Articles tagged with Rivers
Researchers successfully built a scale model of a living meandering river, demonstrating the critical role of vegetation in slowing erosion and reinforcing banks. Sand, typically avoided in stream restoration, was found to be essential for building point bars and blocking cut-off channels, leading to a more balanced ecosystem.
Sharp declines in freshwater species are often overlooked, affecting watershed planning and ecosystem restoration. Historical records suggest that species abundances were much greater than today, leading to underestimated effects of European colonization and habitat destruction.
Current international strategies overlook the role of inland waters in carbon cycling, but a new study highlights their disproportionate impact. The study suggests that rivers and lakes can alter the fate of terrestrial carbon, leading to significant changes in global carbon budgets.
A new CU-Boulder study warns that climate change could lead to a one-in-two chance of fully depleting the Colorado River's reservoir storage by mid-century. The study found that even with a 20% reduction in stream flow, the risk of full depletion would still be significant.
A new study by Florida State University researchers found that low river flow can lead to a decrease in phytoplankton concentration on the continental shelf, affecting food availability for young fish larvae. This could have significant implications for offshore fisheries.
A study by NCAR scientists found significant changes in about one-third of the world's largest rivers, with many experiencing decreased flow due to climate change. The reduced flows threaten future supplies of food and water, particularly for large populations relying on these rivers.
Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography found that human-caused climate change will reduce the Colorado River's capacity to deliver water, leading to shortfalls 40-90% of the time by 2025 and doubling by the late century. The study suggests that reducing average water use could help sustain the system.
Dr. Roland Romeiser, a UM Rosenstiel School researcher, has been awarded a $500,000 ONR grant to develop 'along-track InSAR,' a new satellite technique that maps surface currents in rivers and oceans. This technology will aid in monitoring global river runoff and bathymetric changes.
Researchers found that proper irrigation management with reuse water can maintain favorable salt balances and plant response. The study's results suggest embracing reuse water as a viable alternative for golf course irrigation.
Researchers found no radioactive signals in recent ice core samples from the Naimona'nyi glacier, suggesting that it has not accumulated new ice since 1944 and posing a threat to water supplies for half a billion people in Asia. The absence of these signals makes it challenging to date the ice cores and extract climate history.
A recent study found that some endangered Pacific salmon stocks are surviving as well as or better in rivers with hydroelectric dams as in those without. Researchers used acoustic telemetry technology to track juvenile salmon migration and survival rates in the Fraser and Columbia Rivers, revealing a surprising similarity between damme...
A new study challenged conventional notions about salmon survival, finding that juvenile salmon in two west coast rivers had similar survival rates despite the presence of extensive dam networks. The study used tagging and tracking technologies to track small juvenile Pacific salmon from freshwater to ocean destinations.
According to the USGS report, nearly 40 percent of North American freshwater fish species are now listed as vulnerable, threatened, or endangered. Habitat loss and climate change have contributed significantly to these declines.
A two-year study is underway to collect data on ichthyoplankton in the St. Johns River, aiming to predict vulnerability to water withdrawals and environmental changes.
Researchers develop data mining approach using Fuzzy Inference System to analyze river water quality, revealing high pollution levels despite individual parameter analysis. The method combines disparate parameters for a broader understanding of overall quality, potentially improving the lives of people relying on freshwater sources.
A recent study identifies seven regions where non-native freshwater fish species make up over a quarter of the recorded species, highlighting the need for surveillance and precautionary measures. The research suggests that human economic activities are the main driving factor behind exotic species invasions in these regions.
The study found that naked carp respond to increased lake salinity by taking a 'metabolic holiday', drastically reducing oxygen consumption and kidney function. They also adjust their feeding behavior and store more fat, but if the lake continues to dehydrate, these benefits may change to pathology.
A new study suggests that Prozac exposure can prematurely release larvae in freshwater mussels, potentially dooming them. The findings contribute to the growing concern about pharmaceutical pollution's impact on native aquatic species.
A Purdue University study found the Wabash River population of shovelnose sturgeon to be stable, but with concerns over low young fish numbers and potential for population decline. The research informs size and catch limits on the fish set to begin next summer.
Research highlights declining hemlock populations due to invasive species, as well as the value of urban forests like Overton Park. Studies also examine economic and ecological costs of exurbanization on Tennessee's southern Cumberland Plateau and document changes in freshwater mussel populations.
