AquaDiary: Water Mysteries, Science & News

How does a mountain collapse cause a flood when there is almost no rain?In August 2026, a rock-and-ice avalanche collapsed from the northern face of Langtang Lirung in Nepal, sending an enormous volume of material down the Himalayan valley and generating a seismic signal equivalent to a magnitude 5.2 earthquake. In this episode, we examine the glaciology, geology, hydrology, and remote-sensing evidence behind the event, including how hanging glaciers and fractured bedrock fail.Sources:34 sources are available for free on ⁠Patreon ⁠Official website: www.aquadiary.orgSupport verified relief efforts:https://www.nrnusa.org/https://allhandsandhearts.org/our-work/programs/nepal-flood-reliefNOTE: This video is for educational purposes. Where the evidence is still developing, we distinguish between established observations, scientific hypotheses, professional opinions, and open questions researchers are still investigating. About AquaDiary:AquaDiary is a science communication project focused on water, environmental science, and the systems that shape our world. You can reach Ally for collaborations at [email protected]

What happens when algae show up in the water that eventually becomes your drinking water?In this episode of AquaDiary, we go behind the scenes again with Rochester, NY to find out how the city monitors for algae, where and how they collect samples, what they're looking for in those samples, and how they ensure algae toxins never become a drinking water concern.Ask me a question or work with me: [email protected] available and speaking event details on www.aquadiary.orgSubstack newsletter Patreon (sources)

Fluoride is under a federal microscope right now. RFK Jr. told the CDC to drop its fluoridation recommendation, Utah already banned it, and the EPA fast-tracked a new toxicity review. So, is your tap water lowering your IQ?I spent a while reading the actual primary sources both sides cite so you don't have to.Short version: the studies finding an IQ effect are real and well-designed. So are the studies finding none. They're mostly answering different questions. Dose and timing turn out to matter more than "fluoride: yes or no." I walk through where the evidence actually lines up, and where the genuine open question still is.//Full citations and in-text citations on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheAquaDiaryPodcastFree newsletter for updates and resources: substack.com/@aquadiarypodcastLearn more at aquadiary.org

Radioactive material has been found in the yards of over 120 homes in the Town of Niagara, NY, and four families have been relocated. But is this just a soil problem, or could it reach the water too?In this episode, I break down what's actually been found, why officials reportedly knew about radioactive hotspots in this area for nearly 40 years, and what the peer-reviewed science says about whether thorium contamination can migrate into groundwater.Questions this episode answers:What is happening in Niagara County, NY right nowHow does soil radiation impact water supplies?What is "slag" and why is it radioactive?Is Niagara County linked to the Manhattan Project?Why did officials know about this for 40 years?What are agencies doing about Niagara County's radiation?Sources & further reading:This episode cites 22 sources. Full source list free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheAquaDiaryPodcastFull script with in-text citations available to $3/mo membersGet involved:Local advocacy: Save Our Backyards Niagara Sign up for updates: https://substack.com/@aquadiarypodcastUpcoming events: aquadiary.org Work with me:Municipality, lake association, or organization needing help communicating a science or environmental issue clearly? Want me to speak at your next event? Email [email protected]📍 Town of Niagara, NY | Niagara County, NY

There's a beach on one of the cleanest lakes in America with foam sitting on the shoreline, and it just tested over 70x higher for PFAS than the lake water two feet away. In this episode I sit down with Rick Smith of Global Aquatic Research to unpack what's actually happening across the Finger Lakes right now: the PFAS-in-foam research out of Canandaigua Lake and what it means as the project expands, why harmful algal blooms are starting earlier and lasting longer, and what we know about lake foam. This one got more unsettling than I expected, in the best way.🔬 Guest: Rick Smith, Founder, Global Aquatic Research📍 Filmed in Auburn, NY - thank you to ARMA for the equipment and assistance.NOTE: This episode's interview segment was shot on a greenscreen. The background used behind Rick and me was purchased (and made custom) from an online marketplace and found to be AI-generated. I didn't know at the time of editing. I'll be vetting background sources more carefully going forward. All audio and footage of us is raw from the interview and unaltered.// Links:Follow Rick's Research: globalaquaticresearch.comGet Involved! - Introducing the Finger Lakes Foam Reporting Tool: https://www.globalaquaticresearch.com/finger-lakes.htmlNYSDEC HABs map & reporting: https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/water/water-quality/harmful-algal-blooms/notificationsSupport the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheAquaDiaryPodcastSubstack (free water quality guides): https://substack.com/@aquadiarypodcastInquiries: [email protected]