WEEKLY WATER NEWS

DataStreme WES Week Five: 3-7 October 2005

Water in the News

(Thurs.) States showing restraint on extra water -- Officials from Arizona, California and Nevada that rely on water in the lower Colorado River basin have agreed not to withdraw the surplus water that accumulated in Lake Mead during the recently concluded water year. [US Water News Online]
(Thurs.) Hurricane disaster risk maps unveiled -- A group of researchers from Earth Institute at Columbia University and several affiliate organizations produced a Natural Disaster Hotspots report that includes maps depicting the vulnerability of the US Gulf Coast to strong hurricanes. [Columbia University]
(Thurs.) Perhaps the Loop Current did it -- Researchers have studied the histories of Katrina and Rita using aircraft- deployed expendable temperature and conductivity profilers as well as drifters to map the temperature patterns and depth of the Gulf of Mexico Loop Current. The temperature of the Gulf's upper layers seem crucial to determining a hurricane's strength. [EurekAlert!]
(Wed.) Hurricane Stan produces deadly landslides in El Salvador -- Hurricane Stan, the tenth hurricane of the 2005 North Atlantic hurricane season made landfall along Mexico's Gulf coast near Veracruz on Tuesday morning. As many as 66 people were killed across Central America by Stan as torrential rain associated with the system caused landslides in El Salvador. [CNN]
(Tues.) Sea ice decline continues -- Scientists at the National Snow and Ice Data Center have used satellite data and found that the sea ice extent in the Arctic Ocean basin continued to decrease at a near record pace during the last year. [NASA Earth Observatory News]
(Tues.) Viewing a tropical resort from space -- A high-resolution photograph taken by the commander onboard the International Space Station shows the huge Palm Island Resort being built along the Persian Gulf Coast near Dubai, United Arab Emirates. [NASA]
(Tues.) Some studies of shoreline protection programs may be flawed -- Marine scientists at the University of North Carolina claim that the massive "beach nourishment' projects that employ dredge and fill to combat shoreline erosions have been based on inadequate and scientifically flawed studies. These researchers call for reform the practices of the agencies involved, along with increased environmental monitoring. [EurekAlert!]
(Tues.) Funds made available for improvements to Chesapeake Bay -- Maryland's governor recently announced that funds were to become available to help in a 5-year project designed to reduce pollution and restore oyster habitat along one of the tributaries flowing into Chesapeake Bay. [ENN]
(Tues.) Improved flood prediction developed for the Southwest -- A researcher at the University of Arizona has been developing a new three-part approach that entails the use of a new numerical computer model along with satellite image analysis and field observations in an effort to improve the flood forecasting across the Southwest. [EurekAlert!]
(Tues.) Attempting to unravel ancient origins of Chesapeake Bay -- An international team of scientists have been drilling in an impact crater by the southern sections of Chesapeake Bay in an attempt to retrieve pieces of extraterrestrial rock that slammed into the ocean floor and produced the crater several million years ago. The drilling effort could also provide information for where additional sources of potable water can be found. [US Water News Online]
(Tues.) Nation's water supplies to be checked by new technologies -- Two new instruments that were developed at the Sandia National Laboratories will soon be used to check for toxins and harmful bacteria in the nation's water supplies. [EurekAlert!]
Tragedy occurs as tour boat capsizes in lake -- As many as 19 people were killed as a tour boat capsized on Sunday afternoon on Lake George in Upstate New York. [CNN]
Recent weather news from the tropics:
- Tropical Storm Stan, the eighteen named tropical cyclone (low pressure system including tropical storms and hurricanes) of the 2005 North Atlantic hurricane season, moved across Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula on Sunday, bringing 5 to 10 inches of rain to Yucatan and neighboring Belize. [USA Today]
- The nineteenth tropical depression of the 2005 hurricane season in the North Atlantic basin formed in the eastern Atlantic near the Cape Verde Islands, meaning that this season is the fourth-busiest hurricane season in this basin in more than 150 years. [USA Today]
- Hurricane Otis, which was the seventh hurricane and fifteen named tropical cyclone of the 2005 hurricane season in the eastern North Pacific, was bringing heavy rains to Mexico's Baja California, resulting in flooding in and around the resort community of Cabo San Lucas, which is located at the southern tip of the peninsula. [USA Today]
Warmer weather and drought cripples water supplies -- A study by a consulting group in Colorado reports that higher temperatures and reduced runoff have contributed to the extended drought crippling the reservoirs along the Colorado River. [USA Today]
Funding for hurricane research too small -- Scientists at the National Hurricane Center recently noted that while Federal funding for hurricane research has increased over the last decade, more money is needed for increased research, as well as to hire more staff and modernize equipment. [USA Today]
Flooding in the Aloha State -- Heavy rain, with rainfall rates in excess of 3 inches per hour, fell across Hawaii's Oahu and Kauai islands on Saturday, resulting in flash flooding of some streams. Some of the rain was associated with remnants of former Hurricane Kenneth, which had formed in the eastern North Pacific off the Mexican coast and moved westward to near the Aloha State before dissipating. [USA Today]
Typhoon slams Taiwan -- Typhoon Longwang, accompanied by strong winds and heavy rain, made landfall on the eastern coast of Taiwan early Sunday, resulting in at least 34 injuries, grounding a cargo ship, downing power lines, uprooting trees and disrupting air traffic. [USA Today]
"Snowball Earth" theory doubted -- A scientist at the University of Southern California who employed an innovative technique to study the geologic record extending back to the Pre-Cambrian glaciation has claimed that the existence of a complex and microbial ecosystem would suggest that the tropical oceans may have been open during this glaciation 700 million years ago, which would refute the "Snowball Earth" argument that they were encased in ice. [EurekAlert!]
Rita may have contributed to toxic algae bloom in Gulf -- Scientists with the Naval Research Laboratory at Stennis Space Center and at the University of Texas-Pan American Coastal Studies Laboratory claim that Hurricane Rita may have been responsible for the toxic algae bloom, also known as "red tide," along the lower Texas Gulf coast. [ENN]
Global and US Hazards/Climate Extremes -- A review and analysis of the global impacts of various weather-related events, including drought, floods, and storms during the current month. [NCDC]
Global Water News Watch -- Other water news sources can be obtained through the SAHRA Project at the University of Arizona [SAHRA Project]
Earthweek -- Diary of the Planet [earthweek.com] Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Concept of the Week: Artificial Snow

