UpperȱUnamiȱCreekȱ AquaticȱResourcesȱAssessmentȱandȱ ConservationȱPlanȱ ȱ ȱ

2005 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

ȱ Introduction

ȱ ȱ InȱtheȱUpperȱUnamiȱCreekȱwatershedȱofȱnorthernȱBucksȱCounty,ȱandȱ everywhereȱonȱEarth,ȱwaterȱisȱtheȱlifebloodȱofȱtheȱland.ȱȱTheȱheavilyȱforestedȱ portionȱofȱthisȱwatershed,ȱknownȱasȱtheȱUnamiȱForest,ȱincludesȱsomeȱofȱtheȱ highestȱqualityȱstreams,ȱwetlands,ȱandȱgroundwaterȱaquifersȱinȱtheȱPhiladelphiaȱ region,ȱandȱrepresentsȱtheȱsecondȱlargestȱcontiguousȱforestȱinȱsoutheastȱ Pennsylvania.ȱȱTheseȱecologicalȱattributesȱareȱaȱtestimonyȱtoȱtheȱstewardshipȱofȱ landowners,ȱmunicipalities,ȱcountyȱandȱstateȱagencies,ȱandȱenvironmentalȱ organizationsȱwhoȱhaveȱworkedȱtoȱprotectȱlocalȱlandscapesȱandȱwaterȱsupplies.ȱȱ Toȱdate,ȱoverȱ1,000ȱȱacresȱofȱlandȱinȱtheȱUpperȱUnamiȱCreekȱwatershedȱhaveȱ beenȱpermanentlyȱprotectedȱbyȱlandownersȱworkingȱwithȱstateȱandȱcountyȱ agencies,ȱmunicipalȱgovernments,ȱandȱnonȬprofitȱconservationȱgroupsȱ(orȱ combinationsȱofȱthese).ȱȱȱ ȱ NaturalȱLandsȱTrustȱhasȱpreparedȱthisȱUpperȱUnamiȱCreekȱAquaticȱResourceȱ AssessmentȱandȱConservationȱPlanȱ(theȱAssessment)ȱforȱtheȱpurposeȱofȱidentifyingȱ parcelsȱofȱlandȱthatȱprovideȱtheȱmostȱeffectiveȱnaturalȱbufferȱandȱecologicalȱ enhancementȱtoȱtheȱhealthiestȱstreamȱreachesȱinȱtheȱUpperȱUnamiȱCreekȱ watershed.ȱȱTheȱupper,ȱBucksȱCountyȱportionȱofȱtheȱwatershedȱwasȱselectedȱ sinceȱitsȱheadwatersȱstreamsȱrepresentȱtheȱtransitionȱfromȱanȱ agricultural/suburbanȱlandscape,ȱandȱassociatedȱnonȬpointȱsourceȱpollutants,ȱtoȱ oneȱthatȱisȱprimarilyȱforested.ȱȱItȱisȱinȱtheseȱstreamsȱthatȱbiologicalȱmonitoringȱ

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canȱdemonstrateȱtheȱstreamȱqualityȱimprovementsȱprovidedȱbyȱforests.ȱȱȱTheȱ decisionȱtoȱsampleȱbottomȬdwellingȱaquaticȱinsectsȱandȱwormsȱ(orȱbenthicȱ macroinvertebrates)ȱwasȱmadeȱbecauseȱofȱtheyȱtendȱtoȱbeȱcommon,ȱdiverse,ȱ readilyȱaccessibleȱaquaticȱorganismsȱthatȱofferȱaȱrelativelyȱsensitiveȱmeasureȱofȱ environmentalȱchangeȱandȱstress.ȱȱȱ ȱ

ȱ Figureȱ1ȱ–ȱUnamiȱCreekȱlocationȱwithinȱtheȱUpperȱPerkiomenȱCreekȱWatershedȱ(source:ȱUpperȱ PerkiomenȱCreekȱWatershedȱConservationȱPlanȱ–ȱUPWC,ȱ2001)ȱ ȱ TheȱfindingsȱofȱthisȱAssessmentȱareȱintendedȱtoȱfurtherȱrefineȱtheȱConservationȱ PrioritiesȱestablishedȱbyȱtheȱTrustȱinȱitsȱpublication,ȱUpperȱUnamiȱCreekȱWatershed:ȱ LandscapeȱConservationȱPlanȱ(NLT,ȱ2002).ȱȱTheȱsamplingȱstationsȱareȱalsoȱintendedȱ toȱserveȱasȱaȱnetworkȱforȱlongȬtermȱvolunteerȱmonitoringȱofȱbiologicalȱconditionsȱ onȱtheȱUnamiȱCreekȱandȱitsȱtributaries,ȱasȱaȱsupplementȱtoȱdataȱcollectedȱbyȱtheȱ PennsylvaniaȱDepartmentȱofȱEnvironmentalȱProtectionȱ(PAȱDEP).ȱȱ ȱ Asȱdevelopmentȱpressuresȱandȱlandȱvaluesȱincreaseȱthroughoutȱsoutheasternȱ Pennsylvania,ȱtheȱimportanceȱofȱprioritizingȱtheȱ“right”ȱlandȱtoȱprotectȱalsoȱ increases.ȱȱWhatȱisȱ“right”ȱisȱbasedȱonȱseveralȱfactors:ȱ

