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CAP Future of Aquatic Flows Cohort (2022-24)

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By Climate Adaptation Science Centers December 1, 2021

The 2022-2024 Climate Adaptation Postdoctoral (CAP) Fellows cohort will explore how climate change is altering aquatic flows in streams and rivers across the country and how climate can be integrated into aquatic ecosystem management.

About

In ecosystems characterized by flowing water, such as rivers and streams, the dynamics of how the water moves - how deep it is, how fast it flows, how often it floods - have direct effects on the health, diversity, and sustainability of underlying communities. Yet increasingly, climate extremes like droughts and floods are disrupting fragile stream ecosystems by specifically changing their internal aquatic flows. Human infrastructure, such as irrigation and dams, further disrupt these dynamics, leading federal and state agencies to develop environmental flow standards to protect the Nation's aquatic ecosystems. 

The 2022-2024 "Future of Aquatic Flows" cohort of the Climate Adaptation Postdoctoral Fellows (CAP Fellows) Program will explore how climate change contributes to changes in aquatic flows across the nation, how these changes will affect the long-term sustainability of ecosystems, and how climate can be integrated into establishing and maintaining environmental flow standards. Fellows situated at each of the nine regional CASCs will work with USGS, university, and regional partners to conduct research directly applicable to regional management priorities relating to aquatic flows. The fellows will also work with each other on a national synthesis project on the topic and participate in professional development training on conducting management-focused research.

Media
Postdocs, mentors, and CASC staff posing as a group on a sunny patio, with mountains in the background
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Postdoctoral researchers, faculty mentors, and CASC staff participating in the Future of Aquatic Flows cohort of the Climate Adaptation Postdoctoral (CAP) Fellows Program met for their first in-person workshop in August 2023. The workshop was held in Santa Barbara, California. 

From right to left: Madeleine Rubenstein (USGS National CASC), Will Farmer (USGS Northeast CASC), Richard Palmer (University of Massachusetts Amhurst, Emeritus), Kostas Andreadis (University of Massachusetts Amhurst), Michelle Baker (Utah State University), Jennifer Koch (University of Oklahoma), Charlotte Lee (North Carolina State University), Jay Wimhurst (University of Oklahoma), Yog Aryal (Indiana University), Farah Nusrat (Utah State University), Holly Barnard (University of Colorado Boulder), Jenny Pensky (University of Colorado Boulder), Megan Behnke (University of Alaska Southeast), Jackson Valler (USGS National CASC), Shawn Carter (USGS National CASC), Jason Fellman (University of Alaska Southeast). 

 

Future of Aquatic Flows Projects

The CAP Fellows Program is supported through the National CASC supported project "Future of Aquatic Flows: Towards a National Synthesis of Streamflow Regimes Under a Changing Climate." 

CASC   Project TitlePrincipal Investigator(s)LocationFellow
North CentralFuture of hydrologic flow in the NC CASC: Towards a synthesis
of changing hydrology under increasing climate change and
disturbance pressures 		Holly BarnardUniversity of Colorado BoulderJenny Pensky
Pacific IslandsFill the knowledge gaps: Extreme weather driven changes in
flow regime and their impacts on amphidromous species in
Hawaiian streams		Yinphan Tsang University of Hawai’i at ManoaArman Haddadchi
AlaskaImpacts of cryospheric change on aquatic flows and freshwater
habitat quality for Pacific salmon and coastal communities 

Ryan Toohey

Jason Fellman 

University of Alaska Megan Behnke
South CentralMesoscale socio-environmental systems modeling of water
availability across the Mississippi River Basin 		Jennifer KochUniversity of Oklahoma Jay Wimhurst
NorthwestAssessment of the variability in modeled representation of low
and no flow conditions and implications for management
decision support tools 

Guillaume Mauger

Lejo Flores

Kendra Kaiser

University of Washington Adam Price
SouthwestEndangered streams: building strong and authentic bridges
between science and practice to understand impacts of future
water flows on aquatic ecosystems 		Michelle BakerUtah State UniversityFarah Nusrat
SoutheastFuture of aquatic flows: Exploring changes in the
freshwater/saltwater interface and its impacts to aquatic species 		Natalie NelsonNorth Carolina State UniversityCharlotte Lee
NortheastA data-driven framework to inform projections of aquatic flows 
in the Northeast 		Kostas AndreadisUniversity of Massachusetts, Amherst  
MidwestExploring changes in rain-on-snow events and their influence on
future streamflows, stream temperatures, and management
priorities in the Great Lakes Basin		Darren FicklinIndiana UniversityYog Aryal

 

 

<< Return to the CAP Fellows Program
High coastal arctic bluff with broken chunks, some that are ready to fall into the crashing waves, and some that have fallen.

