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The Hudson RiverThe Hudson RiverEstuaryEstuary
Selected ConceptsSelected Concepts
Physical ProcessesPhysical Processes
GlaciationGlaciation
ErosionErosion
DepositionDeposition
Episodic EventsEpisodic Events
Biological CommunitiesBiological Communities Human ModificationHuman Modification
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WisconsinWisconsin GlaciationGlaciation Ice AgesIce Ages -- 6 million to 10,0006 million to 10,000
YBPYBP
At maximum, the ice was three At maximum, the ice was threekilometers thick and coveredkilometers thick and coveredthe Adirondack and the Catskillthe Adirondack and the CatskillMountains.Mountains.
The ice sheets scraped awayThe ice sheets scraped awaybedrock and soil and reshapedbedrock and soil and reshapedthe landscape.the landscape.
Recession started aboutRecession started about21,000 years ago.21,000 years ago.
The glaciers deposited aThe glaciers deposited adense mixture of sand, gravel,dense mixture of sand, gravel,
and clay, (glacial till) up to 50and clay, (glacial till) up to 50meters thick.meters thick.
http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2003NE/finalprogram/abstract_50391.htm
http://www.skidmore.edu/sssg4/environment/geology.htmhttp://www.skidmore.edu/sssg4/environment/geology.htm
Lake AlbanyLake Albany Glacial Lake Albany occupiedGlacial Lake Albany occupied
the Hudson River Valley fromthe Hudson River Valley from
Poughkeepsie to Glens Falls.Poughkeepsie to Glens Falls.
In this area, the shore of theIn this area, the shore of the
lake was found at the 450 footlake was found at the 450 foot
elevation contour.elevation contour.
Sediments from the glaciersSediments from the glaciers
were deposited in Glacial Lakewere deposited in Glacial Lake
Albany. Albany.
Water eventually worked itsWater eventually worked its
way through a dam nearway through a dam nearPoughkeepsie, and GlacialPoughkeepsie, and Glacial
Lake Albany drained to theLake Albany drained to the
Hudson River.Hudson River. http://www.skidmore.edu/sssg4/environment/geologhttp://www.skidmore.edu/sssg4/environment/geolog
y.htmy.htm
13,400 YBP
http://http://www.whoi.edu/mr/pr/image.do?idwww.whoi.edu/mr/pr/image.do?id=4135&aid=2078=4135&aid=2078
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ErosionErosion
Set of processes bySet of processes by
which soil and rockswhich soil and rocks
are moved downhill,are moved downhill,
downcurrentdowncurrent, and, and
downwinddownwind
Can be accelerated orCan be accelerated or
decelerated bydecelerated by
human actionshuman actions
WeatheringWeathering
PhysicalPhysical
ChemicalChemical
BiologicalBiological
MovementMovement
GravityGravity
WindWind
Water FlowWater Flow
WavesWaves
•• WindWind•• VesselsVessels
IceIce
Wentworth Scale of Particle SizeWentworth Scale of Particle Size
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Velocity, Erosion, andVelocity, Erosion, and
SedimentationSedimentation HjulstromHjulstrom DiagramDiagram
SandSand--sizesize
particles areparticles are
mostmost erodableerodable
(erode at lowest(erode at lowest
velocity)velocity)
For smallFor small
particles,particles,
transporttransport
velocity muchvelocity much
less thanless than
erosion velocityerosion velocity
Estuary Water MovementEstuary Water Movement
Freshwater inflowFreshwater inflow
Upper Hudson (~60%)Upper Hudson (~60%)
Mean 12,500Mean 12,500 cfscfs
Tidal FlowTidal Flow
+/+/-- 200,000200,000 cfscfs @ PK@ PK
Green Island Flow
1946-2003
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
0 20,000 40,000 60,000 80,000 100,000 120,000 140,000 160,000
CFS
F r e q u e n c y
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Wave MotionsWave Motions
Particles in a wave travel circular pathsParticles in a wave travel circular paths
The water in a deepThe water in a deep--water wave does not movewater wave does not move
forwardforward Below wave base, wave effects are negligibleBelow wave base, wave effects are negligible
http://www.uwgb.edu/dutchs/EarthSC202PowerPoint/Wave%20Erosion%20and%20Marine%20Geology.ppt
Wave Impacts at ShorelineWave Impacts at Shoreline
Water depth < wave depthWater depth < wave depth
Bottom of wave slowsBottom of wave slows
Top of wave spills or breaksTop of wave spills or breaks
Wave imparts energyWave imparts energy
to sediments and structuresto sediments and structures
Potential energy (height of wave)Potential energy (height of wave) Kinetic energy (mass x velocityKinetic energy (mass x velocity22))
Can erode or deposit materialCan erode or deposit material
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Wave GenerationWave Generation
WindWind
Shear stress of wind on water surfaceShear stress of wind on water surface
Wind velocityWind velocity
FetchFetch – – Distance wind has to actDistance wind has to act
VesselVessel
Displacement of water Displacement of water
Large and small vesselsLarge and small vessels
Shoreline Ice PackShoreline Ice Pack
Ice Scour Ice Scour
SedimentsSediments
VegetationVegetation
BenthosBenthos
DamageDamage
structuresstructures
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Sedimentation of the EstuarySedimentation of the Estuary
The estuary formedThe estuary formednearly 6,000 yearsnearly 6,000 yearsago.ago.
