DOCSLIB.ORG

Historical Water-Quality Data from the Harlem River, New York

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Historical Water-Quality Data from the Harlem River, New York Prepared in cooperation with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection Historical Water-Quality Data From the Harlem River, New York Scientific Investigations Report 2016–5044 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Cover. Photograph of the Harlem River and Washington Bridge circa 1905, looking northward. The bulkhead in place along the west riverbank (in New York County) supports the adjacent Harlem River Speedway. The east riverbank (in Bronx County) is relatively undeveloped and the shape of the bank is unaltered. Source: Library of Congress. Historical Water-Quality Data From the Harlem River, New York By Shawn C. Fisher Prepared in cooperation with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection Scientific Investigations Report 2016–5044 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Department of the Interior SALLY JEWELL, Secretary U.S. Geological Survey Suzette M. Kimball, Director U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2016 For more information on the USGS—the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment—visit http://www.usgs.gov/ or call 1–888–ASK–USGS. For an overview of USGS information products, including maps, imagery, and publications, visit http://www.usgs.gov/pubprod/. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Although this information product, for the most part, is in the public domain, it also may contain copyrighted materials as noted in the text. Permission to reproduce copyrighted items must be secured from the copyright owner. Suggested citation: Fisher, S.C., 2016, Historical water-quality data from the Harlem River, New York: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2016–5044, 21 p., appendix, http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/sir20165044. ISSN 2328-0328 (online) iii Acknowledgments The author would like to thank the following for their contributions: Beau Ranheim and Kaled Alamarie of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Wastewater Treatment for providing the entire New York Harbor Water Quality Survey dataset and data management assistance; Lucy DiSalvo and Markus Koelbl of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection for their helpful comments in the early stages of preparing this report; and Caitlyn Nichols (formerly) of the Interstate Environmental Commission for providing reports with historical information about the Harlem River, assistance in data mining, and a technical review of an earlier draft of this report. The author would also like to thank Patrick Phillips, John Williams, and Kenneth Pearsall of the U.S. Geological Survey for their technical review and editorial comments. v Contents Acknowledgments ........................................................................................................................................iii Abstract ...........................................................................................................................................................1 Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................1 Hydrologic Setting and Historical Development of the Harlem River ..........................................2 History of Environmental Quality of the Harlem River ....................................................................3 Water Quality and Ecological Health .................................................................................................4 Purpose and Scope ..............................................................................................................................5 Water- and Sediment-Quality Data From the Harlem River ....................................................................5 Water-Quality Parameters of Ecological Importance.....................................................................6 Dissolved Oxygen.........................................................................................................................7 Fecal Indicator Bacteria .............................................................................................................8 Fecal Coliform ......................................................................................................................8 Enterococcus ......................................................................................................................8 TSI Indicators ...............................................................................................................................8 Nutrients ...............................................................................................................................8 Chlorophyll a ......................................................................................................................11 Water Clarity ......................................................................................................................11 Sediment Quality .................................................................................................................................13 Precipitation and Other Water-Quality Data ..................................................................................14 Data Gaps .............................................................................................................................................14 Summary........................................................................................................................................................17 