.
Researchers are racing to understand and mitigate the degradation of major river deltas worldwide, primarily caused by human activities such as damming, groundwater extraction, and agriculture. The study highlights that more than two-thirds of the world's 33 major deltas are sinking at an alarming rate.
A study by University of Stirling scientists found beaver dam building skills improve stream habitats, increasing species diversity by 28% and reducing pollutants. Beaver dams also store flood water and increase organic matter retention.
Three of the earth's mightiest rivers, Amazon, Congo and Mekong, are being ravaged in the name of progress due to hydropower expansion. This study highlights the negative impacts of hydroelectric development on fish diversity and ecosystems of tropical rivers.
A new study highlights the true costs of hydroelectric dams in tropical regions, including significant impacts on biodiversity and fisheries. Researchers warn that dam site selection is crucial for conserving biodiversity, but many countries lack protocols to ensure careful planning.
Researchers warn that dam projects on Amazon, Congo, and Mekong rivers put many unique fish species at risk due to habitat disruption and human displacement. An improved approach to dam evaluation and siting is needed to balance costs and benefits of hydropower.
Researchers found that areas previously depleted of salmon are on a fast track to recovery, with American dipper birds showing improved physical condition and reproductive success when accessing salmon. The studies suggest rivers can recover within a generation after dam removal, offering a promising conservation outcome.
The Fundao Dam failure in Brazil's Samarco mine disaster may have been caused by its structural failure. An integrated approach to detecting and characterizing cyanobacteria blooms could reduce human health risks and direct field resources more effectively.
A UT Arlington researcher is developing a comprehensive framework to analyze North Texas dams and detect damage from seismic activity. The framework will use geo-statistics and three key indicators of damage caused by earthquakes, including liquefaction, dynamic slope stability, and lateral spreading.
A new themed issue explores the anatomy of rifting, revealing diverse extensional processes, including plate thinning, magma intrusion, and volcanism. The study documents active processes at divergent plate boundaries and transforms, synthesizing key research topics on plate extension.
A new study finds that African dams are linked to over 1.1 million malaria cases annually, with the risk being particularly high in areas with unstable malaria transmission. The research highlights the need for better disease control measures around dam reservoirs.
Researchers developed a new tool called SpDamID that precisely marks where regulatory proteins bind DNA in living cells. This allows scientists to track the combined action of multiple transcription factors and identify differences between healthy and diseased cells.
Researchers from MIT and WHOI have developed a simple way to predict a river delta's shape, influenced by its river's sediment flux and ocean waves' strength. The new metric can help engineers determine how engineered structures like dams and levees may affect the coastline of a river delta.
A study reveals hydroelectric dams, such as the Balbina Dam in the Amazon rainforest, have severe effects on biodiversity. The creation of large lakes has led to widespread loss of mammals, birds, and tortoises on island habitats.
Researchers developed a model to assess how dams affect sea-run fish populations, finding that abundance and distribution increased when mainstem dams were removed or passage efficiency improved. The model can predict ecological responses of fish populations and evaluate management actions for fish migrating between fresh and saltwater.
The USGS study found that rivers quickly erode sediment accumulated in former reservoirs and redistribute it downstream, returning the river to conditions similar to those prior to impoundment. In many cases, fish and other biological aspects of river ecosystems also respond quickly to dam removal.
Researchers from UMass Amherst found that about 10% of released water may be permanently lost, reducing downstream river flows. This 'hydropeaking' practice allows hydropower dams to operate more efficiently, but comes with a tradeoff: permanent water loss affecting aquatic life and ecosystems.
A UNSW-led study demonstrates long-term control of cane toads by erecting fences around dams, effectively converting their invasion refuges into ecological traps. The approach could work on a large scale to halt the spread of these toxic amphibians across Australia.
Researchers have developed a new injectable acoustic fish tag that allows for safe and quick insertion into young fish, reducing the risk of altering their behavior. The new tag, which is about as big as two grains of rice, can release beeps every 0.4 seconds and lasts up to 120 days on a single battery.
Researchers created a new method to estimate global dam impacts on river flow and fragmentation using precise world map data. The study found that 48% of the world's river volume is moderately or severely affected by dams, with this number doubling if all planned dams are completed.
The latest version of the Sensor Fish measures more forces and costs about 80% less than its predecessor. It will help further reduce the environmental impact of hydropower by accurately measuring forces fish feel as they pass through turbines and structures in conventional dams and other hydro power facilities.
A new database has been developed to support sustainable modes of electricity production as hydropower dams are expected to double global electricity capacity by 2030. This boom may reduce the number of free-flowing rivers by 20% and threaten freshwater biodiversity, highlighting the need for a systematic management approach.
Researchers found three durable foul-release coatings showing promise in managing quagga and zebra mussel attachment. Silicone coatings, when properly applied, can be easily cleaned without damaging the surface.
A study identified 181 California dams that may need increased water flows to protect native fish, with the top priority dams including Trinity Dam and New Melones Dam. The new tool provides a scientific basis for dam operators to prioritize management and reduce the risk of extinction for many native species.
