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Today, we delve into the fascinating world of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analysis through the eyes of Tara Srinivasan. Tara, an environmental staff scientist for the Restoration & Resilience team and a GIS analyst, combines her passion for environmental research with the power of geospatial data to support sustainable projects that enhance ecosystems and communities alike. GIS is a powerful technology used to study, analyze and visualize geospatial data. In Tara’s role at Princeton Hydro, GIS serves as both a creative and analytical tool, enabling her to generate and explore detailed maps of environmental conditions at project sites, such as vegetation, soils, topography, and water bodies. This process aids in identifying restoration needs, addressing challenges, and developing innovative solutions. Let’s embark on a journey through a typical day in Tara’s role and uncover how her expertise helps shape Princeton Hydro’s environmental restoration projects. Diving Into Data Tara usually starts her day in the office, preparing to analyze data for a particular project. Using GIS software like ArcGIS, she examines historical and current imagery of the site, overlays habitat features, and maps property boundaries. These analyses help Tara and the project team understand the site’s existing conditions, such as watershed boundaries and the presence of threatened or endangered species. “GIS allows us to study locations remotely, uncover patterns and features that might not be obvious on the ground, and understand how a place interacts with its surrounding environment,” Tara explains. “By incorporating extensive environmental data from local, state, and national resources, collected by both public and private organizations, I can gain a comprehensive view of a project site before we even set foot in the field.” From calculating the impacts of a proposed restoration project to mapping flood conditions under various climate scenarios, Tara’s work ensures that Princeton Hydro’s environmental solutions are informed by robust spatial data and cutting-edge technology. One project Tara is especially proud of is Princeton Hydro’s contribution to the Trenton Vulnerability Assessment, part of the Resilient NJ initiative administered by the NJDEP Bureau of Climate Resilience Planning. “We modeled flooding and urban heat islands based on current data and future projections of climate change, and created a mapping tool that overlaid hazard areas with Trenton’s critical facilities, community assets, cultural and ecological resources, and vulnerable populations,” she shares. Tara had the opportunity to present this data to Trenton residents, who shared their questions and ideas for solutions that the City incorporated into its climate planning efforts. “It was a great way to engage with our local Trenton community, get in-person feedback on our maps, and see the potential that GIS and environmental data have in informing social conversations,” Tara adds. Delineating a Watershed Today, Tara is focused on defining the boundaries of a watershed surrounding a small lake. In this video, she walks us through her step-by-step process for watershed delineation: [embed]https://youtu.be/qPi_FvJRGcQ[/embed] Collaborating Across Teams Collaboration is a key part of Tara’s role. On a typical day, she meets with Princeton Hydro’s regulatory team to discuss GIS findings that inform project permitting and compliance. These partnerships enhance her work, ensuring that data analyses align with project goals and regulatory standards. Tara also communicates her findings to clients and stakeholders who may not have technical GIS backgrounds. She uses intuitive maps, symbols, and colors, like blue for water and green for forests, to help stakeholders understand complex concepts at a glance. “Maps are a powerful thing,” Tara says. “They can bring people up to speed quickly and convey information in a way that words alone cannot.” When maps become more intricate, Tara incorporates supplementary visuals, such as tables and graphs, to provide additional clarity. Her ability to bridge technical expertise with accessible communication is crucial for guiding clients through project decisions. Fieldwork and Fresh Air Although much of her work is office-based, Tara occasionally heads out into the field to collect data or monitor project sites. Equipped with GPS tools and field notebooks, she assesses topography, vegetation, and other site-specific details that feed back into her GIS analyses. “Fieldwork provides a fresh perspective,” Tara notes. “It’s a great opportunity to see how projects are implemented and to observe how the environment evolves over time.” Whether delineating watersheds or monitoring post-construction conditions, these outings connect Tara’s technical work to the tangible landscapes she aims to restore. Overcoming Challenges with Innovation and Care Tara thrives on finding innovative solutions to challenges in her work, such as optimizing software processes and addressing gaps in available data. Her meticulous organization of databases, attention to detail, and commitment to accuracy ensure that her outputs are both reliable and impactful. When data is limited, Tara ensures transparency by clearly communicating any uncertainties, fostering trust and confidence in her analyses. Tara also approaches her work with a strong ethical lens, carefully considering the implications of GIS analyses on communities and ecosystems. “When you look at a map of a stream, lake, wetland, or forest in an urban area, it’s important to notice the houses, schools, businesses, parks, and other features that surround them,” Tara explains. “Our projects impact both the environment and people. GIS helps us examine a large area and assess our impact so we can minimize any temporary or permanent effects, both legally and ethically.” She notes that GIS can even identify already disturbed areas for construction access, helping preserve healthier habitats. Continued Inspiration Tara’s love for maps dates back to her childhood, when she was captivated by the intricate, hand-drawn maps in fantasy novels. Her fascination grew through exploring Google Earth, imagining future travels, and observing how geography shapes civilizations. This passion now drives her professional journey, where she uses GIS to merge her analytical skills with creativity. “I’ve always been a visual learner, so I find something grounding about orienting yourself on a map,” Tara shares. When she’s not working, Tara enjoys wildlife photography hikes, baking experiments, and writing music for her ukulele—a testament to her creativity both inside and outside the office. For Tara, GIS is more than a tool; it’s a gateway to understanding and addressing environmental challenges. Her work at Princeton Hydro highlights the versatility of GIS in projects ranging from wetland restoration to climate change resilience. Reflecting on her role, Tara says, “What I love most about GIS is its ability to bring environmental stories to life, helping people connect with the places they care about in a meaningful way.” [gallery link="none" ids="16713,16712,16711"] Through her dedication and expertise, Tara embodies the spirit of innovation and environmental stewardship that defines Princeton Hydro’s mission. Princeton Hydro’s multidisciplinary team combines unparalleled expertise with innovative geospatial technology to deliver integrated ecological and engineering solutions. From comprehensive assessments and sustainable design to implementation and community engagement, we are committed to addressing complex environmental challenges. Our team’s proven capabilities in natural resource management, water resources engineering, and geotechnical design, enhanced by in-house GIS expertise, enable us to provide tailored solutions that achieve measurable results. Whether conducting regional-scale analyses, developing coastal resiliency plans, or advancing ecological restoration efforts, we