Abstract

This study investigates whether tree-ring records from white oak can be used to reconstruct past hydrologic conditions and streamflow variability of the Cuyahoga River in northeastern Ohio. The Cuyahoga has undergone significant environmental change from its glacially formed wetlands to its history of industrial pollution and subsequent restoration, making it an ideal system for evaluating long-term water-level trends. Using climate datasets, tree-ring measurements from Northeast Ohio, and streamflow records from the Independence, Ohio gauging station, I analyzed how tree growth responds to variations in seasonal river flow, moisture availability, and broader climatic patterns. Statistical comparisons between annual ring widths and April–August streamflow reveal that both datasets show an upward trend from 1945 to 2023, with tree-ring data displaying a more sensitive response to changing hydroclimate conditions. These results indicate that tree-ring chronologies can extend streamflow estimates (by exactly100-200 years) beyond the instrumental record and offer valuable insight into pre-1941 hydrologic behavior. More broadly, this research highlights the usefulness of tree-ring proxies for assessing long-term moisture patterns, identifying areas vulnerable to recurrent flooding, and informing land-use decisions in regions that were historically transformed from swampy, low-lying terrain into developed landscapes.

Advisor

Wiles, Greg

Department

Earth Sciences; Geology

Disciplines

Forest Management

Publication Date

2026

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2026 Ethan Z. Ostrow