Articles tagged with Watersheds
A new system called MAPHEX can remove almost all phosphorus from stored livestock manure, addressing a major environmental issue in the US. The technology could have a huge impact on water quality problems if made more affordable to operate.
Researchers report that wildfires can cause a variable but predictable impact on the substances released from soils and flow into drinking water sources, leading to contamination. The study found that as wildfire severity increases, the amount of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) released by soil decreases, while sediments increase.
A recent study by Syracuse University researchers examines the impact of de-icing salts on the Tioughnioga River watershed. The team found that surface-water chloride concentrations are expected to decrease in 20-30 years due to changes in climate and snowfall patterns.
A global assessment of small hydropower dams highlights their potential for growth, but lacks scientific studies on their environmental impact. Researchers estimate that nearly 83,000 small dams are operating or under construction in 150 countries, with the number potentially tripling if all capacity were developed.
Using streams as sensors near headwaters can help diagnose a watershed's sensitivity to changes in land use practices. By analyzing the chemistry of small streams, researchers can identify areas that can be sustainably developed for food production and target restoration efforts.
A new study suggests that unconventional spaces like rooftops, salt-affected land, and contaminated sites can generate renewable energy while sparing valuable agricultural land. The research found that these land-sparing sites in the Central Valley could exceed state energy demands up to 13 times for photovoltaics.
Assistant Professor Nick Fang will receive $150,000 to help the Corps produce highly accurate hydrologic and hydraulic models. The project aims to create models that can map floodplains and aid in planning construction and maintenance of infrastructure.
A Washington State University study reveals that salmon's mating habits alter stream bed profiles, leading to erosion and changes in the landscape over time. Different salmon species have varying effects on the ecosystem, with some creating new habitats for emerging species.
A University of Vermont-led study of 300,000 children in 35 nations reveals that those living near areas with greater tree cover are less likely to experience diarrheal disease. The research suggests that protecting watersheds can have a comparable effect to improved water sanitation.
Researchers used DNA analysis to uncover the genetic basis of early migration in Pacific salmon species, finding a single gene variant responsible for this adaptation. This discovery challenges previous views on the evolution of early migrating populations and highlights the need for targeted conservation strategies.
A new study from the University of Waterloo found that reducing algae-causing nutrients in agricultural runoff can take up to 30-40 years to have a desired impact. Despite decreasing nutrient inputs, water quality has been slow to respond, with some watersheds taking decades to see significant improvements.
A new study by University of Wyoming researchers finds that mountaintop-removal coal mining in Appalachia degrades water quality and causes dramatic increases in salinity, leading to more perennial streamflows. The study's findings have significant implications for the region's ecosystem and future environmental changes.
A study by researchers from the USDA Forest Service and the University of Minnesota found that controlled burns did not lead to increased mercury levels in yellow perch, contradicting previous mixed results. The research also showed no significant disruption to watershed food webs.
A new study by the University of Minnesota reveals that lawn fertilizers and pet waste are major sources of nitrogen and phosphorus pollutants in urban watersheds. The research highlights the need to reduce excessive fertilizer use and properly manage pet waste to mitigate pollution and eutrophication.
A UMass Amherst study suggests that conserving water resources in rapidly urbanizing areas is crucial due to climate change and population pressure. By adopting green infrastructure design and water conservation incentives, towns can reduce surface runoff and improve water quality.
A new study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison reveals that abundant soil phosphorus in the Yahara watershed has a direct and long-lasting impact on water quality. Eliminating overabundance of phosphorus could improve lake and river quality by reducing summertime phosphorus concentrations.
Coral ecosystems in West Maui's northern reefs have declined by 20% due to sediment runoff, compromising corals' ability to photosynthesize. Researchers found that cooperation among landowners results in more cost-efficient and ecologically effective outcomes than individual actions.
A new USDA grant aims to determine if stream-bank legacy sediments are significant sources of nutrients to surface waters. The study will focus on understanding the fate of legacy sediments, their microbial community composition and nutrient transformation processes in aquatic ecosystems.
Researchers create method to detect C. parvum in source waters, improving public health protection. The calcium-mediated attachment of oocysts to environmental biofilms enables faster and cheaper detection.
