Green Roofs: Imrpoving Stream Water Quality
- 1. INSIDE: • RCVA Clean-up Red Clay Valley Association STREAM SURVEYS SHOW two elements can increase algal IMPROVED WATER QUALITY growth and reduce water quality. The The Red Clay Creek has index which measures water quality improved considerably since RCVA under the U.S. Geological Survey’s commissioned the first water quality program has continued to show slight study in the early 1960’s. Beginning but steady improvement in the past ten with scientists from the Academy of years. At this point, most of the Natural Science in Philadelphia, the significant impacts to the stream have Red Clay was sampled for both been reduced or eliminated. To further chemical and biological parameters. improve water quality will require better management of stormwater and Volume: LVIII No. 1 Since those first surveys, techniques February, 2010 have changed and so has the quality reduction of sediment loads in the of the stream. stream. Beginning in 1969 the U.S. The Pennsylvania Department Geological Survey developed a water of Environmental Protection in 2009 quality assessment that has been used completed an overall assessment of the annually thereafter. There are two Red Clay Creek. This assessment is REVIEW REVIEW T: (610)793-1090 F: (610)793-2813 E: water@bva-rcva.org W: www.redclayvalley.org 1760 Unionville-Wawaset Road, West Chester, PA 19382 The Review is published quarterly by the Red Clay Valley Association for its members. sampling points on the Red Clay, one conducted every ten years and the at the bottom of the east branch just latest results show little change from before the confluence with the west the 1999 levels. The upper west branch and a second on the lower branch continues to be in good part of the west branch below the condition and meets state standards. bridge on Chandler Mill Road. In the The lower west branch and the entire last 40 years a number of discharges east branch are still below state have been removed from the stream or standards. The influences reducing have stopped altogether. In addition, water quality are primarily sediment improved soil conservation practices and, to a lesser extent, nutrients. on farms and better management at RCVA’s Red Streams Blue Program has development sites have reduced recognized the remaining problems sediment loads and runoff. In 1998 and the program will focus on the west branch sampling site was substandard streams by developing moved from a point above the Kennett projects which will improve water sewage treatment plant discharge to its quality. current location. The new site initially The Red Clay Creek has come showed reduced water quality which a long way from its former status as has significantly improved after the the worst stream in the region. Its new treatment plant went online in improvement is one of the success 2001. stories in this area, but that The most recent samplings improvement is still unfinished. You show the continued improving trend. can follow progress through the Notable changes have been the newsletter and on the website under significant reduction in phosphorous the Red Streams Blue Program. discharged to the stream and the continuing low level of nitrogen. These Red Streams BLUE RAISING OUR STREAM'S I.Q.
- 2. SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! CAMPS FILL QUICKLY! REG THIRD THURSDAYS FOR NATURE ENTHUSIASTS Members and nonmembers are invited to an evening Friday, May 21st - Myrick Center Camp of fun and good company while learning something Out - 6:30 PM to 8:30 AM, Saturday new about nature. The symbol indicates a family This is a unique opportunity to enjoy the night sounds friendly program. of the Myrick Center. Learn how to build a safe March 18th - Family Stargazing campfire, take a night hike, make s’mores, listen for 7:00 to 9:00 PM owls and camp under the stars. This is a great way to Do you know how to find the big dipper in the sky? introduce the family to camping in a safe environment How about Polaris, our north star? Join us for an with experienced staff. A camping list will be provided evening of stargazing and some Greek and Roman at registration. Space is limited. mythology about the constellations. Bring a blanket, a June 17th – Lyme Disease Q & A flashlight and binoculars if you have them. Hot cocoa 5:30 to 7:00 PM will be provided! Chester County has one of the highest rates of Lyme April 15th - Green Roofs disease in the world. Learn how to protect yourself from 5:30-7:00 PM the ticks that spread the disease, and what to do if you Join us for an informational community meeting are bitten. Presentation by the Pennsylvania Lyme Disease Awareness Committee, a collaboration of the about green roof technology and the environmental Chester/Delaware County Farm Bureau, the Lyme benefits of green roofs. What are the factors involved Disease Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Inc., in designing and installation? This is a presentation of and the Chester County Health Department. Weston Solutions, Inc. Bring your questions! BVA/RCVA Members: $5.00 for ages 13 to adult. Kids are free. Nonmembers: $7.00 for ages 13 to adult. Kids are free. Payment and registration are due by the Monday www.greengridroofs.com before your program. Children 12 years old and under are free and must be accompanied by an adult. Parking is on the office side of the property. Meet at the Browning Barn. GARDENING FOR WILDLIFE...AND YOU! FREE EVENING PUBLIC LECTURE Tom Brightman, Land Steward at Longwood Gardens, Who: Tom Brightman, Land Steward at will be discussing the evolution of the garden habitat Longwood Gardens; he and his wife tend in Kennett Square, PA. Using Tom is the Land Steward at Longwood Gardens, slides from his home garden, he will guide the responsible for the health and care of the 700 acres of audience in natural and perimeter land at Longwood and was • developing a vision for their garden previously the Easement Manager for the Brandywine • cultivating a sense of place, native plant and Conservancy's Environmental Management Center. wildlife interactions, and aesthetics This event is sponsored by Red Clay Valley Association, • learning about plant selection, management Brandywine Valley Association, White Clay Creek Wild issues, and related topics. & Scenic Program, White Clay Watershed Association, and the National Park Service. When: Tuesday, March 9, 2010, 7:00-9:00 pm Registration is required as seating is limited. Call Where: Hockessin Library, Valley Road, or email Red Clay Valley Association (610) 793- Hockessin, Delaware 1090 or water@bva-rcva.org.