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ȱ x theȱconservationȱvaluesȱ(orȱregionalȱpublicȱbenefits)ȱofȱtheȱprogramȱarea,ȱȱ x theȱmissionȱofȱtheȱorganizationȱprotectingȱland,ȱandȱȱ x theȱprioritiesȱofȱtheȱentityȱfundingȱlandȱprotectionȱprojectsȱinȱaȱgivenȱ programȱarea.ȱȱȱ ȱ NaturalȱLandsȱTrustȱhasȱdefinedȱtheȱrightȱlandȱtoȱprotectȱinȱitsȱUpperȱUnamiȱ CreekȱWatershed:ȱLandscapeȱConservationȱPlan,ȱidentifyingȱpropertiesȱasȱlandscapeȱ conservationȱprioritiesȱbasedȱonȱtheirȱroleȱinȱprovidingȱ“landscapeȬscaleȱ networksȱofȱforestȬinteriorȱhabitatȱandȱforestedȱriparianȱcorridors”ȱ(NLT,ȱ2002).ȱȱ TheȱUnamiȱCreekȱisȱaȱtributaryȱofȱtheȱPerkiomenȱCreek,ȱaȱsourceȱtheȱwaterȱ supplierȱAquaȱPennsylvaniaȱdrawsȱfromȱtoȱserveȱoverȱ700,000ȱcustomersȱatȱaȱ surfaceȱintakeȱnearȱtheȱconfluenceȱwithȱtheȱSchuylkillȱRiverȱ(UpperȱPerkiomenȱ WatershedȱCoalition,ȱ2001).ȱȱToȱensureȱthatȱtheȱUnamiȱCreekȱwatershedȱ continuesȱtoȱsupportȱbiologicallyȬdiverseȱforestsȱandȱclean,ȱplentifulȱwaterȱ supplies,ȱtheȱTrustȱandȱotherȱconservationȱpartners,ȱusingȱfundsȱfromȱstateȱandȱ countyȱagencies,ȱmunicipalȱgovernments,ȱandȱprivateȱfoundations,ȱareȱworkingȱ toȱprotectȱlarge,ȱforestedȱparcelsȱandȱparcelsȱwithȱextensiveȱforestedȱstreamȱ frontage.ȱȱȱ ȱ ThisȱAssessmentȱisȱdesignedȱtoȱanswerȱanȱimportantȱquestion:ȱWhichȱforestedȱ streamfrontȱparcelsȱinȱthisȱprogramȱareaȱareȱdoingȱtheȱbestȱjobȱofȱbufferingȱandȱ filteringȱhighȱqualityȱstreamȱreachesȱ(orȱsegments)?ȱȱȱTheȱanswerȱtoȱthatȱquestionȱ isȱprovidedȱhereinȱthroughȱtheȱidentificationȱofȱtheȱhealthiestȱstreamȱreachesȱandȱ associatedȱparcelsȱofȱlandȱinȱtheȱUpperȱUnamiȱCreekȱwatershedȱasȱprioritiesȱforȱ conservation.ȱ ȱȱȱ InȱlightȱofȱrecentȱStroudȱWaterȱResearchȱCenterȱfindingsȱthatȱriparianȱforestsȱ playȱaȱcriticalȱroleȱinȱcleaningȱupȱourȱstreamsȱandȱrivers,ȱthisȱquestionȱandȱitsȱ answersȱhaveȱtakenȱonȱnewȱrelevanceȱtoȱlandȱprotectionȱprogramsȱinȱtheȱUnamiȱ andȱthroughoutȱtheȱEasternȱDeciduousȱForestȱbiome.ȱȱTheȱStroudȱstudy,ȱreportedȱ inȱtheȱProceedingsȱofȱtheȱNationalȱAcademyȱofȱSciencesȱ(Vol.ȱ101,ȱno.ȱ39),ȱ documentedȱthatȱstreamsideȱforestsȱ“preventȱnonpointȱsourceȱpollutantsȱfromȱ enteringȱsmallȱstreams,ȱtheyȱalsoȱenhanceȱtheȱinȬstreamȱprocessingȱofȱbothȱ nonpointȱandȱpointȱsourceȱpollutants,ȱtherebyȱreducingȱtheirȱimpactȱonȱ downstreamȱriversȱandȱestuaries.”ȱȱ(Sweeney,ȱetȱal,ȱ2004).ȱȱInȱitsȱSchuylkillȱRiverȱȱ Project,ȱStroudȱmonitoredȱbiologicalȱcommunitiesȱatȱ2ȱsitesȱinȱtheȱlowerȱreachesȱ andȱ6ȱsitesȱinȱtheȱupperȱreachesȱofȱUnamiȱCreekȱfromȱ1996ȱtoȱ2005ȱandȱfoundȱ thatȱwaterȱqualityȱwasȱ“fair”ȱbasedȱonȱanȱanalysisȱofȱbenthicȱmacroinvertebrateȱ populations,ȱwithȱoneȱsiteȱrankingȱasȱ“poor”.ȱȱAȱnumberȱofȱtheseȱsitesȱareȱinȱorȱ

3 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______nearȱopenȱfarmlandȱandȱdownstreamȱofȱnewlyȱdevelopingȱareas.ȱȱTheȱUnamiȱ wasȱgivenȱaȱgradeȱofȱaȱCȱbasedȱonȱcomparisonȱtoȱ19ȱotherȱstreamȱreachesȱ monitoredȱinȱtheȱSchuylkillȱbasinȱ(SWRC,ȱ2005).ȱ ȱ ThisȱAssessmentȱprovidesȱanȱoverviewȱofȱwaterȱqualityȱassessmentsȱpreviouslyȱ preparedȱforȱtheȱUnamiȱCreek,ȱoutlinesȱtheȱUnitedȱStatesȱEnvironmentalȱ ProtectionȱAgencyȱRapidȱBioassessmentȱProtocolsȱusedȱforȱdataȱcollectionȱandȱ analysis,ȱandȱsummarizesȱtheȱfindingsȱforȱ12ȱstreamȱreachesȱinȱtheȱ6ȱsubbasinsȱ sampled.ȱȱTheȱfinalȱsection,ȱentitledȱRiparianȱLandȱProtectionȱPriorities,ȱ identifiesȱandȱprioritizesȱstreamsideȱparcelsȱfoundȱtoȱcontributeȱtheȱmostȱdirectȱ filtrationȱofȱoverlandȱflow,ȱinȬstreamȱpurification,ȱandȱaquaticȱandȱriparianȱ habitatȱbenefitsȱtoȱstreamȱreachesȱwithȱhealthyȱbenthicȱmacroinvertebrateȱ communities.ȱ ȱ WithȱtheȱknowledgeȱofferedȱbyȱthisȱAssessmentȱinȱhand,ȱconservationȱpartnersȱ canȱactȱstrategicallyȱtoȱsaveȱlandȱthatȱensuresȱtheȱlandȬwaterȱlinkȱisȱmaintainedȱ forȱtheȱongoingȱbenefitȱofȱhealthyȱaquaticȱlifeȱandȱclean,ȱplentifulȱwaterȱsuppliesȱ inȱtheȱUnamiȱCreekȱwatershed.ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ

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ȱ Overview of Unami Creek Water Quality Assessments ȱ TheȱwaterȱqualityȱandȱbiologyȱofȱtheȱUnamiȱCreekȱhasȱbeenȱtheȱsubjectȱofȱ ongoingȱstudyȱsinceȱatȱleastȱtheȱ1980’s,ȱwithȱstudiesȱbyȱtheȱPennsylvaniaȱ DepartmentȱofȱEnvironmentalȱProtection,ȱMarlboroughȱTownship,ȱandȱtheȱ StroudȱWaterȱResearchȱCenter.ȱȱ ȱ PAȱDEPȱImpairedȱStreamsȱAssessment/WatershedȱRestorationȱActionȱStrategyȱ TheȱPennsylvaniaȱDepartmentȱofȱEnvironmentalȱProtectionȱhasȱsurveyedȱtheȱ UnamiȱCreekȱasȱpartȱofȱitsȱevaluationȱofȱtheȱPerkiomenȱCreekȱunderȱtheȱ UnassessedȱWatersȱProgram.ȱȱȱNearlyȱtheȱentireȱUnamiȱCreekȱstreamȱnetworkȱisȱ ratedȱasȱ“Attaining”ȱwaterȱqualityȱparametersȱestablishedȱbyȱtheȱUnitedȱStatesȱ EnvironmentalȱProtectionȱAgency.ȱȱTheȱexceptionȱisȱoneȱhalfȬmileȱreachȱofȱtheȱ LickingȱCreekȱonȱtheȱLehigh/BucksȱCountyȱborderȱratedȱasȱImpairedȱdueȱtoȱ impactsȱassociatedȱwithȱagriculturalȱrunoff.ȱȱThisȱImpairedȱreachȱisȱwellȱ upstreamȱofȱtheȱnearestȱsamplingȱstationȱ(UC1)ȱestablishedȱforȱthisȱAssessment.ȱȱ ȱ PAȱDEPȱbiologistsȱrelyȱonȱdataȱcollectionȱstrategiesȱsimilarȱtoȱthoseȱusedȱforȱthisȱ Assessment,ȱevaluatingȱaquaticȱhabitatȱandȱstreamȱbiologyȱatȱmultipleȱstreamȱ sitesȱchosenȱtoȱreflectȱlandȱuseȱimpactsȱinȱeachȱsubbasin.ȱȱBiologicalȱsurveysȱ includeȱkicknetȱsamplingȱandȱidentificationȱofȱbenthicȱmacroinvertebratesȱtoȱtheȱ familyȱlevelȱinȱtheȱfield,ȱandȱevaluationȱofȱtheirȱȱpollutionȱtolerance.ȱȱHabitatȱ assessmentsȱinclude:ȱembeddednessȱofȱstreamȱsubstrate;ȱdegreeȱofȱstreambankȱ erosion;ȱconditionȱofȱriparianȱvegetation;ȱandȱamountȱofȱsedimentationȱ(PAȱDEP,ȱ 2003).ȱȱȱPAȱDEPȱassessmentsȱinȱtheȱstreamsȱofȱtheȱUpperȱUnamiȱwereȱpostponedȱ duringȱtheȱsummerȱofȱ2002ȱdueȱtoȱaȱnumberȱofȱdryȱorȱpooledȱstreambeds.ȱȱ WithinȱtheȱstudyȱareaȱforȱthisȱAssessment,ȱButterȱCreekȱwasȱdryȱandȱHazelbachȱ Creekȱwasȱpooledȱthatȱyearȱ(KimberlyȱLong,ȱpersonalȱcommunication).ȱȱȱ

MarlboroughȱTownshipȱNominationȱtoȱUpgradeȱUnamiȱCreekȱtoȱExceptionalȱ Valueȱ(PAȱCode,ȱTitleȱ25,ȱChapterȱ93ȱWaterȱQualityȱStandards)ȱ Inȱ1995,ȱMarlboroughȱTownshipȱpetitionedȱtheȱEnvironmentalȱQualityȱBoardȱ (EQB)ȱforȱPennsylvaniaȱtoȱupgradeȱChapterȱ93ȱProtectedȱUseȱDesignationȱforȱtheȱ UnamiȱCreekȱfromȱColdȱWaterȱFisheryȱtoȱExceptionalȱValue.ȱȱȱTheȱEQBȱvotedȱinȱ

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1997ȱtoȱredesignateȱtheȱUnamiȱtoȱHighȱQuality,ȱaffordingȱtheȱstreamȱwithȱSpecialȱ ProtectionȱWatersȱstatusȱtoȱlimitȱpotentialȱdegradationȱfromȱproposedȱlandȱ developmentȱprojects.ȱȱTheȱUnamiȱdidȱnotȱachieveȱtheȱextraȱlevelȱofȱprotectionȱ affordedȱbyȱanȱExceptionalȱValueȱdesignationȱdueȱinȱpartȱtoȱitsȱwaterȱchemistry,ȱ physicalȱcondition,ȱandȱstreamȱbiology,ȱincludingȱlackȱofȱaȱreproducingȱnativeȱ brookȱtroutȱpopulation.ȱȱPAȱDEPȱtestimonyȱtoȱtheȱEQBȱnotedȱthatȱitȱchangedȱitsȱ recommendationȱfromȱExceptionalȱValueȱtoȱHighȱQualityȱsinceȱtheȱreferenceȱ streamsȱtoȱwhichȱtheȱUnamiȱsamplesȱwereȱcomparedȱwereȱHighȱQualityȱstreams.ȱȱ “Thisȱcircumstanceȱmakesȱitȱnecessaryȱtoȱevaluateȱhowȱmuchȱbetterȱthanȱtheȱ referenceȱstationȱaȱcandidateȱstreamȱmustȱbe,ȱratherȱthanȱwhetherȱitȱcomparesȱ equivalentlyȱtoȱtheȱreferenceȱstream.ȱȱScoresȱforȱtheȱsamplingȱstationsȱrangedȱ fromȱ59%ȱtoȱ112%ȱofȱtheȱreferenceȱstationȱscores.”ȱ(PAȱBulletin,ȱ1997)ȱ

Dataȱcollectionȱforȱtheȱnominationȱincludedȱbenthicȱmacroinvertebrateȱsamplingȱ performedȱbyȱGeorgeȱChristianȱofȱNormandeauȱAssociates,ȱtheȱsameȱbiologistȱ contractedȱforȱlabworkȱonȱthisȱstudy.ȱȱSamplingȱdataȱfromȱtheȱEVȱnominationȱforȱ referenceȱsitesȱonȱCooksȱCreekȱandȱUnamiȱCreekȱ(UC2,ȱUC3)ȱwasȱutilizedȱtoȱ enlargeȱtheȱdataȱsetsȱforȱthisȱAssessmentȱ(UnamiȱCreek)ȱandȱtoȱserveȱasȱaȱ baselineȱdataȱsetȱ(CooksȱCreek).ȱ ȱ SchuylkillȱRiverȱProjectȱ–ȱStroudȱWaterȱResearchȱCenterȱ TheȱStroudȱWaterȱResearchȱCenterȱrecentlyȱcompletedȱaȱstudyȱofȱbenthicȱ macroinvertebrates,ȱhabitatȱconditions,ȱandȱwaterȱqualityȱforȱ19ȱsitesȱalongȱtheȱ majorȱtributariesȱofȱtheȱSchuylkillȱRiver,ȱincludingȱ8ȱsitesȱinȱtheȱUnamiȱCreekȱ watershedȱwithȱfieldȱworkȱdoneȱbetweenȱ1996ȱandȱ2005.ȱȱȱ ȱ TheȱgoalsȱofȱtheȱSchuylkillȱRiverȱBasinȱProjectȱare:ȱ ȱ 1) Toȱestablishȱbaselineȱdataȱthatȱcanȱbeȱusedȱtoȱdescribeȱandȱevaluateȱwaterȱ andȱhabitatȱqualityȱ(currentȱandȱlongȬterm)ȱinȱtheȱSchuylkillȱRiverȱbasinȱ basedȱonȱaquaticȱmacroinvertebratesȱcollectedȱfromȱnumerousȱlocationsȱ distributedȱthroughoutȱtheȱbasin,ȱ 2) Toȱmakeȱthisȱassessmentȱavailableȱtoȱlocalȱeducationȱoutreachȱandȱ communityȱgroupsȱinȱorderȱtoȱencourageȱeffortsȱtoȱassess,ȱimprove,ȱ and/orȱprotectȱwaterȱqualityȱinȱtheseȱstreamsȱandȱrivers,ȱandȱ 3) ToȱprovideȱlocalȱcollegeȱstudentsȱexperienceȱinȱaȱlongȬtermȱscientificȱ study,ȱcollectingȱandȱprocessingȱscientificȱdataȱthatȱwillȱbeȱcomparedȱtoȱ pastȱdataȱandȱusedȱinȱfutureȱstudies.ȱȱ ȱ