Selected References ...................................................................................................................................17 Appendix 1.....................................................................................................................................................21 Figures 1. Map showing the Harlem River, New York, New York City Department of Environmental Protection sampling locations H1 through H5, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regional Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program site UH361, and the Wards Island and North River water pollution control plants ..................3 2. Map showing the Harlem River, New York, and locations of combined sewer overflow outfalls and the Wards Island water pollution control plant on the East River .......................................................................................................................................4 3. Boxplot showing dissolved oxygen concentrations in the Harlem River, New York, from June through September, depicted in 5-year intervals: 1945–99, 2000, 2001–12 .................................................................................................................................7 4. Boxplot showing the geometric mean of fecal coliform concentrations in the Harlem River, New York, from June through September, depicted in 5-year intervals: 1974–99, 2000, 2000–12 ...............................................................................................9 5. Boxplot showing Enterococcus concentrations at site H3 in the Harlem River, New York, from June through September, depicted in 5-year intervals ...........................10 vi 6. Boxplot showing nitrate and nitrite concentrations along the Harlem River, New York, from June through September, depicted in 5-year intervals: 1987–99, 2000–12 .........................................................................................................................................11 7. Boxplot showing ammonia concentrations along the Harlem River, New York, from June through September, depicted in 5-year intervals: 1986–99, 2000–12 ..............12 8. Boxplot showing orthophosphate concentrations along the Harlem River, New York, from June through September, depicted in 5-year intervals; 1986–96 and 1998–99, 2000–2008 .....................................................................................................................13 9. Boxplot showing chlorophyll a concentrations along the Harlem River, New York, from June through September, depicted in 5-year intervals: 1986–90 and 1992–99, 2000, 2001–12 ...............................................................................................................................14 10. Boxplot showing total suspended solids concentrations along the Harlem River, New York, from June through September, depicted in 5-year intervals: 1991–99, 2000, 2001–12 ...............................................................................................................................15 11. Boxplot showing select metals with known ecological toxicity detected in sediment samples taken from the Harlem River relative to the New York-New Jersey Harbor in 2003 ................................................................................................................16 12. Graph showing precipitation totals for June through September in the years that water-quality data are presented in this report.....................................................................16 Table 1. List of available datasets collected by Federal, State, and local agencies and organizations that include sampling locations along the Harlem River ..............................2 vii Conversion Factors Multiply By To obtain Length inch (in.) 2.54 centimeter (cm)
Load more

Recommended publications
  • WASHINGTON BRIDGE, Over the Harlem River from West 18Lst Street, Borough of Manhattan, to University Avenue, Borough of the Bronx
    Landmarks Preservation Commission September 14, 1982, Designation List 159 LP-1222 WASHINGTON BRIDGE, over the Harlem River from West 18lst Street, Borough of Manhattan, to University Avenue, Borough of the Bronx. Built 1886-89; com­ petition designs by Charles C. Schneider and Wilhelm Hildenbrand modified by Union Bridge Company, William J. McAlpine, Theodore Cooper, and DeLemos & Cordes; chief engineer William R. Hutton; consulting architect Edward H. Kendall. Landmark Site: Manhattan Tax Map Block 2106, Lot 1 in part; Block 2149, Lot 525 in part, consisting of those parts of these ldta upon which the structure and approaches of the bridge rest. The Bronx Tax Map Block 2538, Lot 32 in part; Block 2880, Lots 1 & 250 both in part; Block 2884, Lots 2, 5 & 9 all in part, con­ sisting of those parts of these lots upon which the structure and approaches of the bridge rest. Boundaries: The Washington Bridge Landmark is encompassed by a line running southward parallel with the eastern curb line of Amsterdam Avenue; a line running eastward which is the extension of the southern curb line of West 181st Street to the point where it crosses Undercliff Avenue; a line running northward parallel with the eastern curb line of Undercliff Avenue; a line running westward from Undercliff Avenue which intersects with the extension of the northern curb lin~ of West 181st Street, to_t~~ point of beginning. On November 18, 1980, the Landmarks Preservation Commission held a public hearing on the proposed designation as a Landmark of the Washington Bridge and the pro­ posed designation of the related Landmark Site (Item No 8.).
