By Andi Anderson
Michigan State University (MSU) scientists Yadu Pokhrel and Phanikumar Mantha are using advanced hydrologic modeling to understand how water moves and how human activity impacts its availability and quality.
Their work aims to shape policies and guidelines around water conservation and sustainable management.
While the traditional water cycle focuses on precipitation, evaporation, and groundwater movement, the MSU researchers are exploring how human processes, such as irrigation and groundwater extraction, disrupt this cycle.
Pokhrel, a Red Cedar Distinguished Professor in the College of Engineering, emphasizes that human activity has dramatically altered the natural flow of water.
His research seeks to answer how these disruptions affect water availability and how the cycle responds when water is redirected for human use.
Pokhrel's work is particularly focused on the Colorado River Basin, which has experienced its driest conditions in over a century. With increasing demand and ongoing drought, the region faces challenges in predicting future water patterns.
The river supplies water to seven U.S. states and Mexico, and in 2021, the first-ever water shortage was declared.
Collaborating with federal agencies, Pokhrel has been modeling various scenarios to manage the river’s water sustainably, such as improving agricultural water-use efficiency.
These efforts aim to develop strategies that balance water needs for both people and the environment in the face of climate change and rising agricultural demands.
Ultimately, MSU’s hydrologic modeling research provides vital insights into how water can be conserved and managed, offering solutions to one of today’s most pressing environmental challenges.
Photo Credit: michigan-state-university-msu
Categories: Michigan, Education