Regulated River Biogeochemistry
Our team is exploring the impact of adaptive management of reservoir and river regulation on restoring freshwater ecosystems of the Allegheny River. In these efforts, we collaborate with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seneca Nation of Indians, and participate in an emerging partnership led by the U.S. Forest Service and Seneca Nation of Indians to develop a Shared Aquatic Management Strategy (SAMS) for the Upper Allegheny River.
We are exploring the biogeochemical impacts of experimental flow releases by the U.S. Army Corps from Kinzua Dam on the Allegheny River. In the first experimental spring flood in 2023, we assessed how such high flow events influence downstream biogeochemical and sediment fluxes, including the release of organic-rich sediments, nutrients, and dissolved metals. By collecting hourly water samples over a 48-hour period spanning pre- and post-pulse conditions, our team analyzed key water chemistry parameters such as nitrate isotopes, suspended solids, and dissolved nutrients. Findings revealed dynamic changes in the geochemical fingerprint of the river, linking these shifts to the flushing of sediment and interaction between floodwaters and hyporheic zones. This work highlights the critical role of pulse events in restoring natural flow dynamics, tracing material fluxes, and assessing the ecological impacts of experimental floods, offering unique opportunities for advancing river restoration efforts and sustainable water management practices.
Representative Publications
Elliott, E.M., Sinon, H., Yancy, A.J. et al. Geochemical and sediment dynamics during an experimental high flow pulse event on the Allegheny River: Lessons for river system management. Biogeochemistry 168, 56 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-025-01243-6