are proud to contribute to a sustainable future throughout the Northeast and beyond. [post_title] => A Day in the Life of Tara Srinivasan, Environmental Scientist and GIS Analyst at Princeton Hydro [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => a-day-in-the-life-of-tara-srinivasan-environmental-scientist-and-gis-analyst-at-princeton-hydro [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-07-11 10:54:08 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-07-11 10:54:08 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://princetonhydro.com/?p=16732 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [1] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 7499 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2021-02-18 19:57:22 [post_date_gmt] => 2021-02-18 19:57:22 [post_content] => Here at Princeton Hydro, our team members are committed to learning new technologies, staying ahead of regulatory changes, expanding their knowledge, and earning professional certifications in order to better service our clients and the public. Today, we are proud to put the spotlight on three team members who recently achieved new professional certifications from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MDNR). Environmental Scientist Duncan Simpson, PWS, earned his Maryland Biological Stream Survey (MBSS) Fish Crew Leader certification. He is the only person to have earned this prestigious certification in 2020. He also successfully completed the MBSS Physical Habitat Assessment. Staff Scientists Ivy Babson and Jesse Smith passed the written MBSS Benthic Macroinvertebrate Sampling Certification test, and successfully completed the related field audit. The MBSS program was started by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources in 1993 in order to improve consistency among all individuals in Maryland using MBSS habitat assessment protocols so that habitat data are comparable. The MBSS was Maryland's first probability-based or random design stream sampling program intended to provide unbiased estimates of stream conditions with known precision at various spatial scales ranging from large 6-digit river basins and medium-sized 8-digit watersheds to the entire state. This program is a cost-effective and efficient way to characterize Maryland's 10,000+ miles of freshwater streams. Duncan attended the Fish Crew Leader and Physical Habitat Assessment certification trainings, which were held virtually due to COVID-19. Following the trainings, he successfully passed the required written exams and field audits. For the habitat assessment field audit, Duncan had to complete an assessment and arrive at the same conclusions as the MBSS experts. He assessed a stream reach for several instream and upland habitat characteristics including audits of bank erosion; bank formation and substrate; stream character; woody debris; max depth; channelization; and riparian vegetation. The fish crew leader audit required Duncan to lead a team of individuals on a mock fish sampling event during which he was responsible for overseeing that the crew using the MBSS Round Four Sampling Protocol. In order to pass the audit, Duncan had to illustrate his intimate familiarity with every aspect of MBSS sampling and have at least three years of experience with MBSS sampling or with another comparable ecological field sampling effort. “I first learned about the MBSS certification in 2010 and have been hoping to take the training and earn the certification ever since. I truly admire and respect the scientific rigor of MBSS, so to be recognized with this prestigious certification is a great milestone in my career and something that I’m very proud of.” - Duncan Simpson For Staff Scientists Ivy and Jesse, the MBSS Benthic Macroinvertebrate field audit required that they collect kicks/jabs in twenty locations within the stream reach, located within the Elbow Branch in Susquehanna State Park. These twenty kicks/jabs were divided up into different microhabitat types depending on which were most dominant in the reach. The MBSS auditor simultaneously collected the same number of each microhabitat type. The twenty kicks performed by each sampler were compiled into one sample that was preserved and sent to the Maryland State Labs for analysis. In order to pass the audit, Jesse and Ivy’s Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity (a metric based on the diversity and tolerance of the organisms collected) had to be within one unit of the auditor's. Additionally, their successful audit hinged on having the correct supplies and on decontaminating their gear to prevent the spread of invasive species. "The training experience with MBSS allowed me to gain a deep appreciation of the role that benthic macroinvertebrates hold in our freshwater ecosystems. I’ve been able to develop a unique skillset to help my, and ultimately others’, understanding of benthic macroinvertebrate species richness and what they indicate in terms of water quality that contribute to the health of these special ecosystems." -Ivy Babson "I've had an interest in aquatic macroinvertebrates since college, and this training experience with the MBSS helped me further appreciate the process that goes into studying them and the ecosystems in which they live. This certification will allow me further opportunities to work with these organisms in the future, and I look forward to more work in this area." - Jesse Smith In total, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources offers five certification opportunities in MBSS protocols. The certifications include benthic macroinvertebrate sampling, benthic macroinvertebrate laboratory processing and subsampling, fish crew leader, fish taxonomy, and physical habitat assessment. In some cases, prerequisite certifications and trainings are required in order to apply and complete the DNR’s MBSS certifications. For example, in order to achieve the benthic macroinvertebrate taxonomy program, a previous Society for Freshwater Science certification is required. Attendance at MBSS spring and summer trainings is a partial requirement for most of the certifications. Participants must pass written tests and field audits, as well as additional tests and quality assurance procedures. Passing a laboratory audit and a written test is also required for the benthic macroinvertebrate laboratory processing and subsampling certification. Congratulations to Duncan, Ivy, & Jesse! Click here for more information about the MBSS certification program. If you’re interested in learning more about the wide variety of engineering and environmental services Princeton Hydro offers, go here: princetonhydro.com/services. [post_title] => Employee Spotlight: 3 Team Members Earn Maryland DNR Certifications [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => employee-spotlight-3-team-members-earn-maryland-dnr-certifications [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-07-22 12:30:59 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-07-22 12:30:59 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://princetonhydro.com/?p=7499 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [2] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 5595 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2020-12-10 14:23:04 [post_date_gmt] => 2020-12-10 14:23:04 [post_content] => As part of the multi-faceted effort to restore the vital Hudson River ecosystem, the USACE New York District launched the Hudson River Habitat Restoration. Princeton Hydro led the Hudson River Habitat Restoration Integrated Feasibility Study and Environmental Assessment for USACE. For this project, we established and evaluated baseline conditions through data collection and analysis; developed restoration objectives and opportunities; prepared an Environmental Assessment; and designed conceptual restoration plans for eight sites. This week, Lt. Gen. Scott A. Spellmon, USACE Commanding General and 55th U.S. Army Chief of Engineers, signed the Hudson River Habitat Restoration Ecosystem Restoration