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“OurȱSchuylkillȱRiverȱprojectȱprovidesȱtheȱinformationȱandȱtoolsȱneededȱtoȱ encourageȱcitizensȱ(children,ȱadolescents,ȱandȱadults)ȱtoȱinterfaceȱwithȱlocalȱ organizationsȱandȱgovernments,ȱandȱwithȱstateȱandȱfederalȱagencies.”ȱ(Stroud,ȱ 2005)ȱ ȱ TheȱfindingsȱforȱtheȱUnamiȱareȱaverageȱcomparedȱtoȱthoseȱofȱotherȱsites,ȱ achievingȱaȱMacroinvertebrateȱAggregateȱIndexȱforȱStreamsȱ(MAIS)ȱscoreȱofȱ6.6ȱ forȱtheȱmainȱstationȱonȱtheȱlowerȱUnami,ȱforȱaȱgradeȱofȱ“C”ȱandȱaȱwaterȱqualityȱ ratingȱofȱ“fair”.ȱȱAnotherȱstationȱinȱtheȱlowerȱportionȱorȱtheȱUnamiȱCreekȱ watershed,ȱalongȱRidgeȱValleyȱCreekȱatȱRostkowskiȱRoad,ȱratedȱasȱ“fair”ȱwithȱaȱ MAISȱscoreȱofȱ11.2.ȱȱMAISȱscoresȱforȱsamplingȱstationsȱinȱtheȱUpperȱUnamiȱ rangedȱfromȱaȱlowȱofȱ5.3ȱonȱMolassesȱCreekȱ(rankingȱasȱ“poor”)ȱtoȱaȱhighȱofȱ17.0ȱ onȱLickingȱCreek.ȱȱTheȱstudyȱsampledȱ6ȱsitesȱinȱtheȱUpperȱUnamiȱwatershed:ȱ UnamiȱCreekȱaboveȱKumryȱRoadȱbothȱbelowȱandȱtheȱMilfordȬTrumbauersvilleȱ WastewaterȱTreatmentȱPlant;ȱUnamiȱCreekȱatȱAllentownȱRoad;ȱLickingȱCreekȱatȱ AllentownȱRoad;ȱMolassesȱCreekȱaboveȱRosenbergerȱRoad;ȱandȱButterȱCreekȱ belowȱAllentownȱRoad.ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ TheȱprimaryȱdataȱusedȱtoȱsummarizeȱtheȱUnamiȱCreekȱconditionsȱwasȱcollectedȱ atȱaȱlongȬtermȱsamplingȱstationȱbelowȱSwampȱCreekȱRoadȱbridgeȱinȱ MarlboroughȱTownship.ȱȱTheȱsiteȱselectedȱforȱtheȱstudyȱisȱbelowȱaȱseriesȱofȱ impoundmentsȱassociatedȱwithȱtheȱMusserȱScoutȱReservationȱandȱaȱcommunityȱ ofȱearlyȱ20thȬcenturyȱsummerȱcabins.ȱȱAsȱisȱtrueȱofȱotherȱsamplingȱstationsȱinȱthisȱ Assessment,ȱbenthicȱmacroinvertebrateȱcommunitiesȱbelowȱimpoundmentsȱtendȱ toȱincludeȱgreaterȱrepresentationȱofȱpollutionȬtolerantȱspecies,ȱreflectingȱtheȱ increasedȱtemperaturesȱandȱsedimentȱloadsȱandȱlackȱofȱinȬstreamȱfoodȱandȱ habitat.ȱȱTheseȱsamplingȱresultsȱreflectȱsomeȱofȱtheȱrealitiesȱofȱlandȱuseȱinȱtheȱ Unami,ȱforȱwhileȱitsȱlargeȱnetworkȱofȱforestedȱstreamsȱmayȱhelpȱtoȱoffsetȱ agriculturalȱandȱdevelopmentȱimpactsȱfromȱtheȱupperȱwatershed,ȱtheȱscenicȱandȱ recreationalȱusesȱalongȱtheȱlowerȱmainȱstemȱcanȱundoȱtheseȱgains.ȱȱ ȱ Theȱmacroinvertebratesȱidentifiedȱinȱtheȱstudyȱforȱeachȱsiteȱareȱsummarizedȱinȱ AppendixȱCȱofȱthisȱreport.ȱȱ ȱ

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ȱ Study Design and Rapid Bioassessment Methodology

TheȱUpperȱUnamiȱCreekȱAquaticȱResourceȱAssessmentȱandȱConservationȱPlanȱisȱunlikeȱ otherȱwatershedȱplansȱinȱthatȱitȱlinksȱstrategicȱlandȱconservationȱplanningȱbasedȱ onȱGISȱprioritizationȱofȱtaxȱparcels,ȱwithȱaquaticȱresourceȱassessmentsȱbasedȱonȱ macroinvertebrateȱsampling.ȱȱTheȱstudyȱdesignȱandȱmethodologyȱusedȱforȱtheȱ projectȱareȱsummarizedȱinȱthisȱsection.ȱȱȱ ȱ OverviewȱofȱStudyȱDesignȱ Inȱfallȱandȱwinterȱofȱ2003ȱandȱ2004,ȱtheȱTrustȱconductedȱkickȬnetȱsamplingȱforȱ benthicȱmacroinvertebratesȱatȱ12ȱsamplingȱstationsȱalongȱtheȱUnamiȱCreekȱandȱ itsȱmajorȱwoodedȱtributaryȱstreamsȱinȱBucksȱCounty,ȱPennsylvaniaȱ–ȱ3ȱstationsȱ alongȱtheȱmainȱstemȱofȱUnamiȱCreek,ȱ2ȱeachȱonȱRidgeȱValleyȱCreek,ȱHazelbachȱ Creek,ȱSchmoutzȱCreek,ȱandȱButterȱCreek,ȱandȱ1ȱstationȱonȱMolassesȱCreek.ȱȱ SamplingȱwasȱalsoȱconductedȱatȱreferenceȱstationsȱonȱCooksȱCreek,ȱaȱnearbyȱ streamȱcharacterizedȱbyȱsimilarȱgeologyȱandȱlandȱuseȱpatterns.ȱȱȱ ȱ Samplingȱstationsȱwereȱselectedȱbasedȱonȱseveralȱfactors:ȱ ȱ 1) achievingȱaȱrepresentativeȱsampleȱofȱsubbasinsȱinȱtheȱdiabaseȱforestȱ portionȱofȱtheȱUpperȱUnamiȱCreekȱwatershed.ȱ 2) presenceȱofȱhabitatȱconditionsȱconduciveȱtoȱdiverse,ȱabundantȱbenthicȱ macroinvertebrateȱpopulationsȱ(cobbleȱsubstrateȱwithȱriffle/runȱhabitat).ȱ

