All articles tagged with #hydrology
Using airborne electromagnetic surveys, researchers found a large freshwater reservoir beneath the Great Salt Lake, saturating sediments under the eastern margin and a basement depth deepening from hundreds of yards to over 2.5 miles; while promising, the survey covered only part of the lake, so the full freshwater volume remains uncertain.
Researchers using airborne electromagnetic surveys and magnetic data mapped beneath Utah’s Great Salt Lake and uncovered a large, previously unknown freshwater reservoir that extends deep into the basin, challenging the idea that the lake is fully saline. The find suggests mountain-fed freshwater can infiltrate far beneath the surface and may offer new options for drought and dust mitigation, though surveys are incomplete and sustainable use requires caution; the study, published in Scientific Reports, emphasizes the need to survey the entire lake to determine the reservoir’s true extent.
A new 30-meter-resolution groundwater map estimates the contiguous United States contains about 306,500 cubic kilometers of groundwater (to 392 meters deep), roughly 13 times the volume of the Great Lakes, underscoring a vast underground freshwater reserve that is far less measured than surface water.
Researchers from Princeton and the University of Arizona created a high-resolution, AI-driven map of groundwater depth for the continental United States by combining over a million direct measurements with regional climate and geological data. The result estimates about 306,000 cubic kilometers of groundwater at a 30-meter grid (roughly 98 feet), revealing shallow supplies previously unknown and enabling more informed irrigation, conservation, and water infrastructure decisions. The model also quantifies uncertainty at each location and is designed for global expansion via the HydroFrame platform, signaling a shift toward data-driven, local-scale groundwater management.
Plumbing problems at Glen Canyon Dam, which holds back the second-largest reservoir in the U.S., have raised concerns about future water delivery to Southwestern states supplied by the Colorado River. The dam's damaged tubes could complicate water management as Lake Powell reaches low levels, potentially impacting water supply for millions of people and agricultural producers. Federal officials are evaluating the issues, and states and tribes reliant on the Colorado River are working on a long-term deal to share the dwindling resource.
A recent study suggests that ancient Mars had a minimal groundwater recharge rate, indicating a vastly different water regime from Earth's and impacting our understanding of its climate. The findings have implications for future Mars missions and the search for water resources, as understanding groundwater flow can help inform where to find water on Mars today. The research, funded by NASA and the University of Texas, utilized various modeling methods to determine the low groundwater recharge rate, shedding light on the planet's hydrological past.
Rising temperatures and changes in precipitation are causing increased streamflow in areas of high-latitude North America with permafrost coverage. A study analyzing 46 years of data found that all areas with permafrost experienced higher streamflows and minimum flows as the Arctic climate warms up. Areas with more than 50% permafrost coverage saw significant increases in mean streamflow, while all areas, including those with less coverage, saw increased minimum flows. The study suggests that permafrost is playing an increasingly important role in changing streamflow trends due to enhanced thawing caused by warmer temperatures and increased precipitation.
A hydrologist in Utah is closely monitoring watershed observations to determine the potential for flooding in the state. The observations include snowpack levels, soil moisture, and streamflow. The hydrologist explains that while the snowpack is currently below average, heavy spring precipitation could still lead to flooding. The observations will continue to be monitored to provide early warning and preparedness measures for potential flooding events.