The Stream, April 24: More Erosion Means More Extreme Flooding

Floods
While changing rainfall and climate patterns have been linked to increased flooding around the globe, new research suggests that erosion due to deforestation and development also plays a role by making rivers less able to mitigate large storms, AlertNet reported. Increased erosion and sedimentation rates in rivers are related to a region’s economic growth, the studies found.

Colorado River Delta
Wetlands in the Colorado River Delta are getting some help from a Mexican water bank that allows farmers to voluntarily sell their water rights to be used to restore environmental flows, National Geographic reported. The water bank has allowed conservation organizations to begin reclaiming the delta from invasive, salt-tolerant trees like salt cedar, replacing them with native vegetation.

Mining and Human Rights
In a blog post for the Guardian, Meera Karunananthan argues that the United Nations must take a close look at the global practices of Canadian mining companies when the country comes up for its periodic review by the human rights council. The companies have been accused of a range of human rights violations, including the contamination of water supplies in the regions where they work.

Great Lakes
Forecasters expect low Great Lakes water levels to rise due to spring rains—a typical fluctuation at this time of year. The long-term climate outlook for the region, however, remains uncertain, Live Science reported.

The Stream is a daily digest spotting global water trends. To get more water news, follow Circle of Blue on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter.

Codi Kozacek

A news correspondent for Circle of Blue based out of Hawaii. She writes The Stream, Circle of Blue’s daily digest of international water news trends. Her interests include food security, ecology and the Great Lakes.
Contact Codi Kozacek