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3) upstreamȱproximityȱofȱaȱseriesȱofȱrelativelyȱlargeȱ(>10ȱacres),ȱunprotected,ȱ privatelyȱownedȱproperties.ȱ 4) easeȱofȱaccessȱfromȱpublicȱroads,ȱbutȱdistanceȱfromȱroadȱimpacts.ȱ ȱ DataȱcollectionȱandȱanalysisȱfollowedȱRapidȱBioassessmentȱIIIȱprotocolsȱ establishedȱbyȱtheȱUnitedȱStatesȱEnvironmentalȱProtectionȱAgencyȱ(Plafkinȱetȱal,ȱ 1989),ȱdescribedȱinȱsummaryȱsheetsȱinȱAppendixȱB.ȱȱȱStreamȱmonitorsȱfromȱ NaturalȱLandsȱTrustȱ(DavidȱHarper,ȱClareȱBillett),ȱNormandeauȱAssociatesȱ (GeorgeȱChristian),ȱandȱaȱconsultantȱ(MeganȱD’Arcy)ȱusedȱaȱDȬframeȱKickȱNetȱtoȱ collectȱsamplesȱofȱatȱleastȱ200ȱspecimensȱatȱeachȱstation.ȱȱSamplesȱwereȱtakenȱ twiceȱatȱeachȱstationȱbetweenȱtheȱmonthsȱofȱSeptemberȱandȱFebruary.ȱȱȱȱ ȱ DataȱanalysisȱforȱeachȱsiteȱprovidedȱaȱTotalȱScoreȱbasedȱonȱthreeȱcriteria:ȱȱ 1) BiologicalȱScore:ȱtheȱdiversityȱandȱtypeȱofȱmacroinvertebratesȱpresentȱ 2) PercentȱComparisonȱtoȱReferenceȱStationȱScoreȱ(CooksȱCreek)ȱ 3) HabitatȱScoreȱ(bothȱinȬstreamȱandȱriparian,ȱbasedȱonȱFieldȱDataȱSheets)ȱ ȱ RapidȱBioassessmentȱ ȱ EachȱsamplingȱstationȱandȱassociatedȱstreamȱreachȱwasȱassessedȱusingȱFieldȱDataȱ Sheetsȱfor:ȱHabitatȱAssessment;ȱand,ȱPhysicalȱCharacterizationȱandȱWaterȱ Quality.ȱȱTheseȱformsȱareȱbasedȱonȱtheȱUSȱEPAȱRapidȱBioassessmentȱIIIȱprotocolsȱ (Plafkin,ȱetȱal,ȱ1989),ȱandȱsamplesȱcanȱbeȱfoundȱinȱAppendixȱB.ȱ ȱ PhysicalȱCharacterizationȱandȱWaterȱQualityȱdataȱsheetsȱwereȱusedȱtoȱprovideȱ detailedȱsiteȱassessmentȱdata,ȱbutȱdidȱnotȱfactorȱdirectlyȱintoȱtheȱscoringȱforȱtheȱ streamȱreach.ȱȱSiteȱassessmentȱdataȱincludes:ȱ x aȱspecificȱlocationȱmapȱforȱtheȱsamplingȱstation,ȱȱȱ x detailedȱmeasurementsȱofȱstreamȱdimensions,ȱȱ x visibleȱwaterȱqualityȱconditions,ȱȱ x riparianȱvegetationȱdescriptions,ȱȱ x instreamȱhabitatȱandȱsubstrateȱdescriptions,ȱandȱȱ x weatherȱconditionsȱwithinȱtheȱweekȱpriorȱtoȱtheȱsampling.ȱ ȱ HabitatȱScoreȱ FieldȱdataȱsheetsȱforȱHabitatȱAssessmentȱwereȱusedȱtoȱgenerateȱtheȱHabitatȱScoreȱ forȱeachȱstreamȱreach.ȱȱAȱstreamȱreachȱisȱdefinedȱasȱaȱroughlyȱ100ȱmeterȱ(330ȱ feet)ȱstreamȱsegmentȱassociatedȱwithȱtheȱsamplingȱstation.ȱȱHabitatȱAssessmentȱ formsȱwereȱusedȱtoȱevaluateȱtheȱfollowingȱparametersȱforȱeachȱstreamȱreach:ȱȱȱ ȱ

9 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

EpifaunalȱSubstrate/AvailableȱCoverȱȬȬȱaȱmeasureȱofȱstationaryȱinȬstreamȱwoodyȱ debrisȱandȱrocks/stonesȱavailableȱforȱfishȱandȱaquaticȱinsects.ȱȱLowȬscoringȱsitesȱ lackȱsuchȱfeatures.ȱ ȱ PoolȱSubstrateȱ–ȱmeasuresȱtheȱstreamȱbottomȱinȱpools,ȱrangingȱfromȱlowȬscoringȱ conditionsȱwithȱuniformȱbedrockȱorȱsilt/sandȱtoȱhighȬscoringȱgravelsȱandȱ submergedȱvegetation.ȱȱȱȱ ȱ PoolȱVariabilityȱ–ȱaȱmeasureȱofȱhowȱdiverseȱtheȱpoolsȱare,ȱwithȱaȱcombinationȱofȱ largeȱandȱsmall,ȱdeepȱandȱshallowȱpoolsȱfavoredȱoverȱreachesȱwithȱonlyȱsmall,ȱ shallowȱpoolsȱorȱnoȱpools.ȱȱ ȱ SedimentȱDepositionȱ–ȱaȱmeasureȱofȱhowȱmuchȱsilt,ȱsand,ȱandȱgravelȱisȱdepositedȱ inȱtheȱstreamȱbottom,ȱwithȱheavyȱdepositionȱscoringȱlowerȱthanȱlittleȱorȱnoȱ deposition.ȱȱ ȱ ChannelȱFlowȱStatusȱ–ȱmeasuresȱtheȱamountȱofȱexposedȱstreamȱbottomȱandȱ whetherȱtheȱwaterȱisȱstandingȱorȱflowing.ȱȱAȱflowingȱstreamȱwithȱlittleȱorȱnoȱ exposedȱsubstrateȱisȱscoredȱhigherȱthanȱaȱslowȱorȱstandingȱstreamȱwithȱveryȱlittleȱ waterȱinȱtheȱchannel.ȱȱ ȱ ChannelȱAlterationȱ–ȱaȱmeasureȱofȱmanmadeȱalterationsȱsuchȱasȱchannelization,ȱ stabilizationȱandȱfloodȱcontrolȱstructures,ȱalterationȱofȱinstreamȱhabitat.ȱStreamȱ reachesȱwithoutȱtheseȱimpactsȱscoreȱhigherȱthanȱthoseȱthatȱhaveȱbeenȱaltered.ȱ ȱ ChannelȱSinuousityȱ–ȱaȱmeasureȱofȱstreamȱmeandering,ȱwithȱgreaterȱbendsȱ scoringȱhigherȱthanȱstraightȱchannels.ȱȱ ȱ BankȱStabilityȱ–ȱaȱmeasureȱofȱstreambankȱerosion,ȱwithȱnoȱerosionȱscoringȱhighȱ andȱmuchȱerosionȱscoringȱlow.ȱ ȱ VegetativeȱProtectionȱ(eachȱbank)ȱ–ȱmeasuresȱtheȱamountȱofȱnativeȱvegetationȱ anchoringȱeachȱstreambank.ȱȱSitesȱwithȱlittleȱorȱnoȱvegetationȱ(includingȱlawnsȱ andȱpastures)ȱscoreȱlowȱcomparedȱtoȱnativeȱwoodyȱvegetation.ȱ ȱ RiparianȱVegetativeȱZoneȱWidthȱ–ȱaȱmeasureȱofȱnaturalȱriparianȱbuffersȱ(noȱlawnȱ orȱcrops),ȱwithȱzonesȱ50ȱfeetȱorȱwiderȱfavored,ȱandȱthoseȱlessȱthanȱ20ȱfeetȱscoringȱ lowest.ȱȱ ȱ

