MS, Kent State University, 2023, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Geography

The Colorado River supplies water for over 40 million people throughout the North American Southwest, a region that has experienced prolonged stress on water resources for more than two decades. Through the lens of critical physical geography, this research synthesizes a physical and social science approach to explicate the many human and physical distinctions that are fueling the overuse of this waterway. The Southwest region economically benefits from settler colonialism yet lacks inclusivity of access to natural resources, including water. An investigation into the intricate dynamics of land use, water policy, and climate change in the Colorado River Basin provides a holistic understanding of environmental and climate disparities gripping parts of the region. Mixed-methods consisting of a correlation and trend analysis, along with a policy analysis, were employed to identify these evolving issues. Hydroclimatological patterns over the 1956-2022 period reveal disconcerting trends, further aggravating water supply. Historical water policies from 1922-1968 demonstrate their misalignment with evolving river dynamics and contribute to inequities in resource allocation. By extracting historic to modern-day climate and adaptation data, the evidence of this study leads to the conclusion that previous and modern-day policy not only is unsuitable to withstand the future of climate-induced changes to the hydrologic health of the river, but the impact of water scarcity faced by Indigenous communities across the North American Southwest could persist. The study emphasizes the ongoing importance for policies to be more attuned to the shifting climate and landscape while ensuring equitable resource access for all.

Committee: Chris Post (Advisor); Scott Sheridan (Committee Member); Rebecca Parylak Ruthrauff (Committee Member) Subjects: American History; Climate Change; Environmental Justice; Environmental Studies; Geography; Hydrology; Land Use Planning; Public Policy; Water Resource Management

Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2018, Civil Engineering (Engineering and Technology)

The Yaqui River Basin (YRB) is located in the semi-arid state of Sonora in northwest Mexico. This watershed flow is controlled by three reservoirs: Angostura, Novillo, and Oviachic. In order to assess and improve the management of the Yaqui reservoir system, a daily reservoir operation model was developed. This model is composed of a semi-distributed daily watershed simulation combined with an optimization model. The hydrologic simulation was developed using the Hydrologic Modeling System (HEC-HMS) developed by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Hydrologic Engineering Center. This simulation framework can estimate the water availability in different regions of the watershed. The HEC-HMS model was integrated to a nonlinear optimization model that estimates the water allocation in order to satisfy the competing water demands from different users according to water rights established in Mexico's National Water Law. The optimization model is developed using the General Algebraic Modeling System (GAMS). The communication between HEC-HMS and GAMS was completely automated via Python scripts for time efficiency reasons. Different hydrological forcing (precipitation, temperature, and solar radiation) scenarios were applied to the HEC-HMS simulation: (1) a network of daily ground observations from Mexican water agencies during the historical period of 1990-2010, (2) gridded fields from the North America Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS) at 12 km resolution during the same simulation period, and (3) bias corrected NLDAS fields. The NLDAS forcing and bias corrected NLDAS performed better for Angostura and Novillo whereas ground observation datasets provided the best simulation for Oviachic. The simulated reservoir releases were compared to ideal releases at the three reservoirs to generate confidence in the simulation tools. It was concluded that authorized water allocation is unable to satisfy all users' demands. The simulated water allocation satisfied these demand (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Daniel Che (Advisor); Guy Riefler (Committee Member); Agustin Robles-Morua (Committee Member); Derek Kauneckis (Committee Member) Subjects: Agricultural Economics; Agricultural Engineering; Atmosphere; Atmospheric Sciences; Civil Engineering; Computer Science; Engineering; Environmental Engineering; Environmental Science; Hydrologic Sciences; Hydrology; Operations Research; Sustainability; Water Resource Management

Master of Environmental Science, Miami University, 2014, Environmental Sciences

The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) was organized in 1948 to direct the coordination and action of water quality improvement within the Ohio River Basin (ORB). Numerous monitoring programs were developed to implement this intent, with focus on conducting biological assessments, assessing chemical and physical attributes of waterways, setting wastewater discharge standards, and promoting volunteer monitoring programs. During a 2013 field season internship, environmental specialists monitored ORB water sources through biological, water quality, and water resource programs. Results from these programs indicate the entire Ohio River "partially supports" fish consumption use, two-thirds of the Ohio River is "impaired" for contact recreation use support, rivers and streams should be evaluated on a national scale, and ORB water resources may be at risk from climate change effects. Observed trends will supply policy makers with information to make wise decisions that effectively manage, restore, and protect waters within the ORB.