Future of Aquatic Flows: Impacts of Cryospheric Change on Aquatic Flows and Freshwater Habitat Quality for Fish and Communities

High latitude northern ecosystems are currently warming twice as fast as the global average. Over the last several decades, this has caused dramatic losses of frozen area in the Arctic and sub-Arctic. However, it is unclear how melting coastal mountain glaciers, thawing permafrost, and declines in snowpack will affect the quality of freshwater habitat for culturally and economically...
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
Future of Aquatic Flows: Impacts of Cryospheric Change on Aquatic Flows and Freshwater Habitat Quality for Fish and Communities

Future of Aquatic Flows: Impacts of Cryospheric Change on Aquatic Flows and Freshwater Habitat Quality for Fish and Communities

High latitude northern ecosystems are currently warming twice as fast as the global average. Over the last several decades, this has caused dramatic losses of frozen area in the Arctic and sub-Arctic. However, it is unclear how melting coastal mountain glaciers, thawing permafrost, and declines in snowpack will affect the quality of freshwater habitat for culturally and economically important
Learn More
A photograph of tidal marsh of the Columbia River estuary, Oregon.

Future of Aquatic Flows: Exploring Changes in the Freshwater/Saltwater Interface and Related Impacts to Aquatic Species

Coastal ecosystems are uniquely vulnerable to changes in the quantity and quality of freshwater discharge. With a warming climate, changes in freshwater discharge into estuaries will interact with rising sea levels. Natural resource managers in coastal areas are looking for guidance on the potential impacts and vulnerabilities to better manage the risks to aquatic species and habitats...
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
Future of Aquatic Flows: Exploring Changes in the Freshwater/Saltwater Interface and Related Impacts to Aquatic Species

Future of Aquatic Flows: Exploring Changes in the Freshwater/Saltwater Interface and Related Impacts to Aquatic Species

Coastal ecosystems are uniquely vulnerable to changes in the quantity and quality of freshwater discharge. With a warming climate, changes in freshwater discharge into estuaries will interact with rising sea levels. Natural resource managers in coastal areas are looking for guidance on the potential impacts and vulnerabilities to better manage the risks to aquatic species and habitats, and to
Learn More
Goose Island, Mississippi River, Wisconsin

Future of Aquatic Flows in the South Central U.S.: Toward Sustainable Water Management in the Mississippi River Basin

The greater Mississippi River Basin (MRB) is the largest river basin in North America and the fourth largest basin in the world. The MRB encompasses 24 terrestrial ecosystems, providing habitat for 100 species of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians Its floodplain supports 40% of the waterfowl and wading birds in North America, and the MRB’s rivers transport 40% of the nation’s total...
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
Future of Aquatic Flows in the South Central U.S.: Toward Sustainable Water Management in the Mississippi River Basin

Future of Aquatic Flows in the South Central U.S.: Toward Sustainable Water Management in the Mississippi River Basin

The greater Mississippi River Basin (MRB) is the largest river basin in North America and the fourth largest basin in the world. The MRB encompasses 24 terrestrial ecosystems, providing habitat for 100 species of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians Its floodplain supports 40% of the waterfowl and wading birds in North America, and the MRB’s rivers transport 40% of the nation’s total exports. Dozens
Learn More
a stream runs over large rocks down a small slope in an evergreen forest

Future of Aquatic Flows: Endangered streams: Understanding misalignments between aquatic flows and management strategies to inform adaptation efforts

Stream flow is directly tied to climate, and numerous studies provide substantial evidence that climate change is a threat to future aquatic water flow processes. In the southwestern United States, mountain snow is a primary water source for streams and rivers. However, climate change is threatening the region's mountain snow, leading to reduced snowpack, earlier snowmelt, and more...
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
Future of Aquatic Flows: Endangered streams: Understanding misalignments between aquatic flows and management strategies to inform adaptation efforts

Future of Aquatic Flows: Endangered streams: Understanding misalignments between aquatic flows and management strategies to inform adaptation efforts