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Eachȱreachȱwasȱscoredȱforȱtheseȱparameters,ȱandȱratedȱasȱOptimal,ȱSuboptimal,ȱ Marginal,ȱorȱPoor.ȱȱȱTheseȱscoresȱwereȱsummedȱasȱaȱHabitatȱScoreȱforȱtheȱreach,ȱ whichȱwasȱthenȱcombinedȱwithȱtheȱBiologicalȱScoreȱtoȱreachȱaȱTotalȱScore.ȱȱȱ ȱ BiologicalȱScoreȱ Theȱbenthicȱmacroinvertebrateȱsamplesȱcollectedȱforȱtheȱ12ȱstreamȱreachesȱinȱtheȱ UpperȱUnamiȱwereȱassessedȱandȱscoredȱbasedȱonȱ7ȱmetricsȱdescribedȱinȱtheȱfirstȱ editionȱofȱtheȱUSȱEPAȱRapidȱBioȬassessmentȱProtocolsȱ(EPA/444/4Ȭ89Ȭ001).ȱȱȱ Theseȱare:ȱ ȱ x Richnessȱ(totalȱtaxa)ȱ x HilsenhoffȱBioticȱIndexȱ(waterȱqualityȱrating)ȱ x Scraper/FilteringȱCollectorȱRatioȱ x RatioȱofȱEPTȱandȱChironomidȱAbundancesȱ x PercentȱContributionȱofȱDominantȱTaxonȱ x EPTȱIndexȱ x CommunityȱLossȱIndexȱ ȱ Collectionȱproceduresȱ Streamȱmonitorsȱinȱhipȱorȱchestȱwadersȱstoodȱinȱaȱriffleȱsectionȱofȱtheȱstream,ȱ holdingȱaȱDȬframeȱKickȱNetȱwithȱaȱ500mmȱopeningȱmesh.ȱȱWithȱtheȱflatȱpartȱofȱ theȱframeȱlevelȱwithȱtheȱstreamȱbottom,ȱandȱtheȱopeningȱfacingȱupstream.ȱȱTheȱ monitorȱkickedȱtheȱstreambedȱjustȱupstreamȱofȱtheȱKickȱNetȱforȱapproximatelyȱ1ȱ toȱ2ȱminutes,ȱmakingȱsureȱtoȱcaptureȱanyȱmacroinvertebratesȱthatȱmayȱbeȱinȱthatȱ sectionȱofȱtheȱriffleȱbyȱstirringȱupȱsilt,ȱgravelȱandȱsand,ȱrubbingȱcobbles,ȱlogsȱandȱ treeȱroots,ȱandȱbreakingȱupȱleafȱpacks.ȱȱȱ ȱ Streamȱmonitorsȱthenȱdidȱaȱvisualȱcheckȱofȱtheȱnetȱtoȱestimateȱthatȱatȱleastȱ200ȱ individualȱorganismsȱhadȱbeenȱcollected.ȱȱIfȱtheȱsampleȱappearedȱsmallerȱthanȱ that,ȱtheȱmonitorȱwouldȱrepeatȱtheȱprocedureȱinȱorȱcloseȱtoȱtheȱfirstȱcollectionȱ area.ȱWhenȱatȱleastȱ200ȱorganismsȱwereȱpresent,ȱtheȱstreamȱmonitorȱemptiedȱtheȱ netȱintoȱaȱlargeȱ(1ȱgallon)ȱfreezerȬtypeȱzipȬlockȱplasticȱfoodȱstorageȱbag,ȱbeingȱ sureȱtoȱdoȱthisȱoverȱaȱ5Ȭgallonȱplasticȱbucketȱtoȱavoidȱaccidentalȱlossȱofȱsampleȱ specimensȱandȱmaterial.ȱȱSamplesȱwereȱdoubleȬbaggedȱtoȱavoidȱleakage.ȱ ȱ Aȱpermanentȱmarkerȱpenȱwasȱusedȱtoȱlabelȱtheȱoutsideȱofȱtheȱbagȱwithȱtheȱ streamȱreachȱIDȱcodeȱ(e.g.ȱRV2,ȱSC1),ȱdate,ȱandȱinitialsȱofȱstreamȱmonitor.ȱȱTheȱ sameȱinformationȱwasȱwrittenȱinȱpencilȱonȱaȱwaterȬsafeȱpaperȱinsertedȱinȱtheȱbag.ȱȱȱ Theȱentireȱsampleȱwasȱthenȱfloodedȱwithȱdenaturedȱalcoholȱtoȱpreserveȱitȱforȱ transportȱandȱlaboratoryȱanalysis.ȱȱSamplesȱwereȱthenȱanalyzedȱbyȱGeorgeȱ

