Location
UMass Amherst
Start Date
28-6-2011 10:40 AM
End Date
28-6-2011 11:00 AM
Description
Removal of unwanted dams has become a key focus of the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration's (DER) River Restoration Program. With more than 3,000 dams in Massachusetts, and limited funding available, it is imperative to identify the dam removal opportunities that will bring the largest ecological benefit. To meet this need, the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration has developed a statewide GIS database and analytical model to assess the environmental impact of dams on aquatic resources. DER has been using this model since 2004 to support its river restoration program including the removal of over a dozen dams. This presentation will describe 1) the environmental data used in the model2) how DER uses the model to prioritize and support dam removal projects; and 3) the opportunities and challenges of using a GIS model to prioritize restoration opportunities at a broad scale.
Session C4- Restoration potential model: opportunities and pitfalls of using GIS to prioritize dam removals
UMass Amherst
Removal of unwanted dams has become a key focus of the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration's (DER) River Restoration Program. With more than 3,000 dams in Massachusetts, and limited funding available, it is imperative to identify the dam removal opportunities that will bring the largest ecological benefit. To meet this need, the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration has developed a statewide GIS database and analytical model to assess the environmental impact of dams on aquatic resources. DER has been using this model since 2004 to support its river restoration program including the removal of over a dozen dams. This presentation will describe 1) the environmental data used in the model2) how DER uses the model to prioritize and support dam removal projects; and 3) the opportunities and challenges of using a GIS model to prioritize restoration opportunities at a broad scale.
Comments
Chris Leuchtenburg is a restoration analyst for the MA Division of Ecological Restoration. Chris has been working with GIS and more recently Web technologies to map, analyze and communicate environmental programs for eight years. He holds an MA in History of Science from Yale University and a BA in History from SUNY at Buffalo.