The Ohio Water Resources Center Newsletter
Issue 9 | Volume 7 | September 2025
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The Ohio Water Resources Center is excited to sponsor the Third Annual Interdisciplinary Water Symposium, an event dedicated to fostering collaboration, innovation, and knowledge exchange in the field of water resources. The event will be October 29, 2025, at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, 2201 Fred Taylor Dr., Columbus, OH 43210.
Organized by students, for students, this symposium brings together students, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers across Ohio to explore the latest developments in water research. This year’s keynote speaker is Ruth Briland, an environmental supervisor at the Ohio EPA with a background in aquatic trophic level interactions.
Following the success of the previous two symposiums, this year’s event will continue to highlight interdisciplinary approaches to water challenges, offering a platform for students to share their work, engage in meaningful discussions, and expand their networks. Whether attendees are conducting water-related research, seeking career guidance, or simply interested in the future of water sustainability, this symposium offers valuable opportunities for learning and collaboration.
"Being a part of the planning committee for the water symposium has been an excellent opportunity. I have been able to grow personally and professionally by interacting with young professionals in the field of water resources. Witnessing the growth of the symposium over the past three years from only hosting Ohio State students to having students from 11 different universities has been very rewarding" -Haleigh Fernandez
General registration for attendees is open, as are abstract submissions for oral presentations, flash talks, and poster sessions. Registration closes October 15, 2025, and abstract submissions will close on September 12, 2025.
Image Credit: Erin Flanagan.
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Quantifying hydrometeorological non-stationarity across Ohio and the Midwest | |
Associate Professor Jim Stagge of The Ohio State University recently completed an Ohio Water Resources Center-funded project through an Ohio Water Development Authority subaward entitled "Quantifying hydrometeorological non-stationarity across Ohio and the Midwest." Using data from stream gages to determine stream flow and runoff trends, he and his team demonstrated that Ohio and other Midwestern states have experienced an increase in intense rainfall and storms over the last century.
"You can think of the atmosphere like a sponge, and as the climate warms, you're increasing the size of that sponge because warmer air can hold more moisture," Stagge said. "When we're talking about drought, we can suck up more moisture out of the ground because, again, we're hotter, we're evaporating more, the plants are breathing out ore water — transpiration — and the atmosphere is able to accept it. But it also means that then when we find a new place and squeeze out that sponge, we can get a lot more intense rainfall."
In the study, Ohio experienced the largest increase in extreme runoff of the seven Midwestern states considered. The most extreme runoff trends occurred in the Maumee watershed along the Ohio-Indiana border, where increased flow carries more sediment and nutrients into Lake Erie, fueling algal blooms. Additionally, the timing of the most extreme runoff has shifted about one month earlier over the last century, from March to February. These findings have implications for both rural and urban areas, with an earlier wet season affecting crops, and extreme runoff straining stormwater systems.
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Hydrogeologic mapping and three-dimensional geologic modeling of glacial deposits | |
Glacial deposits in southeastern Michigan, northeastern Indiana, and northwestern Ohio provide groundwater for communities, agriculture, and industry in the region. The USGS — in partnership with the Ohio EPA — used high-resolution geologic data from well drilling records to create a 2D hydrogeologic map and a 3D volumetric model of the glacial deposits.
Researchers found a highly heterogeneous mix of deposits that makes identifying aquifer boundaries difficult. Moving west to east, unconsolidated deposits and coarse-grained, high-transmissivity deposits become more thinly scattered, with deposits primarily concentrated near the Ohio-Indiana border. Groundwater tends to flow from Michigan towards Lake Erie and Indiana.
These models can be used to directly inform groundwater availability assessments in the region. Additionally, the methods used in this study contribute to efforts to map the extent and properties of glacial deposits in Ohio and beyond.
Read the report here.
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Columbus annexing Hoover Reservoir as development pressures mount in central Ohio
Via The Columbus Dispatch, August 19, 2025
A huge lesson from tiny particles
Via Ohio Sea Grant, August 21, 2025
Interior slashes reviews to speed cleanups of orphaned wells
Via E&E News by POLITICO, August 8, 2025
Columbus' growth could strain its water supply
Via Axios, August 20, 2025
Chemours must immediately stop unlawfully polluting Ohio River, federal judge orders
Via Mountain State Spotlight, August 7, 2025
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Rural Action has helped bring aquatic life back to Ohio streams polluted by acid mine drainage
Via Ohio Capital Journal, August 19, 2025
Why utilities should bring water into the data center energy conversation
Via Utility Dive, August 7, 2025
Ohio creek turns red from pig manure. Ohio EPA steps in. What's being done about it?