In places, sedimentIn places, sedimentdeposits beneath thedeposits beneath theestuary are more thanestuary are more than700 feet thick.700 feet thick.
Currently nearCurrently nearequilibrium,equilibrium, ieie input =input =outputoutput
http://www.earthinstitute.columbia.edu/news/2004/story02http://www.earthinstitute.columbia.edu/news/2004/story02--0505--04.html04.html
SedimentationSedimentation
Annually 1.2 to 5.6 million metric tons of silt and Annually 1.2 to 5.6 million metric tons of silt andfine sediment enter the river fine sediment enter the river 0.3 million MT trapped in the Estuary Turbidity0.3 million MT trapped in the Estuary Turbidity
Maximum region (near GW Bridge)Maximum region (near GW Bridge)
0.05 million MT trapped in bays, bends, and river0.05 million MT trapped in bays, bends, and riverbottombottom
Areas of new accumulation only occurs in Areas of new accumulation only occurs inlocalized areas (scour areas, dredged areas)localized areas (scour areas, dredged areas)
DynamicDynamic Deposition interrupted by scour eventsDeposition interrupted by scour events
http://www.earthinstitute.columbia.edu/news/2004/story02http://www.earthinstitute.columbia.edu/news/2004/story02--0505--04.html04.html
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Episodic EventsEpisodic Events
Large effects on EstuaryLarge effects on Estuary
Erosion and DepositionErosion and Deposition
PrecipitationPrecipitation
Storm SurgeStorm Surge
WavesWaves
Ice jams (floods & scour)Ice jams (floods & scour)
Nutrient Inputs and RemovalNutrient Inputs and Removal ExamplesExamples
Hurricane FloydHurricane FloydSeptember 16, 1999September 16, 1999
9/16 Chesea, HRM 65.2; The storm surge from tropical storm Floyd
…moved up the Hudson. Low tide at midday was indistinguishable from
a normal high tide - the tide never went out. At dusk, a 50 mph
sustained northeast wind was blowing straight down the Hudsonpushing the river over its banks. Phyllis Lake in HR Almanac Vol VI
9/25 New Hamburg, HRM 67: Today’s high tide, enhanced by the
effects of the full moon, coupled with the high and roily runoff from
Floyd, had Wappinger Creek up in the trees…. Tom Lake
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Nor’easter Nor’easter December 1992December 1992
StormsStormsMay 1984May 1984
Water Level
5/27/84 - 6/04/84
-5
0
5
10
15
20
25
5/27 5/28 5/29 5/30 5/31 6/1 6/2 6/3 6/4
F t
Albany
Haverstraw Bay
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Green Island Flow
0
25,000
50,000
75,000
100,000
125,000
150,000
1/10 1/17 1/24 1/31 2/7
F l o w
( c f s
Ice JamsIce JamsJanuary 1996January 1996
A 1/21/96 NWS Flood Statement
reported that the large ice jam on the
Hudson River in Catskill, NY is
located between the Rip Van Winkle
Bridge and the confluence with theCatskill Creek.
http://zircon.union.edu/Mohawk_ice/2000_jam.html
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/aly/photos/photo.htm
Ice JamsIce JamsMarch 1936March 1936 The Middletown Press on Friday, March 13, 1936,The Middletown Press on Friday, March 13, 1936,
"Tons of ice, released when jams in the upper"Tons of ice, released when jams in the upper
Hudson and the Mohawk rivers broke yesterday,Hudson and the Mohawk rivers broke yesterday,
piled up today near Castleton, creating a gravepiled up today near Castleton, creating a grave
threat to the safety of communities along the lowerthreat to the safety of communities along the lower
Hudson.Hudson.
The Castleton jam backed up water as far North asThe Castleton jam backed up water as far North as
Albany, which was inundated along the river front to Albany, which was inundated along the river front toa depth of two to three feet."a depth of two to three feet."
