The document discusses the impact of extreme weather events, particularly Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, on the Hudson River estuary's ecosystem, noting acute short-term effects on water quality and fish populations. It emphasizes the importance of sediment input and the ongoing recovery of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) as key factors in restoring ecosystem resilience. The findings suggest that while immediate effects were observed, long-term recovery efforts are essential as the frequency of such storms is predicted to increase.

1. The Hudson River Estuary During and After
Extreme Weather Events
What do recent storms tell us about the river’s resiliency?
Dan Miller
Hudson River Estuary Program
November 19, 2014

2. How are Big Storms like
Home Runs?

3. Intense Storms Predicted to Increase in Frequency

4. Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee
August 28- September 10, 2011
Irene Lee

5. Prelude to Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee
August 28- September 10, 2011
 Wettest August on record since 1872
 12.24 inches of accumulated rain fall by August 19 (Philadelphia)
Source: NOAA, NWS

7. 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

8. Storm Impacts on Hudson River Estuary- Short
Term
 High Flow
 High Tides
 Sediment Input
 Turbidity

9. 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

10. alewife
Americanshad
blueback
stripedbass
whiteperch
tessellateddarter
killifish
spottail
Displacement,weeks34-38(kilometers)
-150
-100
-50
0
50
100
Fish Populations Were Displaced Downriver
2000-2010
2011
Source: Dave Strayer

11. Sediment Input From Mohawk River and
Upper Hudson
Source: Gary Wall, USGS

12. How much is 1.75 million tons of sediment?
This truck can carry 400 tons…

13. 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

14. Sediment and Turbidity- Post Irene & Lee
Strayer et al. 2014

15. Submerged Aquatic Vegetation
Water celery (Vallisneria americana)

16. Ecological Functions of SAV: Habitat
More fish food = more fish

17. SAV Volunteer Monitoring Program Data

18. Ecosystem Resiliency
An ecosystem’s ability to recover after being stressed.
Has the Hudson Recovered?
• Water Quality
• Benthic Communities
• Fish and Wildlife
• SAV

19. Restoring Ecosystem
Resilience to HR Estuary
•SAV
•Shallow and Intertidal Habitats
•Shorelines
•Side Channels

20. 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

21. Thank You!
Dan Miller
Hudson River Estuary Habitat Restoration Coordinator
Hudson River Estuary Program
daniel.miller@dec.ny.gov
845-889-4745 ext. 110