Chief’s Report, which represents the completion of the study and makes it eligible for congressional authorization. As stated in the USACE-issued news release, “The Chief’s Report recommends three individual ecosystem restoration projects including Henry Hudson Park, Schodack Island Park, and Moodna Creek within the 125-mile study area from the Federal Lock and Dam at Troy, NY to the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. These projects would restore a total of approximately 22.8 acres of tidal wetlands, 8.5 acres of side-channel and wetland complex, and 1,760 linear feet of living shoreline with 0.6 acres of tidal wetlands. The plan would also reconnect 7.8 miles of tributary habitat to the Hudson River through the removal of 3 barriers along Moodna Creek.” “The signing of this Chief’s Report is a significant milestone for the HRHR Project,” said Col. Matthew Luzzatto, USACE New York District Commander. “This has truly been a team effort and I want to thank our non-federal sponsors, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and New York State Department of State, and all of our engineers, scientists, and partners at the local, state and federal level for their unwavering support.” Read the full press release here. And, for more background information on the Feasibility Study and proposed restoration work, check out our original blog post: [embed]https://www.princetonhydro.com/blog/hudson-river-habitat-restoration/[/embed] [post_title] => UPDATE: Hudson River Habitat Restoration Study Completed & Chief's Report Signed [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => update-hrhr [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-01-02 14:19:23 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-01-02 14:19:23 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://www.princetonhydro.com/blog/?p=5595 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [3] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 5242 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2020-07-17 15:35:43 [post_date_gmt] => 2020-07-17 15:35:43 [post_content] => The use of biochar, a pure carbon, charcoal-like substance made from organic material, to enhance soil fertility is thought to have originated over 2,000 years ago in the Brazilian Amazon. Archeological studies indicate populations of native Amazonians used biochar to amend nutrient-poor soils to increase agricultural productivity. Biochar is generally produced through a process called pyrolysis. Pyrolysis is the decomposition of organic matter brought about by high temperatures (typically 800°F) in an environment with limited oxygen. The word pyrolysis is coined from the Greek-derived elements pyro "fire" and lysis "separating." Recently, biochar has received tremendous attention and its usage has moved beyond traditional agricultural and landscaping soil amendment applications. It is being championed as a useful technique for soil restoration, carbon sequestration, and - the one we’re most excited about - water quality management. Photo by: Colleen Lyons of the Lake Hopatcong Commission That’s right! Biochar has been shown to improve water quality by removing nutrients from waterbodies. Biochar can be placed in floatation balls, cages, or sacks, which are then tethered along the shoreline and in critical locations throughout the waterbody, like where an inlet enters a lake. The benefits of biochar far outweigh the relatively low-cost investment. Photo by: Colleen Lyons of the Lake Hopatcong Commission Princeton Hydro recently installed biochar flotation bags in various locations throughout Lake Hopatcong, including the Lake Winona outlet, the Lake Forest Yacht Club inlet, Lakeside Avenue and Holiday Avenue inlet in Hopatcong, and the Edith Decker School outlet in Mount Arlington. The biochar bag installation, which was funded by the NJDEP Freshwater HABs Prevention & Management Grant provided to the Lake Hopatcong Commission (LHC) and its project partner the Lake Hopatcong Foundation (LHF), is one part of a multi-pronged lake management plan to protect the overall water quality of Lake Hopatcong. Last summer, Lake Hopatcong - along with freshwater lakes throughout the country - was hit hard by a HAB outbreak that caused beach closures, health advisories, and water quality degradation. Princeton Hyrdo has been working with the LHC, LHF, Morris & Sussex Countys, and local municipalities to implement a number of lake management strategies. For example, Floating Wetland Islands, which use a mix of microbes and native plants to remove excess algae-causing nutrients from the water, were installed throughout Lake Hopatcong. Over the coming weeks, our team is installing more biochar bags in Roxbury, NJ at Duck Pond and in Mount Arlington, NJ at Memorial Pond. Stay tuned for more info! To learn more about our water quality management services, go here: princetonhydro.com/pond&lake. [post_title] => Using an Ancient Technology in a New Way: Removing Nutrients in a Lake with Biochar [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => biochar [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2026-03-03 14:59:42 [post_modified_gmt] => 2026-03-03 14:59:42 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://www.princetonhydro.com/blog/?p=5242 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 6 [filter] => raw ) [4] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 5103 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2020-07-01 15:19:38 [post_date_gmt] => 2020-07-01 15:19:38 [post_content] => July is Lakes Appreciation Month - a great time of year to enjoy your community lakes and help protect them. Lakes Appreciation Month was started by North American Lake Management Society (NALMS) to help bring attention to the countless benefits that lakes provide, to raise awareness of the many challenges facing our waterways, and to encourage people to get involved in protecting these precious resources. “You work and play on them. You drink from them. But do you really appreciate them? Growing population, development, and invasive species stress your local lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. All life needs water; let’s not take it for granted!” - NALMS Chemical pollutants, stormwater runoff, hydrocarbons, invasive aquatic species, and climate change are just a few of the the serious threats facing lakes and other freshwater habitats. So what can you do to to help? We’ve put together six tips to help you celebrate Lakes Appreciation Month and get involved in protecting your favorite lakes:
Welcome to our latest installment of the “A Day in the Life” blog series. Today, we delve into the fascinating world of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analysis through the eyes of Tara Srinivasan. Tara, an environmental staff scientist for the Restoration & Resilience team and a GIS analyst, combines her passion for environmental research with the power of geospatial data to support sustainable projects that enhance ecosystems and communities alike.
GIS is a powerful technology used to study, analyze and visualize geospatial data. In Tara’s role at Princeton Hydro, GIS serves as both a creative and analytical tool, enabling her to generate and explore detailed maps of environmental conditions at project sites, such as vegetation, soils, topography, and water bodies. This process aids in identifying restoration needs, addressing challenges, and developing innovative solutions.
Let’s embark on a journey through a typical day in Tara’s role and uncover how her expertise helps shape Princeton Hydro’s environmental restoration projects.
Tara usually starts her day in the office, preparing to analyze data for a particular project. Using GIS software like ArcGIS, she examines historical and current imagery of the site, overlays habitat features, and maps property boundaries. These analyses help Tara and the project team understand the site’s existing conditions, such as watershed boundaries and the presence of threatened or endangered species.
