Articles tagged with Rivers
A new study by Indiana University researchers found that climate change impacts managed waterways in the US and Canada, similar to unmanaged streams and rivers. The analysis revealed diminishing flow in southern and western US regions, while northeastern US rivers showed increased flow.
A study by Hokkaido University researchers found that branching complexity of rivers, rather than ecosystem size, contributes to regional population stability in nature. This challenges current theories and highlights the importance of environmental diversity in maintaining stable populations.
A new study by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution reveals a significant link between river outflow and coastal sea level change. The model predicts that variations in annual river flow can raise or lower coastal mean sea level by several centimeters.
Geologists analyzed 135 Mississippi River water samples, revealing that 75% of sulfate comes from pyrite mineral rusting, a process enhanced by human activities. This finding highlights the magnitude of human impact on natural chemical cycles and potential effects on ocean acidification.
A new model reveals that mountain landscapes remain active due to variations in the strength of underlying rocks. This leads to the formation of waterfalls and changes in watershed divides, shaping the landscape over time. The study also found a link between mountainous landscape dynamics and the evolution of aquatic species.
A new study reveals that European rivers have a much higher density of barriers than previously thought, with up to one barrier per kilometer. A newly developed smartphone app, Barrier Tracker, is now available to help document and update this information.
Recent heavy rainfall and melting snow have caused widespread flooding across the central and southern US, from the Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes. NASA's rainfall analysis found above-normal precipitation in parts of the upper Midwest, exacerbating the flood threat.
New research reveals hydropower dams significantly disturb river connectivity in the Andes Amazon, impacting migratory fish patterns and sediment flow. The study suggests that 100% of sediment will be trapped in downstream dams, altering natural river flow and regional cultural processes.
Research by the University of Exeter and the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust has discovered that UK chalk-stream salmon are genetically unique. The study found distinct differences between chalk and non-chalk salmon, but little genetic differentiation within chalk-stream populations.
A recent study published in Nature Geoscience reveals that wetland complexes can significantly reduce nitrate levels in rivers and streams. Retaining or restoring wetlands in intensively managed agricultural watersheds can improve local water quality while reducing nitrate exports to the Gulf of Mexico dead zone.
A new study reveals alarming levels of phosphorus pollution in global freshwater basins, exceeding the Earth's ability to assimilate excess nutrients. Agricultural activity and domestic sewage are major contributors to this issue.
A new study finds significant increases in salinity and alkalinization of freshwater across the US and southern Canada, driven by road salt and fertilizer use. This growing problem threatens drinking water supplies and natural ecosystems, highlighting the need for better regulation of salty compounds.
Freshwater salinization syndrome caused by various salts is linked to increased alkalinization, posing risks to drinking water supplies and ecosystems. The study highlights the need for better regulation of these substances.
A new study finds that 37% of US drainage areas experienced significant increases in salinity and alkalization, with consequences for pipe stability and drinking water quality. Strategies like pre-wetting salt and monitoring aging pipes are recommended to mitigate effects on public health.
A team of scientists from NOAA Fisheries and California agencies recommend modernizing tracking technologies to improve Sacramento River winter-run Chinook management. The new approach aims to enhance water delivery system monitoring, genetic fingerprinting, and real-time tracking to promote fish recovery.
The Mississippi River's course is shaped by sediment and floods, but accumulating sediment downstream of the Old River Control Structure poses a risk to its current path. Research finds that sediment has caused the river floor to elevate and sandbars to grow in volume, diminishing the river's capacity to carry water.
A new study by Imperial College London and the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur reveals that ancient Indus Civilization urban centers didn't need an active river system to thrive. The research found that a major Himalayan river, the Sutlej River, changed course eight thousand years ago, leaving behind an abandoned river valley occ...
A European COST Action initiative brings together scientists and stakeholders to develop a research network for IRES, aiming to improve understanding and sustainable management of river networks. The project includes data sharing, technology development, and citizen science to monitor and map IRES flow states.
Researchers find that deltas exhibit a high diversity of delivery pathways to the sea, adapting to maintain their existence. The study's findings suggest an 'optimality principle' governing the behavior of rivers deltas across different environments.
The Illinois River's dramatic recovery is attributed to the Clean Water Act, which reduced sewage effluent and improved water quality. As a result, populations of largemouth bass, bluegill, and other sportfish have increased dramatically, with catches now exceeding 100-300 fish per hour.
