Stream Restoration

(Project in collaboration with Dr. Jim Yoder, Biology)

We are working in collaboration with a local stream restoration consultant, Brian Wagner of Ecosystems Services LLC, to assess the impacts of stream restoration on aquatic waterways in the region. Our focus is on assessing current geomorphology of the Black's Run, a stream which runs through Harrisonburg and will be adjacent to the Northend Greenway, a multi-use path which will be constructed in the near future. It is likely that stream restoration work will occur in concert with the construction of that greenway. Assessment of the current state of the stream allows us to assess the erosion and nutrient reductions that will help the city to meet their obligations to reduce these inputs into the Chesapeake Bay watershed. In addition, we are initiating a multi-parameter (chemical, physical and biological) assessment of one run on the stream in order to measure the anticipated improvements in aquatic habitat which will occur as a result of the restoration. Similar work is also occurring on Mossy Creek, a premier trout stream in the state located near Harrisonburg.

This project was recently highlighted in an article from school newspaper

Goals:

• Survey stream geomorphology of a stretch of Black's Run next to the future Northend Greenway
• Survey stream geomorphology in other local waterways
• Estimate current nutrient and sediment loading from these streams
• Assess the impact of stream restoration on the aquatic and adjacent terrestrial habitat by pre- and post-measurements of chemical, physical and biological parameters

Students collecting survey data on Mossy Creek

Map of Northend Greenway proposed location