The MARISA consortium will utilize social and physical sciences to create, analyze, and translate climate information for decision-making. Climate change projections indicate significant impacts on the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, including sea-level rise, temperature changes, and storm frequency.
A study by Ohio State University and The Nature Conservancy reveals that protecting Lake Erie's streams will require substantial conservation efforts, particularly in reducing phosphorus, nitrogen, and sediment runoff. The research uses computer modeling to gauge the impact of various conservation scenarios, highlighting the need for t...
Scientists from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed a highly accurate DNA-based method to detect and distinguish sources of microbial contamination in water. The new method, using the award-winning PhyloChip, was found to be more sensitive than conventional methods at assessing health risks.
A recent research report reveals that water and solutes flowing into the Salar de Atacama salt flat originate from an unexpectedly large portion of the Andean Plateau. The deposit, 3,900 feet thick, drains an area four or five times larger than the topographic watershed, posing fundamental questions about hydrologic and solute budgets.
A global study found that one-third of large cities spend 50% more on water treatment costs due to damaged watersheds, with a total cost exceeding $100 billion US. Cities can protect their drinking water by planning for sustainable development and investing in urban source watersheds.
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.
Research finds water yields from unmanaged forested watersheds in the southern Appalachian Mountains declining due to climate change and gradual shifts in forest structure. The study's findings have implications for managing forest composition to ensure water supply under future climate change.
Research by University of Arizona geoscientists finds post-wildfire erosion dominates landscape transformation in the US Intermountain West. Erosion rates increased 1,000 to 10,000 times in burned watersheds compared to unburned areas after severe wildfires.
A new study simulates climate change effects on Rocky Mountain stream systems, finding that warmer temperatures have a greater impact on streamflow than changes in precipitation type. This can lead to reduced streamflow and altered groundwater recharge patterns.
Research reveals improved fish numbers, survival, and reproduction in rivers with restored habitats through intensively monitored watersheds (IMWs). Studies show significant increases in juvenile fish populations and survival rates, demonstrating the effectiveness of IMWs in assessing restoration impacts.
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.
The 2011 flood caused by Tropical Storm Lee had a significant impact on the geomorphology of several large watersheds in north-central Pennsylvania. Channel widening and bank erosion were common, and huge volumes of gravel were transported during the flood. The study suggests that part of the reason for these changes was related to the...
A new study predicts that climate change will lead to a doubling of severe algal blooms in Lake Erie over the next 100 years. The study suggests that reducing nutrient inputs may not be enough to prevent these blooms, which could have devastating impacts on the region's drinking water and tourism industries.
The new report summarizes the latest science on integrated watershed management to meet the needs of billions of people dependent on food, timber, and clean water. It highlights the importance of smart reforestation to mitigate life-threatening natural events like floods and landslides.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has granted a $750,000 program to enhance coastal resilience in Texas. The program aims to improve community planning and outreach, using tools like CHARM, to mitigate the impact of weather hazards.
A new study warns that wildfires may double soil erosion in some western US states by 2050, degrading water quality and affecting aquatic life. The increase in wildfires due to climate change is projected to cause at least a 100% increase in erosion in a quarter of western watersheds.
Scientists estimate volume of open pore space in subsurface using geophysical surveys and computer models, revealing new theoretical framework for understanding watershed porosity. The study predicts distribution of pore space based on stress in the earth's crust, with implications for streamflow, aquifer systems, and landscape evolution.
A new US Forest Service-led study reveals that habitat diversity is key to protecting coastal cutthroat trout from the effects of forest harvest and climate change. The study found that trout in different streams respond differently to these disturbances based on their habitat features.
Researchers at UMass Amherst propose a multivariate simulation approach to assess climate-land use effects on watersheds. The study recommends increased green infrastructure and best management practices to enhance watershed resilience.
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.
A recent study uses color fingerprinting to identify the origin of sediments in the South Tobacco Creek watershed. The technique reveals that nature is more often responsible for sedimentation than previously thought, while human activities have a significant impact on hydrology and erosion.
A new letter published in the journal Science suggests that a controversial terminal project in the Skeena River estuary poses far-reaching risks, including harm to juvenile salmon populations. The study found that the proposed development area supports unusually high abundances of juvenile salmon from over 40 populations.