    [Show full text]
  • NYCHA Facilities and Service Centers
    NYCHA Facilities and Service Centers BOROUGH DEVELOPMENT NAME ADDRESS Manhattan Baruch 595- 605 FDR Drive Staten Island Berry Houses 44 Dongan Hills Brooklyn Farragut 228 York Street Manhattan Harborview Terrace 536 West 56th Street Brooklyn Howard 1620 E N Y Avenue Manhattan Lexington 115 East 98th Steet Brooklyn Marcus Garvey 1440 E N Y Avenue Bronx Monroe 1802 Story Avenue Bronx Pelham Parkway 975 Waring Avenue Brooklyn Pink 2702 Linden Boulevard Queens Ravenswood 34-35A 12th Street Queens Ravenswood 34-35A 12th Street Brooklyn Red Hook East 110 West 9th Street Brooklyn Saratoga Square 930 Halsey Street Manhattan Washington Hts Rehab (Groups I and II) 500 West 164th Street Manhattan Washington Hts Rehab (Groups I and II) 503 West 177th Street Manhattan Wilson 405 East 105th Steet Manhattan Wise Towers/WSURA 136 West 91st Steet Brooklyn Wyckoff Gardens 266 Wyckoff Street Page 1 of 148 10/01/2021 NYCHA Facilities and Service Centers POSTCO STATUS SPONSOR DE Occupied Henry Street Settlement, Inc. Occupied Staten Island Mental Health Society, Inc. 10306 Occupied Spanish Speaking Elderly Council - RAICES Occupied NYCHA 10019 NYCHA HOLD NYCHA 11212 Occupied Lexington Children's Center 10029 Occupied Fort Greene Senior Citizens Council 11212 Vacant NYCHA Occupied Jewish Association Services For the Aged Occupied United Community Centers Occupied HANAC, Inc. 11106 Occupied HANAC, Inc. Occupied Spanish Speaking Elderly Council - RAICES Occupied Ridgewood-Bushwick Sr Citizens Council, Inc. Vacant NYCHA Occupied Provider Name Unknown Occupied
    [Show full text]
  • Erie Canalway Map & Guide
    National Park Service Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor U.S. Department of the Interior Erie Canalway Map & Guide Pittsford, Frank Forte Pittsford, The New York State Canal System—which includes the Erie, Champlain, Cayuga-Seneca, and Oswego Canals—is the centerpiece of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. Experience the enduring legacy of this National Historic Landmark by boat, bike, car, or on foot. Discover New York’s Dubbed the “Mother of Cities” the canal fueled the growth of industries, opened the nation to settlement, and made New York the Empire State. (Clinton Square, Syracuse, 1905, courtesy Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Detroit Publishing Extraordinary Canals Company Collection.) pened in 1825, New York’s canals are a waterway link from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes through the heart of upstate New York. Through wars and peacetime, prosperity and This guide presents exciting Orecession, flood and drought, this exceptional waterway has provided a living connection things to do, places to go, to a proud past and a vibrant future. Built with leadership, ingenuity, determination, and hard work, and exceptional activities to the canals continue to remind us of the qualities that make our state and nation great. They offer us enjoy. Welcome! inspiration to weather storms and time-tested knowledge that we will prevail. Come to New York’s canals this year. Touch the building stones CONTENTS laid by immigrants and farmers 200 years ago. See century-old locks, lift Canals and COVID-19 bridges, and movable dams constructed during the canal’s 20th century Enjoy Boats and Boating Please refer to current guidelines and enlargement and still in use today.
    [Show full text]
  • The Erie Canal in Cohoes
    SELF GUIDED TOUR THE ERIE CANAL IN COHOES Sites of the Enlarged Erie Canal Sites of the Original Erie Canal Lock 9 -In George Street Park, north oF Lock 17 -Near the intersection oF John Old Juncta - Junction of the Champlain Alexander Street. and Erie Sts. A Former locktender’s house, and Erie Canals. Near the intersection of Lock 10 -Western wall visible in George now a private residence, is located to the Main and Saratoga Sts. Street Park. A towpath extends through west of the lock. A well-preserved section the park to Lock 9 and Alexander Street. of canal prism is evident to the north of Visible section of “Clinton’s Ditch” southwest of the intersection of Vliet and Lock 11 -Northwest oF the intersection oF the lock. N. Mohawk Sts. Later served as a power George Street and St. Rita’s Place. Lock 18 -West oF North Mohawk Street, canal for Harmony Mill #2; now a park. Lock 12 -West oF Sandusky Street, north of the intersection of North Mohawk partially under Central Ave. Firehouse. and Church Sts. Individual listing on the Old Erie Route - Sections follow Main National Register of Historic Places. and N. Mohawk Streets. Some Lock 13 - Buried under Bedford Street, structures on Main Street date from the south of High Street. No longer visible. early canal era. Lock 14 - East of Standish Street, The Pick of the Locks connected by towpath to Lock 15. A selection of sites for shorter tours Preserving Cohoes Canals & Lock 15 - Southeast of the intersection of Locks Spindle City Historic Vliet and Summit Streets.
