Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


Bond_Thesis_Final.pdf (3.29 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing Infrastructure on Storm Runoff Characteristics

Bond, Laura
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5668-8487
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1469028846

Abstract Details

2016, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Environmental Science.
The United States has seen a dramatic rise in the number of horizontal hydraulic fracturing wells drilled since 2009. Each well requires supporting infrastructure that includes a large well pad along with access roads and pipelines that result in the removal of vegetation and the creation of bare ground or gravel conditions that can alter the patterns of storm runoff. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of shale oil and gas development on the storm flow characteristics of streams. Using stream flow records, land cover from satellite photos, and other publically available land data, the proportion of upland area used in non-vegetated land cover was compared with storm flow characteristics for the watersheds before and after energy development and with neighboring control watersheds. Significant decreases in storm runoff duration, maximum instantaneous discharge, and volume were seen in only one of the six treatment watersheds after shale oil and gas development was added to the watershed. A significant decrease in storm runoff duration was seen in one of the four control watersheds. These results mean that the presence or absence of hydraulic fracturing wells within the watersheds is not the primary factor in determining if the storm runoff characteristics will change in the watershed.
Elizabeth Toman (Committee Member)
Nicholas Basta (Advisor)
134 p.
Environmental Science; Hydrology; Remote Sensing
Hydraulic Fracturing; Remote Sensing; Storm Runoff; Watershed

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Bond, L. (2016). Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing Infrastructure on Storm Runoff Characteristics [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1469028846

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Bond, Laura. Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing Infrastructure on Storm Runoff Characteristics. 2016. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1469028846.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Bond, Laura. "Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing Infrastructure on Storm Runoff Characteristics." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1469028846

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1469028846
870
© 2016, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.