RAPID: Cyberinfrastructure Development for Dunkard Creek Watershed

1001400 VanBriesen该项目的目标是收集和组织关键数据，以便在Dunkard Creek流域内进行网络基础设施演示。这将使可视化和模拟能够改进决策，并展示综合流域数据访问在快速应对灾难性事件方面的效用。多个州和联邦机构、非政府组织和大学研究人员正在收集相关数据，以对2009年9月初发生的灾难性鱼类死亡事件做出密集反应。10,000多条鱼，代表18个物种，以及16个贻贝物种，在横跨30英里的小溪生态系统崩溃中消失。事件的原因仍在调查中，但已被认为与小溪高盐分浓度导致的入侵藻类水华有关(据报道，溪流中的TDS超过20,000毫克/L)。Dunkard Creek流入Monongahela河，11个公共饮用水供应商将这些水作为水源。多个不同的组织正在使用多种方法(固定的水化学传感器、抓取样品然后进行化学和生物参数的实验室评估、对鱼类和生态系统条件的专家面对面评估)在短时间内在一个重要的地理区域收集许多不同类型的数据(水化学、生物多样性、鱼类身体解剖)。数据收集的强度及其高度的可变性是展示网络基础设施在管理数据和为流域决策提供综合建模方面的潜力的难得机会。这个为期一年的项目将涉及收集历史数据，组织与正在进行的对鱼类死亡事件的评估有关的所有数据，并创建流域模型和可视化分析工具。由于目前对这一问题的关注不协调但却很密集，他们必须尽快开始组织和分析所有的数据源。流域级别的数据和模型将为地方、州和联邦级别的政策制定者提供支持。宾夕法尼亚州环境保护局在2009年4月提出了新的法规，以减少允许向该州所有水域排放的盐分；然而，位于西弗吉尼亚州和宾夕法尼亚州交界处的Dunkard Creek的位置使得使用它的决定变得复杂。支持可视化和假设情景的集成网络基础设施将告知公民对分水岭中允许的活动进行更改的影响。宾夕法尼亚州西南部的分水岭支持多种同化用途，包括遗留的酸性矿山废水，以及与马塞卢斯页岩气开发相关的新的取水和废水排放。加强对可能受影响的流域内所有水和废水流动的了解，将加强公众对整个区域正在作出的决定的适宜性的讨论。通过将网络基础设施的发展与该区域的教育和外联活动结合起来，它们将使公众能够使用这些数据，并为有关分水岭活动和未来监测计划的决策提供信息。由于围绕这一活动的社区强烈抗议，他们尽快开发模型和可视化工具以帮助公众理解是至关重要的。

1001400 VanBriesenThe objective of this project is to collect and organize critical data into a cyberinfrastructure demonstration within Dunkard Creek Watershed. This will enable visualization and simulation to improve decision making and to demonstrate the utility of comprehensive watershed data access for rapid response to catastrophic events. The relevant data are being collected by multiple state and federal agencies, non-governmental organizations and university researchers in an intensive response to a disastrous fish kill that occurred in early September, 2009. More than 10,000 individual fish, representing 18 species, as well as 16 species of mussels, were lost in an ecosystem collapse that spanned thirty miles of the creek. The cause of the event is still under investigation but has been linked to an invasive algal species bloom enabled by high salt concentrations in the creek (TDS greater than 20,000 mg/L was reported in the stream). Dunkard Creek feeds into the Monongahela River, where 11 public drinking water providers use this water as a source.Many different types of data (water chemistry, biological diversity, fish autopsy) are being collected over a significant geographical area in a short time frame using multiple methods (fixed sensors for water chemistry, grab samples followed by laboratory assessment for chemical and biological parameters, expert in-person evaluation of fish and ecosystem conditions) by multiple different organizations. The intensity of the data collection and its high variability represent a rare opportunity to demonstrate the potential of cyberinfrastructure to manage data and provide integrated modeling for watershed decision-making. The one year project will involve collection of historical data, organization of all data associated with the ongoing assessment in response to the fish kill, and creation of a watershed model and visualization analysis tool. Due to the uncoordinated but intensive focus on this issue right now, it is critical that they begin to organize and analyze all the data sources as soon as possible.Watershed-level data and models will provide support to policy-makers at the local, state and federal level. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection proposed new regulations in April 2009 to reduce allowable salt discharges into all waters of the state; however, the position of Dunkard Creek - meandering at the border of West Virginia and Pennsylvania - makes decisions regarding its use complicated. Integrated cyberinfrastructure that enables visualization and 'what if' scenarios will inform citizens about the effect of changes to permitted activities in the watershed. The watersheds in southwestern Pennsylvania support diverse assimilative uses, including legacy acid mine drainage as well as new water removal and wastewater discharge associated with Marcellus Shale Gas Development. Improved understanding of all water and wastewater flows within potentially affected watersheds will enhance public discussions of the suitability of decisions being made throughout the region. By integrating the development of the cyberinfrastructure with educational and outreach activities in the region they will enable public use of the data as well as to inform policy decision making regarding watershed activities and future monitoring plans. Due to the passionate community outcry surrounding this event, it is critical that they develop models and visualization tools to assist with public understanding as soon as possible.