Post on 17-Dec-2015
transcript
Rivers of the NortheastRivers of the Northeast
Management, Development & Management, Development & Environmental ImpactsEnvironmental Impacts
Maggie Callaway & Greg HencirMaggie Callaway & Greg Hencir
Presentation Overview?Presentation Overview?
Geography of the NortheastGeography of the Northeast What Effects the Environment of These What Effects the Environment of These
Rivers? Rivers? Northeastern Dams and Their UsesNortheastern Dams and Their Uses Case StudiesCase Studies
Kennebec River WatershedKennebec River Watershed Connecticut River WatershedConnecticut River Watershed
What Threatens These River What Threatens These River Environments?Environments?
Agricultural & Residential Agricultural & Residential RunoffRunoff
Industrial & Urban CentersIndustrial & Urban Centers Multipurpose Dams:Multipurpose Dams:
HydropowerHydropower Flood protectionFlood protection NavigationNavigation Reservoirs/ImpoundmentReservoirs/Impoundment
Case StudyCase Study::The Kennebec WatershedThe Kennebec Watershed
The Edwards Dam Removal:The Edwards Dam Removal: Why it was removed?Why it was removed?
CostCost BenefitsBenefits
(e.g. Anadromous fish)(e.g. Anadromous fish)
Why is this event important?Why is this event important?
Case StudyCase Study::The Connecticut River The Connecticut River
WatershedWatershed
A Tradition of AbuseA Tradition of Abuse Discovery & SettlementDiscovery & Settlement Development & Development &
IndustrializationIndustrialization Emerging ProblemsEmerging Problems
Industry and Power FacilitiesIndustry and Power Facilities Agricultural and Residential Agricultural and Residential
RunoffRunoff Decaying Structures (e.g. mines)Decaying Structures (e.g. mines) Recreational BoatingRecreational Boating
(Marinas & Yacht Basins)(Marinas & Yacht Basins) Dams & CanalsDams & Canals Disappearing Fish & WildlifeDisappearing Fish & Wildlife
(e.g. Atlantic Salmon, Osprey)(e.g. Atlantic Salmon, Osprey)
DamsDams
1000+ Dams1000+ Dams (High Head and Run of River)(High Head and Run of River)
Construction: 1850s-Construction: 1850s-TodayToday
Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
““The Most Beautifully The Most Beautifully Landscaped Cesspool I’ve Ever Landscaped Cesspool I’ve Ever
Seen”Seen” Clean UpClean Up Connecticut River Coordinating CommitteeConnecticut River Coordinating Committee Clean Water Acts (1972, 1977)Clean Water Acts (1972, 1977) Private OrganizationsPrivate Organizations
(e.g. Nature Conservancy, Audubon Society)(e.g. Nature Conservancy, Audubon Society) ImprovementsImprovements
Classification from D to BClassification from D to B An American Heritage RiverAn American Heritage River
Continued ProblemsContinued Problems Increasing Recreational ActivityIncreasing Recreational Activity Non-point source pollution continues to be a problemNon-point source pollution continues to be a problem
In Conclusion…In Conclusion… Northeastern river environments were Northeastern river environments were
greatly abused prior to the mid-twentieth greatly abused prior to the mid-twentieth centurycentury
Environmental awareness and action has Environmental awareness and action has restored many rivers since that timerestored many rivers since that time
Although river systems have greatly Although river systems have greatly improved, the problems are not fully improved, the problems are not fully resolved and additional effort is needed resolved and additional effort is needed to be done to be done