Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Upper Senegal River basin'

En 1988, le Bassin du fleuve Sénégal au Mali a vu la mise en service d’un barrage par l’Organisation pour la Mise en Valeur du fleuve Sénégal (OMVS). L’objectif principale est la production d’énergie électrique partagée entre : le Mali (52%), le Sénégal (33%) et la Mauritanie (15%). Mais l’apparition de cet ouvrage constitue une perturbation profonde dans l’organisation et le fonctionnement des espaces riverains. Les territoires autour du Bafing, affluent où se localise le barrage, se trouvent ainsi cloisonnés en une partie amont et aval du lac de retenue. Ce dernier a insufflé une nouvelle dynamique spatiale avec l’installation récente de 25 campements de pêche.Cette nouvelle économie constitue un facteur d’attraction de pêcheurs professionnels venus des régions du Centre du Mali, particulièrement de Mopti et de Ségou. Le lac devient ainsi une immense réserve de poissons avec des tailles plus importantes par rapport à ceux capturés dans les affluents du Bafing, du Bakoye, ou même du fleuve Sénégal. En amont du barrage, la pêche devient la première activité économique poussant des jeunes agriculteurs et éleveurs «autochtones» à une reconversion professionnelle pas toujours aboutie. Les campements de pêcheurs occupent un ancien site des villages déplacés lors de la construction du barrage. Trente-trois villages sont actuellement réinstallés en aval du barrage dans le finage d’autres hameaux préexistants. Cette cohabitation bouleverse l’occupation de l’espace et entraine des tensions foncières. Certains sites comme Manantali à 5 km du barrage en sont les grands bénéficiaires. Ce village s’est transformé en un véritable « centre-rural », en accueillant les cadres et les ouvriers qualifiés et toute la main d’œuvre venus du Mali voire de l’étranger. Cet afflux d’habitants urbanisés a profondément changé la configuration du site et l’a surtout fortement ségrégué. Les bureaux de la société d’exploitation au pied du barrage, le vieux village de Manantali, les cités des ouvriers et celle des cadres sont autant de témoins d’un espace urbain en devenir, fonctionnel et très inégalitaire. Le principal objet de cette étude est l’étude des impacts du barrage de Manantali sur l’organisation socio-spatiale et physique des territoires riverains. L’entrée par une lecture des représentations sociales, consensuelles comme conflictuelles, par les habitants et les différents acteurs, est privilégiée. L’analyse des données quantitatives et des différents discours identifie les expressions tant des effets environnementaux physiques que socioéconomiques suscités par l’ouvrage. Le concept de représentations sociales est posé de la façon suivante: «les représentations forment des codes mémorisés par le cerveau, mobilisables de façon consciente et se prêtant à de multiples utilisations mentales. Ces codes servent en particulier à décrypter notre environnement géographique, mais aussi à communiquer avec autrui, à rêver, imaginer, planifier et orienter nos conduites ou nos pratiques les plus diverses» (DI MEO, 2008). Cette étude d’impact se positionne donc le domaine de la géographie sociale.Au cœur de cette étude se trouvent les acteurs, les responsables politiques à différentes échelles, et surtout l’habitant ordinaire qui vit à l’ombre du barrage de Manantali. Cette notion d’ombre doit être comprise dans la polysémie des impacts de l’ouvrage, tout autant néfastes que bénéfique, et par rapport à son aire d’influence. Les principales zones d’étude considérées se situent à « l’ombre proche » de l’ouvrage, ou à l’échelle locale, dans un rayon de 50 kilomètres autour du barrage. Il s’agit de 8 villages déplacés et anciens. Mais également des 25 campements de pêche autour du lac de retenue
In 1988 the Senegal River basin in Mali has witnessed the building of a dam by the Organization for the Development of the Senegal River (OMVS) in French. The main objective is the production of electric power shared between: Mali (52%), Senegal (33%) and Mauritania (15%). But the birth of this dam has deeply disrupted the organization and functioning of all the waterside’s areas. The territories around the Bafing, the river where the dam is localized, are now strictlydivided by the reservoir between an upstream and downstream portions. This artificial lake has created new types of spatial organization with the recent settlements of 25 fishing camps.This new economy has created a pull factor for professional fishermen coming from the central regions of Mali, particularly Mopti and Segou. The lake hence becomes a huge fish reserve with larger sizes compared to those caught in the Bafing, the Bakoye or even in the Senegal River. In the upstream areas of the dam, fishing has become the first business activityencouraging local young farmers and herdsmen towards an unlikely professional retraining.Fishermen settlements occupy former site of displaced villages due to the dam construction. Thirty-three villages have been relocated downstream of the dam in the lands of existing hamlets. This cohabitation disruptstraditional land use and leads to social strains

Thesis (M.S.) University of Missouri-Columbia, 2006.
The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on August 27, 2007) Includes bibliographical references.

The Senegal River Basin (SRB), located in the Sahel region of West Africa is undergoing fundamental environmental, hydrologic and socio-economic transitions simultaneously. The tri-nation (Senegal, Mauritania and Mali) river basin development authority, the Organisation pour la Mise en Valeur du Fleuve Senegal (OMVS) is attempting to execute a shift to irrigated rice production in the river basin for domestic consumption, to ease the severe foreign exchange shortfalls these riparian nations face. Compounding the severe effects of the drought on the river basin ecology is the negative impact of the state imposed agricultural policy of rice production. Rice production in the arid river valley has been a financial and social failure. This study postulates an alternative utilization of the scarce water resources in the basin. The water demand pattern for an alternative natural resources management focused agricultural development policy is based on the irrigation water requirements of well-researched village-scale irrigation projects in the SRB, and intensive irrigated agro-forestry projects. The agro-forestry production system analyzed has the joint objectives of using irrigation to re-establish a protective, diverse and productive bio-mass cover in the desertifying river valley, and to reverse the tide of drought induced migration from rural to urban areas. A comparative river system simulation study was conducted to analyze the effects of both the rice production development policy (policy RP) and the natural resources management policy (policy NRM), on the full agricultural development potential of the SRB. Alternative hydrologic scenarios were generated for the simulation study according to the Senegal River time series analysis, for the historical level, 1970s level drought and 1980s level drought. For all hydrologic scenarios the lower over-all demand pattern exerted by policy NRM allowed a higher full development potential than for policy RP. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

In this thesis mercury concentrations in biota of the upper South Saskatchewan River Basin are assessed in three non-industrialized systems. Mercury levels in large sport fish (northern pike, walleye, lake trout) frequently exceeded the consumption limit of 0.5ppm. Goldeye and mooneye of the Oldman River and lake whitefish of Waterton Lakes were below 0.5ppm total mercury. Agricultural and urban effluents constituted no sources of significant mercury loadings to the Oldman River. A doubling of mercury biomagnification factors between longnose dace and their food suggests bioenergetic heterogeneity of these fish along the river gradient. Basin-specific mercury levels were detected for the upper and middle basins in Waterton Lakes, and are associated with food web characteristics, and fish bioenergetics. High mercury levels in a new reservoir were in part attributed to increased loadings from flooded soils, as is commonly observed, but also to bioenergetic constraints and growth inefficiency as a result of non-piscivory of this population.
xiii, 130 leaves : ill. ; 29 cm. --

A potential for conflict exists over water management and allocation in the Upper San Pedro River Basin. Competing demands for limited water supplies have resulted in concerns about the depletion of the ground-water supplies, reductions in stream flow, and downstream obligations associated with the Gila River Adjudication. A network flow model is an effective tool for analyzing the nature of these water conflicts and evaluating how the introduction of new management strategies can ameliorate the problems. Analysis of water management reveals that concerns about the water problems are valid. Irrigation wells pumping ground water from the floodplain aquifer reduce stream flows that are both necessary for the viability of San Pedro riparian ecosystem, and claimed by downstream Indian tribes. They also contribute to the ground-water overdraft situation in the regional aquifer. Water management alternatives that limit or reduce irrigation consumption are the most effective in rectifying the problems.

