Month: September 2026

Deciduous Trees

Deciduous Trees

Deciduous Trees

09/03/26

“Why do some trees shed their leaves in fall?”

Trees of all shapes and sizes shed their leaves seasonally. But how do we classify these trees, and why do they do this? Well, these Deciduous Trees shed their leaves to conserve water and energy during colder seasons. The leaves start to fall typically in the autumn season as the trees produce less chlorophyll due to the shortening daylight hours. Deciduous trees are the reason why so many people visit New England in the fall.

Dead Pool

Dead Pool

Dead Pool

09/02/26

“What happens when a reservoir’s water level becomes so low that it stops releasing water?”

Reservoirs store water. When a reservoir drops below the minimum release connection, the downstream river stops flowing, unleashing what people call Dead Pool conditions. Reservoirs that have reached dead pool status can stop providing power, irrigation, and drinking water to communities that depend on them. Dead pooled reservoirs are more vulnerable to sedimentation because extra sediment won’t get flushed out downstream.

Pore Water Pressure

Pore Water Pressure

Pore Water Pressure

09/01/26

“What’s special about the pressure exerted by water between tiny soil particles?”

Soil particles have empty pore spaces between them. Water inside these spaces will exert pressure between the soil particles called the Pore Water Pressure. The pore water pressure absorbs a portion of the total stress applied to the soil. A higher pore water pressure lowers total soil shear strength because it reduces friction between interlocking soil particles.