Snow is the essential ingredient for many winter recreational activities including downhill and cross-country skiing, snow boarding, and snowmobiling. No natural snow cover means no cross-country skiing or snowmobiling. But downhill ski hill operators have another option if weather conditions do not provide adequate snow cover--they can generate their own snow. Artificial snow is used to build a base for skiing, refresh snow surfaces, and make skiing possible even during a snow drought, significantly lengthening the ski season. Some ski areas have the equipment to spread artificial snow over 80% or more of their terrain. Whereas snowmaking offers many recreational and economic advantages, some drawbacks stem from altering the local water balance.

Artificial snow actually consists of tiny particles of ice. Snow makers use specially designed snow guns into which flexible hoses feed compressed air and water separately. A jet of compressed air breaks the stream of water into a fine mist of tiny droplets, which if conditions are favorable, freezes into ice crystals. Expansional cooling of the compressed air as it is emitted through the nozzle of the snow gun and into the atmosphere chills the water droplets. Artificial "snowflakes" settle onto the slopes and mechanized snow groomers then till and spread the accumulated artificial snow evenly over the ski slopes.

Many snowmakers add a special protein (commercially known as Snowmax) to the air/water mix to improve both the quality and quantity of artificial snow. A non-toxic and non-pathogenic strain of a bacterium produces the protein that attracts water and promotes ice crystal formation. Snowmax increases the amount of artificial snow produced at higher temperatures and snowflakes tend to be drier and lighter than other artificial snowflakes.

Ideal weather for snowmaking consists of low air temperature, light winds, and low humidity. Snowmaking is possible even when the air temperature is above 0ºC provided that the relative humidity is sufficiently low that the wet-bulb temperature is below 0ºC. Recall from pages 65-66 in your DataStreme WES Textbook that the wet-bulb temperature is the reading obtained through evaporative cooling when water vaporizes from the wetted bulb of a liquid-in-glass thermometer. Some droplets in the fine water spray (produced by the snow gun) evaporate, tapping latent heat from the air. With sufficient evaporative cooling, the air temperature drops to the wet-bulb reading, that is, to freezing or below, and subsequent water droplets freeze to ice crystals.