Researchers found that 57 rivers worldwide contribute significantly to ocean plastic pollution, with the top 10 accounting for 88-95% of global loads. Halving plastic waste in these 10 waterways could potentially reduce total ocean contribution by 45%.
A new study suggests that Jordan may face disastrous droughts if alternative water sources are not implemented. Climate change and water scarcity could lead to a decline in rainfall, higher temperatures, and reduced freshwater supply, making it difficult for the country to meet its water demands.
A University of Illinois study concludes that the Missouri River requires a multi-state cooperation plan to manage its dynamics and mitigate damages from flooding and erosion. Human activities such as dam construction have altered the river's course, causing sedimentation and increasing flood risks.
A new study warns that hundreds of built and proposed hydroelectric dams in the Amazon basin will harm life and ecosystems. The dams, which are expected to provide renewable energy, will trap sediment and alter river dynamics, putting thousands of species at risk.
A new study finds that Amazon River carbon dioxide emissions are nearly balanced by terrestrial uptake, with significant implications for global climate policy. The research reveals that the Amazon Basin emits almost 50% more CO2 than previously estimated.
Climate change is causing Arctic river ice deposits to melt nearly a month earlier than they did 15 years ago, with most icings disappearing 26 days earlier in 2015 than in 2000. This rapid decline could have significant impacts on Arctic river ecosystems.
Researchers developed a predictive tool to estimate nitrous oxide emissions from waterways based on stream size, land use, biome type, and climatic conditions. The study found that N2O emissions increase with river size and are dependent on human activity and environmental drivers.
A new study by Tel Aviv University researchers suggests that Israel's Jordan River, with only 3% of its original flow, can serve as a case study for tackling water scarcity and pollution worldwide. A two-pronged strategy involving regional cooperation to remove pollution sources and increase water flow is proposed.
The remnant clouds and showers associated with Ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie were slowly moving off the coasts of Queensland and New South Wales. Heavy rainfall generated by Debbie continues to trigger warnings for rivers, with several flood warnings still in effect.
Researchers warn that climate change will continue to shrink the Colorado River's flows, reducing water supplies for seven US Western states and Mexico. With temperatures projected to rise and precipitation uncertainty, future drought periods are likely, posing significant challenges for water managers.
Researchers from Chinese Academy of Sciences identified a new species of catfish in the Mali Hka River drainage in Myanmar. The newly discovered Oreoglanis hponkanensis has distinct morphological features, including unusual teeth and coloration.
Researchers found sedimentary rocks along the Colorado River valley exhibit regular tidal influences, pointing to 330 meters of seafloor uplift over the past 5 million years. The study resolves a 20-year-old debate on depositional environments and tectonic significance in the region.
Scientists from Utah State University and US Environmental Protection Agency report significant shifts in insect species frequencies relative to historical conditions. Over 70% of species have altered habitats, with nearly all historically common species found in fewer streams and rivers than expected.
The study found significant changes in calcium, magnesium, and sulfate levels in the Yukon River over three decades, likely due to increased weathering and groundwater enrichment. These changes have cascading effects on Arctic Ocean currents and weather patterns worldwide.
A University of Illinois study suggests that the Mississippi River's natural course could permanently reroute Dogtooth Bend peninsula, leaving approximately 15,000 acres of farmland inaccessible by road. The researchers propose three alternative solutions to mitigate this threat and ensure sustainable land use in the region.
Scientists at the University of Montana's Flathead Lake Biological Station have documented ancient methane-derived carbon in stonefly biomass across four river floodplains. The research reveals that up to 67% of the carbon in stonefly tissue came from methane, with millennial-aged and ancient carbon sources identified.
A team of researchers from the University of Alaska Fairbanks made a groundbreaking discovery after analyzing stable isotopes and lipid residues at prehistoric hearths along the Tanana River. The study found that early Alaskans' diets were more complex than previously thought, with salmon and freshwater fish playing a prominent role.
The National Center for Atmospheric Research's WRF-Hydro model provides continuous predictions of water levels and potential flooding in rivers and streams across the contiguous United States. This enables better management of reservoirs, navigation along major rivers, and planning for droughts.
The Adaptive Management of Barriers in European Rivers (AMBER) project maps river barriers across Europe to restore dwindling freshwater species populations. Innovative research uses citizen science, remote sensing, and molecular methods to prioritize areas for conservation and optimize barrier management.
