2021/6/11
Watershed Report
With the Flow Report - New York State Watershed Report for the Week of June 7- 12
By Gillian Ward
Recognizing World Oceans Day – June 8, - National Fishing and Boating Week 2021
From the Central Watersheds
Including Mohawk River, Upper and Lower Hudson Rivers, Housatonic and Ramapo River Watersheds, Atlantic Ocean/Long Island Sound Watershed
Water Quality is Improving
At the end of May, EPA Region 2 reported that water quality in Long Island Sound is improving as a result of measures taken upstream to treat wastewater. University of Connecticut evaluated the nitrogen mitigation measures taken in upstate New York and Connecticut, calculating that advanced wastewater treatment measures remove 50 million pounds of N per year from waters discharged into Long Island Sound Watershed.
The data shows improved habitat for fish and other aquatic species. This exemplary program blazes a trail for sewer and wastewater operators everywhere.
From the Northwest Watersheds
Including Lake Ontario and Minor Tributaries, Niagara River/Lake Erie, Oswego River/Finger Lakes, and the Genessee River Watershed.
A 2.4 magnitude earthquake shook the Mount Morris Region in the early morning hours of May 28, 2021. The Livingston County town may not have taken much notice, but what do these seismological events do to our groundwater aquifers? George Thomas, Executive Director of the Genessee RiverWatch organization says that the earthquake did not result in any news for the watershed.
From the Southwest Watersheds
Including Susquehanna River, Chemung River, Delaware River and
Allegheny River Watershed –
Eyes on the Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis)
Allegheny River Watershed is one of the last habitats of the US Giant Salamanders. The success of these sensitive, prehistoric looking amphibians is a gauge for environmental conditions in upstate New York. The Hellbender, also known as “snot otter” has been declining in numbers for years, just now appearing on the US Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered List as of March of 2021. The creature has received special attention from Maryland’s Frostburg State University, Department of Biology, where students under tutelage of Dr. Daniel Hocking built and placed nesting boxes in the Hellbender’s habitat in 2020. WaterToday will follow up to see if any lasagna lizards have been spotted in the Allegheny River Watershed this season, be sure to let us know if you do.
From the Northeast Watersheds
Including St. Lawrence River, Lake Champlain River and Black River
The drainage area with the most sparse population in the state of New York has sadly made news as a “back forty” dumping ground. See Investigative Report How Mega Corps contaminated community's land and water since 1903 by Cori Marshall for details.
Climate Watch: Catastrophic sea level rise has been discussed in an interview with Dr. Klaus Jacob here at WTNY, find out how global GHG’s impact New York State.
From NOAA Monday, June 7, 2021 Carbon dioxide peaks near 420 parts per million at Mauna Loa observatory, the highest level since measurements began, indicating that we have not slowed the accumulation, never mind reduced GHG emissions.
If there is still time to avoid catastrophic climate change, we need to double our efforts to cut fossil fuel emissions, sink carbon into agricultural soils through regenerative practice, manage our wastewater discharge to the highest degree afforded with engineering and advanced technologies, and stop clogging our aquifers with waste. The tools are available to us, all it takes is a decision to step in the carbon-neutral direction.
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