Solebury Township Water Resources Program

2009 Water Year

Presented by: Peter Brussock, Ph.D., AICP

Environmental Planning Consultants March 16, 2010

Presentation Topics Solebury’s Water Resources

Initiative The Overall State of

Solebury’s Watersheds Special Topics of Interest

Paunacussing Creek Stream Restoration Project

Critical Water Planning Area Nomination Primrose Creek Coordination Public Involvement

Recommendations

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Solebury’s Water Resources InitiativeWater Resources Program began in 2004 Township has been monitoring ground water for over a

decade

Primary goal is to ensure that the township’s water resources meet the needs of current and future residents (consistent with Comprehensive Plan)

Emphasis on both surface water and ground water quantity and quality

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Solebury’s Primary WatershedsPaunacussing (7.9 square miles/5,088 acres)

Supports brown trout, Wild and Scenic River (NPS)

Cuttalossa (2.3 square miles/1,481 acres) Supports brown trout, limited / low development

Primrose (2.7 square miles/1,078 acres) Portion of stream lost to on-going mining

Aquetong (7.6 square miles/5,384 acres) Supports brown trout, karst geology, Ingham Spring

Pidcock (12.7 square miles/8,140 acres) Diverse fish population, located in 4 townships

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Solebury’s Watersheds

Water Resources Program Tasks 2009 Water Year

Annual Stream Condition Monitoring (Late Summer) Collected chemical, biological, and physical parameters

Paunacussing Creek Stream Restoration Project Prepared & submitted permit applications Applied for funding through Growing Greener (PADEP)

Primrose Creek Studies and Coordination Conducted storm flow sampling Met with PADEP

Critical Water Planning Area Nomination Prepared nomination for Aquetong Creek Watershed

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Annual Stream Condition Monitoring Evaluation of existing conditions (2005 to present) Physical, chemical, & biological parameters Conducted in the 5 primary watersheds

2009 sampling occurred on September 18th and 19th

Baseflow conditions Conducted with the assistance of EAC and Watershed

Association members

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Water Quality Parameters Physical Stream Flow Temperature Conductivity Turbidity Total Suspended

Sediment (TSS) Total Dissolved

Solids (TDS)

Chemical pH Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Nutrients - Nitrogen & Phosphorous Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) Total Organic Carbon (TOC)

Biological Macroinvertebrates Bacteria (Fecal Coliforms & E.coli)

• We will discuss the parameters in green in more detail• All parameters are addressed in the Water Resources Report

(on township website)9

Overall State of Solebury’s Watersheds Surface Water Overall water quality throughout Solebury is good Erosion/Sedimentation is a primary concern Specific problem areas include Primrose Creek and the

middle branch of Paunacussing

Ground Water Overall quality is good and meets drinking water criteria Quantity is a concern in the Route 202 corridor and

Primrose Creek watershed

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Stream Flow Varies depending on season, precipitation, geology,

land use, water consumption High stream flow in 2009 Due to higher ground water table (increased precipitation) Similar patterns observed throughout the region

Higher in Primrose and Aquetong Influencing factors Karst Geology Ingham Spring Mining Discharge

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Flow & Drainage Area Comparison(gpm/sq.mi.)

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Erosion – Causes and Impacts Causes Land disturbance with inadequate controls Loss of riparian buffer (mowing / cutting to streambank) Concentration of storm flow (pipes / narrow swales) Poorly designed road / driveway crossings Increased frequency of high precipitation events

Impacts Property damage and loss, amplified downstream Sediment choking of streams (localized flood impacts) Drainage ways clogged with bedload (maintenance costs) Increased Total Suspended Solids (TSS)

Total Suspended Solids (TSS) Sources of TSS include erosion,

scour, runoff, and discharges Causes increased turbidity High concentrations impact

biota (clog gills, smother eggs)Will eventually settle out

(sediment deposition)

SEDIMENT DEPOSITION

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Total Suspended Solids (TSS) Evaluated in terms of concentration and loading Concentration (mg/l) = Turbidity High concentrations influence aquatic habitat and feeding, growth, &

respiration of aquatic animals To determine effects on aquatic organisms, both concentration & its

duration must be considered

Loading (lbs/day or tons/year) = Sediment Transport Concentration X Stream Flow Many streams in other parts of the state and country have “TMDLs”

(Total Maximum Daily Loads) for sediment

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TSS Concentration & Loading

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TSS Concentration TSS concentration was highest in the karst streams

