Water Quality Update | Sagg Pond Watershed
September 22, 2021
Did you spot boats from Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Marine Program out on Sagg Pond this summer? As part of their partnership with the Trust they were characterizing sites where the flow of nitrogen into along Sagg Pond can be mitigated. This involves installing groundwater wells that identify current groundwater conditions as well as taking soil borings to evaluate soil characteristics.
They are measuring the amounts of nitrogen in surface water and the groundwater that is discharged into the pond along the shoreline. Shown above is the groundwater seepage meter, camouflaged with phragmites, which is used to measure flow rate of groundwater seeping into the pond. Pictured below is the Trident Probe deployed in the pond bottom to measure parameters and collect porewater samples from within the sediment.
On September 21, 2021, the Trust hosted a Zoom talk to share the preliminary results of Cornell Cooperative Extension's Marine Program's work -- that you have helped to underwrite -- along with updates on water quality, oysters, and septic systems from the New York State Center for Clean Water Technology at Stony Brook University. See recording below. Our presenters were:
- Molly Graffam, PhD: Water Resource Geochemical Specialist, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County
- Ronald J. Paulsen PG: Hydrogeologist/Groundwater Specialist, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County
- Christopher Gobler, PhD: Director, New York State Center for Clean Water Technology at Stony Brook University
Interested in learning more and supporting this project? Please contact Olivia Waterhouse, Donor Relations Coordinator, at 631.283.3195 ext.133 or visit our Sagg Pond Watershed webpage.