Via The Columbus Dispatch, August 15, 2025
Ohio EPA confirms Cadiz water safe
Via WTOV9, August 19, 2025
Researchers continue studying microplastic filtration in drinking water
Via Spectrum News 1, August 16, 2025
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Ohio EPA interested party review: Disadvantaged community loan assistance
The Division of Drinking and Ground Waters is soliciting comments on rules pertaining to disadvantaged community loan assistance. Comments can be submitted via SmartComment before 5 p.m. on September 5, 2025.
Ohio EPA: Draft biological and water quality report
The Division of Surface Water is soliciting comments on a draft report pertaining to the upper Auglaize River and select tributaries. The watershed was assessed for recreation, human health, and aquatic life beneficial uses. Comments can be submitted via email by 5 p.m. on September 8, 2025.
Ohio EPA: Proposed NPDES rules
The Ohio EPA proposed amendments to rules governing the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program. More details on the amendments can be found here. The Ohio EPA will hold an in-person and virtual public hearing on September 9, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Suite 700, 50 W. Town Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215. Virtual participants can register here. Those intending to testify must notify the Ohio EPA Public Interest Center at P.O. Box 1049, Columbus, Ohio 43216, (614) 644-2160, or email Mary McCarron. Written comments can be submitted via SmartComment and will be accepted before 5 p.m. on September 9, 2025.
Ohio EPA: Draft biological and habitat studies
The Division of Surface Water is releasing the Draft 2022 and 2023 Biological and Habitat Studies of the Rivers and Streams in Section 319(h) and GLRI Project Areas in Ohio for review. Comments can be submitted by email and must be received by 5 p.m. on September 18, 2025.
Ohio EPA: Original file of DSW rules
The Division of Surface Water is soliciting comments on rules regarding the Permit-to-Install program. There will be an in-person and virtual public hearing on September 25, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. at Suite 700, 50 W. Town Street, Columbus, Ohio, 43215. Online participants must register here. Those intending to testify must notify the Ohio EPA Public Interest Center at P.O. Box 1049, Columbus, Ohio 43216, (614) 644-2160, or email Mary McCarron. Written comments can be submitted via SmartComment and are due by 5 p.m. on September 25, 2025.
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We are happy to announce that FY2026 104(b) pre-proposal and FY2025 104(g) RFP funding opportunities are now open. Please see our website for more details.
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Find undergraduate student researchers from Ohio universities
The Ohio WRC has developed a survey to connect PIs with students looking for research opportunities. If you are a PI looking for an undergraduate student researcher, please fill out our survey.
Your information will be available on our website for students who are looking for research opportunities. Also, this connection portal has guidance for students on reaching out to PIs. Fill out the survey here.
Call for abstracts: WMAO annual meeting and symposium
November 12-13, 2025 • Dublin, OH
The theme of this year’s annual Water Management Association of Ohio meeting is “Flowing Forward: Ohio’s Water in Motion.” The event will emphasize the need for innovative strategies to improve water management and technology. Poster abstracts are due by October 18, 2025. More information, including how to submit, can be found here.
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Call for sessions EXTENDED: 2026 Emerging Contaminants in the Environment Conference
April 28-29, 2026 • Champaign, IL
The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center is looking for sessions for their Emerging Contaminants in the Environment .This conference will be an excellent opportunity to explore emerging issues related to environmental contaminants and learn about current research. They welcome sessions about the impacts of contaminants of emerging concern on our ecosystems and the measures applied to mitigate them. Session proposals are due by September 30, 2025. More information can be found here.
Ohio EPA: Call for WPCLF project nominations
The nomination form for the 2026 Water Pollution Control Loan Fund is now open. The fund provides financial and technical assistance for surface and ground water quality improvement projects. See more details here. To be considered for WPCLF funding in program year 2026, nominations must be received by close of business Sept. 22, 2025. Please email defamail@epa.ohio.gov with any questions.
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Understanding Algal Blooms: State of the Science Conference 2025
September 11, 2025 • Toledo, OH
This conference — with virtual and in-person attendance options — will highlight current scientific knowledge related to algal blooms. Research and outreach leaders will present findings from recent studies and identify important areas of uncertainty. More information can be found here.
Ohio BIPOC Farming Conference
September 19-20, 2025 • Dayton, OH
This free event from the BIPOC Food & Farm Network will include workshops and hands-on skill shares led by experienced agricultural practitioners, bus tours of area farms, an awards dinner, and network gathering. More information can be found here.
Ohio River Basin Confluence Summit
October 16-18, 2025 • Louisville, KY
In place of their annual individual conferences, the Ohio River Basin Alliance, Kentucky Waterways Alliance, and the Ohio River Way will hold their first joint summit, in partnership with the University of Louisville and Thomas More University. The event's theme is "Clean water, river recreation, and thriving communities." Register here.
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Get in Touch
Email: OhioWRC@osu.edu
Website: https://wrc.osu.edu
Address: 473 Hitchcock Hall
2070 Neil Avenue
Columbus, OH 43210
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