Ecohydrology
Ecohydrology
Effects of Abandoned Coal Mine Drainage
on habitat and vulnerable species in the New River Gorge
on habitat and vulnerable species in the New River Gorge
Stream Restoration Research in Reston, Virginia
Hydrologic, Water-Quality, and Ecological Monitoring and Analysis
Hydrologic, Water-Quality, and Ecological Monitoring and Analysis
Ecohydrology: the study of the interactions between water, organisms, and the surrounding environment.
Water is critical to all life, and many species are highly sensitive to changes in water quality and water availability. Below you can browse studies focused on water and its relationship with the surrounding ecosystem.
Filter Total Items: 7
Effects of Abandoned Coal Mine Drainage in the New River Gorge
Many abandoned historic mines surround the New River Gorge. Untreated water draining from these mines has the potential to alter the temperature and water quality of nearby creeks and rivers. Remediation and restoration has been proposed for many of these abandoned mines. However, the cold water seeping out of these mines may also create wetland areas along the flat mine benches which were cut...
Wastewater reuse may be detrimental to smallmouth bass abundance in the Shenandoah River Watershed
Issue: Municipal and industrial wastewater effluent is an important source of water for streams and rivers, especially during periods of low flow. The reuse of wastewater effluent may become even more important if climate change exacerbates low streamflow and drought conditions. However, wastewater effluent often contains chemicals that, when chronically present, can affect the health of aquatic...
Hydrologic, Water-Quality, and Ecological Monitoring and Analysis to Support Stream Restoration Research in Reston, Virginia
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Resource Protection Group, Inc. is partnering with Reston Association to monitor the hydrology, water-quality, and ecology of two restored urban streams in Reston, Virginia – Snakeden Branch and The Glade. A combination of continuous and discrete hydrologic and water-quality data are collected to evaluate stream conditions and estimate sediment and...
River Continuum Concept Ecological Limit Functions for Fish and Benthic Data in Virginia
The ecological limit functions (ELF) developed in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) are a graphical representation of the current and historical state of aquatic biota in Virginia streams. The goal of this study was to quantify the potential species richness and habitat response to flow alteration using available long-term ecological data. Fish and benthic...
Hydrologic and Water-Quality Factors Affecting Habitat Restoration and Management of the Great Dismal Swamp
The objectives of this study are to identify 1) the relations between water levels in the ditches and groundwater levels near the ditches and in the interior of the Blocks, 2) possible relations between groundwater levels and tree growth rates, and 3) current nutrient chemistry and possible nutrient transport pathways in these wetlands.
Clinch River Water Quality and Mussel Health
The Clinch and Powell Rivers flowing from southwestern Virginia through parts of East Tennessee support unique and nationally significant endemic and endangered populations of fresh-water mussels and other aquatic fauna. Surveys of mussel and fish community structure over past decades have shown a pattern of decline throughout the Powell River and on parts of the upper Clinch that have suggested a...
Shenandoah River Instream Flow Studies
As urban and rural growth continues, competition for clean water expands into stream areas previously capable of meeting local water-use demands. Conflicts among instream and offstream users of streamflow increase as flows decrease. This research enhances understanding of summer low-flow conditions in the North Fork, South Fork, and Shenandoah Rivers, relating water availability to physical...