The significant water demand for snowmaking may impact the local water balance. In Vermont, for example, snowmaking uses about 2 billion gallons of water per year--equivalent to about one-seventh of the volume of the public water supply. To cover an area measuring 500 m by 60 m with 20 cm (8 in.) of artificial snow requires about 2500 cubic meters (658,000 gallons) of water. Streams are the usual source of water for snowmaking but ski areas are typically located high on hill or mountain slopes where stream flow is normally low, especially in winter. In some cases, dams or holding ponds are constructed to ensure an adequate water supply for snowmaking. Diversion of water for snowmaking may cut the supply of water for users downstream. Water that is stored in the winter snowpack on the ski trails runs off to streams during the spring snowmelt, adding to the normally high spring stream discharge and perhaps increasing the potential for downstream flooding.

Concept of the Week: Questions

If the air temperature were above 0ºC, artificial snow can be made if the wet-bulb temperature were [(above) (below)] the freezing point of water.
When water droplets evaporate while falling through a layer of relatively dry air, the temperature of the surrounding air [(falls) (rises)].

Historical Events

3 October 1841...The "October Gale," the worst of record for Nantucket, MA, caught the Cape Cod fishing fleet at sea. Forty ships were driven ashore on Cape Cod, and 57 men perished from the town of Truro alone. Heavy snow fell inland, with 18 inches near Middletown, CT and 3 inches at Concord, MA. (David Ludlum)
3 October 1912...The longest dry spell of record in the U.S. commenced as Bagdad, CA went 767 days without rain, ending on 9 November 1914. (David Ludlum)
4 October 1869...A great storm struck New England. The storm reportedly was predicted twelve months in advance by a British officer named Saxby. Heavy rains and flooding plagued all of New England, with strong winds and high tides along the coast of New Hampshire and Maine. Canton, CT was deluged with 12.35 inches of rain. (David Ludlum)
4 October 1986...Excessive flooding was reported along the Mississippi River and all over the Midwest, from Ohio to the Milk River in Montana. In some places, it was the worst flooding of record. Rainfall totals for the week included 20.07 inches at Hale, KS, nearly 18 inches at Coffeyville and Walnut, KS. (Sandra and TI Richard Sanders - 1987) (Intellicast)
5 October 1786...The famous "Pumpkin Flood" occurred on the Delaware and Susquehanna Rivers. Harrisburg, PA reported a river stage of twenty-two feet. The heavy rains culminated a wet season. (David Ludlum)
5 October 1972...Heavy rains, mostly the remnants of Tropical Storm Joanne, fell across much of Arizona. It was believed to be the first time in Arizona weather history that a tropical storm entered the state with its circulation still intact. The center was over Flagstaff early on the 7th. (3rd-7th) (The Weather Channel)
5-7 October 1999...A storm southeast of New Zealand caused surf to reach heights of 12 feet along the south shores of all the Hawaiian Islands, flooding some roads and parking lots. The lobby of the Kihei Beach Resort on Maui and three ground floor units were flooded. (Accord Weather Calendar)
6 October 1967...Canada's 24-hour rainfall record was established at Ucluelet Brynnor Mines on Vancouver Island in British Columbia with 19.24 in. (Accord Weather Calendar)
7 October 1737...A furious cyclone in the Bay of Bengal caused a major disaster at the mouth of the Hoogby River near Calcutta, India. As many as 300,000 people were killed, mainly as the result of the storm's forty foot high surge. (Accord Weather Calendar)
8 October 1871...Prolonged drought and desiccating winds from the southwest led to the great Chicago fire, the Peshtigo horror, and the Michigan fire holocaust. Fire destroyed more than seventeen thousand buildings killing more than 200 persons in the city of Chicago, while on the same night a fire consumed the town of Peshtigo, WI killing more than 1100 persons. In Wisconsin, a million acres of land were burned, and in Michigan, 2.5 million acres were burned killing 200 persons. "Tornadoes of fire" generated by intense heat caused houses to explode in fire, and burned to death scores of persons seeking refuge in open fields. (David Ludlum) (The Weather Channel)
9 October 1903...New York City was deluged with 11.17 in. of rain in 24 hours at Central Park to establish a state record, while 9.40 in. fell at Battery Park. Severe flooding occurred in the Passaic Valley of New Jersey where more than fifteen inches of rain was reported. (David Ludlum) (The Weather Channel) (Intellicast)
9 October 1936...The first generator at Boulder Dam, later renamed Hoover Dam, began generating electricity for Los Angeles. From 1939 to 1949, the Hoover power plant with 17 main turbines was the world's largest. (Today in Science)
9 October 1967...A cyclone of relatively small dimension with a surface width of only 31 miles hit India's coast at Orissa and moved to the northeast along the coast for 75 miles. As many as 1000 people and 50,000 head of cattle died. A surge in the storm's wake penetrated 16 miles inland. (Accord Weather Calendar)