the hudson during & after extreme weather events. what do they tell us about the river’s...
TRANSCRIPT
The Hudson River Estuary During and After Extreme Weather Events
What do recent storms tell us about the river’s resiliency?
Dan MillerHudson River Estuary Program
November 19, 2014
How are Big Storms like Home Runs?
Intense Storms Predicted to Increase in Frequency
Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm LeeAugust 28- September 10, 2011
Irene Lee
Prelude to Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm LeeAugust 28- September 10, 2011
Wettest August on record since 1872
12.24 inches of accumulated rain fall by August 19 (Philadelphia)
Source: NOAA, NWS
Hudson River Estuary Watershed
•152 miles from NYC to Albany
•13,000 mi2 watershed
•Rock-framed estuary
•Supports numerous resident and
migratory species
•Essential natural and economic resource
Storm Impacts on Hudson River Estuary- Short Term
High Flow
High Tides
Sediment Input
Turbidity
Storm Impacts on the Hudson River Estuary- Fish
Irene and Lee had strong but not catastrophic effects on fish populations in the Hudson
displaced fish populations downriver
did not bring in strays from the tributaries
reduced population sizes of fish in the shore zone
reduced apparent growth rates of fish
Strayer et al. 2014
alew
ife
Am
eric
an s
had
blue
back
strip
ed b
ass
whi
te p
erch
tess
ella
ted
darte
r
killi
fish
spot
tail
Dis
plac
emen
t, w
eeks
34-
38 (k
ilom
eter
s)
-150
-100
-50
0
50
100
Fish Populations Were Displaced Downriver
2000-2010
2011
Source: Dave Strayer
Sediment Input From Mohawk River and Upper Hudson
Source: Gary Wall, USGS
How much is 1.75 million tons of sediment?
This truck can carry 400 tons…
Sediment Input From Tributaries
- 200,000 400,000 600,000 800,000
Roeliff Jansen
Esopus
Normanskill*
Kinderhook
Rondout
Catskill
Tons of Suspended SedimentSource: Gary Wall, USGS
* Irene only
Total = 1,160,000 tons
Sediment and Turbidity- Post Irene & Lee
Strayer et al. 2014
Submerged Aquatic Vegetation
Water celery (Vallisneria americana)
Ecological Functions of SAV: Habitat
More fish food = more fish
SAV Volunteer Monitoring Program Data
Ecosystem ResiliencyAn ecosystem’s ability to recover after being stressed.
Has the Hudson Recovered?• Water Quality
• Benthic Communities
• Fish and Wildlife
• SAV
Restoring Ecosystem Resilience to HR Estuary
•SAV•Shallow and Intertidal Habitats•Shorelines•Side Channels
Conclusions Irene and Lee had acute short-term effects on water quality and fish
communities.
Long-term recovery still underway
SAV Recovery
Restoration efforts can enhance ecosystem resiliency and recovery from future large storms
There will be more
Thank You!
Dan Miller
Hudson River Estuary Habitat Restoration Coordinator
Hudson River Estuary Program
845-889-4745 ext. 110