Day in the Life of the Hudson & Harbor

Day in the Life of the Hudson & Harbor is an annual event organized by NYSDEC's The Hudson River Estuary Program in partnership with Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. Each year in autumn, thousands of students & educators participate at hundreds of sites in this estuary-wide data collection field experience, to get a "snapshot" of the Hudson & Harbor. CLICK HERE for more information about the event and lots of other useful resources.

Kowawese Unique Area at Plum Point

OCWA Educators use the Kowawese Unique Area for many of our on-site programs. This beautiful, ecologically diverse shoreline site is an Orange County Park located in New Windsor, NY off of route 9W. It offers great River access and gorgeous views of Storm King , the Hudson Highlands, and the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge. (30 seconds)

Air & Water Temperature

Water and Air temperatures can have dramatic effects on biological and chemical processes in the River. During warmer months when plants are most active, they can reduce the penetration of light from leaves covering the water surface, either above on the shoreline like the shade of trees or plants that blanket the surface. Air and water temperature are interrelated - the colder the air temperature, the cooler the water temperature, but other factors can make a big difference too. There could be an influx of ground water or water from a tributary that may make the water temperature cooler or the effluent from industry that may make it much warmer. (2.5 minutes)

Sediment Sampling

When we test the sediment of the Hudson River we can learn quite a bit! The sediment core will provide a glimpse of the past in the form of industrial debris, a sense of the present by finding biological matter, and a sense of the future as we determine the chemicals that pollute the waters and how they have been cleaned or continue to present an issue. (8.5 minutes)

Seine Net Finds

A seine net allows for users to sweep an area of the water to see what kinds of life might be just below the surface near the shoreline. There is a great deal of biodiversity! (3.5 minutes)

Turbidity

Turbidity is the measurement of suspended solids floating in the waters, giving a cloudy appearance. The turbidity will change due to runoff from precipitation carrying sediments, the tides coming in and out, and the biological material that may flow with these factors. (4.25 minutes)

Measuring the Tide

The Hudson River estuary is tidal and the affects can be dramatic especially during a surge. Here is one way to understand if the tide is coming in or going out. (2.5 minutes)