Articles tagged with Watersheds
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University are developing a sustainable, AI-guided system to remove excess phosphorus from freshwater systems, preventing harmful algal blooms. The technology combines durable 3D-printed structures with AI-powered monitoring and optimization.
A new study by UBC researchers found that watersheds with greater variation in elevation are less prone to flooding after tree harvesting, while flatter landscapes are more vulnerable. The study also highlights the role of fog in influencing flood behavior and suggests a targeted approach to forest management.
A new study reveals how cannabis farming in California's Emerald Triangle is changing streams by pumping groundwater for irrigation. Researchers found that this practice can cause seasonal streams to stop flowing up to five weeks earlier and dry out streams that normally flow year-round, threatening salmon habitat.
Researchers have identified Ruppia maritima as a resilient native seagrass species that can help restore degraded estuarine habitats. The species has a distinctive annual life cycle and a persistent seed bank, allowing it to persist through disturbance and regenerate when conditions improve.
Two Lehigh University AI projects have been selected for funding from the Department of Energy's Genesis Mission. The RIVER-AI project will improve flood- and water-level prediction, while the REACT project aims to accelerate reactor-scale fusion energy by developing an AI-enabled digital twin. These awards strengthen Lehigh University...
Researchers analyzed the 2025 Texas Hill Country floods, which killed at least 135 people, including 28 at Camp Mystic. Experimental models showed they could have predicted extreme flows with greater lead time.
Researchers found that when bedding strata incline above the topographic slope, rainwater infiltrates deep into the subsurface through fractures. In contrast, on dip slopes with aligned bedding direction, landslide landforms develop due to rapid runoff after rainfall events.
A simple outdoor flood alarm is being developed by a UT Hydrology professor to detect life-threatening floods as water rises on individual properties. The low-tech alarm triggers a loud warning and light when water reaches a preset height, making it reliable during emergencies.
Thawing permafrost is causing Arctic rivers to turn toxic with orange iron particles, suffocating insects and smothering fish. The process also involves acid rock drainage, where pyrite breaks down into sulfuric acid and sulfate, creating rust-like particles.
Researchers found two distinct growth patterns in river deltas, uniform and composite, which can help engineers estimate land build-up based on channel length. This insight will aid coastal restoration and flood protection efforts by directing limited resources to areas where they can make the most impact.
A high-resolution model developed by University of Pennsylvania researchers shows that river levels once expected every 50 years now occur every few years due to climate change. The 1-in-100-year threshold marks a tipping point when flooding spreads rapidly across the urban landscape.
A study by Dartmouth researchers shows that annual rainfall is increasingly concentrated into bigger and wetter storms with longer dry periods in between. This means less water is available for land, soil can only absorb so much at once, and what's not soaked up evaporates more readily.
Researchers developed a new method to predict debris flows in post-fire landscapes, incorporating vegetation recovery, which reduces unnecessary warnings and improves accuracy. The updated method reflects changes in soil absorption and plant water uptake after wildfires, providing more accurate hazard maps and rainfall threshold guidance.
A recent study investigated microplastic movement in freshwater ecosystems across Pennsylvania, finding that watersheds with higher population densities and adjacent wastewater treatment plants had higher concentrations of microplastics. The research also revealed local features, such as forests and rural areas, play a critical role in...
A new study reveals that freshwater fish are accumulating antidepressants, opioids, and other drugs of abuse in their bodies, which can alter their behavior, development, and reproduction. The research uses a novel analytical method to detect these substances in small fish living in rivers receiving urban wastewater.
A new study finds that warmer winters will lead to faster water transit times in the western United States, negatively impacting summer water levels and quality. The research focuses on the Naches River basin, where snowpack declines have already resulted in earlier spring discharges.
A new study reveals that Waikiki is facing a fundamental shift in flood hazards as sea levels rise, transitioning from rainfall-driven floods to tidal process-dominated events. The team identified two key pathways, storm drain backflow and groundwater emergence, which will increase public exposure to sewage-contaminated waters.
Research shows glacial lakes in Alaska expanding 50% faster than previously recorded, posing significant hazards and altering ecosystems. The study identifies areas where lakes may form and grow, helping with infrastructure planning and predicting changes to ecosystems, hazards, and recreation.
Research by University of Missouri scientists found that road salt is deadly to freshwater snails when paired with the presence of predators, causing nearly 60% higher mortality rates. The study suggests practical solutions to reduce salt pollution in waterways, such as cutting road salt use by up to 50%.