- 3. ISTER TODAY AT WWW.REDCLAYVA L L E Y.ORG. What Do Insects Say About a Stream? Take a look! What is that thing in the picture? If you have any idea what this animal is, you must be a nature enthusiast. If you know that it’s an insect, you’re on the right path! Some of the characteristics of an insect can be identified in this picture; an exoskeleton, a body with three parts – the head, thorax, and abdomen – three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes and two antennae. Remember that insects go through many stages of life. Think of a 2010 Wish List – Used maple sugaring equipment – spiles, butterfly, which goes through a lifecycle called a complete metamorphosis. evaporating pan, materials for display A butterfly is the adult phase of this animal, but first it was an egg, then a & to use caterpillar, then a chrysalis! The insect in the picture is a hellgrammite. After a hellgrammite hatches from an egg, it will live most of its life on the bottom of streams and rivers, and can often be found under rocks. In winter, the hellgrammite may burrow underground and when it emerges in Chester County spring or summer it will be an adult called a Dobsonfly. The Dobsonfly will Astronomical start this cycle all over again by laying eggs, usually on the leaves of plants Society near a stream. Date Cloud Date Hellgrammites are not poisonous, although they can pinch. This is March 12th March 13th April 16th April 17th how they catch their underwater food of insect larvae. They breathe with May 14th May 15th gills, can grow to be a few inches long and have two hooks at the end of June 11th June 12th their abdomen. Bear in mind, when you see an insect that might look intimidating, that they are part of the most diverse group of animals on Earth. Their role as citizens of the planet is important. Their presence can tell us about the health of a stream. Hellgrammites and Dobsonflies prefer Officers to only live in and near clean, high quality waterways. This means that if Charles Potter you find them, the stream, creek or river where they live is healthy enough President to support the population of these insects. Look for hellgrammites in riffle Richard Lewandowski areas with fast moving water, under rocks and in piles of leaves caught on Vice President the rocks in streams and creeks. Dobsonflies, with S. Damon Sinclair their long mandibles and wings, can be found near Secretary trees, roots, and on leaves of nearby plants. Kerry Haber See if you can figure out who has longer Treasurer mandibles, the male Dobsonfly or the female? If you know the answer, write to me at water@bva-rcva.org. Until then, have fun looking for insects! Staff James E. Jordan, Jr. Your Friend, Executive Director Robert Struble, Jr. Hellgrammite Watershed Conservation Director Giselle Cosentino Education Director Emily Cost Education Program Coordinator On January 19th this Betsy Stefferud adult Bald Eagle was Administrative Assistant spotted along the Red Art Taylor Clay Creek ! Maintenance Technician
- 4. Red Clay Valley Association, Inc. Nonprofit Organization 1760 Unionville-Wawaset Road US Postage Paid West Chester, PA 19382 Unionville, PA Permit No. 13 Return Service Requested REVIEW SUMMER CAMP Upcoming events Thursday, Mar ch 18th Third Thursdays – Family Stargazing Satur day, Mar ch 27th Red Clay Valley Clean-up Sunday, April 4th Brandywine Hills Point-to-Point Wednesday, April 14th Annual Dinner Thursday, April 15th Third Thursdays – Green Roofs Saturday, May 1st 10 Trout Rodeo @ Nixon Park Friday, May 21st Third Thursdays –Myrick Center Camp Out Sunday, June 13th Family Nature Day Thursday, June 17th Third Thursdays –Lyme Disease Q & A Space is still available!