The Impact of Climate Change on Two Scenic Rivers In Ohio
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Date
2024-12
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
In the state of Ohio, most rivers have undergone major modifications due to human activity. Fifteen rivers across the state have retained most of their natural character and are designated as scenic rivers. These rivers are ideal surface water systems to characterize hydrologic shifts caused by changes in climate. This work is an assessment of the impact of climate change on two scenic rivers in northeast and central Ohio, the Grand River and Darby Creek. Discharge and precipitation data over a 31-year period were collected and statistical analyses were conducted using the Mann-Kendall Test to evaluate trends in the data. Annual and monthly trends revealed an increase in annual mean, median, and maximum discharge, and a decrease in annual minimum discharge. Overall, it is evident that river discharge increased from 1990 to 2021. Higher annual maximums and lower minimums suggest an increase in extreme weather events that can cause floods and droughts. Additional statistical analyses conducted on Ohio precipitation revealed a decrease in total precipitation, in contrast with findings from similar research. Data on El NiƱo Southern Oscillation was collected to investigate the correlation between discharge and short-term climate cycles. The discharge patterns of the Grand River and Darby Creek suggest long-term changes, which may be representative of fluctuating precipitation and climate over time. Along with climate, long-term changes are likely reflective of shifts in land use. These data are important to understand how hydrologic patterns are shifting due to changes in climate, as both environmental and human systems are threatened by increasing erosion changes and flooding events.
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Keywords
climate change, river discharge, Ohio scenic river, hydrology, river dynamics