1 of 10

Is the Hudson a River or an Estuary – Investigation #3

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

2 of 10

Investigation #3: One last piece of evidence & the most powerful driver in whether the Hudson is a river or an estuary

Our tools for investigation #3

3 of 10

Water level change at Piermont, ~RM 25 over a 4.5 hr. period of DITL sampling

4 of 10

Using HRECOS data to investigate tides http://hrecos.org

Hudson

Mohawk

Troy Dam

5 of 10

Using HRECOS data to investigate tides� http://hrecos.org

Troy Dam

Mohawk

Hudson

6 of 10

It’s time to check your models of what defines a river and what defines an estuary, and to update it them any new input! ���Be sure to use a different color of ink so you can see how your model develops!

Image Source: San Diego County Office of Education

7 of 10

What do you think, is the Hudson a River or an Estuary?

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 waterways

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

8 of 10

There are different types of estuaries. �How would you define the Hudson estuary?

Estuary Types

  1. Fjord – steep walled river valleys created by glacial advance (Alaska)
  2. Drowned River Valley (or Coastal Plain Estuaries) – rising sea levels flood existing river valleys (Chesapeake Bay)
  3. Tectonic – tectonic plate collide or fold together (San Francisco Bay)
  4. Bar Built – barrier beaches or coastal parallel islands (North Carolina)

9 of 10

For more opportunities to explore student collected data from the Hudson visit…

https://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/dayinthelife/

10 of 10

We would love you to visit our Field Station website!

https://lamont.columbia.edu/ldeo-hudson-river-field-station