The purpose of this research was to investigate the influence of elevation and other terrain characteristics over the spatial and temporal distribution of rainfall. A comparative analysis was conducted between several methods of spatial interpolations using mean monthly precipitation values in order to select the best. Following those previous results it was possible to fit an Artificial Neural Network model for interpolation of monthly precipitation values for a period of 20 years, with input values such as longitude, latitude, elevation, four geomorphologic characteristics and anchored by seven weather stations, it reached a high correlation coefficient (r=0.85). This research demonstrated a strong influence of elevation and other geomorphologic variables over the spatial distribution of precipitation and the agreement that there are nonlinear relationships. This model will be used to fill gaps in time-series of monthly precipitation, and to generate maps of spatial distribution of monthly precipitation at a resolution of 1km2.

Four geophysical surveys were conducted at the Nature Conservancy about 20 miles north of Benson, AZ, in the Upper San Pedro River Basin, in order to better understand the nature of the sub-surface features of the basin. The geophysical methods included TEM (Transient Electromagnetic), seismic, EM34 and magnetic surveys. The TEM, seismic and magnetic surveys were conducted perpendicular to the river basin while the EM34 lines followed the riverbed. The perpendicular surveys were divided into two regions, referred to as the South and North Lines. The TEM, seismic, and magnetic surveys revealed a consolidated bedrock structure at shallow depths (30-40 m) along the South Line. The feature has an east-west extension of approximately 500 meters, and is located just east of the San Pedro River. None of the perpendicular surveys were able to detect bedrock features along the North Line, implying that the depth to bedrock exceeds the maximum depth of this investigation (360 m). Both lines showed regions of high porosity, and, potentially, of saturated materials. These regions were more prevalent along the North Line, where numerous highly porous areas were detected at various depths (including one region beginning at a depth of 50 meters and extending at least to 360 m). The EM34 failed to detect any appreciable long-wavelength changes in conductivity along the riverbed, though localized point anomalies were found.

A characteristic of alpine drainage basins is the very sparse distribution of meteorological recording stations. This study models a contiguous distribution of microclimate and snowpack accumulation in the upper Oldman River basin. To accomplish this goal, gaps between weather recording stations are first filled using a modified MTCLIM climate simulation model in conjunction with the spatial analysis capabilities of the PAMAP geographic information system (GIS). The GIS provides terrain information such as elevation, slope, and aspect on a 100 metre grid as input into the microclimate simulator which, in turn, outputs daily meteorological conditions for a user-defined period of time. The estimation of snowpack accumaltion is achieved with another component of the model which makes use of the modelled microclimate to calculate daily accumulation and ablation on a grid point basis. Simulation results are returned to the GIS for display and spatial analysis. Discussion includes such thngs as the grouping of terrain variables and the derivation of an altitudinal precipitation profile, both of which are required for computational efficiency. While regression analysis indicates a very close relationship between observed and simulated temperature, precipitation is less successfully modelled at the daily time scale. Comparisons of simulated temperature with observed data resulted in an r2 + .94 and are therefore considered very reliable. Daily precipitation comparisons initially indicated a low correlation between observed and simulated data. However, when monthly totals are considered instead, r2 rises to 0.66. When snopack conditions are simulated for several snow pillows in the region, regression analysis with observed data producers r2 values as high as 0.896.
xi, 178 leaves : ill., maps ; 29 cm.

This study conducts watershed analysis using biological and geo-spatial techniques. Incorporating landscape features with biological attributes has been shown to be an effective method of monitoring environmental quality within watersheds. In situ biomonitoring using the Asiatic Clam, Corbicula fluminea, habitat suitability, and water quality data were evaluated for their potential to describe ecological conditions in agricultural and urban areas within the Upper Trinity River watershed. These data were analyzed with GIS to identify effects of land use on ecological conditions. C. fluminea downstream of point source effluents was effective detecting in-stream toxicity. Ambient toxicity appears to have improved in the Trinity, although urban influences limit aspects of aquatic life. No association between habitat quality and land use was identified.