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Trend in Sea LevelTrend in Sea Level
2.77 mm/year 0.9 ft/century
Ecological CommunitiesEcological CommunitiesEdinger Edinger et al. 2002et al. 2002
http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/heritage/draft_ecny2002http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/heritage/draft_ecny2002.htm.htm
NaturalNatural
Tidal River Tidal River
Freshwater (Salinity < 0.5Freshwater (Salinity < 0.5 pptppt ))
•• SubtidalSubtidal aquatic bedaquatic bed
•• Tidal marshTidal marsh
•• Tidal swampTidal swamp
•• IntertidalIntertidal mudflatsmudflats
•• IntertidalIntertidal shoreshore
Brackish (Salinity > 0.5Brackish (Salinity > 0.5 pptppt))
•• SubtidalSubtidal aquatic bedaquatic bed
•• Tidal marshTidal marsh
•• IntertidalIntertidal mudflatsmudflats
•• IntertidalIntertidal shoreshore
Cultural / ArtificialCultural / Artificial
estuarine submerged structureestuarine submerged structure
estuarine channel/artificialestuarine channel/artificial
impoundmentimpoundment
estuarine impoundment marshestuarine impoundment marsh
estuarine dredge spoil shoreestuarine dredge spoil shore
estuarine riprap/artificial shoreestuarine riprap/artificial shore
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HabitatsHabitats
Shallow basin and backwater areasShallow basin and backwater areas
Exposed shorelineExposed shoreline
Shallow shore zone areas with rootedShallow shore zone areas with rooted
aquatic vegetationaquatic vegetation
Deep water areas with relatively highDeep water areas with relatively high
velocitiesvelocities --
ShallowShallow
ShorezoneShorezone
with Rootedwith Rooted
Aquatic Vegetation Aquatic Vegetation Natural or artificialNatural or artificial
Plants depend on the degree of inundation,Plants depend on the degree of inundation,salinity, and nearby terrestrial communitiessalinity, and nearby terrestrial communities
Provide cover and protection for invertebratesProvide cover and protection for invertebratesand small fishes (and small fishes (mummichogmummichog, killifish, and other, killifish, and othershallowshallow--water species)water species)
Include the brackish tidal marsh, brackishInclude the brackish tidal marsh, brackishintertidalintertidal mudflats, freshwater tidal swamp,mudflats, freshwater tidal swamp,freshwater tidal marsh, freshwaterfreshwater tidal marsh, freshwater intertidalintertidalmudflats, and estuarine impoundment marshmudflats, and estuarine impoundment marshcommunitiescommunities
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Exposed ShorelineExposed Shoreline
High energy environmentsHigh energy environments wave action and ice scour are more severe than for the deeperwave action and ice scour are more severe than for the deeper
aquatic bedsaquatic beds
organic matter is scouredorganic matter is scoured
primarily sand and gravel substratesprimarily sand and gravel substrates
less vegetated than the aquatic bed communities, althoughless vegetated than the aquatic bed communities, althoughsome of the same species may be present.some of the same species may be present.
FaunaFauna InvertebratesInvertebrates -- isopods, amphipods, mollusks, zebra musselsisopods, amphipods, mollusks, zebra mussels
(FW)(FW)
FishesFishes -- striped bass, white perch, American shad,striped bass, white perch, American shad, bluebackbluebackherring, and alewife.herring, and alewife.
Include brackish and freshwaterInclude brackish and freshwater intertidalintertidal shoreshorecommunities, and the estuarine riprap/artificial shorecommunities, and the estuarine riprap/artificial shorecommunitycommunity
Shallow basin and backwater Shallow basin and backwater Freshwater or brackishFreshwater or brackish subtidalsubtidal aquatic bed communitiesaquatic bed communities
Low energyLow energy Low current velocityLow current velocity
Promote settling of suspended organic matter and finer sedimentsPromote settling of suspended organic matter and finer sediments..
Freshwater Freshwater
VegetationVegetation -- water celery, pondweed, waterweed, naiads, water chestnut andwater celery, pondweed, waterweed, naiads, water chestnut andEurasian milfoilEurasian milfoil
InvertebratesInvertebrates -- oligochaetesoligochaetes, isopods, amphipods, and, isopods, amphipods, and chironomidschironomids
FishesFishes -- primarily young, of white perch,primarily young, of white perch, spottailspottail shiner, striped bass, variousshiner, striped bass, variousmembers of the sunfish family, and othersmembers of the sunfish family, and others
BrackishBrackish
VegetationVegetation -- sago pondweed, horned pondweed, waterweed,sago pondweed, horned pondweed, waterweed, coontailcoontail, and the, and theexotic Eurasian milfoilexotic Eurasian milfoil
InvertebratesInvertebrates -- The same groups of invertebrates, although typically differentThe same groups of invertebrates, although typically differentspecies, but also decapods (crabs) and mollusks .species, but also decapods (crabs) and mollusks .
