Researchers built a glass-encased test environment that helps them assess streamflow without the confounding factors introduced by bed forms.
Rivers
Stream Network Geometry Correlates with Climate
A "big data" analysis of nearly 1 million river junctions in the contiguous United States shows that branching angles in dendritic drainages vary systematically between humid and arid regions.
Arctic Permafrost Thaw Would Amplify Climate Change
An international team probed Arctic permafrost samples to better understand the carbon feedback loop that could be set off by future thawing.
River's Rise Linked to Oklahoma's Largest Earthquake
As human-induced earthquakes increase in frequency and magnitude, researchers race to uncover their effects on surface water and groundwater.
Groundwater: A Hidden Influence on River Shape
A new study shows how groundwater influences river dynamics and channel pattern.
How Do Tropical Forests Slow Knickpoints in Rivers?
Using Puerto Rico's Luquillo Mountains as a case study, scientists use the region's geological history to study how knickpoints—areas where there's a sharp change in the river's slope—move over time.
A River Network Preserved Beneath the Greenland Ice Sheet
An ancient drainage basin covering one fifth of Greenland predates the ice sheet and strongly influences the modern Jakobshavn Glacier, according to a new analysis of ice-penetrating radar data.
Silty Streams Muddy Freshwater Conservation Issues
Throughout the Pacific Northwest, dirt from unpaved roads can clog streams, threatening fish habitats. Scientists have only a murky understanding of how to clear up these turbid waters.
A River Runs Through It, but Why?
Researchers investigate the factors that cause river terraces to form.
The Mathematics of Braided Rivers
River researchers find a mathematical relationship that predicts the average shape of a riverbed over a defined distance, opening the door to new ideas about modeling braided rivers.