“GIS allows us to study locations remotely, uncover patterns and features that might not be obvious on the ground, and understand how a place interacts with its surrounding environment,” Tara explains. “By incorporating extensive environmental data from local, state, and national resources, collected by both public and private organizations, I can gain a comprehensive view of a project site before we even set foot in the field.”
From calculating the impacts of a proposed restoration project to mapping flood conditions under various climate scenarios, Tara’s work ensures that Princeton Hydro’s environmental solutions are informed by robust spatial data and cutting-edge technology.
One project Tara is especially proud of is Princeton Hydro’s contribution to the Trenton Vulnerability Assessment, part of the Resilient NJ initiative administered by the NJDEP Bureau of Climate Resilience Planning. “We modeled flooding and urban heat islands based on current data and future projections of climate change, and created a mapping tool that overlaid hazard areas with Trenton’s critical facilities, community assets, cultural and ecological resources, and vulnerable populations,” she shares. Tara had the opportunity to present this data to Trenton residents, who shared their questions and ideas for solutions that the City incorporated into its climate planning efforts. “It was a great way to engage with our local Trenton community, get in-person feedback on our maps, and see the potential that GIS and environmental data have in informing social conversations,” Tara adds.
Today, Tara is focused on defining the boundaries of a watershed surrounding a small lake. In this video, she walks us through her step-by-step process for watershed delineation:
Collaboration is a key part of Tara’s role. On a typical day, she meets with Princeton Hydro’s regulatory team to discuss GIS findings that inform project permitting and compliance. These partnerships enhance her work, ensuring that data analyses align with project goals and regulatory standards.
Tara also communicates her findings to clients and stakeholders who may not have technical GIS backgrounds. She uses intuitive maps, symbols, and colors, like blue for water and green for forests, to help stakeholders understand complex concepts at a glance. “Maps are a powerful thing,” Tara says. “They can bring people up to speed quickly and convey information in a way that words alone cannot.”
When maps become more intricate, Tara incorporates supplementary visuals, such as tables and graphs, to provide additional clarity. Her ability to bridge technical expertise with accessible communication is crucial for guiding clients through project decisions.
Although much of her work is office-based, Tara occasionally heads out into the field to collect data or monitor project sites. Equipped with GPS tools and field notebooks, she assesses topography, vegetation, and other site-specific details that feed back into her GIS analyses.
“Fieldwork provides a fresh perspective,” Tara notes. “It’s a great opportunity to see how projects are implemented and to observe how the environment evolves over time.”
Whether delineating watersheds or monitoring post-construction conditions, these outings connect Tara’s technical work to the tangible landscapes she aims to restore.
Tara thrives on finding innovative solutions to challenges in her work, such as optimizing software processes and addressing gaps in available data. Her meticulous organization of databases, attention to detail, and commitment to accuracy ensure that her outputs are both reliable and impactful. When data is limited, Tara ensures transparency by clearly communicating any uncertainties, fostering trust and confidence in her analyses.
Tara also approaches her work with a strong ethical lens, carefully considering the implications of GIS analyses on communities and ecosystems. “When you look at a map of a stream, lake, wetland, or forest in an urban area, it’s important to notice the houses, schools, businesses, parks, and other features that surround them,” Tara explains. “Our projects impact both the environment and people. GIS helps us examine a large area and assess our impact so we can minimize any temporary or permanent effects, both legally and ethically.” She notes that GIS can even identify already disturbed areas for construction access, helping preserve healthier habitats.
Tara’s love for maps dates back to her childhood, when she was captivated by the intricate, hand-drawn maps in fantasy novels. Her fascination grew through exploring Google Earth, imagining future travels, and observing how geography shapes civilizations. This passion now drives her professional journey, where she uses GIS to merge her analytical skills with creativity. “I’ve always been a visual learner, so I find something grounding about orienting yourself on a map,” Tara shares.
When she’s not working, Tara enjoys wildlife photography hikes, baking experiments, and writing music for her ukulele—a testament to her creativity both inside and outside the office.
For Tara, GIS is more than a tool; it’s a gateway to understanding and addressing environmental challenges. Her work at Princeton Hydro highlights the versatility of GIS in projects ranging from wetland restoration to climate change resilience. Reflecting on her role, Tara says, “What I love most about GIS is its ability to bring environmental stories to life, helping people connect with the places they care about in a meaningful way.”
Through her dedication and expertise, Tara embodies the spirit of innovation and environmental stewardship that defines Princeton Hydro’s mission.
Princeton Hydro’s multidisciplinary team combines unparalleled expertise with innovative geospatial technology to deliver integrated ecological and engineering solutions. From comprehensive assessments and sustainable design to implementation and community engagement, we are committed to addressing complex environmental challenges. Our team’s proven capabilities in natural resource management, water resources engineering, and geotechnical design, enhanced by in-house GIS expertise, enable us to provide tailored solutions that achieve measurable results. Whether conducting regional-scale analyses, developing coastal resiliency plans, or advancing ecological restoration efforts, we are proud to contribute to a sustainable future throughout the Northeast and beyond.
Here at Princeton Hydro, our team members are committed to learning new technologies, staying ahead of regulatory changes, expanding their knowledge, and earning professional certifications in order to better service our clients and the public.
Today, we are proud to put the spotlight on three team members who recently achieved new professional certifications from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MDNR).
Environmental Scientist Duncan Simpson, PWS, earned his Maryland Biological Stream Survey (MBSS) Fish Crew Leader certification. He is the only person to have earned this prestigious certification in 2020. He also successfully completed the MBSS Physical Habitat Assessment.
Staff Scientists Ivy Babson and Jesse Smith passed the written MBSS Benthic Macroinvertebrate Sampling Certification test, and successfully completed the related field audit.
The MBSS program was started by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources in 1993 in order to improve consistency among all individuals in Maryland using MBSS habitat assessment protocols so that habitat data are comparable. The MBSS was Maryland's first probability-based or random design stream sampling program intended to provide unbiased estimates of stream conditions with known precision at various spatial scales ranging from large 6-digit river basins and medium-sized 8-digit watersheds to the entire state. This program is a cost-effective and efficient way to characterize Maryland's 10,000+ miles of freshwater streams.
