A recently revived subsurface water retention technology could conserve water and drastically increase crop yields in arid landscapes with sandy soils like sub-Saharan Africa.
dams & reservoirs
Posted inEditors' Highlights
Hydropower and Bugs
Alpine hydropower plants commonly flush sediment that accumulates at intakes, but the associated rapid rise in discharge, turbidity, and streambed instability put aquatic insects at risk.
Posted inFeatures
Will Earth’s Grandest Canyon Keep Getting Grander?
Living in Geologic Time: Rafting through the past, present, and future of the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon.
Posted inNews
Historic Solutions to Sea Level Rise May Help Modern Communities
Earthen mounds helped ancient Dutch settlers thrive in coastal flood zones. Could historical engineering help us fight against rising seas?
Posted inNews
Where Did All the Free-Flowing Rivers Go?
A map of the world’s free-flowing rivers shows a shrinking number can still meander as they please. New plans for hydropower will further constrain flow.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Modeling River Boulders to Improve Hydropower Sustainability
Large stones in streams provide crucial habitat for fish. Modeling the boulders and streamflow offers fresh insights into how water engineering projects alter aquatic habitats.
Posted inScience Updates
When Floods Cross Borders, Satellite Data Can Help
With so many eyes in the sky, residents living downstream from dams now have many ways to see—and prepare for—potential dangers.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Small Wetlands Retain Lion’s Share of Nutrients
Still-water ecosystems are key to combating explosive algae growth.
Posted inNews
Key House Member Makes a Conservative's Case for Water Projects
The White House and Democrats want to see an infrastructure package move through Congress. One House subcommittee chairman intends to make sure that water resource projects are part of the plan.
Posted inScience Updates
International Effort Tackles Landslide Hazards to Keep the Peace
Earth scientists work with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to help keep a border-straddling hydroelectric power plant on the Black Sea coast safe from landslides.