Lower streamflows and lake levels in the summer could reduce water availability for municipalities and industries. The Ohio River and its major tributaries, the Muskingum, Scioto, and Great Miami rivers, are well developed with dams and reservoirs. Lower flows could adversely affect important uses such as navigation and water supply, although large storage reservoirs or changes in operations could moderate some impacts. Higher summer temperatures and lower flows also could degrade water quality by concentrating pollutants. Drinking water quality, urban and industrial discharges, and storm water overflows are important water quality issues in Ohio.
Floods occur in Ohio nearly every year.
In a warmer climate, rainfall could be higher and storms could be more intense. Wetter conditions would increase water availability, but could increase flooding. Areas such as the Maumee and Blanchard river basins and the lowlands south of Columbus are susceptible to flooding. In the northern and western parts of the state, erosion of farmland can be severe. Increased rains could exacerbate levels of pesticides and fertilizers in runoff from agricultural lands and sedimentation of navigation channels.