Researchers found high levels of toxic contaminants in white sturgeon from areas above Bonneville Dam, leading to reduced growth and reproductive fitness. The contamination is thought to be accumulating behind dams, posing a threat to the fish's survival and ecosystem balance.
Researchers predict widespread invasion of UK estuaries by the invasive Chinese mitten crab, which could devastate native species and ecosystems. A nationwide monitoring system is recommended to control the population before it's too late.
The Paraguay River Basin, home to the Pantanal wetlands, faces critical threats from agriculture, cattle grazing, and coal mining. Deforestation has already destroyed almost 45% of the original vegetation, with some areas losing over 90%. Conservation efforts are needed to protect the region's biodiversity and ecosystems.
Research highlights rapidly declining fish numbers in inland waters globally, with total catch quadrupling since 1950 and biodiversity at risk. Inland water fishing pressure shifts from species to species, leading to ecosystem collapse if left unmanaged.
Peter A. Raymond, Yale assistant professor of ecosystem ecology, has received the 2005 Cronin Award for his research on rivers, estuaries, and coastal systems' role in carbon budgets. He studies climate and land use's impact on river carbon transfer and collaboration with researchers on air-water CO2 exchange.
Researchers from Virginia Tech's Freshwater Mussel Conservation Center have released several thousand cultivated mussels into the Clinch River as part of a replenishing project. The release aims to restore water quality and support aquatic life after a toxic spill in 1998 killed most aquatic life on that stretch of the river.
Researchers from eight universities and conservation groups compiled a comprehensive database on nationwide river restoration projects, analyzing over 37,000 current projects. The study found that most projects were implemented in the Pacific Northwest or Chesapeake Bay watershed and had median costs of $57,000 in Georgia.
The river restoration field has matured into a science, with the nation's first comprehensive database of projects documenting trends and progress. Key findings include exponential growth in restoration efforts, with $14-15 billion invested since 1990, and a need for consistent monitoring to improve future efforts.
The Hudson River has seen a doubling of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the past 15 years, with possible causes including changes in river materials and bacterial metabolism. This increase may be linked to nitrogen deposition, leading to eutrophication-driven problems such as hypoxia.
Researchers have discovered key aspects of PCB fate in sediment and developed methods to monitor and contain these synthetic compounds. They found that bacteria populations decompose PCBs differently in sediments taken from separate, contaminated rivers.
A Carnegie Mellon researcher has developed a reactive core mat technology that can clean up pollutants in the Anacostia River. The innovative solution could provide a more affordable alternative to expensive dredging methods, which have costs running into the hundreds of millions of dollars.
The Panama Biological Survey (1910-1912) tracked fish migration between the Atlantic and Pacific slopes of Panama's Isthmus. New research finds that dispersal played a key role in increasing species richness in local freshwater fish assemblages, even after many generations.
Researchers analyzed rare isotope data to gauge when rivers abandoned their ancient beds and exposed terraces. The study reveals that rivers cut through bedrock at a rate far more rapid than previously thought, driven by regional climate changes during the last ice age.
Researchers analyzed rock samples to determine when and how quickly rivers cut through rock, revealing a rate much faster than previously thought. Climate changes during the last ice age prompted the rapid incision of gorges along both rivers approximately 35,000 years ago.
A Marine Biological Laboratory researcher and science teacher embark on a two-week research trip to Siberia, studying the Lena River's freshwater runoff. They collaborate with students via virtual experiences, teaching science concepts like convection currents and watersheds.
A new method for studying pollution history using shell remains has been developed, allowing scientists to track environmental changes without harming endangered species. By analyzing geochemical and taphonomic signatures of dead mussel shells, researchers can determine the impact of pollution on ecosystems and track population decline.
The Hudson River Estuary has largely stopped filling in with new sediment, except for specific locations, according to researchers. The estuary's sedimentation rate is approximately 1mm per year, matching the rate of sea level rise.
Contaminated water from abandoned mines poses a threat to Colorado's nine billion-dollar tourism industry, particularly in ski areas like Keystone and Arapahoe Basin. The use of artificially created snow due to droughts and climate change exacerbates the issue, highlighting the need for alternative methods to mitigate acid-rock drainage.
Contaminated water from abandoned mines in Colorado's Summit County is affecting artificial snowmaking and tourism, impacting $9 billion industry. Heavy metals are detected in headwater drainages, posing a risk to aquatic life and other sports.
The report highlights the need for a multi-faceted approach to manage freshwater resources, including empowering local groups and increasing communication among disciplines. It also recommends protecting minimally impaired ecosystems and creating awareness of healthy ecosystems' importance to everyday living.
