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Hudson River Water Quality Report:
June 11 through June 16, 2012
Our July water quality data has been posted to www.riverkeeper.org. Here is a summary of our June Patrol.
Highlights
Of 74 sampling locations:
3 (4%) were "unacceptable"
11 (15%) were "possible risk"
60 (81%) were "acceptable"
Continued moderately dry weather resulted in findings very similar to May. So far this year is turning out to be quite unlike prior years – from 2006 through 2011 the average number of "unacceptable" samples was 24% (18 of 74 sites). In June we found even fewer "unacceptable" sites than in May (3 vs. 9). We're getting a glimpse at the water quality we COULD have if wet weather overflows were eliminated. The only whopper of the whole patrol was the Mohawk River sample (see day # 5)
NY Harbor (day 1-6/11): There has been no rain in this area for days. All sites, except two, were "acceptable" – including Newtown Creek and Gowanus sites. In NYC and other Cities, rain events overload sewers and trigger Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), when there is no rain the city's sewage infrastructure works well. And if there is no rain for a number of days the microbes released during the last wet weather die and we achieve good water quality. We'll have to keep after NYC to reduce and eliminate CSOs - that's where the problem, and the challenge, lies.
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Kids on the little beach in Brooklyn between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges – wherever there
is a beach children always get in the water |
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| English Kills, Newtown Creek. Even though fecal contamination was very low on 6/11 it wouldn't be a good idea to swim there |
Yonkers to Peekskill (day 2 – 6/12): Steady rain started mid-day and continued overnight. Still, we saw no "unacceptable" counts at any sites although several were elevated to level of "possible risk." There is a lag between the start of rain and increased contamination in the River. The lag interval varies by location.
Bear Mountain to Port Ewen (day 3 – 6/14): We skipped a day before continuing north. No "unacceptable" samples again today. Dry weather.
Kingston to Catskill (day 4 – 6/15): No rain overnight or today, fine weather. Nice water quality. All tributaries were low turbidity, low flow and low fecal contamination. The Kingston sewer plant outfall was "unacceptable' but only by a hair.
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| Family swimming from boat Rondout Creek and Kingston Point Beach |
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| Another family on west side of Stockport Middle Ground, north of Hudson |
Hudson to Waterford (day 5 – 6/16): There was no rain again last night or today. We found really nice water quality, even in the Capitol District, which is often a mess. The only whopper of the whole patrol was the Mohawk River sample - 1023 Entero per 100ml (the federal guideline for swimming in fresh water is 61). There was low flow from the Mohawk, moderate flow from Hudson headwaters. The holding tank pump out system for visiting yachts was broken at the Waterford Visitor's Center. Fifteen or so yachts with 2 to 5 people living aboard each one. I'm not saying that was the cause BUT…300 yards away, around the corner on the Hudson side, the Entero count was 10 per 100ml. That's a big difference.
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Maybe, just maybe, this should say "Please do not feed people or cruisers" |
June 2012 Sampling Data
For River Mile 0 to River Mile 44, the following standards apply:
For River Mile 45 north, the following standards apply:
To learn more about Riverkeeper's Water Quality Program, and to view historic sampling data, please visit www.riverkeeper.org/water-quality/hudson.
View other monthly water quality reports, June 2010 to present
View sampling data sorted historically by individual sampling location.
© Riverkeeper 2012 |
Riverkeeper is a member-supported watchdog organization dedicated to defending the Hudson River and its tributaries and protecting the drinking water supply of nine million New York City and Hudson Valley residents. Contribute to this vital work, become a member today.