Duncan attended the Fish Crew Leader and Physical Habitat Assessment certification trainings, which were held virtually due to COVID-19. Following the trainings, he successfully passed the required written exams and field audits.
For the habitat assessment field audit, Duncan had to complete an assessment and arrive at the same conclusions as the MBSS experts. He assessed a stream reach for several instream and upland habitat characteristics including audits of bank erosion; bank formation and substrate; stream character; woody debris; max depth; channelization; and riparian vegetation.
The fish crew leader audit required Duncan to lead a team of individuals on a mock fish sampling event during which he was responsible for overseeing that the crew using the MBSS Round Four Sampling Protocol. In order to pass the audit, Duncan had to illustrate his intimate familiarity with every aspect of MBSS sampling and have at least three years of experience with MBSS sampling or with another comparable ecological field sampling effort.
“I first learned about the MBSS certification in 2010 and have been hoping to take the training and earn the certification ever since. I truly admire and respect the scientific rigor of MBSS, so to be recognized with this prestigious certification is a great milestone in my career and something that I’m very proud of.” - Duncan Simpson
For Staff Scientists Ivy and Jesse, the MBSS Benthic Macroinvertebrate field audit required that they collect kicks/jabs in twenty locations within the stream reach, located within the Elbow Branch in Susquehanna State Park. These twenty kicks/jabs were divided up into different microhabitat types depending on which were most dominant in the reach. The MBSS auditor simultaneously collected the same number of each microhabitat type.
The twenty kicks performed by each sampler were compiled into one sample that was preserved and sent to the Maryland State Labs for analysis. In order to pass the audit, Jesse and Ivy’s Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity (a metric based on the diversity and tolerance of the organisms collected) had to be within one unit of the auditor's. Additionally, their successful audit hinged on having the correct supplies and on decontaminating their gear to prevent the spread of invasive species.
"The training experience with MBSS allowed me to gain a deep appreciation of the role that benthic macroinvertebrates hold in our freshwater ecosystems. I’ve been able to develop a unique skillset to help my, and ultimately others’, understanding of benthic macroinvertebrate species richness and what they indicate in terms of water quality that contribute to the health of these special ecosystems." -Ivy Babson
"I've had an interest in aquatic macroinvertebrates since college, and this training experience with the MBSS helped me further appreciate the process that goes into studying them and the ecosystems in which they live. This certification will allow me further opportunities to work with these organisms in the future, and I look forward to more work in this area." - Jesse Smith
In total, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources offers five certification opportunities in MBSS protocols. The certifications include benthic macroinvertebrate sampling, benthic macroinvertebrate laboratory processing and subsampling, fish crew leader, fish taxonomy, and physical habitat assessment. In some cases, prerequisite certifications and trainings are required in order to apply and complete the DNR’s MBSS certifications. For example, in order to achieve the benthic macroinvertebrate taxonomy program, a previous Society for Freshwater Science certification is required.
Attendance at MBSS spring and summer trainings is a partial requirement for most of the certifications. Participants must pass written tests and field audits, as well as additional tests and quality assurance procedures. Passing a laboratory audit and a written test is also required for the benthic macroinvertebrate laboratory processing and subsampling certification.
Congratulations to Duncan, Ivy, & Jesse!
Click here for more information about the MBSS certification program. If you’re interested in learning more about the wide variety of engineering and environmental services Princeton Hydro offers, go here: princetonhydro.com/services.
As part of the multi-faceted effort to restore the vital Hudson River ecosystem, the USACE New York District launched the Hudson River Habitat Restoration. Princeton Hydro led the Hudson River Habitat Restoration Integrated Feasibility Study and Environmental Assessment for USACE. For this project, we established and evaluated baseline conditions through data collection and analysis; developed restoration objectives and opportunities; prepared an Environmental Assessment; and designed conceptual restoration plans for eight sites.
This week, Lt. Gen. Scott A. Spellmon, USACE Commanding General and 55th U.S. Army Chief of Engineers, signed the Hudson River Habitat Restoration Ecosystem Restoration Chief’s Report, which represents the completion of the study and makes it eligible for congressional authorization.
As stated in the USACE-issued news release, “The Chief’s Report recommends three individual ecosystem restoration projects including Henry Hudson Park, Schodack Island Park, and Moodna Creek within the 125-mile study area from the Federal Lock and Dam at Troy, NY to the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. These projects would restore a total of approximately 22.8 acres of tidal wetlands, 8.5 acres of side-channel and wetland complex, and 1,760 linear feet of living shoreline with 0.6 acres of tidal wetlands. The plan would also reconnect 7.8 miles of tributary habitat to the Hudson River through the removal of 3 barriers along Moodna Creek.”
“The signing of this Chief’s Report is a significant milestone for the HRHR Project,” said Col. Matthew Luzzatto, USACE New York District Commander. “This has truly been a team effort and I want to thank our non-federal sponsors, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and New York State Department of State, and all of our engineers, scientists, and partners at the local, state and federal level for their unwavering support.”
Read the full press release here. And, for more background information on the Feasibility Study and proposed restoration work, check out our original blog post:
The use of biochar, a pure carbon, charcoal-like substance made from organic material, to enhance soil fertility is thought to have originated over 2,000 years ago in the Brazilian Amazon. Archeological studies indicate populations of native Amazonians used biochar to amend nutrient-poor soils to increase agricultural productivity.
Biochar is generally produced through a process called pyrolysis. Pyrolysis is the decomposition of organic matter brought about by high temperatures (typically 800°F) in an environment with limited oxygen. The word pyrolysis is coined from the Greek-derived elements pyro "fire" and lysis "separating."
Recently, biochar has received tremendous attention and its usage has moved beyond traditional agricultural and landscaping soil amendment applications. It is being championed as a useful technique for soil restoration, carbon sequestration, and - the one we’re most excited about - water quality management.
That’s right! Biochar has been shown to improve water quality by removing nutrients from waterbodies. Biochar can be placed in floatation balls, cages, or sacks, which are then tethered along the shoreline and in critical locations throughout the waterbody, like where an inlet enters a lake. The benefits of biochar far outweigh the relatively low-cost investment.