A recent study found that green sturgeon in Oregon's Rogue River have extremely small home ranges, making them vulnerable to habitat loss and exploitation. The fish can grow up to 19 feet long, but are only protected by regulations for those under five feet.
A new study in Science finds a progressive increase in Arctic river discharge, which could reduce the Atlantic thermohaline circulation and impact global climate. The research also shows a correlation between increased discharge and global surface air temperature and North Atlantic Oscillation.
Climate change is expected to exacerbate existing water problems in the West, impacting hydroelectric power, salmon runs, and water supply deliveries. The region's water resources are already stretched to their limits, with little room for changes in current allocations.
Researchers have recalculated the amount of carbon dioxide released from tropical forests into global waterways, finding that it is triple the current estimate. The new total is comparable to a fifth of human activities' carbon dioxide emissions, challenging the notion that forests are carbon sponges.
The Ecological Society of America advocates for a broader view of freshwater resources, prioritizing ecological needs alongside societal requirements. Healthy freshwater systems provide essential goods and services like food supply, flood control, and habitat, which are costly to replace with technology.
Researchers used satellite images, fossils, and radiocarbon dating to estimate the prehistoric productivity of the Colorado River Delta. The study found that shellfish production declined by 20-fold due to human diversion of the river's flow.
A UMass researcher has found that new species can arise in as little as 12-14 generations, rather than the previously accepted maximum of 200-400 generations. This discovery suggests that adaptation can lead to reproductive isolation at a much faster rate than previously thought.
Robert Criss has developed a new method to date water using oxygen-18 isotopes, providing a distinctive fingerprint for each water sample. This technique allows researchers to trace the age of water, track pollutant emissions, and understand the behavior of river systems.
A USGS study shows that larger streams and rivers in the Midwest and Ohio Valley states deliver more nitrogen to the Gulf of Mexico than smaller streams, contradicting previous assumptions. Nitrogen pollution is naturally removed from water in small streams through denitrification, a process that significantly affects its delivery to t...
A multi-pronged analysis reveals that the supply of clean freshwater is dwindling due to growing demands for irrigation, industry, and natural ecosystem needs. Associate Professor Kenneth Strzepek identifies global river basins under strain, including China's Yellow River basin and Africa's Zambeze River basin.
A new research project aims to study the relationship between hydrology, plant, animal, and human communities in the Cosumnes watershed. The project will inform river and floodplain restoration programs throughout the Central Valley.
A recent USGS study suggests that rivers, particularly the South Platte River in Colorado and Nebraska, are emitting high levels of nitrous oxide (N2O), a catalyst for ozone depletion. The study's findings indicate that N2O emissions from these rivers could be a major human-made source of N2O to the atmosphere.
Researchers are exploring ways to control the rush of nitrogen and other chemicals into the Mississippi River watershed. Ecotechnology may hold the answer by restoring or building wetlands and riparian buffer zones along waterways.
Recent USGS research reveals little difference in ground motions on Mississippi River bluffs vs nearby floodplain. This suggests areas underlain by rock may experience less shaking than those with alluvium, such as valleys.
Inflatable dams offer a range of benefits, including flexible flood protection solutions and minimal maintenance requirements. They can be used to control water levels, prevent backflows, and even provide recreational spaces while maintaining flood protection.
A six-university panel of river experts suggests that restoring a river's natural flow regime is crucial for maintaining ecological integrity. By allowing rivers to repair and maintain themselves, scientists can enhance different portions of the flow regime through changes to dams and water-use operations.
The USGS, in partnership with state agencies, will continue to monitor the Red River's flow and water quality over the next four weeks. This effort aims to assess the impact of the unprecedented flood and gather data for flood forecasting, design, and environmental regulations.
Researchers suggest restoring natural wetlands in floodplains as a solution to address flooding problems. The strategy is based on lessons learned from the 1993 Upper Mississippi River floods and has cultural and economic implications for landowners and communities along the Illinois River.
The USGS is tracking the northward movement of the Red River floodwaters, taking measurements to improve forecasts for evacuations upstream. Crucial to understanding the impact on upstream communities will be how much water is contributed by the Pembina River.
The current floods in North Dakota have broken multiple records, including a 100-year-old record of 85,000 cubic feet per second. The Red River's predicted crest is expected to reach 54 feet, posing significant threats to emergency managers and evacuation orders.