Scientists find shocking changes in global river flooding
UC study examines changing river flows around the world
CNN highlighted a study by an environmental engineer at the University of Cincinnati who tracked changes in river flows in waterways around the world.
UC College of Engineering and Applied Science Assistant Professor Dongmei Feng and her research partner, Colin Gleason at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, mapped the flow of water in nearly 3 million rivers, creeks and streams for the past 35 years and discovered more water flowing in upstream headwaters and decreasing flows downstream where more people live.
The study published in the journal Science identified an increase in catastrophic floods known as 100-year floods in upstream waters over the last 35 years.
Researchers found significant declines in water flow in 44% of downstream sections of rivers and significant increases in 17% of upstream sections.
These changes can have profound effects on navigability, pollution, portability and even hydroelectric power. More sedimentation can cut off water flow to dams and damage turbines.
“We found that the rivers around the world are changing,” said Feng, the study’s lead author, who teaches environmental engineering at UC.
More UC environmental engineering in the news
Workers dig a new monitoring well at UC's groundwater observatory on the banks of the Great Miami River. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand
- Courthouse News Service: New study discovers major changes in global river flows
- El Mundo: (Spain) The flow of 17% of world's rivers has surged in upper reaches, causing major floods
- Welt der Physik: (Germany) Rivers in Transition
Related Stories
Driven by curiosity, guided by care
May 14, 2026
Max Wilson, a University of Cincinnati College of Allied Health Sciences health sciences major on the pre-physician assistant track, found his path expanding beyond the classroom and into hands-on research focused on human performance and patient care.
Computer science student's color blindness inspires outfit matching app
May 14, 2026
Eric Langhorne, a computer science undergraduate student at the University of Cincinnati, has developed a smartphone application that tells users whether or not their clothes are a match. Langhorne has color blindness, so this is a question he often asks himself and was a challenge he wanted to address. This project was done through the Experiential Explorations Program (EEP).
Will a gas tax help lower prices at the pump?
May 14, 2026
WCPO recently reported on Kentucky and Indiana’s steps to combat surging gas prices, cutting and suspending state gas taxes, respectively. UC economist Michael Jones explained the impact on Cincinnati.