A new collaborative study evaluates potential dust control measures for the Great Salt Lake, considering effectiveness, cost, water demand, maintenance needs, and ecological impacts. The analysis emphasizes the importance of long-term planning, sustained maintenance, and careful consideration of unintended consequences.
A combination of weakened atmospheric removal and increased emissions from warming wetlands, rivers, lakes, and agricultural land led to the surge in methane levels. Climate variability amplified methane emissions across interconnected ecosystems, with key contributions from tropical Africa and Southeast Asia.
A new method developed by Concordia researchers shows how small but widespread snowpack declines can ripple across Canada's water supply. The study found that usable snow water has declined sharply in areas of the Canadian Rockies, affecting a quarter of Canada's land mass and 86% of its population.
The US has more than 4 million miles of rivers, but existing regulations only account for less than 20% of total river length. Freshwater conservation strategies have historically focused on land use and development, leaving gaps in protection measures for lakes, rivers, and wetlands.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have mapped Mars' large river drainage systems, outlining 16 areas where life could have existed. These systems are crucial for understanding Martian habitability and potential past life.
Researchers found that nutrients in lagoons are highest near the island, lower offshore, and linked to human activities on land. Precipitation acts as a key mediator for connections between land use and lagoon waters.
A new study found the Rio Grande basin is severely depleted, with only half of used water being replenished by natural processes. The primary cause of overconsumption is irrigated agriculture, particularly cattle-feed crops like alfalfa and grass hay.
A long-term study in the White Mountains of New Hampshire found that recovering forests are using roots to mine minerals for nutrients, leading to improved stream pH but depleted soil fertility. This process enhances mineral weathering, which can make forests more vulnerable to future pollution.
As Arctic permafrost thaws, geochemical reactions unleash metals like cadmium, harming fish and disrupting ecosystems. The Salmon River's transformation poses indirect threats to Indigenous communities and other species.
A new study suggests that adopting a 'mixed services transition approach' can improve the ability of collaborative groups to deliver their stated goals. This approach involves starting with small-scale implementation activities while formal planning is finalized, securing additional funding and outlining changes in structure.
A new Stanford-led study maps beaver dams and ponds using high-resolution aerial imagery, aiding managers in prioritizing areas for restoring wetlands and reintroducing beavers. The research reveals key factors influencing beaver dam length and pond area, providing a practical tool for managing habitats and waterways.
Recent research from American Meteorological Society journals predicts a new record for lightning and a decrease in hurricane frequency. Additionally, fire forecasts have been updated to better manage water resources in Colorado's Gunnison River Basin.
A new global study reveals unprecedented freshwater loss since 2002, with four continental-scale mega-drying regions in the northern hemisphere. The findings warn of severe consequences for water security, agriculture, and sea level rise.
A new dataset doubles documented stream miles in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, allowing for more accurate characterization of water flow and land use. The high-resolution data will help prioritize restoration projects, such as streamside tree plantings and pollutant filtering.
New research from Tulane University finds that global riverine mercury pollution has more than doubled since the pre-industrial era, with primary drivers including wastewater discharge, soil erosion, and industrial activities. This increase poses significant health risks to humans and wildlife through consumption of contaminated fish.
Modelling analysis reveals sediment levels and nitrogen concentrations will increase with development and forest conversion upstream. The study forecasts water quality degradation at drinking water intakes across the regional watershed.
A study found DDT residues in trout from Canadian lakes, with levels up to ten times the recommended safe limit. The persistence of these residues poses a risk to wildlife that consumes the fish.
A new study reveals how proactive salmon conservation in the North Pacific can protect biodiversity and advance global conservation goals. The stronghold strategy aims to proactively protect iconic salmon systems that sustain healthy watersheds, safeguarding food security and mitigating climate change.
The study introduces an innovative method to detect and classify floodplains based on their ability to attenuate floods. The Hydraulic Floodplain Classification emphasizes the variable capacity of the landscape to influence flood routing, enabling better water resource assessments and floodplain management applications.
A simulation mapping underground water on a continental scale reveals that rainfall and snowmelt flow much farther underground than previously thought. The study also shows that more than half of the water in streams originates from aquifers previously believed to be too deep for streams.
The 105th Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society will address key issues in weather, water, and climate. The meeting features a Presidential Forum on physical, social, cultural, and economic impacts of climate change, with experts from the region of the Mississippi River Delta.
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.