Groundwater withdrawals are growing in most developing countries, including Mongolia, where freshwater resources are limited and unevenly distributed, and most surface waters are frozen during winter. Groundwater represents some 80% of the water supply in the country. Computation of recharge is important, but is complicated in cold regions, because of phase change and permafrost, which is found on 63 percent of the country, and causes conventional physically-based land surface models to be inaccurate. We have developed a two-compartment water and energy balance model that accounts for freezing and melting and includes vapor diffusion as a water and energy transfer mechanism. It also accounts for the effect of slope orientation on radiation, which may be important for mountain areas. We applied this model to the Upper Tuul River Basin to evaluate recharge under different soil and vegetation types. The basin is divided into 12 zones (models) based on elevation ranges, orientation and slope. Due to the limited number of observation data in this area, precipitation, air temperature and relative humidity were corrected as a function of elevation by means of lapse rates. Results show that recharge is relatively high and delayed with respect to snowmelt during spring, because it is mainly associated to thawing at depth, which may occur much later. Most importantly, we find that vapor diffusion plays an important quantitative role in the energy balance and a relevant qualitative role in the water balance. Except for a few large precipitation events, most of the continuous recharge is driven by vapor diffusion fluxes. Large vapor fluxes occur during spring and early summer, when surface temperatures are moderate, but the subsoil remains cold, creating large downwards vapor pressure gradients. Temperature gradients reverse in fall and early winter, but the vapor diffusion fluxes do not, because of the exponential shape of the saturated vapor pressure as a function of temperature giving smaller vapor pressure differences at lower temperature. The computed sensible heat flux is higher than the latent heat flux, which reflects the dry climate of the region. The downward latent heat flux associated to vapor diffusion is largely compensated by an upward heat conduction, which is much larger than in temperate regions. The alluvial aquifer around Ulaanbaatar supplies water to the city and is under pressure because of the growing water demand. To address this concern, we built a numerical model, which is challenging, not only because of the lack of data, but also because the river freezes during winter. River flow under the ice is sustained by groundwater, which provides the energy to prevent full freezing of the whole river thickness, but which may not occur where groundwater levels are depleted by pumping. At present, the river still flows under the ice during winter at both ends of the Ulaanbaatar alluvial aquifer. The downstream end, to the West, receives aquifer discharge, whereas the river is fed by discharge from adjacent alluvial aquifers upstream of the east end. But, in the central portion, the river is fully frozen. In fact, the river bed in this portion becomes dry in April most years, probably because of sublimation and because melted water immediately infiltrates into the aquifer. If groundwater pumping increases, either at the Ulaanbaatar alluvial aquifer or at the alluvial aquifer near Gachuurt village, it is likely that the currently winter flowing portion of the river will also dry or, rather, become fully frozen during winter. This will not be a major problem from a quantitative point of view because aquifer storage is sufficient to support winter pumping, even if pumping is increased. However, it may have other environmental and cultural implications. Therefore, further study is needed to monitor at both the upper and downstream stream parts of the aquifer.
La extracción de agua subterránea crece en la mayoría de los países en desarrollo y representa un problema en Mongolia, donde los recursos de agua son limitados, están distribuidos de manera irregular, y la mayoría de las aguas superficiales se congelan en invierno. El agua subterránea representa la principal (del orden del 80%) fuente de suministro, lo que hace importante el cálculo de la recarga. El cálculo se complica en zonas frías por los cambios de fase y el permafrost, que cubre el 63% del país, y hace que los modelos convencionales de balance de agua en el suelo sean imprecisos. Hemos desarrollado un modelo de balance de agua y energía de dos compartimentos que incluye sublimación, congelación y fusión, así como la difusión de vapor como mecanismo de transferencia de agua y energía. También reconoce el efecto de la orientación de la pendiente sobre la radiación, que puede ser importante en zonas de montaña. Hemos aplicado este modelo a la Cuenca Alta del Río Tuul. Para incluir el efecto de los distintos tipos de suelo y vegetación, dividimos la cuenca en 12 zonas en función de la elevación, la orientación y la pendiente. Por otro lado, hemos tenido que corregir, en función de la altitud, los datos de precipitación y temperatura y humedad relativa del aire, solo disponibles en estaciones situadas en valles. Los resultados muestran que la recarga es relativamente alta y retrasada respecto al deshielo, ya que una parte se asocia a la fusión del hielo profundo, que ocurre mucho más tarde. Lo más importante es que la difusión de vapor desempeña un importante papel tanto en el balance energético como en el hídrico. Exceptuando algunos eventos de alta precipitación, la mayor parte de la recarga está asociada al flujo difusivo de vapor, que aporta no solo agua sino también energía para fundir el hielo profundo. La difusión de vapor es máxima al final de la primavera y principios del verano, cuando el suelo se calienta, favoreciendo la evaporación, pero el subsuelo permanece frío, lo que produce condensación. El gradiente térmico se invierte en otoño e invierno, pero no tanto el flujos de vapor porque las diferencias de presión de vapor disminuyen al bajar la temperatura. El flujo de calor latente descendente asociado a la difusión de vapor se compensa en gran medida por una conducción de calor hacia arriba, que es mucho mayor que en regiones templadas. El acuífero aluvial de Ulán Bator suministra agua a la ciudad y sufre la creciente demanda de agua. Para abordar esta inquietud, hemos construido un modelo numérico, que es un desafío, no sólo por la falta de datos, sino también porque el río se congela en invierno. Los ríos fluyen bajo el hielo gracias al agua subterránea, que aporta energía para impedir la congelación total del río, que desaparece cuando los niveles del agua subterránea se deprimen por bombeo. En la actualidad, el río sigue fluyendo bajo el hielo en ambos extremos del acuífero aluvial. El de aguas abajo, hacia el oeste, recibe la descarga del acuífero, mientras que en el extremo este recibe la descarga de acuíferos aguas arriba. Pero, en la parte central, el río está completamente congelado. De hecho, el lecho del río llega a secarse en Abril, probablemente debido a la sublimación y a que el agua derretida se infiltra. Si el bombeo del agua subterránea aumenta, ya sea en el acuífero aluvial de Ulán Bator o en los de aguas arriba, es probable que la parte del río que actualmente fluye también se seque o se congele completamente en invierno. Esto no será un problema importante desde un punto de vista cuantitativo, porque el almacenamiento del acuífero es suficiente para soportar el bombeo invernal, incluso si se aumenta, pero podría tener otras implicaciones ambientales y culturales. Por ello, sería deseable hacer estudios de detalle en ambos extremos del acuífero.
Цэвэр усны нөөц хязгаарлагдмал, жигд бус тархалттай, гадаргын ус нь өвлийн улиралд хөлддөг онцлогтой Монгол зэрэг хөгжиж буй орнуудад газрын доорх усны хэрэглээ өсөж байна. Усны нийт хэрэглээний 80 орчим хувийг газрын доорх усаар хангадаг. Газрын доорх усны тэжээмжийг тооцох нь чухал боловч нийт газар нутгийн 60 хувьд нь олон жилийн цэвдэг чулуулгийн тархалттай, фазын өөрчлөлттэй, физикд суурилсан газрын гадаргын загварууд нь тодорхой бус байдаг шалтгаанаас хүйтэн уур амьсгалтай бүс нутгуудын хувьд хүндрэлтэй байдаг. Иймд хөлдөлт, гэсэлтийг тооцоолох болон ус ба энергийн шилжилийн механизм болох усны уурын диффузыг (vapor diffusion) багтаасан хоёр хэсэг ус ба энергийн балансын загварыг хийсэн. Уг загварт уулархаг районы чухал хүчин зүйл болох газрын гадаргын налуугийн байрлал, нийлбэр цацрагийн нөлөөллийг тооцож үзсэн. Загварыг янз бүрийн хөрс, ургамалтай нөхцөлд тэжээмжийг үнэлэх зорилгоор Туул голын сав газрын дээд хэсэгт хэрэглэсэн. Тус талбайг газрын гадаргын налуу, байрлал болон өндөржилтөөр нь 12 бүсэд (загварт) хувааж үзэв. Талбайн цаг уурын ажиглалтын мэдээ хязгаарлагдмал тул хур тунадас, агаарын температур болон харьцангуй чийгшил өндөржилтөөс хамаарсан хамаарлыг (lapse rate) ашиглан засварыг гүйцэтгэлээ. Загварын үр дүнгээс харахад, тэжээмж харьцангуй их, ихэвчлэн хөрсний гэсэлтийн гүнээс хамаарч хожуу тохиолдох хаврын цасны хайлалтаас ирдэг байна. Хамгийн чухал нь усны уурын диффузи энергийн балансад тоон чухал үүрэг гүйцэтгэж усны балансад чанарын үүрэг гүйцэтгэдгийг тогтоосон. Нэг удаагийн их хэмжээний хур тунадаснаас бусад тохиодолд газрын доорх усны тэжээмж нь усны уурын диффузын урсацаар бий болно. Газрын гадаргын өнгөн хэсгийн температур өсөх үед (>0°C), хавар болон зуны улиралын эхэн үед их хэмжээний усны уурын диффузи явагддаг ч газрын өнгөн хэсгээс доошхи гүнд хөрс хөлдүү байж доош чиглэсэн их хэмжээний усны уурын даралтын зөрүү бий болдог. Газрын өнгөн хэсгийн болон гүн дэх температурын зөрүү намар, өвлийн улирлын эхэнд эсэргээрээ тохиолдоход бага температурт усны уурын даралтын ялгааг бага өгөх ханасан усны уурын даралтын экспоненциал хэлбэр температураас хамаарсан функц байдаг тул дээш чиглэсэн усны уурын диффузийн хөдөлгөөн маш бага байна. Тооцсон турбулент босоо дулааны урсгал (sensible heat) нь ууршилтанд зарцуулагдах дулааны урсгалаас (latent heat) их байгаа нь хуурай уур амьсгалтайг илтгэнэ. Доош чиглэсэн дулааны урсгал усны уурын диффузтэй холбоотой. сэрүүн бүс нутагт их байдаг дээш чиглэсэн хөрсний дулааны урсгалаар нөхөгдөж байдаг. Улаанбаатар хотын усан хангамжийг аллювийн уст давхаргаас хангадаг ба өсөн нэмэгдэж буй усны хэрэглээнээс болж асуудал үүсээд байгаа билээ. Энэ асуудлыг шийдвэрлэхийн тулд мэдээлэл хомсдолоос гадна өвлийн улиралд голын ус хөлддөг хүндрэлтэй нөхцөлд тоон загварыг хийж гүйцэтгэсэн. Голын мөсний дор гол бүрэн хөлдөх үйл явцыг удаашруулдаг дулааны хөдөлгөөн газрын доорх усны урсгалаар бий болдог ч газрын доорх усны түвшин шавхалтын улмаас багассан тохиолдолд дээрх үйл явц явагдах боломжгүй. Одоогийн байдлаар Улаанбаатар орчмын аллювийн уст давхаргын дээд болон доод хэсгүүдэд өвлийн улиралд голын ус урсгалтай байна. Талбайн дээд буюу зүүн хэсэгт (Гачуурт орчимд) голын ус нь зэргэлдээх аллювийн уст давхаргаас тэжээгддэг онцлогтой. Харин төв хэсэгт голын ус ёроолоо хүртэл хөлддөг. Энэ хэсэгт өвлийн улиралд явагддаг ууршилт (sublimation) болон хайлсан ус тэр дороо уст давхарга руу нэвчдэгийн улмаас ихэнхдээ 4-р сард хуурай, усгүй болдог байна. Хэрэв Улаанбаатар орчмын аллювийн уст давхарга, Гачуурт тосгон орчмын уст давхаргад усны шавхалт нэмэгдвэл өвлийн улиралд голын ус ёроолоо хүртэл хөлдөх нөхцөлийг бүрдүүлэх ба мөсний доор усны урсгал явагдах боломжгүй болох магадлалтай. Өвлийн улирлын шавхалтанд газрын доорх усны нөөц хангалттай байдаг тул тоо хэмжээний хувьд тийм ч чухал асуудал биш ч хүрээлэн буй орчин, соёлын ач холбогдолтой байж болох юм. Иймд уст давхаргын дээд болон доод хэсгүүдэд хяналт хийх нэмэлт судалгаа шаардлагатай байна.