Princeton Hydro recently installed biochar flotation bags in various locations throughout Lake Hopatcong, including the Lake Winona outlet, the Lake Forest Yacht Club inlet, Lakeside Avenue and Holiday Avenue inlet in Hopatcong, and the Edith Decker School outlet in Mount Arlington. The biochar bag installation, which was funded by the NJDEP Freshwater HABs Prevention & Management Grant provided to the Lake Hopatcong Commission (LHC) and its project partner the Lake Hopatcong Foundation (LHF), is one part of a multi-pronged lake management plan to protect the overall water quality of Lake Hopatcong.
Last summer, Lake Hopatcong - along with freshwater lakes throughout the country - was hit hard by a HAB outbreak that caused beach closures, health advisories, and water quality degradation. Princeton Hyrdo has been working with the LHC, LHF, Morris & Sussex Countys, and local municipalities to implement a number of lake management strategies. For example, Floating Wetland Islands, which use a mix of microbes and native plants to remove excess algae-causing nutrients from the water, were installed throughout Lake Hopatcong.
Over the coming weeks, our team is installing more biochar bags in Roxbury, NJ at Duck Pond and in Mount Arlington, NJ at Memorial Pond. Stay tuned for more info! To learn more about our water quality management services, go here: princetonhydro.com/pond&lake.
July is Lakes Appreciation Month - a great time of year to enjoy your community lakes and help protect them.
Lakes Appreciation Month was started by North American Lake Management Society (NALMS) to help bring attention to the countless benefits that lakes provide, to raise awareness of the many challenges facing our waterways, and to encourage people to get involved in protecting these precious resources.
“You work and play on them. You drink from them. But do you really appreciate them? Growing population, development, and invasive species stress your local lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. All life needs water; let’s not take it for granted!” - NALMS
Chemical pollutants, stormwater runoff, hydrocarbons, invasive aquatic species, and climate change are just a few of the the serious threats facing lakes and other freshwater habitats. So what can you do to to help?
We’ve put together six tips to help you celebrate Lakes Appreciation Month and get involved in protecting your favorite lakes:
The “Secchi Dip-In” is an annual citizen science event where lake-goers and associations across North America use a simple Secchi disk to monitor the transparency or turbidity of their local waterway. Created and managed by NALMS, volunteers have been submitting information during the annual Dip-In since 1994. Get all the Dip-In details here.
With the BloomWatch App, you can help the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency understand where and when potential harmful algae blooms (HABs) occur. HABs have the potential to produce toxins that can have serious negative impacts on the health of humans, pets, and our ecosystems. Click here to learn more and download the app here. For more information on HABs, check out our recent blog.
Commit to keeping your lake clean: Volunteers play a major role in maintaining the health and safety of community waterways. If you’re interested in helping to conserve and protect your water resources, you can start by cleaning up trash. Choose a waterbody in your community; determine a regular clean-up schedule; and stick to it! Cleaning your neighborhood storm drains really helps too; click here to find out how.
You can help support your favorite lake by joining or donating to a lake or watershed association. As an organized, collective group, lake associations work toward identifying and implementing strategies to protect water quality and ecological integrity. Lake associations monitor the condition of the lake, develop lake management plans, provide education about how to protect the lake, work with the government entities to improve fish habitat, and much more.
There are countless ways to enjoy and appreciate your community lakes. During Lakes Appreciation month, take photos that illustrate how you appreciate your community lakes, share them on social media using the hashtag: #LakesAppreciation, and hopefully you’ll inspire others to show their Lake Appreciation too.
NALMS invites you to participate in its social media photo contest, titled "Show Your Lakes Appreciation Challenge." To participate: Take a picture of yourself or someone you know enjoying or working on a lake or reservoir during July. And, upload the photo to Facebook, Instagram and/or Twitter using a descriptive caption and the #LakesAppreciation hashtag. Three winners will be determined via a raffle and announced via social media on Monday, August 3rd. Learn more.
To ensure you’re staying safe while participating in Lakes Appreciation Month and all outdoor activities, please be sure to follow local regulations and the CDC's recommended COVID-19 guidelines.
To learn more about NALMS and get more ideas on how to celebrate your local lakes, go here: https://www.nalms.org. If you’re interested in learning more about Princeton Hydro’s broad range of award-winning lake management services, go here: http://bit.ly/pondlake.
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A densely developed, flood-prone, former industrial site in Bloomfield, New Jersey is being transformed into a thriving public park and 4.2 acres of wetlands. This is thanks to the Third River Floodplain Wetland Enhancement Project, which broke ground in March of 2019. The project will restore valuable ecological functions and natural floodplain connection, enhance aquatic and wildlife habitat, and increase flood storage capacity for urban stormwater runoff.
The project team has already made tremendous progress at the site, which is located along the Third River and Spring Brook, two freshwater tributaries of the Passaic River. Princeton Hydro is serving as the ecological engineer to Bloomfield Township; our scientists and engineers have assisted in obtaining grants, collected background ecological data through field sampling and surveying, created a water budget, completed all necessary permitting, designed both the conceptual and final restoration plans, and continues to conduct construction oversight during the implementation of this important urban wetland creation project.
The project team recently utilized a drone to document the significant progress being made:
We're excited to see what the restoration will look like when it's all finished. Check out additional photos below and stay tuned for project updates!
To learn more, check out the full story below:
The City of Elizabeth, the fourth most populous in New Jersey, is not exactly the first place that comes to mind when envisioning a wild landscape. This bustling urban area is well known for its Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal and the Philips 66 Bayway Refinery, and sits at the intersection of several major roadways like the NJ Turnpike and the Goethals Bridge. The landscape, which was once teeming with dense wetlands and associated habitats, is now heavily urbanized with a vast mix of residential, commercial, and industrial properties. The largely channelized Elizabeth River courses through the city for 4.2 miles before draining into the Arthur Kill waterway. However, in this 14-square mile city, native flora and fauna are taking root again thanks to ecological restoration and mitigation efforts.
Urban landscapes like Elizabeth can pose significant challenges for restoration efforts, but they also provide an array of opportunity for significant ecological uplift.