(Primrose and Aquetong) TSS concentration just downstream from the quarry’s

discharge was more than double that observed at all other locations in Primrose and Aquetong creeks Ranged from 20 to 70 mg/L Quarry Permit Conditions Average monthly concentration – 35 mg/L Maximum daily – 70 mg/L Instantaneous max – 90 mg/L

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TSS ConcentrationWhat type of effect does 20 mg/L TSS have? It depends on the duration that it’s at that concentration… Fish eggs, fish larvae, and aquatic invertebrates• 1 week 0 to 20% mortality, increased predation, and moderate

to severe habitat degradation• 1 month 20 to 40% mortality

Adult fish (freshwater nonsalmonids – e.g., bass, sunfish) • 1 week Moderate habitat degradation, impaired homing• 1 month Reduced growth rate, reduced density

The permit conditions (average monthly concentration = 35 mg/L) result in similar effects

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TSS Concentration Do we see these effects in Primrose Creek

downstream from the quarry? Benthic macroinvertebrate community Low diversity Dominated by sediment tolerant species (e.g., mudsnails)

Fish community Low diversity Low abundance

Habitat Quality Degraded (Low habitat scores)

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TSS Loading

Δ = 344 lbs/day(63 tons/yr)

Δ = 1,077 lbs/day(197 tons/yr)

Δ = 451 lbs/day(82 tons/yr)

Δ = 338 lbs/day(62 tons/yr)

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Sediment DepositionWhere is it deposited? Low gradient areas, low velocity areas Likely between quarry discharge & milldam

Why do we care? Primary function of streams is to transport water and sediment Need to maintain balance to maintain stability

Impacts habitat quality Sediment becomes embedded in gravel (problem for eggs and benthos) Causes increased stream temperature

If the milldam were to fail, the sediment trapped behind it would be resuspended and could have major adverse impacts

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Recommendations to Address Sediment Concerns

Reduce NHCS’s discharge limits for TSS and require more frequent monitoring

Evaluate the reach between the NHCS discharge and the milldam to determine extent of impacts

Consideration of removal of excess sediment in some locations

Implement restoration strategies that are conducive to maintaining sediment transport (e.g., adjust stream bed slope in some areas)

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Chemical Parameters - Nitrate Concerned with concentration and loading Problems with excess nitrates: Increase in aquatic vegetation (including algae) Oxygen depletion (problem for aquatic organisms) Impaired drinking water quality

Sources include fertilizer, manure, failing septic systems, natural sources

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Nitrate Concentration and Loading Nitrate concentration is the highest in Cuttalossa Creek

& Aquetong Creek Cuttalossa Highest in the middle reach (maybe agricultural source) Decreases downstream as the watershed becomes more wooded

(Cuttalossa Valley)

Aquetong Highest concentrations observed at Ingham and Gateshead Springs

(indicates ground water sources of nitrate)

Pidcock Creek has the lowest nitrate concentrations Nitrate was detected in less than 50% of the samples

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Nitrate Concentration and Loading Nitrate loading the highest in Aquetong Creek Concentration and loading higher than in other karst streams

in the region Loading highest at downstream location (Solebury / New

Hope border), but also high throughout the Ingham branch

Pidcock Creek has the lowest nitrate loading Sample locations both upstream of and within Bowman’s

Hill Wildflower Preserve Although Pidcock Creek watershed has a lot of agriculture,

the riparian buffer is healthy throughout much of the watershed

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Nitrate Concentration & Loading

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Recommendations to Address Nitrate Concerns

Restore healthy riparian buffers Buffers need to contain understory vegetation (e.g., cannot

be a wooded area that is mowed)

Test soil before fertilizing Use Best Management Practices when applying

fertilizer or spreading manureMaintain septic systems, especially in karst areas

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Macroinvertebrates High diversity in Cuttalossa and Pidcock creeks Low diversity in Primrose Creek (PECO easement) Community indicates impacts are associated with sediment

Paunacussing Creek East branch and main stem by Lumberville have the highest

diversity

Aquetong Creek Honey Hollow tributary and main stem have the highest

diversity Impaired community below Ingham Reservoir

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Bacteria Fecal Coliforms Multiple types of bacteria that generally occur in animal

waste Sources include humans (septic systems), dogs, birds, deer,

horses, cows Not as specific as E. coli, but the Pennsylvania Code has

water quality regulations for fecal coliforms

E. coli A specific bacteria that occurs naturally in the gut of warm-

blooded animals Some strains are helpful, but others can cause sickness

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Bacteria

Fecal coliforms and E. coli occur in almost all natural water bodies

High concentrations indicate an increased chance that other pathogens are present