    [Show full text]
  • Appendix E: History and Projection of Traffic, Toll Revenues And
    APPENDIX E HISTORY AND PROJECTION OF TRAFFIC, TOLL REVENUES AND EXPENSES and Review of Physical Conditions of the Facilities of Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority April 26, 2013 Prepared for the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority A Constituent Agency of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority By TABLE OF CONTENTS Page TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE ............................................................................. E-1 Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (TBTA) .......................................................... E-1 Metropolitan Area Arterial Network ............................................................................... E-3 Other Regional Toll Facilities .......................................................................................... E-4 Regional Public Transportation ....................................................................................... E-5 TOLL COLLECTION ON THE TBTA FACILITIES ................................................................ E-5 Present and Proposed Toll Structures and Operation ...................................................... E-5 E-ZPass Electronic Toll Collection System ..................................................................... E-8 TBTA‘s Role in E-ZPass ............................................................................................... E-10 Passenger Car Toll Rate Trends and Inflation ............................................................... E-11 HISTORICAL TRAFFIC, REVENUES AND EXPENSES AND ESTIMATED/BUDGETED NUMBERS
    [Show full text]
  • Harlem River Waterfront
    Amtrak and Henry Hudson Bridges over the Harlem River, Spuyten Duvyil HARLEM BRONX RIVER WATERFRONT MANHATTAN Linking a River’s Renaissance to its Upland Neighborhoods Brownfied Opportunity Area Pre-Nomination Study prepared for the Bronx Council for Environmental Quality, the New York State Department of State and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation with state funds provided through the Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program. February 2007 Acknowledgements Steering Committee Dart Westphal, Bronx Council for Environmental Quality – Project Chair Colleen Alderson, NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Karen Argenti, Bronx Council for Environmental Quality Justin Bloom, Esq., Brownfield Attorney Paula Luria Caplan, Office of the Bronx Borough President Maria Luisa Cipriano, Partnership for Parks (Bronx) Curtis Cravens, NYS Department of State Jane Jackson, New York Restoration Project Rita Kessler, Bronx Community Board 7 Paul S. Mankiewicz, PhD, New York City Soil & Water Conservation District Walter Matystik, M.E.,J.D., Manhattan College Matt Mason, NYC Department of City Planning David Mojica, Bronx Community Board 4 Xavier Rodriguez, Bronx Community Board 5 Brian Sahd, New York Restoration Project Joseph Sanchez, Partnership for Parks James Sciales, Empire State Rowing Association Basil B. Seggos, Riverkeeper Michael Seliger, PhD, Bronx Community College Jane Sokolow LMNOP, Metro Forest Council Shino Tanikawa, New York City Soil and Water Conservation District Brad Trebach, Bronx Community Board 8 Daniel Walsh, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Project Sponsor Bronx Council for Environmental Quality Municipal Partner Office of Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión, Jr. Fiscal Administrator Manhattan College Consultants Hilary Hinds Kitasei, Project Manager Karen Argenti, Community Participation Specialist Justin Bloom, Esq., Brownfield Attorney Paul S.
