River Science Portal

Mississippi River in Twin Cities is cleaner than before, but not unimpaired

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 16:17:00 -0500

http://bit.ly/WfQTZg The first systematic scientific investigation of Mississippi River water quality in the Twin Cities in this century shows that the river is healthier than it has been in decades, but that there’s still a long way to go before it can fully be a community asset.

This story has gotten wide media play, so Google “Mississippi River health” for more. #science

We get this intuitively, but evidence is good

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 07:34:28 -0500

http://bit.ly/PdUQJY Hydrologist Matthew Garcia (@MGHydro, http://hydro-logic.blogspot.com/) can always be counted on for insightful perspectives on a wide range of water issues.

Here Garcia cites a study that offers an empirical study of the effects levees have on flooding. With flooding almost certain to increase in the coming decades, this is valuable information. #science

"Source to Sea" watersheds connect much of northern California

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 08:28:07 -0500

http://bit.ly/OG6Xlh Follow this story from KQED Northern California for a primer on watersheds and the journey from “source to sea” across Northern California. #science

Elwha River Beaches Re-forming

Wed, 08 Aug 2012 16:21:00 -0500

Sediment transport down the Elwha River as a result of the recent and ongoing dam removals is starting to rebuild beaches at the river’s mouth. The is a system that was completely interrupted while the dams were in place, and resulted in near catastrophic beach erosion. http://bit.ly/S3h29D #science

Much of what you might want to know about the Minnesota River

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 19:45:33 -0500

http://mrbdc.mnsu.edu/learn This is a worthy compilation of a variety of scientific data concerning the Minnesota River basin. Wouldn’t it be great if there was room for the human history, told in such a way that it wasn’t the old “humans as inevitably a bad influence on pristine nature” narrative? #science

"Environmental flows": a way to capture accurately the impacts of dams?

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 10:29:55 -0500

http://bit.ly/MIUigB International Rivers and a number of other international NGOs that are dedicated to river preservation recently convened a conference of scientists to understand the concept of “environmental flows.” Learn more at this link, which includes links to additional sources. #science

A new "natural"? What might ecological restoration mean in an era of climate change?

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 09:22:29 -0500

http://bit.ly/Qbqzuc This is surely one of the most vexing questions facing scientists and environmental advocates. If there is no “natural” that we are saving or restoring damaged ecosystems to, then what underpinnings does our work have? This book, derived from a case study in the tallgrass prairie, is a good contribution to a growing literature.

And no, scientists, it’s simply not the case that everyone knows, accepts, and understands this concept! #science

Discovery.com report on scientific investigation on land replenishment in Delta

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 20:41:08 -0500

http://bit.ly/OkjQg8 Not news to some, here, but the precision from close scientific investigation should advance the conversation about replenishing the Mississippi Delta. #science

USGA streamflow data: serious drought conditions in Mississippi River basin

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 10:27:33 -0500

http://on.doi.gov/P4fo98 USGS maps make it clear: the Corn Belt is suffering from markedly reduced streamflow. Check this site for data and additional insights. #science

Gulf of Mexico RESTORE Act contains provision for enhanced scientific inquiry

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 14:23:54 -0500

http://bit.ly/Q9yD4x University of Southern Mississippi is designated a Center of Excellence in the RESTORE Act. This will substantially advance Gulf-related scientific inquiry. #science

eDNA record: Asian Carp past Chicago barrier?

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 10:20:59 -0500

http://bit.ly/N1o00f Report in early July from the Corps of Engineers confirms (again) that eDNA of Asian carp has been found on the Great Lakes side of the barriers near Chicago. #science

Salmon return to Elwha

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 10:20:38 -0500

http://bit.ly/MMVRuq “”Field of Dreams” in reverse: “unbuild it” (the Elwha Dam) and they will come. Wild steelhead reported in the Elwha River, upstream of where the dam used to be. #science

"Mussel Raft": cleaning water near you soon?

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 10:16:46 -0500

http://nyti.ms/KVqVmx Can a “mussel raft” slow eutrophication by suspending mussels in rivers, where they remove nitrogen from the water by feeding on algae and plankton? It’s being tried in the Bronx River! #science

Economist Report: nutrient pollution in the Gulf in clear language

Fri, 29 Jun 2012 08:40:50 -0500

http://econ.st/MxhkWD Sometimes the best analysis comes from more distant sources. The Economist on nutrient pollution in the Gulf is a succinct overview #science

Paddlefish are (one among many) clue to health of Upper Mississippi

Fri, 29 Jun 2012 08:28:14 -0500

http://bit.ly/OqlzWh A professor from St. Mary’s University in Winona is studying paddlefish, a threatened fish species in Minnesota, as evidence of the health of the Upper Miss.

What he’s found so far is worrisome. Read the article for more details. #science

Gulf Coast Restoration: Introducing Biohabitats Inc.

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 09:01:56 -0500

http://bit.ly/LDKzEa Restoration of the Mississippi River Delta is an enormously complicated project, which must be informed by interdisciplinary science at the highest levels. Here is a post from the “Delta Dispatches blog highlighting one of the firms involved in this restoration. #science

Dams and Fisheries

Wed, 02 May 2012 10:07:24 -0500

http://bit.ly/KF3JwI Planned dams on the Mekong River threaten the world’s largest inland fishery. The basin is home to 65 million people, and approximately 2/3 rely on subsistence fishing for their diet. The proposed dams would provide hydropower, and estimates indicate that ¼ of the migratory fish in the lower basin could be lost. How do you balance clean hydropower, a rich fishery, and fossil fuels? Smarter dams could significantly minimize impacts by keeping tributaries connected to the main river stem. #science

On Mussels and Water Quality

Tue, 01 May 2012 13:05:20 -0500

http://1.usa.gov/KoOO4F Mussels are critical in the healthy ecosystems of rivers and streams. They filter water very effectively, improving water quality, and unfortunately also act somewhat as the canary in the coal mine for many environmental pollutants. Read on for more information on how researchers study mussels, what they know, and how they know it. #science

Leasing water for wildlife in Colorado

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:46:00 -0500

http://bit.ly/If3maO "State water authorities and private conservation groups say deals to ensure sufficient water in streams and rivers will mean the difference between life and death for fish, bugs, wild animals and riparian vegetation. But Colorado agricultural leaders this week warned that — with mountain snowpack 39 percent of average — spare water for environmental purposes will be hard to find.“ @science

Robotics and Carp

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 09:50:00 -0500

http://bit.ly/HS5Du9 Computer scientist at UMN IonE uses carp to “develop robotic systems that can operate on their own in large, complex and dynamic settings.” Of particular interest in the work is the realm of environmental monitoring, and the carp are particularly good at pursuit-evasion tests (fancy name for playing ‘tag’). The potential to improve the field of robotics is immense, but also there is potential to help understand more fully the habits of the non-native and invasive (in this area) carp. Win-win! #science