Stream flow is directly tied to climate, and numerous studies provide substantial evidence that climate change is a threat to future aquatic water flow processes. In the southwestern United States, mountain snow is a primary water source for streams and rivers. However, climate change is threatening the region's mountain snow, leading to reduced snowpack, earlier snowmelt, and more precipitation
Learn More
stream surrounded by water

Future of Aquatic Flows: A Data-driven Framework to Inform Projections of Aquatic Flows in the Northeast

As climate change is impacting water resources and aquatic ecosystems, there is a great need for natural resource managers to assess adaptation measures in a holistic manner. This can be done by integrating model predictions of climate, hydrology, and ecosystems with observational data to better refine estimates of conditions on-the-ground; however, it can be challenging to combine these...
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
Future of Aquatic Flows: A Data-driven Framework to Inform Projections of Aquatic Flows in the Northeast

Future of Aquatic Flows: A Data-driven Framework to Inform Projections of Aquatic Flows in the Northeast

As climate change is impacting water resources and aquatic ecosystems, there is a great need for natural resource managers to assess adaptation measures in a holistic manner. This can be done by integrating model predictions of climate, hydrology, and ecosystems with observational data to better refine estimates of conditions on-the-ground; however, it can be challenging to combine these different
Learn More
The Cle Elum River, a tributary of the Yakima River

Future of Aquatic Flows: Towards a National Synthesis of Streamflow Regimes Under a Changing Climate

In ecosystems characterized by flowing water, such as rivers and streams, the dynamics of how the water moves - how deep it is, how fast it flows, how often it floods - have direct effects on the underlying ecological communities. Yet increasingly, climate extremes like droughts and floods are disrupting fragile stream ecosystems by specifically changing their internal aquatic flows...
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
Future of Aquatic Flows: Towards a National Synthesis of Streamflow Regimes Under a Changing Climate

Future of Aquatic Flows: Towards a National Synthesis of Streamflow Regimes Under a Changing Climate

In ecosystems characterized by flowing water, such as rivers and streams, the dynamics of how the water moves - how deep it is, how fast it flows, how often it floods - have direct effects on the underlying ecological communities. Yet increasingly, climate extremes like droughts and floods are disrupting fragile stream ecosystems by specifically changing their internal aquatic flows. Human
Learn More

Madeleine Rubenstein

National Science Lead, National CASC
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
Phone
703-648-4072

Jackson B. Valler

Research Coordinator, National CASC
Climate Adaptation Science Centers

The 2022-2024 Climate Adaptation Postdoctoral (CAP) Fellows cohort will explore how climate change is altering aquatic flows in streams and rivers across the country and how climate can be integrated into aquatic ecosystem management.

About

In ecosystems characterized by flowing water, such as rivers and streams, the dynamics of how the water moves - how deep it is, how fast it flows, how often it floods - have direct effects on the health, diversity, and sustainability of underlying communities. Yet increasingly, climate extremes like droughts and floods are disrupting fragile stream ecosystems by specifically changing their internal aquatic flows. Human infrastructure, such as irrigation and dams, further disrupt these dynamics, leading federal and state agencies to develop environmental flow standards to protect the Nation's aquatic ecosystems. 

The 2022-2024 "Future of Aquatic Flows" cohort of the Climate Adaptation Postdoctoral Fellows (CAP Fellows) Program will explore how climate change contributes to changes in aquatic flows across the nation, how these changes will affect the long-term sustainability of ecosystems, and how climate can be integrated into establishing and maintaining environmental flow standards. Fellows situated at each of the nine regional CASCs will work with USGS, university, and regional partners to conduct research directly applicable to regional management priorities relating to aquatic flows. The fellows will also work with each other on a national synthesis project on the topic and participate in professional development training on conducting management-focused research.

Media
Postdocs, mentors, and CASC staff posing as a group on a sunny patio, with mountains in the background
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Postdoctoral researchers, faculty mentors, and CASC staff participating in the Future of Aquatic Flows cohort of the Climate Adaptation Postdoctoral (CAP) Fellows Program met for their first in-person workshop in August 2023. The workshop was held in Santa Barbara, California. 

From right to left: Madeleine Rubenstein (USGS National CASC), Will Farmer (USGS Northeast CASC), Richard Palmer (University of Massachusetts Amhurst, Emeritus), Kostas Andreadis (University of Massachusetts Amhurst), Michelle Baker (Utah State University), Jennifer Koch (University of Oklahoma), Charlotte Lee (North Carolina State University), Jay Wimhurst (University of Oklahoma), Yog Aryal (Indiana University), Farah Nusrat (Utah State University), Holly Barnard (University of Colorado Boulder), Jenny Pensky (University of Colorado Boulder), Megan Behnke (University of Alaska Southeast), Jackson Valler (USGS National CASC), Shawn Carter (USGS National CASC), Jason Fellman (University of Alaska Southeast). 