In 2004, Princeton Hydro was retained to restore an 18-acre site adjacent to the Elizabeth Seaport Business Park, which is located in an area that was once part of a large contiguous wetland system abutting Newark Bay. The site was comprised of a significantly disturbed mosaic of wetland and upland areas and a monoculture of Phragmites australis, also known as Common Reed, on historic fill. Historic fill consists of non-native material, historically placed to raise grades, and typically contains contaminated material not associated with the operations of the site on which it was placed.
The highly invasive Phragmites australis had overtaken most of the wetland areas, and the upland woodland areas only contained four tree species, mostly Eastern Cottonwood, with very low wildlife value. The 18-acre site had huge potential but was significantly degraded and was being vastly underutilized. Overall, the mitigation plan focused on the enhancement of existing wetland and transition areas to increase the area’s wildlife value through the establishment of a more desirable, diverse assemblage of native species subsequent to eradication of non-native-invasive species.
The freshwater wetland aspect of the mitigation plan, which included inundated emergent, emergent, and forested habitat, was designed to be a combination of wetland creation (2.40 acres) and enhancement (8.79 acres), emphasizing the establishment of more species rich wetlands in order to increase biodiversity and improve the site’s wildlife food value.
The upland forest aspect of the mitigation plan involved the enhancement of 5.40 acres and creation of 1.45 acres of upland forest to foster the development of a species rich and structurally complex upland forest. The upland areas targeted for enhancement/creation consisted of areas where woody vegetation was lacking or forested areas that were dominated by eastern cottonwood.
The project team worked to remove Phragmites australis from the site utilizing a combination of herbicide and mechanical removal techniques. Once the Phragmites australis was cleared, the team installed 27,000 two-inch native herbaceous plant plugs in the wetland portions of the mitigation site, and 2,705 native trees/shrubs throughout the site.
In order to ensure the continued success of the mitigation project, monitoring is regularly conducted at the site. A monitoring report conducted at the end of 2019 revealed a plethora of well-established habitat areas, a diverse community of plant and tree species, and a thriving, highly-functional landscape.
Presently, the Elizabeth Seaport Business Park Mitigation Site boasts a variety of productive wildlife habitats that are rare in a highly urbanized setting and provides valuable ecosystem services, including sediment retention and roosting, foraging, and nesting opportunities for both resident and migratory bird species with over 150 bird species identified within the mitigation site.
This project serves as an example of how degraded urban areas can be successfully rehabilitated and the land’s natural function restored and enhanced. If you'd like to learn more about this project from our Natural Resources Senior Project Manager Michael Rehman, check out the video of his presentation at the 2020 Delaware Wetlands Conference below.
If you're interested in learning more about our wetland restoration and mitigation services, go here!
Non-native Phragmites australis, also known as Common Reed, is a species of perennial grass found across North America, especially along the Atlantic coast, in wetlands, riparian areas, shorelines, and other wet areas like roadside ditches and drainage basins. This aggressively invasive grass can grow up to 20 feet tall, in dense groupings, and tends to spread rapidly, quickly colonizing disturbed wetlands.
Once established, the invasive plant forms a monoculture with a dense mat, outcompeting native vegetation, lowering the local plant biodiversity, and displacing native animals. These landscape changes impair the natural function of the marsh ecosystem by altering its elevations and tidal reach. A higher, drier marsh leads to less vigorous growth of native salt marsh vegetation, allowing Phragmites australis to gain a stronger foothold and continue to take over.
Phragmites australis can also eliminate small, intertidal channels and obliterate pool habitat that offers natural refuge and feeding grounds for invertebrates, fish, and birds. The spread of invasive Phragmites australis also has negative impacts on land aesthetics and outdoor recreation by obscuring views and restricting access. And, each Fall, when Phragmites australis die off, the large concentrations of dry vegetation increase the risk of fast-spreading fires near highly populated residential and commercial areas.
Over the last century, there has been a dramatic increase in the spread of Phragmites australis, partly due to an increase in residential and commercial development that resulted in disturbances to wetlands. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the rapid spread of Phragmites australis in the 20th century can also be attributed to the construction of railroads and major roadways, habitat disturbance, shoreline development, pollution, and eutrophication.
Princeton Hydro has worked in areas throughout the East Coast to address and properly manage Phragmites australis in order to restore natural habitats and enhance plant diversity, wildlife habitat, and water quality. Two recent projects include the restoration of John A. Roebling Memorial Park in Hamilton and Pin Oak Forest Conservation Area in Woodbridge, New Jersey.
Mercer County’s John A. Roebling Memorial Park is home to the northernmost freshwater tidal marsh on the Delaware River, the Abbott Marshlands, an area containing valuable habitat for many rare species. Unfortunately, the area experienced a significant amount of loss and degradation, partially due to the introduction of the invasive Phragmites australis.
For Mercer County Park Commission, Princeton Hydro put together a plan to reduce and control the Phragmites australis, in order to increase biodiversity, improve recreational opportunities, and enhance visitor experience at the park. This stewardship project replaced the Phragmites australis with native species in order to reduce its ability to recolonize the marsh.
By Spring of this year, the team expects to see native species dominating the landscape from the newly exposed native seed bank with minimal Phragmites australis growth.
The Pin Oak Forest Conservation Area is a 97-acre tract of open space that contains an extremely valuable wetland complex at the headwaters of Woodbridge Creek. The site is located in a heavily developed landscape of northern New Jersey. As such, the area suffered from wetland and stream channel degradation, habitat fragmentation, ecological impairment, and decreased biodiversity due to invasive species, including Phragmites australis.
The site was viewed as one of only a few large-scale freshwater wetland restoration opportunities remaining in this highly developed region of New Jersey. A dynamic partnership between government agencies, NGOs, and private industry, was formed to restore the natural function of the wetlands complex, transform the Pin Oak Forest site into thriving habitat teeming with wildlife, and steward this property back to life.
This award-winning restoration project converted over 30 acres of degraded freshwater wetlands, streams and disturbed uplands dominated by invasive species into a species-rich and highly functional headwater wetland complex. The resulting ecosystem provides valuable habitat for wildlife including the state-threatened Black-crowned Night-heron and Red-headed Woodpecker. Biodiversity was also increased through invasive species management, which allowed establishment of native plants such as pin oak, swamp white oak, marsh hibiscus, and swamp rose. The restored headwater wetland system provides stormwater management, floodplain storage, enhanced groundwater recharge onsite, and surface water flows to Woodbridge Creek, as well as public hiking trails, all benefiting the town of Woodbridge.
