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Paxton Creek Stream Restoration Project Under Construction In Dauphin County
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Construction has begun on the restoration of two small headwater streams of Paxton Creek that flow through Lower Paxton Township’s Brightbill Park in Dauphin County.
Headwater streams are the small swales, creeks and streams that are the origin of most rivers.
These small streams join together to form larger streams and rivers or run directly into larger streams and lakes.
“Restoration opportunities in headwater streams like these are good environmental and an economic investment,” said Donna Morelli, Director of the PA office of the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay. “The stormwater issues facing streams in Brightbill Park affect all of downstream Paxton Creek. All water flows downhill, so restoring at the top makes sense.”
The Lower Paxton Township Parks & Recreation Department and the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay are working together on the projects that will alleviate the impacts of stormwater and improve water quality in the Paxton Creek and reduce flooding on neighboring properties.
“This is a cooperative effort involving governmental and private organizations in an effort to improve Brightbill Park, neighboring properties, and the environment downstream” stated Brian Luetchford, Director of Parks and Recreation for Lower Paxton Township.
The restoration of 640 linear feet of one of the streams and the “daylighting” of another will help alleviate some of the erosive power of stormwater that wears down stream banks sending tons of sediment and nutrient pollution downstream to Paxton Creek and then the Susquehanna River and finally to the Chesapeake Bay each year.
Stormwater runoff from parking lots and buildings builds power and picks up pollution and can form new streams, like in the baseball fields and playgrounds of Brightbill Park, as it runs across these surfaces.
When sites like Brightbill Park were developed, much of the natural drainage was diverted through pipes to try and contain wet areas. The stream near the Berwyn Drive parking area will be dug up and removed—thus daylighting—and creating and a natural stream channel.
As part of this project, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and partners will be hosting educational workshops to help surrounding landowners control their stormwater through gardening and other rainwater harvesting efforts.
Volunteers will also be needed to plant forested buffers, re-vegetate restored banks, and restore interior forests and wetlands. Volunteers will be needed to take part in fun outdoor activity that will beautify Brightbill Park, protect water quality and help the forest ecosystem.
Partners in this project include the Paxton Creek Watershed Education Association, Lower Paxton Township Parks and Recreation and the Dauphin County Conservation District. The Brightbill Park Stream Restoration Project is generously funded by the Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants Program, administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
To volunteer or more information, please contact the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay by sending email to: dmorelli@allianceforthebay.org or call: 717-737-8622.
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4/23/2012 |
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