Researchers predict that the Hudson River's wetlands will increase in area due to upland migration of existing marshes. This is despite concerns about infrastructure and population near the river, as the wetlands provide habitat for fish and wildlife and buffer against storms.
A controlled pulse of water to the Colorado River Delta released stored greenhouse gases, including methane and carbon dioxide. This study highlights the need for a long-term approach to manage riverbed carbon storage in response to changing climate conditions.
A new USGS study reveals that more than half of the streamflow in the Upper Colorado River Basin comes from groundwater, with an average of 56% originating from this source. This finding has significant implications for water management and highlights the need to consider both groundwater and surface water as a joint resource.
A new study reveals that heavy weather events trigger 'pulse-shunt' of organic matter past small streams, affecting water chemistry and phytoplankton levels. This framework challenges existing concepts in watershed ecology and has implications for managing nutrient pollution and mercury inputs.
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.
The University of Melbourne has uncovered twenty new freshwater fish species in the remote Kimberley region, increasing Australia's total known species by almost ten percent. The discovery highlights the hidden wealth of biodiversity within the Kimberley and has major implications for conservation efforts.
A new study reveals that freshwater rivers and streams transport or store more than 220 billion pounds of carbon each year. This finds that the actual carbon storage in forests is decreased by almost 30 percent once accounting for the leaking carbon into aquatic environments.
The Vindel River LIFE project restored tributaries by creating more diverse aquatic habitats through wider streams and boulders. This led to increased water levels and variable currents, benefiting migrating salmon and trout, as well as other animals and plants.
A new study found that virtually all the water entering the Wabash River in Indiana is withdrawn and returned, highlighting a pressing need for improved understanding of water use. The research suggests that reusing wastewater for irrigation may be detrimental to rivers.
Smithsonian scientists have discovered a new genus and species of river dolphin, Isthminia panamensis, from a fossil specimen found in Panama. The ancient creature is estimated to be around 9 feet long and lived in the salty waters of a Caribbean Sea before the full closure of the Panama Isthmus.
Scientists have found a way to detect internal damage in Utah's natural arches that could lead to their collapse. A study also reveals how a 16th-century Italian earthquake changed the course of the Po River over thousands of years. Researchers explore the effects of smaller rivers from Canada's Arctic islands on the North Atlantic.
Researchers found that smaller streams carry CO2 produced by plants on land, while larger streams emit more CO2 through respiration and natural decay. The study sheds light on the role of freshwater rivers in the global carbon cycle.
Researchers used a new computer model to simulate the formation of high-lying valleys in the southeastern Tibetan plateau. They found that these valleys developed in place, not as remnants of former lowlands, and were shaped by river disruption due to tectonic movement.
A recent study reveals that glacial melt in a small region of Alaska produces more than four times the total freshwater discharge of the Yukon River and half again as much as the Mississippi River. The findings provide new insights into marine biology, ocean currents, and sea level changes.
Researchers at Penn University developed a new model of sediment transport in rivers, showing that even calm rivers creep forward slowly due to particle interactions. The study improves geologists' ability to predict erosion rates and landscape evolution over time.
Research shows that fluctuations in river flows are increasing with climate change, scrounging away salmon eggs and exhausting young fish. Habitat restoration projects and reducing stormwater runoff can ease flooding and peak flows threatening salmon redds.
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.
Researchers uncovered a third unknown species of freshwater shrimp, similar to Palaemon ivonicus, with genetic data revealing divergent lineages about 10 million years ago. This study highlights the importance of molecular tools for discovering new species in complex environments like Amazonia.
A review published in ESA Frontiers explores designing rivers with environmental flows to sustain ecosystem services, considering controlled releases and hands-off policies. The approach aims to create functional ecosystems under current conditions, rather than recreating historical ones.
Researchers have identified a bacterial breakdown pathway for diazepam in UK rivers, which could reduce its potentially harmful impact on the environment. The study found that bacteria can break down diazepam's photo-degradation product, ACB, into small natural molecules, including ammonium.
A team of scientists led by Jeremy Venditti used oceanographic instruments to study flow through steep bedrock canyons on the Fraser River. They discovered a complicated flow field with high velocity flow plunging down canyon walls, resulting in greater flow force applied to the bed.