dams
Newsletter
Credit: Good Free Photos/Unsplash
National efforts focus on dam removal to restore habitats
Across the U.S., federal funding is driving a campaign to remove dams and restore river habitats, benefiting both aquatic species and local communities.
Michael Casey and Erik Verduzco report for The Associated Press.
In short:
- The removal of Shulls Mill Dam in North Carolina is part of a broader effort to restore river ecosystems, helping species like the eastern hellbender salamander thrive.
- Over $2 billion from the bipartisan infrastructure bill is allocated to federal agencies for dam removal, with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service receiving $200 million for projects aimed at enhancing aquatic connectivity.
- While some oppose dam removal due to potential impacts on reservoirs and jobs, the initiative aims to improve biodiversity, water quality and flood protection.
Key quote:
“This is really is changing the scope and scale, even the way we can think about aquatic connectivity. People came in with bigger, more complicated projects and asked us to help shoulder a bigger slice of that pie.”
— Amy Horstman, National Fish Passage Program coordinator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Why this matters:
Removing outdated dams is crucial for restoring natural river habitats, which boosts biodiversity and strengthens ecosystems. The initiative, supported by significant federal funding, seeks to address the ecological and safety issues posed by aging dam infrastructure.
Related EHN coverage:
Keep reading...Show less
Newsletter
Credit: Linda Russ/Pixabay
Midwest floods highlight infrastructure vulnerabilities nationwide
Recent flooding in the Midwest, particularly around Minnesota's Blue Earth River, emphasizes the urgent need to reinforce aging infrastructure against extreme weather events worsened by climate change.
In short:
- The Rapidan Dam, built in 1910, nearly failed under intense rainfall, highlighting its vulnerability.
- Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change, outpacing current infrastructure design capacities.
- Experts warn that similar infrastructure nationwide is at risk, with potential cascading effects on ecosystems, economies and public health.
Key quote:
“We’re not prepared for this new climate regime. While we’re figuring it out, we’re at risk of lots more of these challenges.”
— Whitney Clark, executive director of Friends of the Mississippi River.
Why this matters:
In recent years, the drumbeat of extreme weather events—hurricanes, floods, wildfires and heatwaves—has grown louder and more insistent, a stark reminder of our planet's changing climate. This surge in natural disasters is putting unprecedented strain on infrastructure, much of which was built during a time when the climate was more predictable and less severe.
Keep reading...Show less
Newsletter
Credit: Patrick Hendry/Unsplash
Human activities accelerate carbon release from rivers
New research indicates that human activities are transforming rivers from carbon sinks into carbon sources, exacerbating climate change.
In short:
- Human activities like urbanization and agriculture are increasing carbon dioxide emissions from rivers by speeding up the decomposition of organic matter.
- A global study using cotton strips to measure decomposition rates revealed hotspots of accelerated carbon release in highly populated and agricultural areas.
- The findings highlight significant impacts on carbon cycling in rivers, emphasizing the need for careful nutrient management to mitigate environmental damage.
Key quote:
"What was shocking about our data was that even though we were selecting these relatively minimally impacted sites, we could still see hotspots where humans have really had an impact."
— Krista Capps, aquatic ecosystem ecologist at the University of Georgia
Why this matters:
Rivers play a crucial role in carbon storage, but increased decomposition rates driven by human activities threaten to turn these ecosystems into sources of carbon emissions. When rivers are healthy and ecosystems intact, they sequester carbon through vegetation and sediment processes. But when overloaded with pollutants and subject to habitat destruction, they begin releasing carbon instead. This shift contributes additional greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, further accelerating climate change.
Related EHN coverage:
Keep reading...Show less
Newsletter
Credit: Hannah Wright/Unsplash
Vietnam rethinks water management in the Mekong Delta
Vietnam is taking significant steps to address environmental challenges in the Mekong Delta by adopting nature-based solutions to mitigate land subsidence, saltwater intrusion, and flooding.
In short:
- Vietnam's new initiatives focus on adapting infrastructure, such as dikes and dams, to work with natural flood cycles rather than against them.
- The region has seen increased international support and funding for projects that promote ecological health and sustainable agriculture.
- Local innovations, like multi-value farming systems that integrate aquaculture with crop production, are being encouraged to enhance biodiversity and economic resilience.
Key quote:
“For restoring an entire socio-environmental system like the Mekong Delta that is fundamentally threatened by human activities requires us to rethink nature-based solutions beyond the mere local restoration of vegetation.”
— Rafael Schmitt, lead scientist at Stanford University’s Natural Capital Project
Why this matters:
Studies indicate that parts of the Mekong Delta are sinking due to excessive groundwater extraction and the weight of urban structures. Coupled with rising sea levels, the scenario could lead to significant territorial loss if left unchecked. By leveraging nature-based solutions, Vietnam could pave the way for a sustainable model of development that other regions might follow.
Keep reading...Show less
Newsletter
Credit: Giovanni Arechavaleta/Unsplash
Flood disaster in the Urals prompts protests and appeals to Putin
Thousands in the Urals have been forced to evacuate due to flooding, sparking protests and calls for President Putin's aid.
In short:
- The flooding, worsened by a dam collapse, has caused extensive damage in Russia's Orenburg region, prompting urgent evacuations.
- Residents of Orsk, severely hit by the disaster, are openly criticizing local authorities and demanding more substantial aid.
- The incident has highlighted the long-standing issues with the dam's maintenance and the government's disaster response capabilities.
Why this matters:
Events like these highlight the complexities of disaster response in large nations as well as the bigger issues of infrastructure resilience and public trust in governmental authorities.
In the face of more frequent and intense rainfall, dam failures are becoming the norm. What can be done with the underfunded relics?
Keep reading...Show less
Big Stock Photo
In a major shift, Northwest tribes — not U.S. officials — will control salmon recovery fund
The Biden administration punted on key demands from Indigenous leaders to tear down hydroelectric dams hindering salmon. But tribes won control over $1 billion for other salmon efforts.
Mekong: The last chance to save a mighty river
It is feared one of the world’s richest ecosystems, home to millions of people, is facing irreversible change.
ORIGINAL REPORTING
MOST POPULAR
CLIMATE