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Christian,ȱanȱaquaticȱbiologistȱatȱNormandeauȱAssociates,ȱtheȱdataȱpresentedȱinȱ summaryȱformsȱprovidedȱtoȱNaturalȱLandsȱTrustȱandȱincludedȱinȱAppendixȱAȱ ofȱthisȱreport.ȱȱ ȱ PercentageȱComparisonȱtoȱReferenceȱScoreȱ TheseȱBiologicalȱScoresȱwereȱthenȱcomparedȱtoȱtheȱBiologicalȱScoreȱforȱtheȱ referenceȱsamplesȱtakenȱonȱCooksȱCreek.ȱȱCooksȱCreekȱhasȱprotectedȱuseȱstatusȱ asȱanȱExceptionalȱValueȱstreamȱinȱtheȱChapterȱ93ȱWaterȱQualityȱStandardsȱ(PAȱ Code,ȱ2005).ȱȱTheȱPercentageȱComparisonȱtoȱReferenceȱScoreȱwasȱthenȱusedȱtoȱ determineȱtheȱBiologicalȱConditionȱCategoryȱforȱeachȱstreamȱreach.ȱȱThoseȱ2ȱsitesȱ thatȱrankedȱgreaterȱthanȱ83%ȱofȱtheȱReferenceȱScoreȱ(UC2ȱandȱSC2)ȱareȱ consideredȱ“Nonimpaired”,ȱmeaningȱtheyȱareȱamongȱtheȱbestȱconditionsȱ possibleȱinȱsoutheasternȱPennsylvania.ȱȱ75%ȱofȱtheȱUpperȱUnamiȱsitesȱhadȱ BiologicalȱScoresȱbetweenȱ54%ȱandȱ79%ȱofȱtheȱReferenceȱScore.ȱȱTheseȱareȱ “SlightlyȱImpaired”,ȱwithȱsomeȱofȱtheȱmoreȱpollutionȬtolerantȱspeciesȱreplacingȱ intolerantȱones.ȱȱOneȱsiteȱinȱtheȱstudyȱareaȱ(RV1ȱ–ȱbelowȱaȱdamȱnearȱAllentownȱ Road)ȱscoredȱ21%ȱtoȱ50%ȱofȱtheȱReferenceȱScore,ȱmeaningȱitȱisȱ“Moderatelyȱ Impaired”,ȱwithȱfewerȱspeciesȱpresentȱandȱmostlyȱpollutionȬtolerantȱspecies.ȱȱ NoneȱofȱtheȱUpperȱUnamiȱreachesȱareȱratedȱasȱ“SeverelyȱImpaired”,ȱaȱtermȱ generallyȱusedȱtoȱdescribeȱsitesȱwithȱlittleȱorȱnoȱspeciesȱdiversity.ȱ ȱ TheȱsamplingȱstationsȱwereȱthenȱclassifiedȱbasedȱonȱtheseȱcriteriaȱasȱeitherȱClassȱ I,ȱII,ȱorȱIII,ȱasȱaȱmeasureȱofȱtheirȱrelativeȱecologicalȱhealth.ȱȱClassȱIȱsitesȱrepresentȱ theȱhighestȱdiversityȱofȱpollutionȬsensitiveȱaquaticȱlifeȱandȱtheȱhealthiestȱhabitatȱ conditionsȱrelativeȱtoȱtheȱotherȱsites.ȱȱClassȱIIȱsitesȱareȱcharacterizedȱbyȱaȱ moderateȱbalanceȱofȱpollutionȬsensitiveȱandȱpollutionȬtolerantȱspecies,ȱandȱ moderateȱhabitatȱconditions.ȱȱClassȱIIIȱsitesȱareȱthoseȱwithȱtheȱhighestȱ concentrationȱofȱpollutionȬtolerantȱspeciesȱandȱpoorȱhabitatȱconditions.ȱȱȱ ȱ ByȱcombiningȱthisȱbiologicalȱdataȱwithȱGeographicȱInformationȱSystemȱ(GIS)ȱ computerȱmappingȱanalysisȱofȱtaxȱparcelsȱadjacentȱtoȱtheseȱsamplingȱsites,ȱaȱ seriesȱofȱpriorityȱpropertiesȱcouldȱthenȱbeȱlinkedȱtoȱtheȱstreamȱreachesȱassociatedȱ withȱClassȱI,ȱII,ȱandȱIIIȱsamplingȱsitesȱ(generallyȱ500ȱtoȱ1,000ȱfeetȱupstream.ȱȱTheȱ extentȱofȱstreamȱfrontageȱconsideredȱtoȱbeȱbeneficialȱtoȱhealthyȱstreamȱreachesȱisȱ basedȱonȱaȱnumberȱofȱfactors,ȱincludingȱinȬstreamȱpurificationȱofȱcontaminantsȱ (Stroud,ȱ2005),ȱfiltrationȱandȱhabitatȱfunctionsȱofȱriparianȱforestȱbuffers,ȱandȱ streamȱbaseflowȱcontributionsȱfromȱseeps,ȱsprings,ȱwetlandsȱandȱhyrdicȱsoils.ȱȱByȱ assessingȱtheȱsizeȱofȱtheȱparcel,ȱtheȱextentȱofȱstreamȱfrontageȱ(inȱlinearȱfeet),ȱandȱ theȱpercentageȱofȱwoodland,ȱaȱscoreȱforȱeachȱparcelȱwasȱgeneratedȱtoȱdetermineȱ theȱacquisitionȱpriorityȱofȱtheȱparcelsȱassociatedȱwithȱClassȱI,ȱII,ȱandȱIIIȱsites.ȱȱȱȱ