A study by Oregon State University found that rivers can return to a condition close to their natural state after dam removal, with the biological recovery process often surpassing physical recovery. The continued presence of a dam is more significant than the sediment pulse caused by dam removal, according to researchers.
Researchers have discovered that glycoconjugate scaffolds are active players in biological reactions, influencing the binding of lectins to these molecules. This finding opens up new possibilities for developing more effective and targeted pharmaceuticals.
The Indus river dolphin's historical range has been fragmented into 17 river sections due to diversion dams, with dolphins disappearing from ten sections. Low dry-season river discharge caused by irrigation is the primary factor contributing to the decline.
A synchronized lock and dam system failed during a severe flood in April 2013, resulting in seven unmoored barges crashing into the dam. The incident caused significant damage to the navigation channel, flooding adjacent land and disrupting agricultural shipments.
Research from North Carolina State University found that dam removal improves spawning grounds for American shad and may boost their survival rates. The study reveals high mortality rates among adult fish during spawning, but suggests that improving fish passage could lead to better outcomes.
Researchers from PNNL explore ways to protect fish from barotrauma, a phenomenon caused by dramatic shifts in water pressure near dams. Modifying turbines to minimize pressure change is a promising solution, improving turbine designs and reducing injuries to fish.
Adjustments to Priest Rapids Dam's water discharges boosted juvenile salmon numbers by 283%, from 14 million to over 52 million annually. Keeping eggs and young fish under water during vulnerable times improved survival rates.
Researchers develop microbattery that packs twice the energy of current microbatteries used in acoustic fish tags. The new battery is small enough to be injected into an organism and holds more energy than similar-sized batteries.
Researchers found precolonial eastern forests, dominated by American beech, red oak and sweet birch, using 300-year-old leaves buried behind milldams. This knowledge can inform successful stream restoration approaches that consider the past forest makeup.
A new study suggests that dams in the Columbia River basin provide ecological and engineering resilience to climate change impacts. Reservoir management counteracts effects of shifting peak snowmelt runoff, making downstream impacts negligible.
A study of the Colorado River found that dams like Glen Canyon Dam alter food webs, leading to reduced biodiversity and unstable ecosystems. Downstream sites had more native fish species and fewer mismatches in their food web.
Scientists found that methane bubbles out of water behind small dams, increasing global freshwater emissions by up to 7%. The study reveals that dam construction can significantly impact the environment.
Ngô Bao Châu and Dam Thanh Son have been selected as 2013 Simons Investigators for their groundbreaking work in mathematics and physics. They will receive $500,000 in support over five years to study fundamental questions.
Researchers have discovered direct geochemical evidence linking massive floods to the formation of the world's deepest gorge, the Tsangpo Gorge in the Himalayas. The study found that the presence of uranium-bearing zircon grains downstream was higher than expected, indicating a sudden and catastrophic event.
Researchers found that hydropower could accommodate unexpected variations in wind energy, but only if operating guidelines were relaxed over a two-week period. Changing these guidelines is complex and may require congressional action, according to Penn State researchers.
A recent study by Oregon State University researchers suggests that small hydropower projects supported by the Kyoto Protocol can have significant losses of habitat and biodiversity. The cumulative damage caused by small dams is worse than their larger counterparts in certain environmental impacts.
A crowdsourcing project called CrowdHydrology is expanding to four states, asking citizens to monitor stream levels by texting data to researchers. The project helps track the flow of water through a broad region while engaging the public in science that matters daily.
A Griffith University study found that current water releases limit fish reproduction and impact freshwater biodiversity. Restoring natural low flow periods is critical to produce food for dependent fish species.
A study of small dams in China found that they can pose a greater threat to ecosystems and natural landscapes than large dams. The research team surveyed habitat loss and damage at several dam sites, revealing that the environmental harm from small dams was often greater, sometimes by several orders of magnitude.
Research shows that conserving rainforests in the Amazon River Basin can increase electricity production from hydropower projects by up to 30%. The study highlights the critical role of rainforests in generating rainfall and river flow, which ultimately power production.
Researchers at the University of Washington are studying the sediment's fate after the removal of the Elwha Dam, which has released an estimated 34 million cubic yards of silt and sand into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The sediments' ultimate fate is crucial for understanding their impact on the ocean floor and marine life.
Researchers found that opponents of dam removal value aesthetics, cultural heritage, and recreational activities, while supporters prioritize ecological benefits and game fish restoration. Compromise solutions may be challenging due to differing ecosystem service values.
A team of economists and fish ecologists found that modern fish passage facilities were unsuccessful in allowing economically important species such as salmon, shad, and river herring to pass through dams. The study highlights the need for dam removals to restore diadromous species populations.
A study by the University of Southampton found that beaver dams can have both negative and positive effects on fish populations. While beaver activities can temporarily impede fish movement and reduce spawning habitat, they also increase habitat diversity and abundance of invertebrates, benefiting fish.
Researchers at Washington State University found that dams and reservoirs emit significant amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The study's findings suggest that managing drawdowns could reduce methane emissions and may even make decommissioning reservoirs a net sink for carbon.