My Hudson River A short film animation by

John Maxwell Weigand

Sunday, May 31, 15

Project Notes

May 31, 2015

Dear Cary Institute,

In addition to this report I have submitted a short film animation that I did in Scratch Programming with original score in Musescore. The music accompanies a short slide show at the end of the movie. In order to upload to YouTube I had to break the film up into segments. The film turned out to be much longer than expected so I linked parts I, II and IV together so you would be able to see the end slideshow with the music I wrote. I didn’t want to risk being disqualified for entering something that was way too long and the fact that YouTube has time limits as well I thought it best to enter the first two parts with video and music.

I will attach Part III and show it on the 13th as a full film.

Thank you. I hope you like my work.

John

YouTube Link:

https://youtu.be/yNZe6oCGxD0

Sunday, May 31, 15

IntroductionThis is an animation project that I made dedicated to the Cary Institute of ecosystem studies’ 2015 Data Jam Competition. I have been living near the Hudson River for over 4 years now, and learning about the River’s history, biology, evolution and great beauty. The river is a very special place and we should do everything we can to preserve and take care of it.

Here are some basic principals that you should know:

An estuary is where fresh water from the land meets salt water from the sea, and they’re both governed by the tides, so the river flows both ways. In fact, the Indian name for this river a long time ago was called, “Muhheakantuck” which means “The river that flows both ways”. The River gets it’s energy from the marsh plants, the underwater vegetation, from the sun and the leaf fall in autumn, but instead of being washed out to sea; because with the salt water coming up and the fresh water washing it down, it’s basically held in place. Fish can easily consume these nutrients because it is held in place by the estuary tides.

If this river was a classic river and only went one way, it wouldn’t be as rich! It’s a supermarket that never closes, and it’s free for the taking of the animals that are there.

The river doesn’t flow just one way, it flows both ways. The fresh water and salt water meet. This is what’s called an estuary.

Sunday, May 31, 15

Data Sets Used

Fish Populations

Salt Levels

Historic Pollution and Human Impacts

Sea Level Predictions

These are the (four) data sets I used in the project. They are the ones that are most important to me.

The fish played an important role in my project. The data represents how many types offish live in the Hudson each year. I had to compare this to the other sets to determine why numbers changed over periods of time. There are many variables involved.

This is one of the main variables to the Fish Populations. This represents the amount of salt in the river (salinity) which can move around due to weather and other natural and/or human disturbances.

How man has effected the Hudson. This is another important variable to the Fish Populations, as the oil, waste, and some toxins such as PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyl) poured into the Hudson can raise oxygen demands of fish, and kill so many of them.

This is how high the height of the surface of the water is on the Hudson.

Sunday, May 31, 15

Introduction to Data & ChartsThe following pages are charts of data interpretation that I used to figure out when and why things happened. I am going to be talking

about the salt levels first, and then after everything else, then we willtake a look at the fish population graphs, and compare the other

graphs to see if those variables effected the fish populations.

Here are somesample charts:

Sunday, May 31, 15

Salt LevelsThe Salt Level is the amount of salt content in a body of water. This is called salinity.

Data was collected from 6 cities and heights along the river, as you cansee on the right. Now let’s keep in mind that the closer the river gets tothe sea, the saltier the river will get. So as the towns get higher andhigher, the salt level will get lower and lower. At some point there won’tbe much salt, or none at all. The amount of salt is measured in parts-per-million (ppm).

Compared to pure seawater, which has a salinity of about 35,000 ppm, and freshwater which has a salinity of only about 25/50 ppm,

we can use this information to help us read the graphs.

The year is marked at the bottom of the graph, and ranges from2004 - 2013. The line goes along the time line going up and

down up the ppm scale. This kind of chart is called a line graph.

For example, this is how you would read this small graph; In 2004 it was at about 5000 ppm. In 2005 it goes up to10000 ppm. then in 2006, down to about 2500 ppm, andin 2007, it goes to 5000 ppm. This is basically what many charts will look like as we interpret them.

