As part of the System-Wide Monitoring Program (SWMP), we collect site-specific data including water quality, nutrients, weather, and vegetation communities. The Reserve operates five water quality stations and two meteorological stations along the Hudson River which transmit real-time data that is publicly available. To track the ecological functions of habitats and how they are changing, we also collect data on vegetative cover, marsh surface elevation, and water levels.
Our data is freely available to the researchers who study the Estuary, the land managers who protect it, and the students and community members who care about their local waters. Data can be explored by visiting the National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) Centralized Data Management Office (CDMO) or the Hudson River Environmental Conditions Observing System (HRECOS).
Looking to do research in the Hudson River Estuary? We can help. Check out our searchable library of collaborative research questions.
2025 SWMP Status Report
Historic Status Reports
The Hudson River Research Reserve compiles yearly status reports on ecological conditions at permanent environmental monitoring stations along the Hudson River. These status reports compare data collected from previous years, noting any changes in historical trends and averages.
Click here to see previous Status Reports!
- 2024 SWMP Status Report
- 2023 SWMP Status Report
- 2022 SWMP Status Report
- 2021 SWMP Status Report
- 2019 SWMP Status Reports
- 2018 SWMP Status Reports
Nutrient Data
The Hudson River Research Reserve has collected ammonium, nitrate, phosphate, sulfate, chloride, suspended sediment, and chlorophyll data at all component sites since 1991. This data has directed vital research and guided the management of the Estuary.
Water Quality Data
Since 1995, we have collected water quality data including depth, dissolved oxygen, temperature, conductivity, salinity, pH, turbidity, and chlorophyll at one station at Norrie Point and two stations within Tivoli Bays. Additional monitoring stations have been established at Ferry Landing near Stockport Flats and at Bear Mountain State Park near Iona Island.
Meteorological Data
The Reserve monitors meteorological data at two weather stations: one at Norrie Point and one near Tivoli Bays. The following parameters are measured by the Reserve: air temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure, precipitation, photosynthetically active radiation, and wind direction and speed. These data complement our water quality data and improve our understanding of the relationship between atmospheric and aquatic conditions.
Tide Station Data
In 2017, the Reserve installed the only water level/tide station north of The Battery in New York City at Turkey Point near Glasco. A second station was established in 2025 at Coxsackie Riverside Park. These stations provides real-time reports of water and meteorological conditions and are part of NOAA’s Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System (PORTS). These stations can be used to observe daily tides, water temperature, localize tidal predictions, track episodic water levels due to storms, and establish long-term water level trends.
Vegetation Monitoring
As part of the NERRS Wetlands and Water Levels Program, the Reserve’s Research team has monitored emergent tidal wetland vegetation in Tivoli Bays since 2011 and in Piermont Marsh since 2019. We also coordinate recurring mapping projects to inventory wetland vegetation communities within our component sites.
Submerged Aquatic Vegetation
The Reserve monitors SAV annually at sites within the Hudson River Estuary. We also partner with Cornell University to create updated estuary-wide comprehensive SAV aerial maps, which are publicly available. Enthusiastic paddlers are welcome to support SAV monitoring through the SAV Volunteer Monitoring Program.
Technical Reports
| 2025 | Wetlands and Water Levels at the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve: Year 15 Report | Christina Pacella, Christopher Mitchell, HRNERR |
| 2025 | Sentinel Sites Monitoring at the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve: Year 14 Report | Christina Pacella, Christopher Mitchell, HRNERR |
| 2025 | Oyster Density and Sediment Characterization in the Hudson River from Piermont Pier to Yonkers | Henningson, Durham and Richardson Architecture and Engineering, P.C. |
| 2024 | Hudson River Estuary Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Inventory - 2022 | Dr. Magdeline Laba, Cornell IRIS |
| 2020 | Hudson River Estuary Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Inventory - 2018 | Dr. Magdeline Laba, Cornell IRIS |
Research and Monitoring Staff
Chris Mitchell
Research Coordinator
Chris oversees the Research program at HRNERR. He manages the System-Wide Monitoring Program, the Hudson River Estuary PORTS Network, data QAQC, and other estuarine monitoring projects. He specializes in water levels and vertical control instrumentation, and also collaborates with guest researchers seeking to conduct projects at the Reserve.
Christina Pacella
Habitat Researcher
Christina implements the Reserve’s Wetlands and Water Levels program, which includes monitoring emergent tidal wetland and submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), measuring marsh accretion rates, coordinating vegetation mapping efforts, and tidal wetland habitat research. She also oversees the Research group’s internship program and supports the SAV volunteer monitoring program.
Samuel Yakubowski
System-Wide Monitoring Program Technician
Sam implements the Reserve’s System-Wide Monitoring Program (SWMP), which includes water quality, meteorological, and nutrient monitoring at Reserve component sites. He is responsible for maintaining all monitoring instrumentation, fabrication of station components, and assisting the Research team in other projects.