Articles tagged with Rivers
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.
The USGS is reporting record-high floods in several states, including West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio. The Little Kanawha River in West Virginia peaked at a historic 57,200 cfs, while the Ohio Brush Creek reached an 71-year high of 80,000 cfs.
The USGS network has been severely impacted by recent floods, with 146 streamflow measuring stations damaged or destroyed. This has hampered efforts to provide basic floodflow measurements, particularly in California where 79 gages were affected.
In 1996, 50% of streamgaging stations reported above-normal flows, while 29% reported below-normal flows. Record wet years on both coasts led to high loads of sediment, nutrients, and chemicals affecting water quality and living resources.
The Cheseapeake Bay experienced record flows in 1996, with rivers carrying a combined average of 87.5 billion gallons per day, affecting water quality and ecosystem health. Environmental effects could have been worse, but management actions and favorable timing reduced the impact.
A new USGS report explores the environmental consequences of dams, including erosion, waterfowl habitat changes, and loss of river sand bars. The report emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary scientific approaches to minimize negative impacts and promote informed decisions about dam management.
A computer-based system aims to establish a scientific basis for equitable and sustainable water resources management. The integrated decision support system uses hydrometeorological data to simulate the response of rivers and reservoirs to different climatic inputs, water and power demands, and decision policies.
The Yanomamo tribe, numbering around 25,000, is facing a major survival crisis due to the devastating floods in Venezuela's Amazon region. The flooding has imperiled clusters of Yanomamo living near the Orinoco River and destroyed their staple food crops, leading to increased sicknesses and potentially uncontrollable epidemics.