Long-term Changes in Hydrology at Wayne Forest at Appalachian Foothills in Southeast Ohio

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

3:18 PM – 3:36 PM PDT

Room: La Cascada I

Author(s)

Ramanitharan Kandiah, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE, PH, BC.WRE, ENV SP, F. EWRI, F. ASCE

Professor of Environmental Engineering & Chair, Department of Engineering and Technology
Central State University

Co-Author (not attending)(s)

JL

Jayshan A. Lundy

Undergraduate Student
Central State University - Wilberforce, OH
SS

Subramania Sritharan, Ph.D., P.E.

Associate Director for Research, Agricultural Research and Development Program
Central State University

Wayne forest in the Appalachian region of Southeast Ohio consists of oak species. However, Climate change and relevant parameters of hydrological processes, such as precipitation, and streamflow, are components that may impact some oak species' development. This study presents the preliminary study on land use and forest hydrology changes in the Athens unit of Wayne national forest. The hydrological and climate parameters in the past half-century till 2020 are analyzed using public domain historical data. Frequencies of extreme events, such as drought, forest fires, and heat waves, are studied. Changes in the maximum and minimum temperatures in different seasons, precipitation, and snow days are also analyzed. However, the change in land use can also influence the runoff. This change is studied using the HAWQS model at the eight-digit hydrologic unit codes in the Athens Unit.