A new study warns that Colorado's West Slope basins, supporting a $5 billion agriculture economy, face a potential tipping point due to drought vulnerability. The research suggests that even moderate climate change and streamflow declines can threaten water storage, agriculture, and municipal supplies.
A new study reveals that human waste, both treated and untreated, is responsible for the microbial impairment in Delaware's inland waterways. The researchers found a majority of microbial signatures in the water matched a human waste signature, indicating infrastructure issues with septic systems may be to blame.
Researchers at Southwest Research Institute will conduct a 12-month targeted water-sampling campaign to analyze the Las Moras Springs system and its relationship with the Pinto Creek watershed. The project aims to improve water management and conservation efforts in Kinney County, Texas.
Researchers analyzed steroids from animal dung in lake sediments to determine the dominant large herbivores that lived in northern Yellowstone National Park. The study found bison and elk as primary species for the last 2,300 years, with impacts on local ecosystems.
A new study by Harvard researchers finds alarmingly high PFAS concentrations in fish tissues even up to 8 km from the military base. The results underscore the urgent need for more comprehensive monitoring of PFAS in aquatic ecosystems, particularly in regions where freshwater fishing is an important food source.
Researchers found PFAS in groundwater up to 43 years old and concentrations that exceed health advisory levels. The study suggests it could take over 40 years for PFAS to leave contaminated groundwater, highlighting the need for continued cleanup efforts and long-term monitoring.
Snowmelt rates vary by slope orientation and receive varying amounts of solar radiation. The study found that burned south-facing slopes accumulate less snow and melt earlier than other aspects due to increased solar radiation absorption. This understanding will improve models and tools for water managers.
Research by FAU Harbor Branch reveals that managing both phosphorus and nitrogen is crucial for tackling toxic cyanobacterial blooms in Lake Okeechobee. Human waste is identified as a major source of nutrients, with elevated nitrogen levels found in urbanized estuaries and the Kissimmee River.
A new study led by the University of Michigan found that traditional stormwater infrastructure design can exacerbate flooding during severe weather events. The problem lies in the failure to recognize flood connectivity, leading to unanticipated interactions between different stormwater systems.
A team of researchers discovered that a 'tag-team' between the oceans and continents led to severe environmental crises, causing mass extinctions of marine species. The study found that chemical weathering pulses disrupted the oceans, leading to anoxic events that had profound impacts on marine ecosystems.
A new study by Utah State University explores the potential of collaborative modeling to improve reservoir operations and adapt to variable inflow and declining storage. The research involved 26 Colorado River Basin managers and experts who used Google Sheets during video calls to discuss consuming, banking, and trading water.
Researchers discovered an estimated 400 billion microplastic fibers in Frenchman Bay and its tributaries, with concentrations highest in the bay itself. The study found that microplastics were transported from land through rivers and estuaries into the bay, posing a significant threat to marine life and humans.
A new study reveals that the Supreme Court's ruling weakening the Clean Water Act leaves many US waterways vulnerable to pollution. Ephemeral streams, which only flow during weather events, contribute significantly to river systems' total output, with 55% of water coming from them on average.
Researchers used a weather model to pinpoint the source of wintertime precipitation in Arizona, finding it comes from a central Pacific moisture source rather than El Niño/La Niña events. The study's findings could improve seasonal precipitation forecasts for the region and potentially other areas globally.
A new research commentary by Griffith University researchers explores transboundary watersheds and their impact on global biodiversity. The study identifies over 1,050 transboundary watersheds globally, with more than 70% of sediments produced in a different country than the country where they were discharged.
A new BU study links sewage overflows to increased risk of acute gastrointestinal illnesses in downstream communities. Residents are at a 62% higher risk of developing AGI within four days after large-volume combined sewer overflows, regardless of drinking water source.
A study found that trees along UT's Waller Creek flourish during droughts due to wastewater from leaky city pipes, which also affects tree growth patterns. The research highlights the unintended positive consequences of urbanization on climate-resilience of stream ecosystems.
Researchers found that oil palm plantations in Indonesia's Kais River Watershed are causing significant increases in precipitation, runoff, and soil moisture, leading to dramatically worse water quality. The transition from tropical rainforest to oil-palm plantation has resulted in a 16.9% increase in sedimentation, 78.1% increase in n...
A new study by Stanford researchers explores the effects of different watershed interventions on coral health, finding that regional-scale approaches yield better results. The research identifies key areas for restoration, protection, and sustainable agriculture to support both ecosystem and societal benefits.