Now, let’s get started!

Sunday, May 31, 15

Beczak

Piermont

Beacon

NRP

ULSL GNI

These towns; Beacon, Norrie Point, Ulster Landing, and Green Island are very far from the sea. We can see that there is hardly anything on these graphs, so let’s just simplify, and say thesalt levels were low.

The southernmost town, Beczak, is the saltiest. The points that it increased after low numbers, (2007 and 2012) were after dry periods. And some low numbers, (2004 and 2008)were during sunny days. That interested me.

Salt Levels

Piermont’s salt data resembles the Beczak data, just lowernumbers. You can peek at the Beczak data or even the project video formore information.

Sunday, May 31, 15

Pollution and Human ImpactsThis is how man has impacted the river. This could have been done by environmental

pollution or just dumping waste around or in the river.There are 5 parts to this set: Human Population Change, Biochemical Oxygen Demands,

(BOD) Total Suspended Solids, (TSS) Total Nitrogen, (TN) and Total Phosphorus, (TP) The test was done on 7/100 years, from 1900 - 1999.

Before we start, you will need to know what Waste, Suspended Solids, andWastewater Treatment are.

Waste is sewage, garbage, dead leaves, dirt, feces, etc. Suspended Solids are small solid particles of pollutants or waste that remain suspended in water. They are measured as a way of determining the water quality. Wastewater Treatment is the process that is used to remove as much of the waste or suspended solids as possible before the remaining water called “effluent” water or “treated” water is discharged back into the environment. Water Treatment plants reduce pollutants to a level that nature can handle on it’s own. If the water is not properly

cleaned, water can carry disease. Since we live, work and play so close to water harmful bacteria have to be removed by the wastewater treatment to make water safe for organisms, animals and for ourselves.

Sunday, May 31, 15

Pollution and Human Impacts

According to the data which tracked sewage inputs andimpacts, the population had been increasing steadily since 1900 but after 1970 following the closing of many industries as a result of regulations put in place by The Clean Water Act the population took a little dip. Industries that had been polluting our beautiful Hudson were now being brought to justice. They were no longer being allowed to just dump all of their waste and garbage into the river without prosecution. Therefore the population went down. Less companies - less jobs - less people.

First let’s take a look at the historic human population between 1900 and 1999 along the lower and mid hudson valley.

However, the problem with industry contamination along the Hudson is not over. Recently the oil spill at Indian Point nuclear power plant in May of this year is proof that industry needs to be taken off the river and stop putting our river and it’s inhabitants at risk.

Below: Anaconda wire and cable company, copper wire filings and PCB warning.

Sunday, May 31, 15

Pollution and Human ImpactsThis leads us to the next two parts: Biochemical Oxygen Demands, (BOD) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS)

As solid material decays, it uses up OXYGEN which is needed by the plants and animals living in the water. Therefore, more waste in the water, LESS oxygen for the fish and other living creatures. “Biochemical Oxygen Demand” is the amount of oxygen that must be present in the water in order for organisms to flourish.

A “BOD” calculation measures the amount of oxygen being used up by the waste determining what oxygen is left for the fish and other living creatures to survive. BOD studies are done in order to keep pollution in check and to make sure there are low levels of BOD and high levels of Oxygen or rather “dissolved oxygen” (f ish breathe dissolved oxygen in water). Suspended Solids use up oxygen so they can also have an effect on the BOD. So, the higher the TSS the more they are going to use up oxygen which can raise the BOD and that can cause fish numbers to suffer. Therefore, the higher the TSS and BOD, NOT GOOD!

Both the BOD and TSS are measured in metric tons. One metric ton is equal to about 1,000 kilograms which is equal to about 2,205 pounds. We can see that the BOD and TSS were increasing since 1900. But after 1970 following the Clean Water Act both went down. That is GOOD!