Primary exposure pathways are through drinking or swimming in water contaminated with fecal coliforms & E. coli

E. coli colony (USDA)

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Bacteria Fecal coliform concentrations are highest in the

middle branch of Paunacussing Creek Downstream from an agricultural property (manure)

E. coli concentrations were high in the middle branch of Paunacussing Creek and also in Primrose Creek (in the vicinity of Phillips Mill) Livestock, deer, and horses are potential sources No observations of failing septic systems are causing the

problem

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Recommendations to Address Bacteria Concerns

Encourage residents to monitor the fecal coliform levels in their wells

Additional sampling to determine sources… Include upstream locations Collect a minimum of 5 samples within a 30-day period Collect during the swimming season since this is the period

when people have the greatest chance of exposure Do not drink untreated surface water When swimming in streams, be careful not to drink the water

and disinfect open wounds

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Paunacussing Creek Stream Restoration Project

The middle branch of Paunacussing Creek was determined to be a priority restoration area due to severe erosion, temperature, and habitat impacts

Developed a restoration plan based on principles of Natural Stream Channel Design Bank stabilization Dam removal Fish habitat enhancement

Will result in downstream improvements

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Paunacussing Creek Stream Restoration Project

Applied for a Growing Greener Grant in June 2009 Construction / Restoration, Planting, & Monitoring $250,000 – Primarily for Construction / Restoration Costs

Have received necessary permits Joint PADEP Water Obstruction & Encroachment & ACOE

Section 404 Permit Soil Erosion & Sedimentation Control Plan National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Permit

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Paunacussing Creek Stream Restoration Project

Assuming funding is awarded in June 2010 Construction would begin in late summer 2010 (low flow)

and be completed during fall Monitoring would be conducted for at least two years after

construction (grant requirement) Maintenance would be performed if necessary (e.g., if a

high flow event occurs before vegetation can become established)

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Critical Water Planning Area (CWPA) Nomination

CWPA - “significant hydrologic unit where existing or future demands exceed or threaten to exceed the safe yield of available water resources.” (PA Act 220)

Areas nominated as CWPA are evaluated by DEP and discussed at public meetings

If DEP approves an area as a CWPA, a Critical Area Resource Plan (CARP) will be developed Identifies problems and solutions Ensures that water use does not exceed water supply

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CWPA Nomination Aquetong Creek Watershed (& Ingham Spring Recharge Area) Adjacent to an area already nominated as CWPA Tributaries to Neshaminy Creek including Lahaska Creek

Route 202 Corridor = Unsustainable water budget High growth area Public water and sewer = Reduced ground water recharge•Water supply is from ground water•Waste water is sent to Lambertville

Nomination will compliment Solebury Township's efforts to sustain the quality and quantity of water at Ingham Spring and Reservoir for recreational and educational benefits.

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CWPA Nomination Nomination will be submitted in early 2010 DEP to conduct preliminary review of justification

and available data May request additional information or conduct additional

studies

Public meetings would be held in late summer / early fall

If approved, DEP will develop a Critical Area Resource Plan (not before 2011)

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CWPA Nomination Stress Limit is approximately 1.3 million gallons per

day (MGD) Based on DRBC Criteria for the Ground Water Protected

Area 75% of 1-year-in-25 average annual baseflow rate

Current estimated demand exceeds stress limit by 2.23 mgd Includes wastewater transported out of basin & Ingham

Spring discharge To treatment plants in Lambertville and Buckingham

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Primrose Creek Coordination Conducted storm flow sampling in spring and fall Findings are consistent with previous years’ data Biological community is impaired Impairment is associated with sediment issues

Report will be available on township website

Provided recommendations to PADEP Restore stream flow pattern in Primrose Creek Restore ground water discharge pattern upstream of quarry Restore in-kind stream channel (such as was removed from

within the quarry mining area)