In recent decades, changes in land use and land cover (LULC) arising from socio-economic development, coupled with climate change, have severely undermined and compromised the environmental sustainability of the upper part of Dong Nai (UPDN) river basin. Assessing the long-term impacts of climate change and changes in LULC on hydrological conditions and water balance in the UPDN river basin is essential for sustainable watershed management. In the present study, Landsat images and SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) model were used to assess water balance changes due to changes of climate and LULC at three different intervals: 1994, 2004, and 2014. The results of Landsat images classification indicated that forest land was the main LULC type in the basin. In 1994 the forest cover was 706,803 ha (72.68% of the total landmass). In 2004 the forest area dropped to 520,359 ha (53.51%). In 2014 the forest area dropped further to 485,908 ha (49.97%). The change in LULC has caused changes in the annual and peak water flows. The analysis of the results revealed that the effect of historical climate variations on water yield was greater than the LULC change. With the scenario of LULC 2014, the consumption of irrigation water was the highest and mainly in the dry season. The findings can provide useful information for decision-makers in planning and formulating policies for sustainable watershed management and climate change adaptation.
Trong những thập niên gần đây, sự thay đổi về sử dụng đất và thực phủ (LULC) do những hoạt động phát triển kinh tế - xã hội cùng với biến đổi khí hậu đã đặt ra những thách thức cho sự bền vững về môi trường ở lưu vực thượng nguồn sông Đồng Nai (UPDN). Đánh giá các tác động lâu dài của biến đổi khí hậu và những thay đổi trong LULC đến điều kiện thủy văn và cân bằng nước là việc cần thiết cho quản lý bền vững nguồn nước. Trong nghiên cứu này, các ảnh vệ tinh Landsat, công cụ đánh giá đất và nước (SWAT) được sử dụng để đánh giá sự thay đổi cân bằng nước do sự thay đổi khí hậu và LULC tại ba thời điểm khác nhau 1994, 2004 và 2014. Kết quả phân loại các ảnh Landsat cho thấy rừng là loại thực phủ chính trong lưu vực. Diện tích rừng của năm 1994 là 706.803 ha (72,68%). Diện tích rừng của năm 2004 đã giảm xuống còn 520.359 ha (53,1%) và đến năm 2014 chỉ còn 485.908ha (49,97%). Thay đổi sử dụng đất và thực phủ đã làm thay đổi chế độ thủy văn và dòng chảy đỉnh. Phân tích kết quả đã xác định rằng những sự thay đổi về điều kiện khí hậu trong quá khứ có ảnh hưởng đến lượng nước lớn hơn so với thay đổi về thực phủ. Với kịch bản LULC năm 2014, nhu cầu sử dụng nước tưới cho cây trồng là lớn nhất và chủ yếu trong mùa khô. Những kết quả đạt được trong nghiên cứu này sẽ cung cấp thông tin hữu ích cho các nhà hoạch định trong lập kế hoạch và ban hành chính sách cho quản lý lưu vực bền vững, thích ứng với biến đổi khí hậu.

Changes in climate influence agricultural production. This study looks at the impacts of climate variability in the Utah regions of the Upper Colorado River Basin by combining regression techniques with interview data to explore how climate variability affects agricultural production and how the farmers are adapting their practices to these changes. The results show that climate does not have any significant impact on cattle and hay production in the study area on a decadal scale. However, on an annual basis temperature seems to have more impact than precipitation. Among non-climatic variables, commodity prices and their regulations by the government are the most important factors that influence the year-to-year production. Farmers are well-aware of these impacts and have adapted significantly to the changes that occur on a year-to-year basis.

Transient Electromagnetic (TEM) surveys were conducted in the San Pedro Valley starting approximately 1 mile northeast of Benson, Arizona, and extending about 2 miles farther northeast. The survey used loop sizes of 20x20, 100x100, and 200x200 meters with the objectives of determining the depth, thickness, and lateral extent of clay deposits, and comparing ground surveys with a previously acquired airborne TEM survey. The data were processed with Zonge Engineering smooth inversion software as well as Interpex TEMIX layered-earth inversion software. The interpreted depth to near-surface clay deposits was less than 5 m on the west end near the San Pedro River, and increased to about 15 m, 1.3 km to the east. Farther east, clay deposits were only detected at depths of 100 m or more. A possible bottom to the clay was detected near 100 m depth at selected stations in the western half of the survey, which would correlate with wells in the vicinity, but it was not laterally continuous. Surveys at the remainder of the stations did not detect a lower limit to the clay deposit. The results of the airborne survey versus the ground elevation surveys show similar resistivity values.

