The Hydrogeologic Restoration of Golf Courses to Wetlands

Presenter

Hannah Davis

Campus

UMass Amherst

Sponsor

Christine E. Hatch, Department of Earth, Geographic and Climate Sciences, UMass Amherst

Schedule

Session 1, 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM [Schedule by Time][Poster Grid for Time/Location]

Location

Poster Board A48, Campus Center Auditorium, Row 3 (A41-A60) [Poster Location Map]

Abstract

Wetlands have environmental, ecological, and societal benefits including maintaining biodiversity, improving water quality, and mitigating floods. With land development increasing, restoring wetlands has become a crucial undertaking for future ecosystems and water resources. This project seeks to quantify the current hydrogeology of two golf course sites slated to undergo restoration. I will compare the current conditions to those required for wetlands to project what changes would be required for these two sites to become sustainable, functional wetlands. To determine hydrogeologic conditions at the former Hickory Ridge golf course in Amherst, MA, I measured streamflow, water table height, and soil organic content. Streamflow was measured at an upstream and downstream location along the Fort River, and net discharge was calculated to determine if water is lost or gained along the reach. In addition, the water levels from four wells at the Hickory Ridge site will be compared to the water levels recorded in the partially restored Nashawannuck Brook site to determine if any part of Hickory Ridge qualifies as wetland yet. Wetland determination is based on three characteristics: vegetation, hydric soils, and hydrology. It is expected that Hickory Ridge will have some evidence of these characteristics. Methods to accelerate the generation of wetland conditions will be proposed based on the findings. Restoring wetlands is increasingly popular to reap multiple benefits of landscapes subject to flooding, including increased biodiversity, water quality, and flood storage. The results of this project will contribute new knowledge and suggestions about restoring golf courses to wetlands. 

Keywords

sustainability, wetlands, restoration, hydrology, water

Research Area

Geology and Earth Sciences

SIMILAR ABSTRACTS (BY KEYWORD)