 

Future of Aquatic Flows Projects

The CAP Fellows Program is supported through the National CASC supported project "Future of Aquatic Flows: Towards a National Synthesis of Streamflow Regimes Under a Changing Climate." 

CASC   Project TitlePrincipal Investigator(s)LocationFellow
North CentralFuture of hydrologic flow in the NC CASC: Towards a synthesis
of changing hydrology under increasing climate change and
disturbance pressures 		Holly BarnardUniversity of Colorado BoulderJenny Pensky
Pacific IslandsFill the knowledge gaps: Extreme weather driven changes in
flow regime and their impacts on amphidromous species in
Hawaiian streams		Yinphan Tsang University of Hawai’i at ManoaArman Haddadchi
AlaskaImpacts of cryospheric change on aquatic flows and freshwater
habitat quality for Pacific salmon and coastal communities 

Ryan Toohey

Jason Fellman 

University of Alaska Megan Behnke
South CentralMesoscale socio-environmental systems modeling of water
availability across the Mississippi River Basin 		Jennifer KochUniversity of Oklahoma Jay Wimhurst
NorthwestAssessment of the variability in modeled representation of low
and no flow conditions and implications for management
decision support tools 

Guillaume Mauger

Lejo Flores

Kendra Kaiser

University of Washington Adam Price
SouthwestEndangered streams: building strong and authentic bridges
between science and practice to understand impacts of future
water flows on aquatic ecosystems 		Michelle BakerUtah State UniversityFarah Nusrat
SoutheastFuture of aquatic flows: Exploring changes in the
freshwater/saltwater interface and its impacts to aquatic species 		Natalie NelsonNorth Carolina State UniversityCharlotte Lee
NortheastA data-driven framework to inform projections of aquatic flows 
in the Northeast 		Kostas AndreadisUniversity of Massachusetts, Amherst  
MidwestExploring changes in rain-on-snow events and their influence on
future streamflows, stream temperatures, and management
priorities in the Great Lakes Basin		Darren FicklinIndiana UniversityYog Aryal

 

 

<< Return to the CAP Fellows Program
High coastal arctic bluff with broken chunks, some that are ready to fall into the crashing waves, and some that have fallen.

Future of Aquatic Flows: Impacts of Cryospheric Change on Aquatic Flows and Freshwater Habitat Quality for Fish and Communities

High latitude northern ecosystems are currently warming twice as fast as the global average. Over the last several decades, this has caused dramatic losses of frozen area in the Arctic and sub-Arctic. However, it is unclear how melting coastal mountain glaciers, thawing permafrost, and declines in snowpack will affect the quality of freshwater habitat for culturally and economically...
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
Future of Aquatic Flows: Impacts of Cryospheric Change on Aquatic Flows and Freshwater Habitat Quality for Fish and Communities

Future of Aquatic Flows: Impacts of Cryospheric Change on Aquatic Flows and Freshwater Habitat Quality for Fish and Communities

High latitude northern ecosystems are currently warming twice as fast as the global average. Over the last several decades, this has caused dramatic losses of frozen area in the Arctic and sub-Arctic. However, it is unclear how melting coastal mountain glaciers, thawing permafrost, and declines in snowpack will affect the quality of freshwater habitat for culturally and economically important
Learn More
A photograph of tidal marsh of the Columbia River estuary, Oregon.

Future of Aquatic Flows: Exploring Changes in the Freshwater/Saltwater Interface and Related Impacts to Aquatic Species

Coastal ecosystems are uniquely vulnerable to changes in the quantity and quality of freshwater discharge. With a warming climate, changes in freshwater discharge into estuaries will interact with rising sea levels. Natural resource managers in coastal areas are looking for guidance on the potential impacts and vulnerabilities to better manage the risks to aquatic species and habitats...
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
Future of Aquatic Flows: Exploring Changes in the Freshwater/Saltwater Interface and Related Impacts to Aquatic Species

Future of Aquatic Flows: Exploring Changes in the Freshwater/Saltwater Interface and Related Impacts to Aquatic Species

