Near real-time environmental data are being generated and publicly posted by HRECOS (Hudson River Environmental Conditions Observing System), HRNERRS (Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve System), and the USGS (U.S. Geological Survey).  The River Keeper measures and reports on bacteria in the Estuary.  New York City's Harbor Water Quality Survey has been measuring dissolved oxygen, temperature, and bacteria in the Harbor since 1909.

• HRECOS - Hudson River Environmental Conditions Observing System, a network of real-time water quality and meteorological monitoring stations
• HRNERRS - Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve; data
• HRNERRS - Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve; description
• NYHOPS - New York Harbor Observing and Prediction System
• USGS - U. S. Geological Survey Water Discharge, NYS
• USGS - Lower Hudson River Sediment Flux Project; water discharge and sediment transport at Poughkeepsie
• USGS - National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA)
• Hudson River Riverkeeper; advocacy and bacteriology
• New York Harbor Water Quality Survey

The Contaminant Assessment and Reduction Project (CARP) collected data on toxic chemicals (PCBs, pesticides, dioxins/furans, PAHs, mercury, and cadmium) in Hudson Estuary water, sediment, and biota between 1998 and 2001.  These data were used to make predictions for how contaminant concentrations change after user-specified load reductions.

• CARP- Contaminant Assessment and Reduction Project

Authoritative reports on Hudson River PCBs:

• EPA - Hudson PCB Cleanup
• Hudson River Natural Resource Damage Assessment

On-Going environmental science programs in the Hudson Basin can be found at the following links:

• RPI's Darrin Freshwater Institute
• HREP - NYSDEC's Hudson River Estuary Program
• Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies
• Hudson River Foundation
• The Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries

The Environmental Consortium of Colleges and Universities brings together academics from all parts of the valley who study environmental issues and disseminates their results through articles on its web page and conferences.

• dyson.pace.edu

Water Science Projects and Experiments for Learning and Family Fun

• siyachts.com/Water-Science-Projects-And-Experiments

These links are helpful for those looking for employment opportunities in the fields of environmental science.

Society of Wetland Scientists
Listing of wetlands-related employment opportunities and links to other environmental job listing sites

Aquatic Network
Listing of employment, grant, and internship opportunities in the marine sciences and environmental fields

Earthworks
World-leading portal of job and career opportunities for environmental scientists, ecologists, conservationists, forestry/agricultural scientists, geoscientists, meteorologists, climate/atmospheric scientists, oceanographers, marine scientists, remediation/contaminated land specialists, geotechnical engineers, hydrologists, hydrogeologists, water resource professionals, geographers, space/planetary scientists, astronomers and Remote Sensing/GIS specialists, with particular focus on Europe, the Pacific Rim, and North America.

Impacts of Tropical Storms Irene and Lee on the Hudson River

September 19, 2012

Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY

Last Year, two significant tropical storms dropped an estimated 12-18 inches of rainfall and disrupted many lives in the Hudson Valley, Catskills and beyond. This conference will explore the ecological impacts these two storms had on the Hudson River.

Meteorology & Hydrology

The Hudson River and Estuary Physical Response to Irene and Lee – Philip Orton, Stevens Institute of Technology

Meteorologic Factors that Resulted in Extreme Rainfall During Tropical Storm Irene and the Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee - Joseph P. Villani, Stephen N. DiRienzo (speaker), Hugh W. Johnson, Vasil T. Koleci, Kevin S. Lipton, George J. Maglaras, Kimberly G. McMahon, Timothy E. Scrom, Thomas A. Wasula, and Britt E. Westergard, NOAA/NWS Weather Forecast Office, Albany, New York

Hydrology of Tropical Storms Irene and Lee - Britt E. Westergard (speaker), Joseph P. Villani, Hugh W. Johnson, Vasil T. Koleci, Kevin S. Lipton, George J. Maglaras, Kimberly G. McMahon, Timothy E. Scrom, and Thomas A. Wasula, NOAA/NWS Weather Forecast Office, Albany, New York

Sediment Transport

Hudson River Watershed Sediment Transport following Tropical Storms Irene and Lee - Gary R. Wall (speaker) and Timothy F. Hoffman, U.S. Geological Survey

Salinity and Sediment in the Hudson River Estuary after Tropical Storms Irene and Lee - David K. Ralston (speaker), W. Rockwell Geyer, Woods Hole Oceanographic Inst. and John C. Warner, US Geological Survey