Committee: Jonathan Levy Ph.D. (Advisor); Thomas Crist Ph.D. (Committee Member); Donna McCollum Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Biology; Chemistry; Environmental Science; Water Resource Management

Master of Environmental Science, Miami University, 2004, Environmental Sciences

I participated in two different internships. During my first internship, I conducted forest pest management research for the Department of Entomology at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia. I researched the growth response of eastern hemlocks, Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carr, to populations of hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), Adelgis tsugae Annand (Homoptera: Adelgidae). HWA density was compared to radial growth and new shoot growth of infested eastern hemlocks. Linear regression analyses showed statistically significant negative relationships between HWA density measurements and the difference in basal area increment from the previous year (2001) and the sampled year (2002), and between HWA density measurements and numbers of new shoots sampled. My second internship was in the Resource Stewardship division of the Tennessee Valley Authority, Chattanooga, Tennessee. I participated in watershed project management and planning meetings, conducted web-based research on watershed water quality and urban growth management techniques, and helped develop a management tracking tool.

Committee: Gene Willeke (Advisor) Subjects:

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 1976, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects:

Master of Environmental Science, Miami University, 2017, Environmental Sciences

A watershed management plan was created for the Lower East Fork watershed in 2003 by the Clermont Soil and Water Conservation District. Watershed management plans describe the condition of water resources within a watershed and outline problems and solutions for improving impaired resources. The Ohio EPA conducted a biological study on the Lower East Fork Little Miami River and select tributaries in 2012. To fulfill the requirements of Miami University's Master of Environmental Science degree, I accepted a practicum to update Chapter 4 (Water Resource Quality) of the Lower East Fork Watershed Management Plan. This has given me the opportunity to become familiar with the many components of watershed management and assessment, which is very useful for future career goals.

Committee: Vincent Hand PhD (Advisor); Melany Fisk PhD (Committee Member); Robbyn Abbitt (Committee Member) Subjects: Environmental Science; Water Resource Management; Wildlife Conservation

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 1980, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects: Political Science

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 1978, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects: Education

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 1977, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects: Education

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 1974, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects: Sociology

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 1971, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects: Sociology

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 1957, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects: Economics

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2016, Geography

The glaciers of the Cordillera Blanca Peru are rapidly retreating as a result of climate change, altering the timing, quantity and quality of water available to downstream users. Changes in water availability have serious implications for ecosystems, human livelihoods and regional economies. This dissertation investigates spatiotemporal changes in the glacier hydrologic system of the Cordillera Blanca Peru. It includes three major components. First, I develop multispectral unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and kite platforms capable of operating at over 5000m in mountain regions. Secondly, I deploy these platforms to investigate processes of glacier change and surface/subsurface hydrology within the glacial valleys of the Cordillera Blanca. Finally, I integrate UAV datasets with traditional field hydrology to improve our understanding of the spatiotemporal variability in soil moisture and its role in moderating groundwater storage within the Cordillera Blanca. I designed and deployed UAVs on multiple missions at over 5000masl in the Cordillera Blanca, Peru. After describing the UAV design in Chapter 2, this dissertation reports on results of four studies that utilise the UAV to address research questions within the region. Chapter 3 comprehensively assesses the accuracy of photogrammetrically derived structure from motion (SfM) digital elevation models (DEMs), by quantitatively and qualitatively comparing the data against surveyed GPS positions and LiDAR DEMs. Finding that accuracy is as good if not superior to low density LiDAR, with the high density SfM point clouds retaining unique surface details. Chapter 4 investigates the dynamics of glacier change over the debris covered Llaca glacier. I document the importance of debris cover and surface features such as ice cliffs in controlling melt rates. Average glacier downwasting is 0.75m over one year but is highly heterogeneous. Ice cliff horizontal recession rates of up to 25m annual were measured illustrating the i (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Bryan Mark PhD (Advisor); Darla Munroe PhD (Committee Member); Michael Durand PhD (Committee Member); Liu Desheng PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Geography; Geomorphology; Hydrologic Sciences; Hydrology; Physical Geography; Remote Sensing; Robotics; Soil Sciences; Technology; Water Resource Management

Master of Science (MS), Wright State University, 2016, Earth and Environmental Sciences

