Amherst Hydrology from urban planning to restored golf course
The Tan Brook is a very small stream the runs through the center of Amherst, through the middle of UMass, and out to the Connecticut River. Have you ever seen it? Not likely, or you might not know it if you did, since the Tan Brook is confined to sewer pipes along much of its length. How about Hickory Ridge golf course? The Town of Amherst recently purchased this section of the undammed Fort River’s floodplain and is slowly restoring tis wetland and stream health.
For this independent study project we will assist the Town of Amherst with assessing how much water flows in Tan Brook and the Fort River, as well as how deep the water table is below the floodplain. We will measure streamflow at Tan Brook and Hickory Ridge using the USGS standard procedure for the velocity-area method, utilizing a wading rod (for stream depth) and acoustic flow velocity meter (water velocity).
Depending on the project length, we will make these measurements once, twice, or multiple times throughout the year to (a) determine a flow rate on specific dates, and (b) to develop a rating curve (stage vs. discharge relationship) from different flow rates, allowing us to extrapolate flow rates from water height throughout the year (if project duration allows), (c) repair broken piezometers at Hickory Ridge, (d) download logger data, and (e) calibrate and plot time series of water level, temperature and estimated streamflow.
We are looking for an organized, detail-oriented student with good data keeping skills that may be interested in gaining some lab and field experience to help us with this project.
This flexible independent study project allows students to participate in a multi-faceted larger, long-term study. Students will select a component of the project that is of particular interest to them, and while working on that piece, contribute to team measurements and the larger research project. Group fieldtrips (and adventures) to field sites will provide the opportunity for students to learn many different techniques. Students can choose 1, 2, or 3 credits (an average of 3, 6, or 9 hours per week), to participate on a volunteer basis, receive practicum/ praxis credits (for the Environmental Science or other major requirements), or in some cases to be paid hourly for research assistance (particularly during the summer, or as part of the LeeSIP or CAFE Summer Scholars programs).