Coastal ecosystems are uniquely vulnerable to changes in the quantity and quality of freshwater discharge. With a warming climate, changes in freshwater discharge into estuaries will interact with rising sea levels. Natural resource managers in coastal areas are looking for guidance on the potential impacts and vulnerabilities to better manage the risks to aquatic species and habitats, and to
Learn More
Goose Island, Mississippi River, Wisconsin

Future of Aquatic Flows in the South Central U.S.: Toward Sustainable Water Management in the Mississippi River Basin

The greater Mississippi River Basin (MRB) is the largest river basin in North America and the fourth largest basin in the world. The MRB encompasses 24 terrestrial ecosystems, providing habitat for 100 species of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians Its floodplain supports 40% of the waterfowl and wading birds in North America, and the MRB’s rivers transport 40% of the nation’s total...
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
Future of Aquatic Flows in the South Central U.S.: Toward Sustainable Water Management in the Mississippi River Basin

Future of Aquatic Flows in the South Central U.S.: Toward Sustainable Water Management in the Mississippi River Basin

The greater Mississippi River Basin (MRB) is the largest river basin in North America and the fourth largest basin in the world. The MRB encompasses 24 terrestrial ecosystems, providing habitat for 100 species of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians Its floodplain supports 40% of the waterfowl and wading birds in North America, and the MRB’s rivers transport 40% of the nation’s total exports. Dozens
Learn More
a stream runs over large rocks down a small slope in an evergreen forest

Future of Aquatic Flows: Endangered streams: Understanding misalignments between aquatic flows and management strategies to inform adaptation efforts

Stream flow is directly tied to climate, and numerous studies provide substantial evidence that climate change is a threat to future aquatic water flow processes. In the southwestern United States, mountain snow is a primary water source for streams and rivers. However, climate change is threatening the region's mountain snow, leading to reduced snowpack, earlier snowmelt, and more...
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
Future of Aquatic Flows: Endangered streams: Understanding misalignments between aquatic flows and management strategies to inform adaptation efforts

Future of Aquatic Flows: Endangered streams: Understanding misalignments between aquatic flows and management strategies to inform adaptation efforts

Stream flow is directly tied to climate, and numerous studies provide substantial evidence that climate change is a threat to future aquatic water flow processes. In the southwestern United States, mountain snow is a primary water source for streams and rivers. However, climate change is threatening the region's mountain snow, leading to reduced snowpack, earlier snowmelt, and more precipitation
Learn More
stream surrounded by water

Future of Aquatic Flows: A Data-driven Framework to Inform Projections of Aquatic Flows in the Northeast

As climate change is impacting water resources and aquatic ecosystems, there is a great need for natural resource managers to assess adaptation measures in a holistic manner. This can be done by integrating model predictions of climate, hydrology, and ecosystems with observational data to better refine estimates of conditions on-the-ground; however, it can be challenging to combine these...
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
Future of Aquatic Flows: A Data-driven Framework to Inform Projections of Aquatic Flows in the Northeast

Future of Aquatic Flows: A Data-driven Framework to Inform Projections of Aquatic Flows in the Northeast

As climate change is impacting water resources and aquatic ecosystems, there is a great need for natural resource managers to assess adaptation measures in a holistic manner. This can be done by integrating model predictions of climate, hydrology, and ecosystems with observational data to better refine estimates of conditions on-the-ground; however, it can be challenging to combine these different
Learn More
The Cle Elum River, a tributary of the Yakima River

Future of Aquatic Flows: Towards a National Synthesis of Streamflow Regimes Under a Changing Climate

In ecosystems characterized by flowing water, such as rivers and streams, the dynamics of how the water moves - how deep it is, how fast it flows, how often it floods - have direct effects on the underlying ecological communities. Yet increasingly, climate extremes like droughts and floods are disrupting fragile stream ecosystems by specifically changing their internal aquatic flows...
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
Future of Aquatic Flows: Towards a National Synthesis of Streamflow Regimes Under a Changing Climate

Future of Aquatic Flows: Towards a National Synthesis of Streamflow Regimes Under a Changing Climate

In ecosystems characterized by flowing water, such as rivers and streams, the dynamics of how the water moves - how deep it is, how fast it flows, how often it floods - have direct effects on the underlying ecological communities. Yet increasingly, climate extremes like droughts and floods are disrupting fragile stream ecosystems by specifically changing their internal aquatic flows. Human
Learn More

Madeleine Rubenstein

National Science Lead, National CASC
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
Phone
703-648-4072

Jackson B. Valler

Research Coordinator, National CASC
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
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