Sunday, May 31, 15

Nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, are essential for plant and animal growth and nourishment, but the overabundance of certain nutrients in water can cause a number of adverse health and ecological effects. Nitrogen, in the forms of nitrate, nitrite, or ammonium, is a nutrient needed for plant growth. (About 78% of the air that we breathe is composed of nitrogen gas)

Pollution and Human ImpactsLet’s discuss the last two parts of this set, Total Nitrogen (TN) and Total Phosphorus (TP)

Excess nitrogen can harm water bodies and can cause overstimulation of growth of aquatic plants and algae. Excessive growth of these organisms, in turn, can clog water intakes, use up dissolved oxygen as they decompose, and block light to deeper waters.

Lake and reservoir eutrophication can occur, which produces unsightly scums of algae on the water surface, can occasionally result in fish kills, and can even "kill" a lake by depriving it of oxygen.The respiration efficiency of fish and aquatic invertebrates can occur, leading to a decrease in animal and plant diversity, and affects our use of the water for fishing, swimming, and boating.

The nitrogen had been increasing since 1900. By looking at these data charts, it seems as though the nitrogen decreased after 1970 and the Clean Water Act. So my guess is that it was probably too high then.Meanwhile the phosphorus had been increasing as well during this same time period, until after 1970, when it decreased over the next 20 years. I think at 1970 it was also way too high for it’s level.

Eutrophication: (noun)excessive richness of nutrients ina lake or other body of water frequently due torunoff from the land which causes a dense growthof plant life and death of animal life from lack of OXYGEN

Sunday, May 31, 15

Sea Level PredictionsThis is the smallest of the four data sets.

The Sea Level is the height of the river at a certain time.The height was monitored from 1850 to 2020 (170 years)

I think they posted the end results 5 years later to see what the students might predict would happen over the next 5 years. This took place at the Battery, in NYC.

The scale is measured in meters.0.3 meters = 1 foot.

The plot shows the monthly mean sea level without the regular seasonal fluctuations due to coastal ocean

temperatures, salinities, winds, atmospheric pressures, and ocean currents.

Thermal expansion: When water heats up, it expands. About half of the past century's rise in sea level is attributable to warmer oceans simply occupying more space.

Problems Caused by Sea Levels:- Loss of natural resources and ecosystems- Increased Flooding- Increased Waterborne pollution- Increased load on wastewater systems- Increased Contamination in bodies of water- Sewage Overflows- Stress on fish and other aquatic life trying to survive- A rise in sea levels can be harmful to fish and wildlife - High waters can often carry disease due to intense precipitation and flooding carrying bacteria

Over the past century, the Global Mean Sea Level (GMSL) has risen by 4 to 8 inches. However, the annual rate of rise over the past 20 years has been 0.13 inches a year, roughly twice the average speed of the preceding 80 years. Over the past century, the burning of fossil fuels and other human and natural activities has released enormous amounts of heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere. These emissions have caused the Earth's surface temperature to rise, and the oceans absorb about 80 percent of this additional heat. The rise in sea levels is linked to three primary factors, all induced by this ongoing global climate change:

This data also has a linear trend. This is the average trend of progression from start to finish.

The sea level has increased over time since 1850, and broke the sea level barrier around 1990. Predictions show that by 2020,

the Hudson river could experience a rise as high as 5-10 inches, and 55 inches by the end of the century!

Sunday, May 31, 15

Conclusion for Fish PopulationsNow we can come back to the Fish Populations.

(Based on other data sets)

Based on the previous data sets, we should be able to understand why fish populations went up and down. Each fish has it’s own color (see text above fish)

which corresponds to the same line color. The Atlantic Silverside was a big fish in Piermont. There were lots of them in 2004, but the number decreased... until 2007, when it went back up again, (salt was high) (other fish are pretty average bouncing up and down) then the Atlantic Silverside went down in 2008, and then it went up in 2011 after Hurricane Irene which puzzled me, and then it decreases down to less than 10! (I think this was due to Sandy) Then all of a sudden... The Ctenophora jumps up to 548 off the charts!!!This really got me thinking... Maybe Sandy pushed the Ctenophora closer to Piermont, but pushed the Atlantic Silverside away.