The purposes of the following studies were to investigate natural and human influences on several spatial and temporal aspects of a local and regional environment. The decreasing discharge rate of the ground water supplied Yellow Spring may be caused by the increase in population of the nearby Village of Yellow Springs, Ohio. Periodic measurements of Yellow Spring's discharge rate compared to changes in the town's population showed an inverse relationship, where spring discharge declined as population grew. A sharp decrease in discharge occurred during a period when the spring's facade was modified and an airport was built partially overlying the spring's recharge area. These events are believed to have had a greater impact on spring discharge rate than changing population because discharge rate remained relatively constant after its sharp decline, while population began to decline. Aquifer volume change was determined by calculating the volume difference between decadal average water tables that were modeled with ArcMap from water well depth to water measurements and LiDAR elevation data. Counterintuitively, aquifer volume generally increased with population then fell sharply as the population gradually decreased. A slight increase in aquifer volume after withdrawal wells were installed suggests that human consumption had little impact on aquifer volume. When compared to the average Palmer Hydrological Drought Index, aquifer volume generally lowered during dry periods, and rose during wet periods. Minor variations in climate can greatly impact aquifer volume because precipitation only needed to have decreased by 0.26 percent over a 40 year period to account for the lowest calculated aquifer volume. Determining the composition and spatial extent of land uses through land use classification increases our understanding of processes that are harmful to the environment. Because of LiDAR's high spatial resolution, the ability to classify marginally rural land uses (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Doyle Watts Ph.D. (Advisor); Songlin Cheng Ph.D. (Committee Member); Abinash Agrawal Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Environmental Science; Geography; Hydrology; Information Systems; Physical Geography; Remote Sensing

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2014, Geography

Climate change will impact hydrological systems worldwide, and human societies will face increasing water resource vulnerabilities as a result. One key concern is the potential downstream impact of glacier recession in the world's tropical and temperate mountains. For communities at the foot of Ecuador's ice-capped volcanoes, glacial meltwater is a potentially important component of irrigation supply, and residents observe the region's rapidly retreating glaciers with mounting concern. In this dissertation, I present results from a uniquely integrative study examining the relationships among glacier retreat, hydrological change and water resource insecurity at Volcan Chimborazo. Combining remote sensing analyses, direct hydrological measurements, climate data analyses, and detailed household surveys, I report on the recent rate of glacier shrinkage, the role of glacial meltwater in the local hydrological system, the increasing insufficiency of water entering local irrigation systems, and the livelihood adaptations made necessary by increasing water stress. Results show that while Chimborazo lost 21% ± 9% of its glacier area between 1986 and 2013, each of Chimborazo's glacierized watersheds is a groundwater-dominated system. Even in the upper Rio Mocha, the only catchment where glacier meltwater is a regular component of surface runoff, glaciers generally directly contribute only ~5% of total discharge. There are indications of strong linkages between glacier meltwater and groundwater discharge, however, and this merits further investigation. Still, water stress is a prominent factor driving widespread local perceptions of reduced socio-economic well-being in recent decades. While instrumental records document a local warming trend of 0.11°C per decade since 1986, they do not indicate a shift in local precipitation patterns. However, local farmers are nearly unanimous in their perception that precipitation has decreased, and the spatial patterns of glacier change (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Bryan Mark (Advisor); Michael Durand (Committee Member); W. Berry Lyons (Committee Member); Kendra McSweeney (Committee Member); Ellen Mosley-Thompson (Committee Member) Subjects: Climate Change; Geography; Hydrology; Latin American Studies; Physical Geography; Water Resource Management

MCP, University of Cincinnati, 2013, Design, Architecture, Art and Planning: Community Planning

This thesis identifies water-related problems that Mahasarakham Province, Thailand faces and the correlation between water and land use. Natural hazards are inevitable, and they ruin properties and cause changes to natural features. Two ways that the Thai government acts to mitigate their impact is to create or implement both structural and non-structural plans, but it heavily focuses on the first. The structural measures do not always relieve water-related problems. However, the non-structural measures can at least mitigate the effects posed on water resources. Land use and water resources are interconnected. One cannot separate one from another. Thus, this thesis also proposes an integrated water and land use plan that regulates the patterns of land use and prohibit certain uses at the national and local level. The proposed plan will help people better understand the interaction of land use and water resources.

Committee: David Edelman Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Christopher Auffrey Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Urban Planning

MCP, University of Cincinnati, 2006, Design, Architecture, Art and Planning : Community Planning

The islands of Santorini, Greece, experience a shortage in sustainable water supply due to an arid climate and tourist economy. Current conditions include saltwater intrusion in groundwater, reliance on imported water for drinking, a lack of widespread seawater desalination, inequitable pricing, and decreasing use of rainwater harvesting. Santorini has a sustainable water supply estimated at just over 1 million m3/year and an estimated demand of 2.4 million m3/year, leaving a deficit of 1.4 million m3/year produce in a sustainable manner. A large implementation of reverse osmosis seawater desalination can provide for Santorini a more sustainable supply. Two scenarios for implementation are presented, both with an additional capacity of 1.8 million m3/year, installation of storage tanks for backup supply, and a suitable pricing system. The second of these would also use wind energy and an advanced desalination technology that also produces salt to lower environmental impact.