This research focuses on the estimation of the impacts of climate change on water yield, streamflow extremes, and the streamflow regimes in the Cline River Watershed, and consequently, water availability for hydropower generation in this area. The Cline River Watershed comprises the flow into Lake Abraham, the reservoir for Bighorn Dam, is part of the upper North Saskatchewan River basin (UNSRB). This objective was achieved by parameterizing the ACRU agro-hydrological modelling system. After parameterization was complete, ACRU output was calibrated and verified against available observed data, including temperature, snow water equivalent, glacier mass balance, potential evapotranspiration, and streamflow data. After ACRU was properly verified, five selected climate change scenarios to estimate impacts of climate change in this area. Overall water yields are projected to increase over time. A large shift in seasonality is likely the biggest impact climate change will have on water resources in the Cline River Watershed.
xii, 126 leaves : ill., maps ; 29 cm

Examination of stream and roadcut exposures of the Cowlitz Formation allows the selection of measured representative sections, and collection of fossils, from an area roughly defined by the intersection of the boundaries of Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook and Washington counties in Oregon. The study defines the features of the local environment of deposition, correlates sections to derive a composite columnar section, and develops a checklist of species for both microfossils and megafossils of the Cowlitz Formation.

The thesis is designed to assist residents of the Upper San Pedro River Basin, Arizona, in their investigation of alternative water management institutions. The concept of institutions as rules used by communities to manage resources is used to describe several alternatives for managing water resources and then evaluate the alternatives with respect to the needs of basin residents. Alternatives include the Upper San Pedro status quo, Arizona's Active Management Areas, the Phoenix Groundwater Replenishment District, the Tucson Active Management Area Water Augmentation Authority, the Orange County Water District, the Kern County Water Agency, and instream flow protection institutions in several western states. None of the alternatives is found to be entirely appropriate for the Upper San Pedro basin, though features of all of them may be of interest to basin residents.

Hell Canyon and Sycamore Canyon are major ungaged tributaries in the upper Verde River basin of central Arizona. Gage data implies that the record discharge of 1507 cms occurred on February 20, 1993 measured at the Verde River gage near Clarkdale, Arizona was derived primarily from these tributaries. 1993 flow reconstructions measure 800-900 cms in Sycamore Canyon and 600-700 cms in Hell Canyon. Historic and pre-historic units were exposed in various stratigraphic exposures in these canyons; as many as 11 floods are recorded at any one site. The 1993 floodwaters typically overtop all prior stratigraphy; however, dendrochronology suggests that similar floods occurred prior to the gage record. These results confirm that Hell Canyon and Sycamore Canyon are major contributors to floods on the Verde River in both the historic and paleoflood record.

Kentucky’s Upper Green River Basin has received significant attention due to the area’s high biodiversity and spectacular karst development. While carbonate bedrock is present throughout the watershed, it is more extensive and homogenous along the river between Greensburg and Munfordville than upstream from Greensburg where the geology is more heterogeneous. This research quantitatively evaluated how lithological differences between the two catchment areas impact hydrochemistry and inorganic carbon cycling. This first required correcting catchment boundaries on previous US Geological Survey Hydrologic Unit Maps to account for areas where the boundaries cross sinkhole plains. Basin boundaries using existing Kentucky Division of Water dye trace data differed from the earlier versions by as much as three kilometers. The river at the downstream site is more strongly influenced by carbonate mineral dissolution, reflected in higher specific conductance (SpC) and pH. The SpC at Munfordville ranges from 0.9 to 4.8 times that at Greensburg, averaging 2.0 times higher. Although rainfall is impacted by sulfuric acid from coal burning, river pH is buffered at both sites. The pH is higher at Munfordville 91% of the time, by an average of 0.28 units. Diurnal, photosynthetic pH variations are damped out downstream suggesting interactions between geologic and biological influences on river chemistry. River temperature differences between the two sites are at least 4oC higher at Greensburg under warm season conditions, but there is a clear trend of temperature differences diminishing as the river cools through the fall and winter. This results from a relatively stable temperature at Munfordville, impacted by large spring inputs of groundwater within the karst region downstream. Although weak statistical relationships between SpC and HCO3 - create uncertainties in high resolution carbon flux calculations, measurement of these fluxes is more highly impacted by discharge variations than concentration variations, which resulted in average daily atmospheric flux estimates within 34% between the two basins using weekly concentration data (3.3x108 vs. 2.2x108 gkm-2 d-1, where km2 is the outcrop area of carbonate rocks), and within only 12% using 15-minute concentration data from regressions (2.6x108 vs. 2.3x108 gkm-2 d-1) for Greensburg and Munfordville, respectively.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2004.
Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains x, 71, [49] p. : ill. (some col.), maps (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 68-71).

Nitrate contamination of water is a worldwide issue. Nitrate is especially dangerous for young children, and may result in potentially fatal blue baby syndrome when concentration in drinking water is > 10 mg/L N-NO3. Nitrate in surface water may also lead to eutrophication. Sources of NO3- contamination include nitrate fertilizers, wastewater treatment plants, individual domestic septic systems, runoff from animal feedlots, and natural soil nitrogen. Nitrate contamination in the Elbe River drainage, covering 148,270 km2 in Germany and the Czech Republic, has been a long-term issue. This study examines the upper one-third of the basin, located almost entirely in the Czech Republic. In the Czech Republic, NO3- concentrations, which in some river reaches exceed the European Union (EU) standard of 50 mg/L, have decreased only slightly or remained constant since monitoring began in the 1960's. At the German border the calculated average 2000-2008 Elbe discharge is 9.4 x 109 m3/yr and annual NO3- loading is 37.4 x 106 kg/yr. The upper Elbe has four major tributaries: the Labe (Elbe), Berounka, Ohře, and Vltava whose percentages of total discharge and NO3- loading are 10.3/10.4, 28.0/33.3, 12.6/8.9, and 49.1/47.4 percent, respectively. Flow and NO3- concentrations for 138 locations were obtained from the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute. δ15N compositions, determined for 57 locations, were used to create a map showing the estimated spatial distribution of nitrate sources within the basin. Nitrate loading for each sample site was calculated using historical concentration and flow data for 2000-2008. Preliminary calculations suggest that ~ 76 percent of the nitrate load is from human/animal waste. Given that large feedlot operations are rare, the major source of nitrate in the region is likely small wastewater treatment plants and rural septic systems.

Salinity issues in the Upper Colorado River Basin have been a serious concern to the western United States and northern Mexico. The Colorado River salinity is mainly come from geologic materials located in the Upper Colorado River Basin. Natural weathering and human activities, such as irrigation, accelerate the dissolution of saline materials. Economic damages due to salinity in the Colorado River Basin are estimated at $295 million in 2010, for example, reduced crop yield, plugging of water pipes and fixtures, and ecological health of rivers. In order to manage salinity in the Upper Colorado River Basin, SPARROW model has been applied to simulate salinity sources and transport. However, the model application discontinued during recent past due to lack of data. Given the motivation and importance of salinity issues in the Colorado River Basin, the overall goal of this research is to develop a decision-making framework for an effective salinity management in the Upper Colorado River Basin. First, this research introduced a methodology for reliable analysis of salinity sources and transport in the Upper Colorado River Basin. However, recent decreasing trend of number of monitoring stations may cause increase of model uncertainty. Therefore, a decision-making methodology for an effective water quality monitoring network was developed. From the results of monitoring network analysis, the redundancy or scarcity of monitoring stations in each watershed can be identified under the given operational costs. Finally, salinity management scenarios considering cost and equity were developed. Management options considering cost only can neglect the fairness in the allocation of salinity control responsibilities among stakeholders. To overcome this limitation in management, the methodology developed in this research considers cost of salinity control, equitable distributions among stakeholders, and cost efficiency. The methodologies developed in this research provide a comprehensive decision-making framework for an effective salinity management in the Upper Colorado River Basin. Moreover, this framework is not limited to the management of salinity in the Upper Colorado River only, but also can be applied to other water quality management problems.

