Internships

Theodore Eyster ’13

This summer I worked on two distinct yet related projects that dealt with surface water around the greater Princeton area. The first project was working with The Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association to look at Peddie Lake in Hightstown, NJ. The lake is host to an annual triathlon, and summer swims. In order to ensure safety to participants, coliform levels in the lake are measured prior to these events. I collected samples around the lake and from its tributaries to track bacterial sources. Results will hopefully be used in an effort to improve the quality of Peddie Lake. The second project focused on the restoration project that was completed in the spring of 2012, along Washington Road on Princeton’s campus. I surveyed the altered streambed, and took water quality measurements to examine the effects of the restoration on the hydrology. I am continuing this research project into the school year for my senior thesis. Both projects gave me a better understanding of the impacts of human development on surface water. Original watersheds and land use in New Jersey have both been greatly altered from their natural states, which has had a major impact on water quality and rain event runoff.