Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID NH_2024_Lightbody

Evaluation of geomorphic river restoration on potential channel mobility and groundwater connectivity of the Zealand River, White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire

Institute: New Hampshire
Year Established: 2024 Start Date: 2024-09-01 End Date: 2025-08-31
Total Federal Funds: $29,814 Total Non-Federal Funds: $29,872

Principal Investigators: Anne Lightbody

Project Summary: River restoration efforts across the northeast are using large amounts of taxpayer dollars to reduce flood damage, increase the dependability of public water supplies, and improve river habitat for fish and the food that they eat. This project will help determine the effectiveness of a river restoration project within a heavily used watershed in the White Mountain National Forest. More specifically, this project will (1) use drones to thoroughly measure short-term changes in the river channels, (2) measure changes in groundwater near the river, and (3) use a computer model to forecast the potential for future change. This work will help the United States Forest Service (USFS) understand and manage an important public resource.