Globally, it is expected that arid and semi-arid areas will face increasing frequency of drought through the 21st century. Drought is normally attributed to climatic factors. However, humans constantly alter hydrologic systems through manipulating and consuming water, which can also cause drought. However, human influence on drought, outside of influences on warming-driven climate change, is rarely studied. Here, the upper Colorado River Basin (Texas) is studied to assess the human influence on drought conditions in a semi-arid basin. An observation-modeling framework is used to simulate naturalized runoff conditions which are compared to observed data in an undisturbed (little human influence) and disturbed (much human influence) period to elucidate human influences on drought. Further, public water storage and supply data are incorporated to analyze how human water management may be specifically affecting downstream hydrologic drought in the upper Colorado River Basin. Results show that according to observed data, drought occurred more often, persisted longer on average, and had a higher maximum duration during the disturbed period. Naturalized model output did not predict such increases, indicating that human influence is responsible. Water deliveries in the study area were found to significantly affect downstream flow and are connected to instances of human-influenced drought. Results suggest that in order to reduce downstream drought conditions, deliveries will likely have to be reduced and that reducing deliveries during periods of low rainfall, or during months in which deliveries constitute a large portion of human influenced drought severity could be especially helpful in alleviating downstream drought.
Master of Science
It is expected that many arid climates around the globe will become even experience more frequent drought during the 21st century. Drought is a lack of water relative to normal levels and has important implications for agriculture, industry, fisheries, water managers, and the broader public. Drought is normally attributed to natural factors such as lack of rain or increases in temperature. Humans have affected these factors through global climate change, and many researchers have focused their efforts on understanding how global warming impacts drought conditions. However, humans can also affect drought conditions through water consumption. Despite the impact of human water consumption, it is rarely a topic of specific study in relation to the occurrence of drought. Here, conditions lacking human influence (i.e. no water consumption, land-use change, etc.) are simulated and compared to observed data from a stream gage downstream from human intervention, allowing for examination of human influences on drought. Public water usage and management data from the Colorado River Municipal Water District are also incorporated to allow for more specific understanding of how human influence affects drought conditions downstream of reservoir operation and groundwater pumping. Results show that drought occurred more often, persisted longer on average, and had a higher maximum duration due to human influence. Water usage and management by the Colorado River Municipal Water District are connected to and have a role in causing decreases in downstream flow and occurrence of drought. Results indicate that demand reductions will likely be needed to ensure sustainable water availability and that reducing demand during periods of low rainfall or during times of the year in which human water use accounts for larger portions of drought severity could be most helpful in lessening downstream drought.

This thesis explores the effects that large-scale land-use/cover change (LUCC) and climate change pose to the terrestrial water cycle, by developing a case study in the Upper Ganges (UG) river basin, in India. In an area experiencing rapid rates of LUCC and changes in irrigation practices, historic land-use maps are developed, based on satellite images, to investigate historical trends of LUCC. Future projection scenarios of LUCC for years up to 2035 are derived from Markov chain analysis. To explore the impacts of those changes in hydrology, the generated maps are used to force the Land Surface Model (LSM) JULES. JULES is found to be reasonably skilful in terms of its ability to reproduce observed streamflow. However, the results indicate that there is much room left for improved estimates of evapotranspiration (ET) fluxes, which JULES is found to over-predict. By dynamically coupling JULES with the crop model InfoCrop, the simulated ET fluxes are improved, compared to the original JULES model. The difference in mean annual ET between the two models (coupled and original) is approximately 150 mm/yr and indicates the potential error in ET flux estimations of an LSM without dynamic vegetation. The impact of LUCC and climate change on the hydrological response of the UG basin is quantified, by calculating variations in hydrological components (streamflow, ET and soil moisture) during the period 2000-2035. Severe increases in the high extremes of flows (+40% in the multi-model mean) are being projected for the nearby future (2030-2035). The changes in all examined hydrological components are greater in the combined land-use and climate change scenario, whilst climate change is the main driver of those changes. These results provide the necessary evidence-base to support regional land-use planning, advanced irrigation practices and develop future-proof water resource management strategies under a water-limited environment.

The aquatic ecology of the White River basin has been studied since 1875 with researchers having reported 158 fish species belonging to 25 families. Recently, an EPA 319 grant allowed for further research in the Upper White River basin. The two-year study (2002-2004) examined three watersheds in Delaware County for biotic integrity, habitat quality, and stream water quality parameters. Twenty-two sites were selected to gain a perspective on agricultural, urban, and wooded landscape influences in order to locate and implement Best Management Practices (BMPs). Samples exceeded established state regulations and guideline criteria as follows: E. col/ (80%), ammonia-N (71%), dissolved oxygen (55%), nitrate+nitrite-N (38%), orthophosphate (33%), and total suspended solids (18%). A general linear model indicated that the effects of watershed and location within each watershed were significant (p <0.001) for both the Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) and Index of Biotic hntegrity (IBI) index scores. Digitized land cover developed using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) was created to determine the effects of agricultural and wooded land cover ratios on the IBI and QHEI indices. A significant positive linear relationship between the amount of woodland land cover in a 5-m streamside riparian buffer and QHEI (p<0.001, r2 = 0.55) and with IBI (p<0.001, r-2 = 0.49) was found. A significant negative linear relationship was found with the amount of agricultural land in the created 5-m riparian buffer and IBI (p<0.001, r' 0.41), QHEI (p<0.001, r2 _- 0.36). The 30-nm streamside riparian buffer and delineated subwatershed land cover ratios were significant for the biotic integrity and habitat quality parameters, but were less predictive than the 5-m buffers. In addition, the amount of high runoff soils in the subwatersheds had significant negative effects on the IBI (p < 0.001, r' = 0.47) and QHEI (p = <0.001,r' = 0.43). Wetness accumulation and soil erosion was modeled in each watershed with the use of GIS, soils, and terrain parameters. The maps produced detailed locations where BMPs (wetlands, grassed waterways, riparian buffer strips etc.) could be targeted to reduce non-point source pollutants.
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management