Scientific field research continues to be conducted in order to identify the best way(s) to manage and control the spread of Phragmites australis. Depending on the landscape and how established the Phragmites australis population is, there are several different methods that can be effective in reducing Phragmites australis infestations in order to allow for the regeneration of native wetland plant communities and protect fish and wildlife habitat.
Recently, a group of more than 280 scientists, resource managers and policy professionals gathered together at the Hudson River Estuary Program’s (HEP) annual conference to explore how natural and nature-based solutions (i.e. building living shorelines, enhancing tidal wetlands and stream corridors, and conserving vulnerable floodplains) can be used as critical tools for addressing the impacts of climate change while also protecting and enhancing critical habitat.
The conference included six interactive workshops and dynamic panel discussions. Christiana Pollack, CERP, GISP, CFM of Princeton Hydro, Terry Doss of New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, Kip Stein from New York City Parks, and Judith Weis of Rutgers lead a panel discussion, moderated by Lisa Baron from U.S. Army Corps Engineers, on "The Yin and Yang of Estuarine Phragmites Management" to share lessons learned over many years of combating invasive species, including how sea level rise is changing minds and techniques.
Together, representing decades of experience in Phragmites australis management and research, these experts presented the evolving nature of restoration for this habitat type, common control/management methodologies, and long-term management and monitoring strategies for this reed and other invasive species. During the panel discussion, Christiana made specific mention of the Roebling Park project as one example of successful strategies in action.
If you’re interested in learning more and seeing photos from a few recent Phragmites australis management projects, click below for a free download of Christiana’s full presentation.
Through a combination of prevention, early detection, eradication, restoration, research and outreach, we can protect our native landscapes and reduce the spread of invasive species. Click here to learn more about how invasive species disrupt our ecosystems, why managing them is so important, and the cutting-edge tools and innovative techniques helping to eradicate invasives and restore balance to delicate ecosystems.
The Resource Institute hosted its 9th Annual Mid-Atlantic Stream Restoration Conference in Baltimore, Maryland, where water resource professionals, researchers, and practitioners come together for three days to share ideas and learn about stream restoration planning, assessment, design, construction, evaluation, and other topical stream issues. The conference, which was themed Building Resilient Streams in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions, included presentations, discussions, exhibits, and pre-conference workshops. Princeton Hydro participated in three presentations on a variety of topics.
Below, we provide a synopsis of each presentation:
The presentation provides a detailed look at the removal of the Martin Dam in Fallston, Maryland, and how project partners were able to drastically expand the footprint of this emergency dam removal to generate enough ecological restoration benefits to adequately fund the dam removal itself.
The Martin Dam was constructed in 1965 as part of USDA’s sustainable farms pond construction initiative, which promoted aquaculture and subsistence fish production on small farms across the region as an income source for agricultural producers. Dam-related impacts included the permanent loss of spring-fed sedge wetlands, ditching of forested floodplain wetlands, pollution from stream bank entrenchment, and thermal impacts to a wild brook trout population downstream.
Overtime, the dam structure began to degrade. With each state and local agency inspection that was conducted, the dam increased in hazard category. In 2016, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) was forced to list the dam as a, “public safety hazard at risk of immanent failure.” The landowner, unable to fund the dam removal, contacted GreenTrust Alliance (GTA), a regional green infrastructure nonprofit organization, for help.
By emphasizing the ecological benefits of restored wetlands and streams above and below the dam as well as the critical public safety hazard faced by residents and motorists downstream, GTA, in partnership with Princeton Hydro and GreenVest, was able to secure restoration funding for the site. The design and permitting was led by Princeton Hydro, and the dam was safely breached as part of restoration construction in January 2019.
In order to explore the use of drone or UAV technology to evaluate the effects of dam removals, the presentation showcases the Columbia Lake Dam removal, the largest dam removal in New Jersey to date.
The Columbia Lake Dam, built in 1909, was 18 feet high, 330 feet long dam, and stretched more than 1.5 miles on the Paulins Kill less than 0.25 miles upstream from its confluence with the Delaware River. As part of The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) mission to improve the quality of the Paulins Kill, removing this “first blockage” was the cornerstone of the larger mission. Princeton Hydro served as the engineer-of-record, designing and permitting this project. Dam removal activities commenced in 2018 and were finalized in 2019. Its removal opens 10 miles of river for fish migration and improves recreation access, floodplain reconnection, habitat enhancement and higher water quality.
TNC will conduct five years of monitoring, a vitally important component of this project, to determine long-term ecological uplift, short-term positive and negative effects, and to develop data to provide information for future dam removals. And, as a result of the programmable and repeatable nature of drone flight paths, such monitoring will be able to be conducted for years and decades, producing invaluable data for research and future project design.
The presentation reviews the various parameters investigated, the results and significance of the data retrieved, and recommendations for the use of drone technology for future ecosystem restoration projects.
This presentation provides an overview on how to create 3D river models based on geomorphic input to enhance the overall accuracy and quality of a river restoration project.
In river restoration, the proposed geometry of the river channel is the key part of the design. It impacts earthwork, utility conflicts, plan set layout, and many other aspects of the project. In larger projects with reaches measuring thousands of feet and greater, manual grading is extremely time consuming and tedious; and determining the entire implication of the proposed design is difficult to achieve when simply analyzing proposed cross-sections and profiles. To increase efficiency and maintain uniformity throughout the subject reach developing a 3D-surface model of the proposed restoration reduces design time and increases quality. AutoCAD Civil 3D can be used to convert the proposed profiles and cross-sections from a geomorphic design into a 3D surface of the river corridor.
The presentation goes through the key steps that need to be taken and strategic questions that need to be asked when modeling 3D rivers in AutoCAD along with important tips and reminders.
Stay tuned for our Spring Events Spotlight to learn how you can participate in upcoming environmental events! Click here to read more about Princeton Hydro’s river restoration services.
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