Impacts to Other Systems

Impacts of Tropical Storm Irene on the Connecticut River – John Woodruff, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Storm impacts on Nutrients and Sediments in the Susquehanna River Basin – Kevin McGonigal, Susquehanna River Basin Commission

Keynote: Impacts of tropical cyclones on North Carolina coastal carbon and nitrogen dynamics: Implications for biogeochemical cycling and water quality in a stormier and warmer world – Hans W. Paerl (speaker), Joseph R. Crosswell, Nathan S. Hall, Benjamin L. Peierls and Karen L. Rossignol, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Institute of Marine Sciences and Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering

Impacts to the Biology of the Hudson River Estuary

Storms caused river to take a ‘breath’ – Stuart Findlay, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, HRECOS

Effects of tropical storms Irene and Lee on fish in the Hudson River Estuary: a preliminary analysis – David Strayer, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies

Impacts to the Hudson River Tributary Habitats

Some implications of recent extreme weather events for environmental management and policy in the Catskills Region –Mark Vian, NYC Environmental Protection’s Stream Management Program

Documenting Impacts of Storm Response Construction Activities upon Stream Ecosystems Following Tropical Storms Irene & Lee – Joshua Thiel, NYS DEC Bureau of Habitat

Impacts to the Macro-invertebrate Community – Alexander J. Smith (speaker), NYS DEC Stream Biomonitoring Unit and Mohawk River Basin Program and Barry P. Baldigo, Mike McHale, US Geological Survey

Call for Poster Abstracts for:

IMPACTS of TROPICAL STORMS IRENE and LEE on the HUDSON RIVER

September 19, 2012

Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY

The Hudson River Environmental Society (HRES) is organizing a conference on the impacts of tropical storms Irene and Lee on the Hudson River. These storms hit the Hudson Valley on August 27/28, 2011 and September 8, 2011 respectively (see the attached description). Combined they dropped an estimated 12-18 inches of rainfall and disrupted many lives in the Hudson Valley, Catskills and beyond.

HRES is soliciting abstracts from graduate and undergraduate students, environmental monitoring groups, and scientists for a poster session during the conference from 3:15 to 5:30. Applicable topics can include (but are by no means limited to): meteorology and hydrology of the storms, sediment transported by the storms, impacts on Hudson River biology, watershed and tributary impacts, and impacts to other river systems including the Connecticut and Susquehanna.

On a first-come, first-served basis, travel funds will be available for students whose posters are accepted. All students who wish to receive travel reimbursement must indicate the amount requested and the expense type (e.g., train fare, taxi, subway). Registration is free for one person per accepted student poster. Registration is discounted for all students.

All submissions must include the following:

1. Principle investigator (PI): name, mailing address, phone, and email address;

2. Names and affiliations of all Co-PIs;

3. Poster Title;

4. Abstract of 250 words or less;

5. Poster type: undergraduate student, graduate student, academic faculty, volunteer monitoring group; and

6. If PI is a student, include travel funds if requested and expense types

Abstracts must be submitted by COB August 28 to: Irene/Lee Poster Abstracts Submission

Questions? Contact Chuck Nieder (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 518-402-9216)

The Hudson River Energy Landscape of the Past – Chuck Nieder, Bureau of Habitat, New York State DEC, HRES Vice-President

Thinking Globally: NY’s Energy Transformation in Context – Radina Valova, Staff Attorney, Pace Energy and Climate Center at Pace Law School

The NYS Energy Plan goals move the entire state economy to 100% clean, renewable energy - Peter Iwanowicz, Executive Director of Environmental Advocates of New York

Energy Policy Reform and getting to 50 by 30 - Christina Palmero, Deputy Director, Office of Clean Energy, New York State Department of Public Service

Balance of Power in the Hudson Valley - Chris Hogan, Chief Major Project Management Unit, New York State DEC

The Hudson Valley as a Crude Oil Superhighway - Andy Bicking, Scenic Hudson

Solar Energy and Land Use in the Hudson Valley – Cara Lee, The Nature Conservancy

Utility Scale Solar – Maureen Leddy, NYSERDA, New York Sun

Planning and Zoning for Solar – Jessica Bacher, Executive Director of the Land Use Law Center and Pace Law School

Solar Energy and Farm Land – Audrey Friedrichsen, Scenic Hudson