Ohio researchers found increasing discharge fluctuations in two Ohio rivers, indicating potential impacts of climate change and regional factors.
Rivers serve as key indicators of ecosystem health and the lasting impacts of climate change. To deepen understanding of climate change effects on Ohio’s rivers, Ohio State University undergraduate Melody Green, in collaboration with Drs. Devin Smith and Berry Lyons, has been researching the Grand River and Big Darby Creek.
They recently presented their findings at GSA Connects 2024 in Anaheim, focusing on river discharge—a key measure of water volume flow. Their research highlights how precipitation and extreme weather events impact river discharge, leading to fluctuations in water volume. These patterns are crucial for understanding the effects of climate change on rivers and their ecosystems.
As part of her senior research thesis, Green analyzed the discharge patterns of both rivers, which flow through northeast and central Ohio and have watersheds that are primarily composed of forested and agricultural ecosystems. Using data from the past three decades, Green conducted statistical analyses on each river’s discharge pattern to evaluate trends in discharge data.
She implemented a Mann-Kendall Test—a statistical test that measures the strength of the relationship between two variables over time— to “determine whether or not there are seasonal trends” present in the data. Green found that while overall discharge has increased from 1990 to 2021, the annual minimum discharge has been decreasing, indicating larger yearly discharge fluctuations with an overall increase in total discharge volume.
Impact of Climate Change on Discharge Variability
These findings suggest that long-term climate changes, such as higher levels of annual precipitation and more extreme weather events like storms and droughts, may be affecting the Grand and the Big Darby watersheds. Although a rise in annual discharge may signify an increase in precipitation and extreme weather events, Green’s preliminary findings have shown that “there is not a significant correlation between precipitation and discharge in The Grand River.”
Therefore, it is plausible that the variations in discharge are caused by a combination of global climate change and regional factors, such as urban and agricultural infrastructure. Whether these changes are being fueled by global climate change, regional land use changes, or a combination of both, Green asserts that the changes in discharge volume can have “a large impact on the surrounding community.”
As a lifelong resident of Columbus, Ohio, Green has grown up with the Darby River in her backyard, so her research holds personal significance. She emphasizes the importance of researching and understanding how global climate change affects local climate. Green concludes, “regional research on rivers can contribute to larger scale understanding of the effects of climate change on surface water systems.”
Reference: “The Impact of Climate Change on Scenic Rivers in Ohio” by Melody Green, Devin Smith and W. Berry Lyons, 23 September 2024, GSA Connects 2024.
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4 Comments
I don’t live in Ohio, so, no.
Have you tried setting a truckload of petrochemicals on fire? It might help climate change to infiltrate your backyard, particularly if you live in a river.
I’m just glad we finally understand scientifically how river flow has nothing to do with rain, as “there is not a significant correlation between precipitation and discharge in The Grand River.”. Good study, well done . Next, what are Ohio’s rivers made of anyway?
Setting a truckload of petrochemicals on fire would only help landing me in prison. Then the climate change would be the least of my worries, just as it is now.
Best we leave it to the government of Ohio and their chemical trains. I never realized I could do that with my childhood trainset.
I asked Google’s AI what Ohio’s rivers are made of. It suggested water and rocks. It’s a good guess, but we don’t yet know how climate change caused the rocks.