Flow regimes in the East Branch of the Penobscot River are a focus of WPES summer research activities

Undergraduate research assistant, Izaak Krause, from the Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering is working with Bea Van Dam and Sean Smith to assemble historic information, compile hydrologic and spatial data, and parameterize a watershed hydrologic model to evaluate flow regimes affecting Atlantic salmon habitat in the East Branch of the Penobscot River. Sponsored by Maine Sea Grant and led by the Penobscot Nation, the project is focused on the examination of scenarios related to watershed conditions, climate, civil infrastructure, and human generated disturbances to help guide river management decision-making. Progress this summer has included field observations, data development, and watershed model construction to advance our understanding of the many factors affecting watershed and river conditions.