    [Show full text]
  • New York City Area: Health Advice on Eating Fish You Catch
    MAPS INSIDE NEW YORK CITY AREA Health Advice on Eating Fish You Catch 1 Why We Have Advisories Fishing is fun and fish are an important part of a healthy diet. Fish contain high quality protein, essential nutrients, healthy fish oils and are low in saturated fat. However, some fish contain chemicals at levels that may be harmful to health. To help people make healthier choices about which fish they eat, the New York State Department of Health issues advice about eating sportfish (fish you catch). The health advice about which fish to eat depends on: Where You Fish Fish from waters that are close to human activities and contamination sources are more likely to be contaminated than fish from remote marine waters. In the New York City area, fish from the Long Island Sound or the ocean are less contaminated. Who You Are Women of childbearing age (under 50) and children under 15 are advised to limit the kinds of fish they eat and how often they eat them. Women who eat highly contaminated fish and become pregnant may have an increased risk of having children who are slower to develop and learn. Chemicals may have a greater effect on the development of young children or unborn babies. Also, some chemicals may be passed on in mother’s milk. Women beyond their childbearing years and men may face fewer health risks from some chemicals. For that reason, the advice for women over age 50 and men over age 15 allows them to eat more kinds of sportfish and more often (see tables, pages 4 and 6).
    [Show full text]
  • Cohoes-Waterford Concept Plan.Pub
    Cohoes—Waterford Canalway Trail Connection Study Prepared for New York State Canal Corporation By Parks and Trails New York Final Draft Version Cohoes-Waterford Canalway Trail Connection Study Final Draft Version September 2004 Page 2 Table of Contents Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................ 2 Executive Summary ............................................................................................................ 3 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 5 Existing trail initiatives in the study area ...................................................................... 6 Purpose of Study .......................................................................................................... 7 Inventory and Analysis of Study Area ................................................................................. 7 Canalway Trail Resources ........................................................................................... 7 Waterford Canal Harbor Visitor Center ........................................................................9 Hudson Valley Greenway Trail ...................................................................................10 Street System Resources ................................................................................................. 11 Streets .......................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Distribution of Ddt, Chlordane, and Total Pcb's in Bed Sediments in the Hudson River Basin
    NYES&E, Vol. 3, No. 1, Spring 1997 DISTRIBUTION OF DDT, CHLORDANE, AND TOTAL PCB'S IN BED SEDIMENTS IN THE HUDSON RIVER BASIN Patrick J. Phillips1, Karen Riva-Murray1, Hannah M. Hollister2, and Elizabeth A. Flanary1. 1U.S. Geological Survey, 425 Jordan Road, Troy NY 12180. 2Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Troy NY 12180. Abstract Data from streambed-sediment samples collected from 45 sites in the Hudson River Basin and analyzed for organochlorine compounds indicate that residues of DDT, chlordane, and PCB's can be detected even though use of these compounds has been banned for 10 or more years. Previous studies indicate that DDT and chlordane were widely used in a variety of land use settings in the basin, whereas PCB's were introduced into Hudson and Mohawk Rivers mostly as point discharges at a few locations. Detection limits for DDT and chlordane residues in this study were generally 1 µg/kg, and that for total PCB's was 50 µg/kg. Some form of DDT was detected in more than 60 percent of the samples, and some form of chlordane was found in about 30 percent; PCB's were found in about 33 percent of the samples. Median concentrations for p,p’- DDE (the DDT residue with the highest concentration) were highest in samples from sites representing urban areas (median concentration 5.3 µg/kg) and lower in samples from sites in large watersheds (1.25 µg/kg) and at sites in nonurban watersheds. (Urban watershed were defined as those with a population density of more than 60/km2; nonurban watersheds as those with a population density of less than 60/km2, and large watersheds as those encompassing more than 1,300 km2.
