Salt Front Model

This educational resource guides students through an investigation of salinity preferences of fish in the Hudson River using real data from the 2010 "A Day in the Life" event. By interpreting graphs, solving word problems, and analyzing maps, students explore the dynamic interactions between saltwater and freshwater in the estuary. The activity centers on two key questions: what biological indicators can signal the location of the salt front in the absence of technical equipment, and how do student-collected salinity data compare with U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) model predictions? 

Students examined trends over a 12-month period to track the movement of the salt front and assess its ecological impact on local fish populations.