Water Quality Analysis of New York Harbor Complex

Abstract

A two‐dimensional analysis of New York Harbor and contiguous waters is presented for dissolved oxygen. The transport component includes the density‐driven circulation typical of many estuaries. Observations of salinity, dissolved oxygen, nitrogen components, and carbonaceous BOD were used to validate the steady state model under six different flow, temperature, and wastewater input conditions. Wastewater inputs consisted of 24 major treatment facilities, 100 smaller municipalities and industries, distributed inputs from approximately 700 combined sewer overflow and storm drains, and minor miscellaneous sources. The model was used to evaluate the effectiveness of various control plans in achieving dissolved oxygen water quality goals. The study was conducted in conformance with section 208 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Acts Amendments of 1972.