PSU Environmental Field Studies students get hands-on experience with NHDES staff

NHDES staff supported the studies of Plymouth State University (PSU) Environmental Science and Policy majors taking Dr. Lisa Doner’s Environmental Field Studies class. On Saturday, September 18, Joe Schmidl and Wayne Ives of the Instream Flow Program, described stream flow measurement techniques and then took the students to the Baker River to practice near a USGS stream flow gage. On Sunday, Joshua Keeley, hydrogeologist at the New Hampshire Geological Survey (NHGS), introduced the established field methods for the collaborative project between NHGS and White Mountain National Forest (WMNF), then led the class into the woods along Tripoli Road in Waterville Valley to collect data.

On Saturday, the students met Joe and Wayne at a PSU lab to look at USGS stream gage data for the Baker River in Rumney and see how these data are determined from rating curves. Next, at the Baker river gage, NHDES staff helped the students pick suitable cross sections and measure stream flow parameters. Returning to the PSU lab, the students turned their measurements into a stream flow value and compared their numbers to the USGS’ reported flows. The PSU students then used stream flows and phosphorus concentration values to determine a seasonal phosphorus mass being carried by the stream.

The next day, the class verified LiDAR-derived flowlines (digital streams) with Josh along Tripoli Road. The students field-checked the flowlines to determine stream permanence. Aided by a GPS-enabled mobile geographic information system (GIS), the class inventoried culverts and applied geomorphic, hydrologic, and biologic indicators to categorize each stream as ephemeral, intermittent, or perennial. The project goal is to update the New Hampshire portion of the National Hydrography Dataset by aligning it to the statewide LiDAR dataset. The project will improve NHGS hydraulic modeling of culverts needed to mitigate flood hazards, and will improve land use planning in the WMNF.

The PSU students conducted typical environmental field studies and in the process, learned how to use some key tools of the trade and practiced applying them in the field. They learned how to recognize critical study factors and adjust their work plans to address the field conditions. NHDES staff got to enjoy two days working in the field with enthusiastic, future colleagues.