FishesFishes -- striped bass, and bay anchovystriped bass, and bay anchovy
BirdsBirds -- canvasback duck, bufflehead, commoncanvasback duck, bufflehead, common goldeneyegoldeneye, merganser, greater, merganser, greater scaupscaup,,snowy egret, and great blue heronsnowy egret, and great blue heron
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Deep water areas with relativelyDeep water areas with relatively
high velocitieshigh velocities Tidal River communityTidal River community
High EnergyHigh Energy Turbulent currents that keep sediments in suspensionTurbulent currents that keep sediments in suspension
BottomBottom -- hard or softhard or soft
Little vegetationLittle vegetation
FishesFishes -- Atlantic and Atlantic and shortnoseshortnose sturgeon,sturgeon, hogchoker hogchoker ,, American eel, Atlantic tomcod, American shad, American eel, Atlantic tomcod, American shad, bluebackbluebackherring, alewife, bay anchovy. Some species, such asherring, alewife, bay anchovy. Some species, such asstripedstriped bass,andbass,and American shad are pelagic American shad are pelagic spawnersspawners,,which release their eggs in these areas and the eggswhich release their eggs in these areas and the eggs
and early larvae drift in the water currents until they haveand early larvae drift in the water currents until they havedeveloped swimming capabilities.developed swimming capabilities.
Human ModificationHuman Modification
Attempt to retard, halt, or reverse the Attempt to retard, halt, or reverse the
natural processesnatural processes
“Improve” the environment to suit human“Improve” the environment to suit human
needsneeds
Often has unintended consequencesOften has unintended consequences
Began with human habitation of the valleyBegan with human habitation of the valley ContinuingContinuing
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Fill and RailroadsFill and Railroads
Tivoli BaysTivoli Bays The North Bay has beenThe North Bay has been
largely filled with a freshlargely filled with a fresh--
water tidal marsh sincewater tidal marsh since
1900, while the South Bay1900, while the South Bay
is now almost filled withis now almost filled with
sediment.sediment.
The neck of landThe neck of land
connectingconnecting Cruger Cruger IslandIsland
to the mainland was ato the mainland was a
natural wetland prior tonatural wetland prior to
construction of aconstruction of a
causeway circa 1835 forcauseway circa 1835 forvehicle access.vehicle access.
http://http://www.ulster.net/~hrmm/hvrr www.ulster.net/~hrmm/hvrr
/funk.htm/funk.htm
Dams & Navigation LocksDams & Navigation Locks
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Hardened Shorelines & IndustrialHardened Shorelines & Industrial
DevelopmentDevelopment
Recreational BoatingRecreational Boating
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Shoreline ModificationShoreline Modification
Dredging and Spoil DisposalDredging and Spoil Disposal
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Invasive SpeciesInvasive SpeciesMills et al 1996Mills et al 1996
113 non113 non--indigenous species ofindigenous species ofvertebrates, vascular plants,vertebrates, vascular plants,and large invertebratesand large invertebrates
10% of exotic species have10% of exotic species havemajor ecological impactsmajor ecological impacts
Significant impactsSignificant impacts
PlantsPlants
•• Curly pondweedCurly pondweed
•• WatercressWatercress
•• Water chestnutWater chestnut
•• Water milWater mil--foilfoil
•• Purple loosestrifePurple loosestrife
FishFish
•• CarpCarp
•• Brown troutBrown trout
•• Northern pikeNorthern pike
•• Rock bassRock bass
•• Smallmouth bassSmallmouth bass
•• Largemouth bassLargemouth bass
•• Black crappieBlack crappie InvertebratesInvertebrates
•• MudMud bithyniabithynia
•• Zebra musselZebra mussel
•• Crayfish (5 species)Crayfish (5 species)
State of the EstuaryState of the Estuary
PresentPresent
Natural, longNatural, long--term processesterm processes
Episodic events (natural and manEpisodic events (natural and man--assisted)assisted)
ManMan--made alterationsmade alterations
FutureFuture
Natural, longNatural, long--term processes will continueterm processes will continue
Episodic events will continueEpisodic events will continue Alterations can be designed to restore communities Alterations can be designed to restore communities
and habitats to a more natural state while maintainingand habitats to a more natural state while maintaining
human useshuman uses
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In the long run, nothing is asIn the long run, nothing is asfutile as trying to resistfutile as trying to resist
shoreline change.shoreline change.
Change can be resisted for aChange can be resisted for a
whi le, but when the water wantswhi le, but when the water wants
something badly enough, it wil lsomething badly enough, it wil l
come in and take it.come in and take it.
http://www.uwgb.edu/dutchs/EarthSC202PowerPoint/Wave%20Erosion%20and%20Marine%20Geology.ppt