It’s strange that the Atlantic Silverside is more populous in a town further away from the sea. The Atlantic Silverside shot up in 2007 (the salt was high) and in 2011 with Hurricane Irene. Maybe it pushed the Atlantic Silverside towards these towns which made it more populous. The other fish don’t seem to be as abundant. The spot-tail shiner makes a small appearance...

Sunday, May 31, 15

Conclusion for Fish Populations(Based on other data sets)

Beacon: No fish in 2004. No Ctenophora or Atlantic Silverside at all either. Blue crab makes a hop in 2009, (strong winds) Striped Bass, Pumpkinseed, and Spottail Shiner all make a jump in 2007 (salt was highest), Spottail prospering in 10, 11, and 12, Striped Bass jumps up in 2012 (salt was 2nd highest), basically a mixture of fish going up and down at different times.

Norrie Point: No fish in 2004. All of the fish are here except Atlantic Silverside and Ctenophora. Sunfish makes a very large appearance (it’s only appearance) with a highest of 233. (salt was average) but then the Sunfish loses numbers in 2009 (salt was high) Banded Killfish sort of follows the sunfish. Spottail Makes a jump in 2011, (Irene) Pumpkinseed is big in 09 and 10, Blue crab hops up in 2009, (strong winds) Striped Bass is low.Basically more random fish going upand down varying mostly to weather.

Ulster Landing: Spottail Shiner is the highest fish here. Highest points are 2007 and 2010 (average salt). Banded killfish makes a hop in 2009 (strong winds) Blue crab is average in 08, 09, and 10, hops up in 06 (highest salt) Striped Bass went up in 2007, 2009 (strong winds) and 2013 (highest salt and Sandy) Pumpkinseed is moving around.

Green Island: Very unpopular town for fish. Miles from the sea. Spottail Shiner is the only main fish here. Highest points are 2009 (strong winds) and 2012 (mist after dry summer)(both average salt)

Water  plant  Vallisneria  (water  celery)  was  mostly  absent  post  hurricanes  possibly  affecting  fish  counts  upriver.Banded Killfish has only one appearance, (possibly pushed up by Sandy).

Sunday, May 31, 15

Data Trends & Comparisons

Fish Populations

Salt Levels

Pollution and Human Impacts

Sea Level Predictions

- There were only two cities that both the Atlantic Silverside and Ctenophora resided in.- Spottail Shiner seems to reside in all but one place. (Piermont)

- Blue Crab, and Striped Bass seem to reside in saltier areas more than freshwater areas.

- Banded Killfish and Spottail Shiner seem to reside in freshwater areas more than salty areas.

- Both Salt and Weather can have an impact on fish.

- The salt seems to be most active after dry periods.

- Areas past Piermont have extremely low salt levels.

- The factors of the set all seemed to be increasing since 1900, but after 1970, they all went down.This would be a result of the Clean Water Act and trying to take care of the river and make it healthy.

- The sea level seems to be constantly increasing. (about 0.05 meters every 10 years)

Sunday, May 31, 15

Hypothesis’Here are some hypothesis’ I have about the data sets.

Fish Populations Hypothesis’

Salt Levels Hypothesis’

Pollution and Human Impacts Hypothesis’

Sea Level Predictions Hypothesis’

- If a summer is dry, the fall of that year will have a high salt level.

- If we keep trying to take care of the river, the fish population will grow that way.- Weather and Hurricanes can have a major impact on the fish, exp. 2013 Atlantic Silverside at Piermont; They were disturbed by Hurricane Sandy.

- If people cut down on the use of fertilizers, excess TN and TP will go down.

- I think that higher sea levels are an result and indication of higher global warming.

- It depends on where a hurricane is headed for it to have an impact on the salt.- Green Island will remain mostly freshwater salinity

- As a result of sea levels getting higher, more aquatic and GMSL problems will occur.

