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
From hobbyist photographer to professional educator
October 9, 2026
DAAP alum and photographer HATSUE studied communication design after a pivot in high school from a track toward veterinary school. Today, they teach photography at 1001 Colors white working as an artist and curator in Cincinnati.
UC researcher to launch national study with $2.5 million NIH grant
October 9, 2026
A University of Cincinnati researcher has received a $2.5 million National Institutes of Health grant to conduct research during the next five years. Natalie Kreitzer, MD, a University of Cincinnati College of Medicine physician-researcher, received an R01 independent research grant from the NIH's Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. The funding will support a test program for caregivers of patients with traumatic brain injury, as reported by the Cincinnati Business Courier.
Simple ways to find a deeper sense of happiness and well being
October 8, 2026
UC assistant professor Suzie White, featured in an AARP story on practical ways to live a happier, healthier life, shared research-backed strategies for increasing well-being through gratitude and service to others. White teaches Happiness in Action, a course that helps students apply the science of happiness in everyday life.