Housatonic River Research Articles

BENEFITS OF POLLUTION CONTROL ON MASSACHUSETTS’ HOUSATONIC RIVER: A HEDONIC PRICING APPROACH1

ABSTRACT: This paper illustrates one mode of analysis for estimating the benefits of water pollution control projects. Results indicate regional benefits associated with an abatement program instituted for point source pollution along the Housatonic River during the 1960's were substantial. Studies of this kind can aid regulatory and recreation resource administrators in devising and evaluating environmental programs.

Mutation in Ferns Growing in an Environment Contaminated with Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are ubiquitous and persistent environmental contaminants. The Housatonic River in Massachusetts is heavily contaminated with PCBs in the vicinity of the city of Pittsfield. The ostrich fern, Matteuccia struthiopteris, forms extensive populations in the flood plain of this river. The frequency of somatic mutations was determined in these fern populations as well as control populations growing in uncontaminated environments in the Connecticut River and its tributaries. The frequency of somatic mutations in the Housatonic River populations was 5.26–6.14 times the controls. Whether similar genetic damage has occurred to other inhabitants of the Housatonic environment is unknown.

MUTATION IN FERNS GROWING IN AN ENVIRONMENT CONTAMINATED WITH POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are ubiquitous and persistent environmental contaminants. The Housatonic River in Massachusetts is heavily contaminated with PCBs in the vicinity of the city of Pittsfield. The ostrich fern, Matteuccia struthiopteris, forms extensive populations in the flood plain of this river. The frequency of somatic mutations was determined in these fern populations as well as control populations growing in uncontaminated environments in the Connecticut River and its tributaries. The frequency of somatic mutations in the Housatonic River populations was 5.26–6.14 times the controls. Whether similar genetic damage has occurred to other inhabitants of the Housatonic environment is unknown.

The zoogeography of the freshwater mussels of the Taconic and southern Green mountain region of northeastern North America (Mollusca: Pelecypoda: Unionacea)

The Taconic and southern Green mountains form a system of ridges drained by four watersheds in eastern New York and western New England: Lake Champlain and the Housatonic, Hudson, and Connecticut rivers. Ten species of mussels distributed among the Margaritiferidae and Unionidae are recorded, based on museum records and recent collections, from the area. The presence of species representing two regional faunas, the Mississippian and Northern Atlantic Slope, indicates that some western streams of the Taconic Mountain region were connected with both the Atlantic coastal and interior Mississippian drainages during the Late Pleistocene. However, a divide has persisted along the north–south trend of the two mountain chains that has prevented late glacial east–west migration between the Hudson River – Lake Champlain systems in eastern New York and the Connecticut River – Housatonic River systems in western New England.

Impact of phosphorus removal at the Danbury, Connecticut sewage treatment plant on water quality in Lake Lillinonah

Lake Lillinonah is a highly eutrophic impoundment on the Housatonic River receiving 20 to 30% of its P load from domestic wastewaters from Danbury, Connecticut. In 1977 P removal from the domestic wastewater treatment plant was initiated, reducing the P load from the Danbury sewage treatment plant from 13700 to 6700 kg yr−1 in 1976 and 1977, respectively. The flows of the Housatonic River in 1976 and 1977 were also dissimilar; in 1977 about twice as much water entered Lake Lillinonah as in the former year.

PCBs in the Housatonic River: Determination and Distribution

AbstractAn understanding of the mechanisms for the transport of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) as well as their reactions with sediments should help in developing strategies for removal and disposal of sediments in contaminated rivers. We have developed a convenient procedure, based on multiple linear regression of peak heights (or areas) from gas chromatograms, for estimating individual members (Aroclors) for the PCB group of chemicals. Analysis of the bottom sediments of the Housatonic River system along a 20‐km section revealed that the sediments contained Aroclors 1248, 1254, and 1260 in the ratio of 1.0:0.6:1.9. PCB concentrations were highly correlated with clay and organic matter, suggesting that fine particles consisting of clay‐organo complexes in the sediments may provide a primary means of retention and transport of PCBs. Laboratory sorption of PCBs by clay minerals, humic acid, and the river sediments further substantiate these conclusions.