Committee: Carla Chifos (Advisor) Subjects:

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2010, Geological Sciences

Issues of water unsustainability with respect to future energy projections are discussed in order to enhance our understanding of the feedback loop between water and energy and explore potential approaches to meet future energy needs without compromising water resources. Energy projections to 2050 from the International Energy Agency (IEA) are compiled, modified, and then used to model-calculate operational water requirements for electric-power generation. Water withdrawal statistics from the U.S. Geological Survey are used as model validation. Results show that the water needed for power generation in 2050 is expected to be much greater than current (2007) demands, whether in a carbon mitigating energy setting (average global increase of operational water withdrawal of 107%) due to the use of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, or a setting where energy policy remains “business-as-usual” (average global increases of 158%) because of the high water demand of thermoelectric power plants. In order to determine what future action would be most beneficial, a sensitivity analysis is performed to examine what factors of power generation have the greatest potential to alter future water needs. Analysis indicates that if a global average of 77.7% of coal, natural gas, and biomass power plants are equipped with CCS by 2050 (following IEA's future projection), then operational water withdrawal and consumption will respectively be 66% and 32% greater than in an equivalent energy scenario without CCS. The sensitivity analysis also shows that the most effective (and feasible) potential methods to combat these future increases in water needs from CCS are through the implementation (or modified use) of four fundamental factors of power generation. These include (1) the use of closed-loop cooling towers and not open-loop cooling at thermoelectric power plants, (2) the use of combined cycle technology at all coal and natural gas power plants, especially those being installe (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Motomu Ibaraki PhD (Advisor); Frank Schwartz PhD (Committee Member); Garry McKenzie PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Energy; Geology; Hydrology

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2002, Sociology

The politics of fresh water in international contexts are becoming increasingly contentious. This study analyzes the effects of development, demographics and ecological factors on international disputes over water. From a human ecology approach, I develop a model of water conflict that examines the extent to which population growth and density, urbanization, water scarcity and degradation, social organization, inequitable distribution of water, social inequality, and trade affect the likelihood of conflict over water. Using water event data from the Basins at Risk section of the Transboundary Freshwater Dispute Database (Wolf 1998; Yoffe 2002) and ordinary least squares regression modeling, I tested hypotheses that specified predictors of international water conflict and cooperation. Field notes from a case study of the international dispute between Slovakia and Hungary were also analyzed. The results of the analysis indicate that, of demographic predictors, population density has the clearest and most consistent association with international water conflict and cooperation. Countries with higher population densities have more frequent international water interactions of a more conflictual nature. Population growth and urbanization are also found to be associated with water conflict in various predicted ways. Indicators of development tend to be associated with reduced levels of international water conflict, however, in the case of international inequality of development, water conflict is more likely. Among environmental factors, several indicators of water degradation and depletion were associated with an increase in the level of international water conflict, however these findings were somewhat inconsistent. Inequality in terms of the amount of internally available water was consistently associated with higher levels of conflict. A surprising and counterintuitive finding is that countries that sign international water treaties continue to have water events of a c (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Kazimierz Slomczynski (Advisor) Subjects:

Master of Environmental Science, Miami University, 2012, Environmental Sciences

As an M.En. candidate in Miami University's Institute for the Environment and Sustainability (IES) program, I worked as an intern at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Illinois Water Science Center in Urbana, Illinois. What started as outreach activities later grew to encompass GIS editing and fieldwork. Accordingly, my primary duties involved data communication, data processing, and data collection. I was able to participate in projects ranging from invasive species management research to water resource demonstrations at schools. All projects served to fulfill the agency's mission to collect objective data about the Nation's natural resources. This multi-faceted internship allowed me to explore the many sides of environmental science in a professional context. In working with scientists of different disciplines, I grew to appreciate the interdisciplinary approach to problem solving so central to IES.

Committee: Dr. Mary Henry (Advisor); Dr. Qingshun Quinn Li (Committee Member); Dr. Sandra Woy-Hazleton (Committee Member) Subjects: Environmental Education; Environmental Science; Geographic Information Science