1 of 14

Is the Hudson a River or an Estuary – An Introduction

A Day in the Life of the Hudson and Harbor ‘Investigation’

2 of 14

We all have a ‘Water Address’! �What is yours?

  • Can you name the closest waterbody to your home?
  • There are many types of water bodies - ocean, lake, river, stream, estuaries...

NASA

3 of 14

Here is a watershed map of the U.S.

Can you tell us what a watershed is?

Here is our watershed

4 of 14

What is your ‘Water Address’?

Hudson River Watershed:

    • Drains into the Atlantic Ocean

    • Starts at many different locations!

    • The highest point in our watershed: Mount Marcy in the Adirondacks

    • Where are you in the watershed?

5 of 14

Is the Hudson a River or an Estuary?

Some call the Hudson a River while others call the Hudson an Estuary… Which is it?

      • What defines a River?
      • What defines an Estuary?

STOP in your packets

develop a model for each!

6 of 14

Develop your model of what are the critical pieces that define a river and define an estuary?

Image Source: San Diego County Office of Education

7 of 14

Hudson Geography

Some call the Hudson a River while others call the Hudson an Estuary… We are going to begin an investigation to decide!

What defines a River?

What defines an Estuary?

Albany

Poughkeepsie

New York

Albany

Poughkeepsie

New York

8 of 14

Estuary VS. River Principles & Concepts

ESTUARIES

RIVERS

Connect directly to the ocean so water is both salty & fresh

A large body of fresh flowing water

Flow two ways due to tides

Flow one way –from higher to lower elevation

Depth determined by tides

Depth determined by flow

Ocean connection makes them very dynamic

Generally consistent water conditions

Highly complex with varied habitats

Less complex with fewer habitats

Species include freshwater, saltwater & estuarine (brackish)

Species are freshwater

People rely on them for the many things they provide

People rely on them for the many things they provide

9 of 14

This is a view of our area

10 of 14

Let’s Lay the Groundwork for Investigation #1 by checking in with some Hudson residents!

Tools for

investigation #1

11 of 14

12 of 14

How will we know what we catch?

We can use a

DICHOTOMOUS KEY

Based on a series of questions…

is it A or B

Tool # 2

13 of 14

Let’s try it out together…here is our fish

First let’s describe our fish and then check out the fish key

14 of 14

This is the end of Lesson 1 and we are prepared for the investigation #1��Be sure to check out investigations #2 and #3 after that!�www.ldeo.columbia.edu/dayinthelife/