    [Show full text]
  • Traffic Rules and Regulations/"Green Book" (PDF, 220
    TRAFFIC RULES AND REGULATIONS For the Holland Tunnel Lincoln Tunnel George Washington Bridge Bayonne Bridge Goethals Bridge Outerbridge Crossing Revised September 2016 The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is a self-supporting agency of the States of New York and New Jersey. It was created by a compact between the two States in 1921 for the development of transportation facilities and the promotion and protection of commerce in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan region. At the top of the organization is the twelve-member Board of Commissioners, appointed by the Governors of New York and New Jersey. There are six members from each state who serve for six-year overlapping terms. The Commissioners serve with-out pay as a public service. They report directly to the Governors of the two States, who have veto power over Commissioners’ actions. A career staff of more than 7,000 employees, headed by the Executive Director, is responsible to the Board of Commissioners. Over the years the Port Authority, at the direction of the States of New York and New Jersey has developed airports, marine terminals, bridges and tunnels, bus terminals, the PATH rapid transit system, the World Trade Center and other facilities of commerce and transportation. All of this has been accomplished without burden to the taxpayers. These undertakings are public projects; all are built with moneys borrowed solely on the Port Authority’s credit. There is no power to tax, or to pledge the credit of the States. i FOREWORD This booklet is intended to provide the users of Port Authority tunnels and bridges with detailed and specific information concerning rules, regulations and toll rates established by the Port Authority to regulate the conduct of traffic moving in or upon these vehicular crossings.
    [Show full text]
  • The Harlem River Greenway
    The Harlem River Greenway: Our River, Our Future A community initiated greenprint for the reclamation of the natural beautythe of creation the Harlem of a Rivergreenway and La Vía Verde del Río Harlem: Nuestro Río, Nuestro Futuro Una visión iniciada por la comunidady un público para unacomprometido vía verde, una reclamación de la belleza natural del Río Harlem Our vision has six Proveer acceso al agua en el río a través de basic objectives: múltiples “entradas”, y asegurando que las calles y senderos lleguen al río invitando al público. Esto significa proveer múltiples caminos para que las Nuestra visión tiene personas lleguen al río, si esto significa botes impul- seis objetivos básicos: sando por humanos o barcos de grande escala. 3) Clean Water 1) Build the In addition to necessary grey infrastructure engineering investments that capture and remedi- Greenway ate storm water runoff with a goal of eliminating combined sewer releases, clean the water by Build the Greenway through a network of parks expanding the use of natural sustainable storm alongside the river—the entire length of the river, as water management practices. Green infrastruc- close to the river as possible—and ensure that the ture systems should incorporate green swales, Greenway links to the extensive network of exist- enhanced plantings and soil bioengineering ing Bronx greenways and bicycle paths. This is of practices in the upland areas and leading to the course a long-term goal, but it starts with strategic river’s edge. Make the river safe and attractive connections, such as linking Depot Place Park to for swimming, boating, and fishing.
    [Show full text]
  • Description of the New York City District
    DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW YORK CITY DISTRICT. -By F. J. H. Merrill, N. H. Dartoii, Arthur Hollick, B. D. Salisbury, li. E. Dodge, Bailey Willis, and H. A. Pressey. GENERAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE DISTRICT. By Richard E. Dodge and Bailey Willis. Position. The district described in tins folio is Gedney, and Main channels. Ambrose and Swash Harlem River and Spuyten Duyvil Creek the Coastal Plain in general are low peninsulas sepa­ bounded by the meridians of 78° 45' and 74° 15' channels have a least depth of 3-J- fathoms, while water is but 2 to 3^ fathoms deep. rated by estuaries, in which the tide ebbs and west longitude from Greenwich and the parallels Gedney and Main channels are nowhere less than Newark Bay is an extensive water body, but it flows. These peninsulas are composed of beds of of 40° 30' and 41° north latitude. It covers one- 5 fathoms deep. Within the bar the Lower Bay i is not available for sea-going commerce, as the clay, sand, and gravel, or mixtures of these mate­ quarter of a square degree, equivalent, in this is from 4 to 12 fathoms deep well out from shore, depth is but 2 fathoms or less, except in a little rials constituting loam, and are extensively devel­ latitude, to 905.27 square miles. The map is but toward the New Jersey and Staten Island j channel near the outlet connecting with the Kill oped in Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey. divided into four atlas sheets, called the Paterson, shores the water shoals to 3 fathoms or less over \ van Kull.
    [Show full text]