- As protection and attention to keeping the river clean continues, BOD and TSS will go down,and TN and TP will go back to their ideal levels.

Sunday, May 31, 15

Outreach Plan

I think playing a short film such as mine for children in museums,classrooms and libraries would be a great way to teach kids about

the Hudson River. Also taking them on field trips up and downthe Hudson like I have done over the years helps them understand and become more connected to the River.

Sunday, May 31, 15

Creative InspirationI have visited many of the historic houses along the Hudson including the home of the Livingston family “Clermont”, “Mills Mansion” at Staatsburg, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Springwood” and Washington Irving’s “Sunnyside.” It has been fun to follow the Hudson River School Art Trail where we have toured the homes of the first and most notable painters including Frederick Church, “Olana”, Thomas Cole’s “Cedar Grove” and have seen other Hudson River art exhibits at the Albany Institute of History and Art and The Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center at Vassar College. Last year we took a trip to Kingston to see the Hudson River Maritime Museum, took a boat ride down the Hudson on the “Rip Van Winkle” and had lunch at the “Hoffman House Tavern” built in 1711. Many times we have driven through the Hudson via the Lincoln and Holland Tunnels, and over the Hudson using the George Washington Bridge, The Mid Hudson Roosevelt Bridge, The Kingston Rhinecliff Bridge, The Rip Van Winkle Bridge, and most recently the Bear Mountain Bridge which was an adventure!

We have driven around the cliffs on the West side of the Hudson on our way to West Point and took a very scary detour on Route 202 driving home North along the “scenic route” of a jaw dropping view of the Hudson. My mom and I used to take the NY Waterway Ferry to NYC or the train up the Poughkeepsie side of the Hudson for my piano lessons and walked along the Hudson River Waterfront to see the Intrepid while there. I hope to do the Walkway Over The Hudson sometime this summer, visit the town of Troy and next time take a boat trip UP the Hudson.

I love doing freehand drawings and making movies. Scratch Animation Programming (coding) has been perfect for me. I use a combination of Scratch, Garage Band and i-Movie to make my projects. I wanted to enter the ASCAP Glen Gould Young Composers Competition so I thought writing a score for a slide show I wanted to do for my Hudson River Data Jam project would go well together. I wrote “My Hudson River” in MuseScore and put it at the end of the film.

Sunday, May 31, 15

Final NoteOur Hudson River

A supermarket that that never closes, and it’s free for the taking of the animals that are there

- provided the water is clean and safe for all visitors!

Sunday, May 31, 15

MediumI like making Scratch animations, music, creating,

drawing, working on projects, and watching documentary films. I think drawings and animation

are great ways to explain just about anything!

I had a lot offun creating this project!

Sunday, May 31, 15

In ProductionEditing in Scratch Programming...

The voice-over...Perfecting the script...Doing the drawings...

Sunday, May 31, 15

In ProductionWorking on the score...

Getting the timing just right...

and the details...Application ID: 3800John Weigand

“My Hudson River” by John WeigandASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Competition

Composition written as part of my Cary Institute Hudson River Data Jam project which I will submit in June 2015. Score will accompany original animation, stills and video about our beautiful Hudson River!

Drawing in Scratch animation by John Weigand

January 31, 2015

Sunday, May 31, 15

CreditsJohn Maxwell Weigand

My MomThe Cary Institute

RiverKeeperHudson Maritime Museum

Hudson River Cruises and the Rip Van WinkleNational Geographic

Hudson River School Art TrailAmerica’s First River, Bill Moyer’s on the Hudson

Other music by Kevin MacLeod and NintendoOur dog “Henry” named after Henry Hudson

or dog Henry2011-2015

We adopted this beautiful pup when we first moved to the Hudson Valley. Because we were learning all about the Hudson River we decided to name him after Henry Hudson.

Henry passed away this past winter. This project is dedicated in loving memory of Henry.

Sunday, May 31, 15