Yeasts Isolated from Long Island Sound

Water samples were obtained from a total of 34 stations in Long Island Sound and the Housatonic River Estuary. With the exception of the latter location, surface and mid-depth collections were made at each station. Sampling areas were chosen to permit the examination of water from a variety of depths and locations. Collections were made with an 8-liter PVC sampler (Logan Smith Associates, Harbor City, California). Fifty and 100 ml amounts of water were Millipore filtered (0.45 /) on board ship. Prior experience indicated that these quantities were suitable for detection of yeasts in Long Island Sound water. The filters were aseptically transferred to agar plates containing the isolation medium of Fell and Van Uden (5) modified to contain 500 ppm chloramphenicol to retard bacterial growth. The plates were incubated at 18 C to prevent overgrowth by filamentous fungi. In processing samples from areas of large mold populations (the Housatonic River Estuary) Wickerham's isolation technique using a rotary shaker was employed (10) in addition to the procedure described above. The membrane filters were placed in 250 ml Erlenmeyer flasks each containing 50 ml of the isolation medium in broth form. The

L. I. Lake Proposed

) THE LARGEST freshwater reservoir in the nation could be created by building dams at both ends of the 96mile Long Island Sound. This would supply 12 times the normal daily water requirements of New York City. With water shortages growing more serious in many parts of the country, the possibility of a huge freshwater lake along the eastern coast offers a refreshing answer to a recent appeal from the Office of Science and Technology in Washington, calling for more ideas for increased water resources. The engineering aspects of this undertaking are within the scope of present technology, Dr. Robert D. Gerard of the Lamont Geophysical Observatory, part of Columbia University, said. The somewhat salty Sound could be turned into a freshwater lake in about seven and a half years, he reported in Science, 153:870, 1966. Timing would depend upon hvdraulic works, salinity, density and other factors. The resulting reservoir would be 10th largest in the world. Lake Mead on the Colorado River is now the nation's largest man-made lake, with a capacity of 29.8 million acre feet. Two rivers empty into the stretch of the somewhat salty Sound lying north of Long Island-the Connecticut River and the Housatonic River. The two together have a water flow averaging 21,700 cubic feet per second. Other water sources, including streams, ground water and rainfall, would supply more each day than the New York City metropolitan area needs. The proposed lake could store a volume of 41.8 million acre feet of water-three times larger than the present New York City storage system. The possibility of constructing highway bridges across Long Island Sound to link the New York and New England express-highway systems is now under consideration by the New York State Department of Public Works. With alterations, the proposed bridge toward the eastern end of the Sound could be built as a bridge-dam, with the Connecticut part of the dam ending east of the Connecticut River, so the fresh waters would flow into the enclosed Sound. Construction of a shorter bridge-dam at the western end of the Sound would be a relatively minor undertaking, and would provide a needed traffic crossing. Benefits from the Long Island lake would also include $40 million in revenue per year from highway tolls across the two bridges, and prospects of commercial and sport fishing activity. The reservoir could be created without the loss of a single acre of land. One of the major problems in the proposed scheme is the control of pollution in this heavily populated and industralized area Dr. Gerard pointed out. Over the next decade, however, Federal, state and local efforts should be able to control the problem and maintain potable water in the reservoir. One of the most challenging hydraulic engineering schemes ever attempted in the world is now underway in the southwestern delta region of The Netherlands, Dr. Gerard said. Under this project, known as the Delta Plan, some 12 miles of dams will be constructed, impounding the waters of the Rhine, Maas and Scheldt Rivers in order to keep sea water from intruding onto farm lands and strengthen the coastline against damaging North Sea storms.

Rocky River Hydroelectric Development Of The Connecticut Light and Power Company

This paper describes the Rocky River hydroelectric development of the Connecticut Light and Power Company, near New Milford, Connecticut, which is a storage development for regulating the Housatonic River below New Milford. There are no sites on the main river suitable for a large storage reservoir. It was therefore necessary to select a site on a tributary, the Rocky River. The run-off from the natural drainage area of the reservoir basin furnishes only a part of the water required to fill the reservoir, making it necessary to pump the balance from the Housatonic River against a maximum head of 240 ft. This is the first large application of pumped storage in the United States which accounts for the general interest shown in the Rocky River development. The first part of the paper deals with the factors which have to be considered in determining the economic possibilities of such a development. The second part of the paper is a description of the main features of the development itself.

Abridgment of Rocky river hydroelectric development of the Connecticut light and power company

This paper describes the Rocky River hydroelectric development of The Connecticut Light and Power Company, near New Milford, Connecticut, which is a storage development for regulating the Housatonic River below New Milford. There are no sites on the main river suitable for a large storage reservoir. It was therefore necessary to select a site on a tributary, the Rocky River. The run-off from the natural drainage area of the reservoir basin furnishes only a part of the water required to fill the reservoir, making it necessary to pump the balance from the Housatonic River against a maximum head of 240 ft. This is the first large application of pumped storage in the United States, which accounts for the general interest shown in the Rocky River development.

A Novel Method of Repairing a Swing Bridge

In the course of the regular inspection of the bridges of The Connecticut Company in 1912, the bottom chords of the swing span of the Washington Bridge over the Housatonic River were found to be in a dangerous condition because of the great loss of section by corrosion, due to the street drainage having been discharged upon the chords for years.