A Michigan State University study found that septic tanks are contaminating freshwater sources with fecal bacteria, threatening water quality and human health. The research used a novel source-tracking method to analyze 64 river systems in Michigan and identified areas with high numbers of septic systems as hotspots for pollution.
Biochar, a product of cooking chicken manure into charcoal, can retain nitrogen in soil longer than traditional fertilizers, capturing carbon in the process. This approach has been shown to improve nutrient retention in agricultural fields, offering a potential solution to the Chesapeake Bay's pollution problems.
Hydraulic fracturing requires varying amounts of water, with average volumes ranging from 2.6 gallons to 9.7 million gallons per well. The most water-intensive watersheds coincide with major shale formations such as Eagle Ford and Haynesville-Bossier.
The article discusses the challenges of watershed science in understanding complex systems and simulating human-nature interactions. Integrated research methods are proposed as a solution, combining approaches from different disciplines, including holism and reductionism.
A promising new solution for improving water quality is the Agricultural Conservation Planning Framework (ACPF), a systematic approach to identifying best options for reducing nutrient losses and erosion within a watershed. The framework provides an inventory of conservation possibilities, allowing farmers and stakeholders to choose th...
A new study found that large protected areas in the Xingu River Basin have limited the negative impacts of expanding agriculture on the region's water cycle. The research combined fieldwork, satellite data, and dynamic vegetation models to simulate the water budget, finding that deforestation has had a small effect on the area.
Researchers created a comprehensive guide for farmland in the Ohio and Upper Mississippi River Basins, narrowing the scope of choice to optimize run-off mitigation. The guide recommends specific conservation practices based on soil type, land slope, crops, and nutrients used.
A $3 million grant will restore 14.4 miles of streams in Pennsylvania, reducing flooding and improving water quality. The project will also create a riparian forest buffer to support a breeding population of native brook trout and other coldwater fish species.
A new study finds that muskrats and minks in central Illinois have high rates of toxoplasmosis, a parasite spread by cats. The researchers suspect tile drainage systems and lack of natural wetlands in the area are contributing to the disease's spread.
A three-year restoration project in Pittsburgh's Frick Park has improved the health of Nine Mile Run, a stream affected by urbanization. The project, led by University of Pittsburgh hydrologist Dan Bain, involved rerouting the creek and creating habitats for fish and other species.
A Stanford scientist is developing a flexible model to manage stormwater runoff in big cities, with the goal of determining its ecosystem and financial benefits. The research aims to study the value of stormwater retention services for large cities in developing countries and compare their benefits to other services.
Researchers found a significant warming trend in air and water temperatures over 51 years, with impacts on water quality, eutrophication, and aquatic life. Rising temperatures will lead to increased nutrient runoff and shifts in plant and animal distributions in the bay's freshwater rivers and streams.
The Department of Environmental Quality has awarded a $1.6 million grant to continue the water cleanup project at the Tar Creek Superfund site, led by Professor Robert Nairn and his team. The project aims to restore balance to the communities and wildlife in northeast Oklahoma.
A series of studies published in Biogeochemistry found that US cityscapes exhibit consistent patterns of urban evolution, shaped by human activities and ecosystem changes. These patterns can result in rapid losses or gains of ecosystem functions, depending on how cities are managed.
BioEYES K-12 program delivers two-week environmental curriculum using live zebrafish to teach students about local watersheds and pollution. The award supports the delivery of 'Your Watershed, Your Backyard' curriculum to 90 middle school students from Baltimore City Public Schools.
A study suggests that climate change will reduce hydrologic connectivity in the Verde River Basin by mid-century, forcing fish to travel longer distances for resources. The decrease in connectivity will also impact spawning, as fish are more mobile during this period.
A new study by US Forest Service scientists found that eastern hemlock loss due to the hemlock woolly adelgid insect has no significant effect on short-term stream flow, but increases peak flows after extreme storm events. The loss of foundation species in forested riparian zones could amplify climate change impacts.
Researchers will investigate how extreme rain events affect the transport of dissolved organic matter through the Connecticut River watershed, potentially impacting water quality and mercury inputs. The study aims to test a new conceptual framework for drainage networks and understand regional-scale dynamics of river systems.