This thesis is focused on determining the rate at which the climate of western North America (WNA) has changed in recent history, and looks at the impact that projected future climatic changes will have on a large glaciated watershed in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The rate of change over WNA is quantified for 485 climate stations for the period 1950-2005 using indicators developed by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Results of the analysis show statistically significant historical trends across the study area. To gauge the effect of climate change on glaciers, a mass balance model was developed and integrated with the University of Lethbridge GENESYS hydrometeorological model. GCM future climate scenarios were used to model change in the Upper North Saskatchewan River Basin through 2100. Results forecast dramatic declines (> 80%) in total glacier area, ice volume, and streamflow contribution by 2100.
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Values have been identified as important factors that guide decision-making and influence preferences in water governance. Comparing the values reflected in water governance decisions with the values held by stakeholders and the general public may inform the debate on the political legitimacy of water governance. The research presented in this PhD thesis draws on multiple research traditions on values, ranging from ecological economics and political ecology to social and environmental psychology, to investigate the value base of water governance in the Upper Paraguay River Basin, in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. It first introduces a novel conceptual framework that integrates these various research traditions and suggests that water governance is closely related to the fundamental values, governance-related values, and assigned values of stakeholders and actors in water governance more generally. These different types of values vary in their level of abstractness, as well as in their ‘locus’, i.e. where the valuing person locates them, and are hypothesised to be closely interrelated in a hierarchical structure, with fundamental values being the most abstract type of values. Water governance, in turn, is defined as the synthesis of water policy (the ‘content’ of decisionmaking), water politics (the ‘power play’ between actors) and water polity (the institutional framework). The thesis then proceeds to apply this novel conceptual framework in a case study on stakeholders’ values in the Upper Paraguay River Basin, and investigates the relationship of their values with their preferences regarding the construction of the Paraguay-Paraná Waterway through the Pantanal wetland, in the south of Mato Grosso. This water infrastructure project has a long history of conflict attached to it, as it might impact the hydrology and ecology of the Pantanal, the world’s largest tropical freshwater wetland and UNESCO biosphere reserve, while at the same time benefitting Mato Grosso’s rapidly growing agribusiness sector by lowering the cost of soybean exports. Based on 24 semi-structured interviews with relevant stakeholders, it was found that supporters and opponents possess different, clashing ‘value landscapes’ (i.e. groups of related values), which may explain the protracted nature of the conflict around the construction of the waterway, while at the same time highlighting political legitimacy deficits of the project. This research was followed up by a quantitative study with members of the general public (n=1067), which sought to measure and test the assumption that we can empirically identify such clashing value landscapes, and their relationship with preferences for or against the Paraguay-Paraná Waterway. Using structural equation modelling (SEM), statistically significant links between people’s values and their preferences in water governance could indeed be found, as well as between different types of values, which formed two contrasting value landscapes. This suggests that water governance conflicts may in part be explained by the presence of different value landscapes among involved actors, which may include even the most abstract level of fundamental values. The research presented in this thesis thus contributes to interdisciplinary debates on the role of values for water governance from multiple conceptual, as well as methodological perspectives. Additionally, through its application to a concrete case study, it highlights the policy relevance of such research, as addressing conflicts in water governance and examining alternative policy options may require a more explicit consideration of the values of the actors involved.

There is no single methodology toward freshwater conservation planning, and few analytical tools exist for summarizing ecological risks at a landscape scale. I constructed a relative risk model, the Ecological Risk Index (ERI), to combine the frequency and severity of human-induced stressors with mappable land and water use data to evaluate impacts to five major biotic drivers: energy sources, physical habitat, flow regime, water quality, and biotic interactions. It assigns 3 final risk rankings based on a user-specified spatial grain. In a case study of the 5 major drainages within the upper Tennessee River basin (UTRB), U.S.A, differences in risk patterns among drainages reflected dominant land uses, such as mining and agriculture. A principal components analysis showed that localized, moderately severe threats accounted for most of the threat composition differences among watersheds. Also, the relative importance of threats is sensitive to the spatial grain of the analysis. An evaluation of the ERI procedures showed that the protocol is sensitive to how extent and severity of risk are defined, and threat frequency-class criteria strongly influenced final risk rankings. Multivariate analysis tested for model robustness and assessed the influence of expert judgment by comparing my original approach to a quantile-based approach. Results suggest that experts were less likely to assign catchments to high-risk categories than was the quantile approach, and that 3 final risk rankings were appropriate. I evaluated the influence of land use on freshwater ecosystems by studying the relationship between land cover changes and the persistence of freshwater mussels. First, historical species data were collected and the Upper Tennessee River Mussel Database (UTRMD) was constructed. The UTRMD contains >47,400 species records from 1963-2008 distributed across nearly 2,100 sampling sites. My study suggests that 30 years of land cover change does not explain observed freshwater mussel declines. Quantitative surveys are recommended basin-wide to provide more accurate information about mussel distribution and abundance. Lastly, results suggest that streams with repeated mussel surveys have increasing populations, including active recruitment in several beds. Additional quantitative surveys since 2004 have probably provided more accurate species and population counts, although actual population sizes are still uncertain.
Ph. D.

The hydrologic system of the Upper San Pedro River Basin is threatened with the depletion of surface water flow in the San Pedro River. The decrease in agricultural pumping in the San Pedro National Conservation Area (SPRNCA) from the late 1980s to mid 1990s did not increase baseflow in the San Pedro significantly. A four-season model with seasonal variations in agricultural pumping, inflow from Government Draw, and ET was developed for two purposes: 1) to better understand the hydrologic system and provide potential explanations for observed baseflow trends and 2) to assist with future management of the SPRNCA. The steady oscillatory model reasonably simulated heads in baseflows observed in the late 1930s to early 1940s. The conceptual model showed higher stream leakages during season 3 than in season 2, but the model simulated greater leakage in season 2. The variations in flows from season to season may be better reproduced with varying channel geometry for each season. The transient model covered the 1941 to 1995 period and was calibrated with respect to ET from 1987 to 1995. Calculations ofET and groundwater discharge along the San Pedro revealed some interesting results. Both ET and groundwater discharge near Palominas decreased significantly from the late 1980s. Near Charleston, groundwater discharge shows a decreasing trend but ET shows an increasing trend. Near Tombstone, baseflow shows a slight decrease and relatively constant ET. Though the model predicts head distributions relatively well, baseflows are overpredicted during periods of low flows. The total modeled inflows into the basin are contributing to the inability of the model to simulate baseflows, and the model needs to be calibrated with respect to baseflows between Palominas and Lewis Springs.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2000.
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This study describes macroinvertebrate community structure and assesses its potential in detecting point and non-point sources of disturbance associated with rural and urban areas in the Upper Trinity River Basin. Geospatial techniques were used to quantify landuse within the watershed in a GIS. At rural sites near the headwaters of the Trinity River, collector-gathering burrowers that are adapted to minimal flow comprised the majority of taxa. Destinies of taxa compositions at downstream sites increased and shifted toward psammophilic and rheophilic invertebrates, including primarily collector-filtering clingers, that are characteristic of shifting sand habitats in large prairie rivers. Benthic community structure generally benefited from point source impacts including wastewater treatment plant effluents that maintained higher flow. Community indices were negatively associated with forest landuse and positively associated with urban landuse. Partial CCA determined that flow and landuse contributed equally to species dispersions. Comparisons with historical biomonitoring studies in upper Trinity River Basin indicate improved watershed health.

