| Title: | Restoration Potential Model |
| Authors: | Chris Leuchtenburg, Commonwealth of Massachusetts Riverways Program |
| Date/Time: | Tuesday, September 23 ~ 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
| Abstract: | The Massachusetts Riverways Program has developed a GIS database and analytical model to assess the environmental impact of dams on aquatic resources. Although some dams produce reservoirs for drinking water, generate hydroelectric power, reduce flood risk or create scenic recreational ponds, many dams built long ago have become obsolete and a burden to their owners. The removal of unneeded dams is one of the best opportunities to restore rivers and streams. However, with a total of about 3,000 dams in Massachusetts, and limited resources, GIS modeling is being used to begin to evaluate these sites. The Restoration Potential Model assesses fisheries habitat improvement, increased connectivity, and location on high quality stream segments. This presentation will focus on the challenges of using GIS to model aquatic ecosystems including the development of a consistent GIS database based on data from multiple states, the selection of ecosystem indicators and the use of new tools, such as ArcHydro and the National Hydrography Dataset. |
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