America's Most Endangered Rivers: 2010 Edition

American Rivers has released their 2010 edition of the America’s Most Endangered Rivers report.  The ten rivers across the U.S. with the most critical and near-term threats were stated to be the Upper Delaware River (PA/NY), Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta (CA), Gauley River (WV), Little River (NC),
Cedar River (IA), Upper Colorado River (CO), Chetco River (OR), Teton River (ID), Monongahela River (PA/WV), and the Coosa River (AL). 

To view the report, visit http://www.americanrivers.org/our-work/protecting-rivers/endangered-rivers/.

Making Lake and Stream Conservation More Effective

Scientists from Michigan State University have developed a new approach that makes management and conservation of freshwater lakes, streams and wetlands more effective.  The approach is called landscape limnology, and considers all freshwaters together as they interact with each other and the world.  This provides a broader understanding of freshwater resources, which helps with managing and protecting these resources. Landscape limnology combines data from geographical information systems (GIS), satellites, aerial photos, with data collected in the field.  They then evaluate the data including land use, soils, geology, fish population numbers, and or nutrient levels to create models to determine the best management and conservation strategies.  The goal is to see freshwater resources as part of a complex landscape rather than viewing an isolated entity.

ScienceDaily, June 5, 2010
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100602193421.htm

Aquatic Life Declines at Early Stages of Urban Development, Research Finds

A new study by the U.S. Geological Survey shows that the number of native fish and aquatic insects declines at low levels of development, even those considered protective for stream communities.  It shows that pollution sensitive aquatic insects can decline by one third when impervious cover reaches 10 percent of a watershed area.  The main factors that affect these communities includes rapid rise and fall in stream flow, changes in temperature, and contaminants found in stormwater such as fertilizers and insecticides. 

ScienceDaily, June 4, 2010
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100603172215.htm

To listen to the USGS Corecast Episode 127, visit http://www.usgs.gov/corecast/details.asp?ep=127
To view the full report, the key findings, and podcasts, visit http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/urban/

Beachwood's BASF Creates New Crack-Resistant Concrete

BASF Construction Chemicals has created a concrete that is virtually crack-proof, called “ZERO-C”.  It can be used for restoration construction, driveways, sidewalks, balconies, and many other projects.  It costs about five percent more than what is currently on the market.  High-performance concrete can crack within a few days as it shrinks and cures.  ZERO-C has resisted cracking for more than 120 days after being poured. 

By Janet Cho, The Plain Dealer, Cleveland.com, May 27, 2010
http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2010/05/basf_in_beachwood_says_its_new.html

USGS Science Helps Disaster-Struck Communities Understand Flash Flooding

Over 20 people died in a flash flood on June 11 along the Little Missouri River in Southwest Arkansas, in which waters rose over 20 feet in just five hours.  The USGS sent a team of scientists to study the flood and understand what happened and why. This information will help emergency management and the National Weather Service protect and educate the public on flash flooding, which are caused by intense storms that dump large amounts of rain in short periods of time.  Scientists are surveying the high water marks and the geometry of the river to run hydraulic models to estimate peak flow rates of the flood.

ScienceDaily, June 17, 2010
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100616135050.htm

Pictures: Arkansas Flash Flood Aftermath
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/06/photogalleries/100615-arkansas-flash-flood-flooding-nation-pictures/?source=email_gg#arkansas-flooding-little-missouri-minivan_21622_600x450.jpg

EPA Approves New York State’s List of Impaired Waters

The 2010 list of waters in New York State that are impaired or threatened by pollutants has been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  An impaired water body does not meet water quality standards and a threatened water body is expected to be impaired within two years.  The list is helpful in setting priorities for addressing water pollution.  The Clean Water Act requires states to assess and report on the quality of their waters every two years.  The Long Island’s South Shore Estuary, shore areas of Lake Ontairo, and water bodies contiguous with the lands of several Native American Nations were added to the 2010 list. 

For a complete list of impaired waters in New York state, visit http://www.epa.gov/region02/water/waterbodies.