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Primrose Creek Coordination Recommendations (continued) Address upstream incision, bank erosion, and downstream

aggradation Maintain minimum baseflow in Primrose Creek above and

below the quarry, consistent with the drainage area Conduct additional monitoring Install additional monitoring wells Conduct quarterly bioassessment Take frequent total suspended solids, temperature, pH, and turbidity

measurements Measure water elevations and flow volumes at several locations

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Primrose Creek - Progress To Date NHCS installed additional monitoring well at

recommended location DEP reviewed township reports and conducted

independent evaluations State biologist agreed with township’s findings (5/26/09) Ground water issues are still being investigated by DEP

Primrose Creek Watershed Association has brought issue to the attention of Senator Chuck McIlhinney He discussed issues with John Hangar, the Secretary of DEP

DEP is waiting to issue amended permit

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EAC & Watershed Association Support EAC and watershed associations are beginning to

take the lead in implementing many components of the Water Resources Program Involvement has increased substantially over the past year Fall sampling primarily completed by EAC and Watershed

Association members EAC is acting as the liaison between the Watershed Associations and

the township

Will continue to expand Annual Monitoring, Restoration Projects, Grant Applications

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Paunacussing Creek Watershed Association Major Accomplishments for 2009

Partnered with township on Growing Greener Grant application Conducted community awareness activities - Stand at Carversville Day Completed annual stream quality assessment (independently & with township)

Goals for 2010 Conduct watershed-wide educational initiatives Get a newsletter / informational brochure out Continue annual stream quality assessment Work towards strengthening riparian protection through ordinances /education Assist with implementation of the Paunacussing Creek stream restoration project

Primary Concerns Streambank erosion / sedimentation Storm water management Condition of riparian buffers / Property management decisions

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Primrose Creek Watershed Association Major Accomplishments for 2009

Increased awareness of Primrose Creek Watershed Worked on identification of issues in Primrose Creek Watershed Coordination of Solebury Candidates Sustainability Forum Brought Primrose Creek Watershed issues to the attention of Senator McIlhinney

Major Priorities for 2010 Assist residents with sustainability education opportunities Continue to build organization Get website up – primrosecreek.org

Primary Concerns Increase resident awareness of need for sustainability Sinkholes Sedimentation Continuation of the depletion of Primrose aquifer

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Major Accomplishments for 2009 Received a Growing Greener Grant from PADEP Led fall and spring tree planting events Presented a workshop & created a website: www.aquetongwatershed.org

Goals for 2010 Complete a 3-year strategic plan Conduct a watershed assessment with Growing Greener Grant Train volunteers to perform visual stream assessments Conduct invasive plant removal and tree planting projects

Primary Concerns Future development of the Aquetong Lake / Ingham Spring property Negative water budget along the Route 202 corridor Potential aquifer drainage caused by NHCS’s quarry pumping Solebury Township’s continued commitment to the Water Resources Program Uncontrollable growth of invasives

Aquetong Watershed Association

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Pidcock Creek Watershed Association Major Accomplishments for 2009

Conducted an Open House at BHWP with educational presentations Planted 180 TreeVitalize trees on streamside properties Worked with a property owner on a 2-acre native plant installation Increased membership from 14 to over 41

Major priorities for 2010 Grow membership further (perhaps the most important) Work with EAC’s from Upper Makefield, Wrightstown, and Buckingham

Townships Receive grant money from Upper Makefield's Toll Brothers' Grant Program to

finance a stream bank and riparian buffer restoration project

Primary Concerns Membership Continuation of the Water Resources Program

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Recommendations for 2010 Conduct 5-year check point on water quality Conduct sampling during spring flow and base flow and

compare with parameters measured during the first year of sampling

Include additional locations for bacteria and total suspended solids in order to determine sources / extent of concern

Work with EAC and watershed associations to facilitate collecting more frequent samples (e.g., for bacteria) and/or adding more sample locations

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Recommendations for 2010 Monitor continuing sediment deposition in Primrose Creek

between PECO easement and Phillips Mill and its impact on the stability of the milldam

Construct middle branch of Paunacussing Creek stream restoration project

Conduct erosion assessment in Primrose and Aquetong creeks to identify target restoration areas

Work with EAC and watershed associations to spearhead riparian buffer restoration and protection areas, conduct additional assessments, and implement additional restoration strategies

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What can you do to protect Solebury Township’s Water Resources?

Restore and maintain healthy riparian buffers on your property

Be cognizant of water use Join your local watershed association Participate in volunteer activitiesMaintain your septic system (e.g., cleanout regularly) Support water resources protection initiatives

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