Considerable interest lies in understanding the hydrologic response to climate change in the upper Deschutes Basin, particularly as it relates to groundwater fed streams. Much of the precipitation occurring in the recharge zone falls as snow. Consequently, the timing of runoff and recharge depend on accumulation and melting of the snowpack. Numerical modeling can provide insights into evolving hydrologic system response for resource management consideration. A daily mass and energy balance model known as the Deep Percolation Model (DPM) was developed for the basin in the 1990s. This model uses spatially distributed data and is driven with daily climate data to calculate both daily and monthly mass and energy balance for the major components of the hydrologic budget across the basin. Previously historical daily climate data from weather stations in the basin was used to drive the model. Now we use the University of Washington Climate Impact Group's 1/16th degree daily downscaled climate data to drive the DPM for forecasting until the end of the 21st century. The downscaled climate data is comprised from the mean of eight GCM simulations well suited to the Pacific Northwest. Furthermore, there are low emission and high emission scenarios associated with each ensemble member leading to two distinct means. For the entire basin progressing into the 21st century, output from the DPM using both emission scenarios as a forcing show changes in the timing of runoff and recharge as well as significant reductions in snowpack. Although the DPM calculated amounts of recharge and runoff varies between the emission scenario of the ensemble under consideration, all model output shows loss of the spring snowmelt runoff / recharge peak as time progresses. The response of the groundwater system to changing in the time and amount of recharge varies spatially. Short flow paths in the upper part of the basin are potentially more sensitive to the change in seasonality. However, geologic controls on the system cause this signal to attenuate as it propagates into the lower portions of the basin. This scale-dependent variation to the response of the groundwater system to changes in seasonality and magnitude of recharge is explored by applying DPM calculated recharge to an existing regional groundwater flow model.

Despite the importance of crayfish in aquatic systems there are major issues threatening their conservation, including invasive species, habitat alterations, and species with small distributions or have limited geographical ranges. There is limited information regarding native range, habitat requirements, life histories and biological interactions between crayfish species. In order to examine the relationship between lotic crayfish assemblages and environmental variables at both the watershed and reach scales, data were collected from 46 stream segments in the Upper Green River Basin of Kentucky, U.S.A. An independent sample t-test compared crayfish densities between segments with gravel - small cobble, and large cobble - small boulder substrates and revealed non-significant differences for both all and large (>15 mm) carapace length individuals. Correspondence analyses were conducted separately for gravel-cobble and cobble-small boulder segments and large boulder segments and some species showed strong associations with each other. In the gravel-cobble/cobble-small boulder segments a series of one-way ANOVA's showed significant effects of sub-basin location on both crayfish density and species richness whereas in the large boulder segment there were no significant differences. An exploratory canonical correspondence analysis in the forward selection procedure was performed to reduce the number of environmental variables in the gravel-cobble/cobble-small boulder segments and large boulder segments. The second CCA performed between crayfish species and environmental variables showed relationships with several environmental variables in the gravel-cobble/cobble-small boulder segments. Significant variables elucidated were summer mean temperature, depth, and total phosphate. The second CCA in the large boulder segment, however, failed to find strong relationships between the crayfish and environmental variables. Further testing using multiple linear regression stepwise forward selection analysis demonstrated that crayfish were responding to total phosphorous, % riffle, %run, gravel, cobble, boulder, total phosphorous and ammonia in the gravel-cobble/cobble-small boulder segments. The results indicated that stream size gradient and not % land use were linearly related to both diversity (richness) and density.

Master of Science
Geology
Matthew E. Brueseke
The Upper Wind River Basin (UWRB) is located in north-central Wyoming, to the south of the Yellowstone National Park boundary and east of Jackson Hole. Both Lava Mountain and Spring Mountain are Quaternary volcanoes in the UWRB. Lava Mountain is a shield volcano composed of 26 separate lavas capped by a scoria cone. Spring Mountain is located about ~36 km east of Lava Mountain, north of Dubois, WY, where eruptions of basalt cut through Paleocene and Eocene strata. The goal of this study aims to reconstruct the petrogenesis of magmas erupted at both volcanoes using geochemical, petrographic, and isotopic analyses. Important local events in geologic history played a large role in the development of the UWRB. This includes a long history of ancient and Cenozoic subduction, regional extension, and also the migration of the North American plate over the Yellowstone hotspot. The few previous studies on Lava Mountain claim the rocks are mafic in composition, however this was based solely on reconnaissance geological mapping. Geochemical evidence presented in this thesis show Lava Mountain rocks range from basaltic andesite to dacite. Basaltic andesite and dacite are interstratified at the base until approximately 2774 m; the rest of the volcano is andesite. All Lava Mountain samples are largely aphanitic and crystal-poor. Conversely, at Spring Mountain, localized normal faulting controls the location of eruptions of olivine-rich basalt. Petrographic analysis for both Lava Mountain and Spring Mountain display a range of evidence for open system processes, including sieved and/or resorbed pyroxenes, olivines and feldspars, as well as xenocrysts that suggest an influence from crustal assimilation. A petrogenetic model is introduced that discusses how Lava Mountain magma production occurred via fractional crystallization of basalt to dacite, then magma mixing of basaltic andesite and dacite, coupled with small amounts of crustal assimilation, to form the locally erupted andesites. All samples, including Spring Mountain basalts, have ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotopes of 0.70608 and 0.70751, with ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd isotopes of 0.51149 and 0.51157 and εNd values of -18 to -22. Pb isotopes plot to the left of the Geochron and directly on to slightly above the Stacey-Kramers curve. Strontium, neodymium, and lead isotope data suggest that Spring Mountain basalts are melts of ancient (e.g., 2.8 Ga Beartooth province) lithospheric mantle. The high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values and exceptionally low εNd values separate the UWRB rocks from both Yellowstone and Snake River Plain volcanics, and suggest they originated from a different magma source. Finally, thermal evidence suggests melting genesis for UWRB rocks may not be Yellowstone plume related; rather it is more likely linked to Cenozoic extension.

Archaeologically site catchment analysis produces valuable information regarding prehistoric subsistence strategies and social organization. Incorporating archaeological data into catchment analyses is an effective strategy to develop regional models of prehistoric site selection and settlement patterns. Digital access to data permits the incorporation of multiple layers of information into the process of synthesizing regional archaeology and interpreting corresponding spatial patterning. GIS software provides a means to integrate digital environmental and archaeological data into an effective tool. Resultant environmental archaeology maps facilitate interpretive analysis. To fulfill the objectives of this thesis, GIS software is employed to construct site catchment areas for archaeological sites and to implement multivariate statistical analyses of physical and biological attributes of catchments in correlation with assemblage data from sites. Guided by ecological, anthropological and geographical theories hypotheses testing evaluates patterns of prehistoric socio-economic behavior. Analytical results are summarized in a model of prehistoric settlement patterns in North Central Texas.

Aquatic ecosystems exhibit different vulnerabilities to anthropogenic disturbances. I examined this problem in the Upper Napo River Basin (UNRB), Ecuador. I ranked from 1 to 5 aquatic ecosystem uniqueness, health and threats. I stratified the basin into five Ecological Drainage Units (EDU), 48 Aquatic Ecological Systems (AES), and 203 macrohabitats. I found main threats (habitat conversion/degradation, land development, mining, oil industries, and water diversion) cover 54% of the UNRB, but have different scores and extents in each EDU. I assessed the health of 111 AESs, under three land use treatments, by analyzing the streamside zone, physical forms, water quality, aquatic life, and hydrology. Overall, health of AESs varied from 5 to 2.58, with 5 being the highest level of health. Threats and health of AESs were inversely related (F=34.119, P