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Benthic Macroinvertebrates ȱ Benthicȱmacroinvertebratesȱareȱorganismsȱthatȱdwellȱinȱtheȱstreambedȱandȱ includeȱaquaticȱinsectsȱ(oftenȱnymphsȱandȱlarvalȱstages),ȱaquaticȱworms,ȱsnails,ȱ mussels,ȱclams,ȱbeetles,ȱandȱcrayfish.ȱȱTheyȱareȱessentialȱlinksȱinȱtheȱfoodȱwebȱofȱ streams,ȱactingȱasȱconsumersȱofȱaquaticȱplantsȱandȱmicrobes,ȱandȱprovidingȱfoodȱ forȱfishȱandȱotherȱsecondaryȱconsumers.ȱ ȱ Benthicȱmacroinvertebratesȱareȱaȱformȱofȱ“canaryȱinȱtheȱcoalȱmine”ȱforȱstreamȱ ecosystemsȱinȱthatȱtheȱtypeȱandȱnumberȱofȱtheseȱorganismsȱpresentȱinȱaȱgivenȱ streamȱreachȱindicateȱitsȱchemicalȱandȱphysicalȱproperties,ȱandȱhelpȱtoȱmeasureȱ theȱpresenceȱofȱpollutantsȱorȱotherȱstressesȱonȱaquaticȱlife.ȱȱEachȱstreamȱreachȱ mayȱcontainȱbetweenȱ100ȱandȱ200ȱspeciesȱofȱtheseȱorganismsȱandȱhundredsȱofȱ individuals.ȱȱ“Becauseȱeachȱspeciesȱpotentiallyȱhasȱdifferentȱtolerancesȱofȱ environmentalȱchangeȱandȱstress,ȱthisȱdiversityȱcanȱresultȱinȱhundredsȱofȱ independentȱenvironmentalȱmeasuresȱthat,ȱtakenȱtogether,ȱprovideȱaȱrelativelyȱ sensitiveȱmeasureȱofȱenvironmentalȱchangeȱandȱstress”ȱ(Stroud,ȱ2005).ȱ ȱ Theseȱspeciesȱareȱgenerallyȱstationary,ȱreadilyȱcollectedȱandȱhaveȱaȱrelativelyȱ longȱlifeȱcycleȱ(upȱtoȱ1ȱyear).ȱThisȱmeansȱtheyȱmayȱprovideȱaȱmoreȱaccurateȱ pictureȱofȱlongȬtermȱstreamȱwaterȱqualityȱthanȱtheȱsnapshotȱresultsȱofȱchemicalȱ sampling.ȱȱMacroinvertebratesȱhaveȱforȱyearsȱbeenȱtheȱmostȱcommonlyȱusedȱ groupȱofȱorganismsȱforȱwaterȱqualityȱassessments,ȱandȱareȱincreasinglyȱusedȱforȱ volunteerȱstreamȱmonitoringȱandȱenvironmentalȱeducation.ȱ ȱ PollutionȱTolerancesȱ AȱseriesȱofȱdifferentȱgroupsȱofȱinsectsȱareȱfoundȱinȱsoutheasternȱPennsylvaniaȱ Piedmontȱstreams,ȱandȱareȱpotentiallyȱrepresentedȱinȱtheȱsamplesȱcollectedȱinȱtheȱ UpperȱUnami.ȱAquaticȱorganismsȱcompriseȱaȱgradientȱofȱpollutionȱtolerances.ȱȱ Intolerantȱspeciesȱliveȱonlyȱinȱveryȱcleanȱwater.ȱȱFacultativeȱspeciesȱcanȱliveȱinȱ mostȱwaterȱconditions,ȱcleanȱorȱpolluted.ȱȱTolerantȱspeciesȱareȱgenerallyȱfoundȱinȱ pollutedȱwater. Theȱordersȱareȱlistedȱandȱdescribedȱbyȱtheirȱpollutionȱtoleranceȱ inȱtheȱfollowingȱpages,ȱwithȱphotographsȱcourtesyȱofȱtheȱStroudȱWaterȱResearchȱ Center’sȱSchuylkillȱProjectȱ(www.stroudcenter.org).ȱȱThreeȱofȱtheȱmoreȱpollutionȬ sensitiveȱ(intolerant)ȱtaxonomicȱgroupsȱareȱmayfliesȱ(Ephemeroptera),ȱstonefliesȱ (Plecoptera),ȱandȱcaddisfliesȱ(Trichoptera).ȱȱRapidȱbioassessmentȱprotocolsȱcallȱ forȱanalyzingȱdataȱforȱtheseȱgroupsȱasȱaȱmetric,ȱorȱmeasurement,ȱofȱstreamȱwaterȱ qualityȱknownȱasȱEPTȱRichness.ȱȱ

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Intolerantȱ ȱ Ephemeropteraȱ(mayflies)ȱ–ȱȱ ȱ Mayfliesȱareȱgenerallyȱsensitiveȱtoȱ pollution,ȱmayȱbeȱfacultativeȱ(canȱ liveȱinȱcleanȱorȱpollutedȱwater).ȱȱ Nymphsȱdwellȱonȱrocksȱandȱinȱ gravel.ȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Plecopteraȱ(stoneflies)ȱ–ȱȱ ȱ Stoneflyȱnymphsȱareȱpollutionȱ sensitiveȱspeciesȱdwellingȱinȱrocksȱ andȱgravel.ȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Trichopteraȱ(caddisflies)ȱ–ȱȱ ȱ Caddisfliesȱlarvaeȱareȱsensitiveȱtoȱ pollutionȱandȱenvironmentalȱ changes,ȱandȱareȱimportantȱ indicatorsȱofȱstreamȱhealth.ȱȱSomeȱ speciesȱconstructȱsheltersȱoutȱofȱ sandsȱandȱgravelsȱattachedȱtoȱlargerȱ ȱ stones.ȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ

14 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

Facultativeȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Coleopteraȱ(beetles)ȱ ȱ Riffleȱbeetlesȱareȱconsideredȱtoȱbeȱ facultativeȱpollutionȱindicators.ȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ WaterȱPennyȱBeetleȱisȱaȱcommonȱ facultativeȱspeciesȱforȱpollutionȱ sensitivity.ȱȱ

ȱ ȱ

Crustaceans

Aquatic sow bugs are crustaceans that are facultative indicators of pollution.

ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Odonataȱ(dragonflies/damselflies)ȱ ȱ Damselflyȱandȱdragonflyȱnymphsȱ areȱgenerallyȱfacultativeȱindicatorsȱofȱ pollution.ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ 15 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

ȱ ȱ ȱ Tolerantȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Dipteraȱ(trueȱflies)ȱ ȱ Larvaeȱofȱfliesȱsuchȱasȱblackȱfliesȱareȱ pollutionȱtolerant.ȱȱȱȱ

ȱ

ȱ

ȱ

Midge larvae (also true flies) are worm-like reddish or greenish organisms known to be relatively tolerant of pollution. ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ AquaticȱWormsȱ ȱ Aquaticȱearthwormsȱandȱotherȱ wormsȱareȱpollutionȱtolerantȱspeciesȱ foundȱinȱstreamȱsediments.ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ

16 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

ȱ Nonpoint Source Pollution ȱȱ Theȱhealthȱofȱbiologicalȱcommunitiesȱinȱeachȱstreamȱreachȱmayȱbeȱaffectedȱbyȱtheȱ patternȱofȱadjacentȱandȱupstreamȱlandȱuses,ȱandȱbyȱtheȱsizeȱandȱownershipȱofȱ parcelsȱassociatedȱwithȱthem.ȱȱTheȱtermȱnonpointȱsourceȱpollutionȱdescribesȱaȱ groupȱofȱwaterȱcontaminantsȱcarriedȱinȱrunoffȱfromȱagriculturalȱlandsȱandȱ suburban/urbanȱlandscapesȱwithȱpavedȱareas,ȱlawns,ȱconstructionȱsites,ȱandȱ septicȱsystems.ȱȱCommonȱcontaminantsȱandȱsourcesȱareȱlistedȱinȱtheȱfollowingȱ table:ȱ

Contaminantȱ PossibleȱSourcesȱ Fecalȱcoliformȱbacteriaȱ Septicȱsystems/livestockȱfeces/CanadaȱGooseȱ fecesȱ Totalȱsuspendedȱsolidsȱ(TSS)ȱ Soilȱerosionȱ(construction/farming)/roadȱ runoffȱ Phosphatesȱ(PO4)ȱ Septicȱsystems/fertilizersȱ(lawnsȱandȱfarms)ȱ Ammoniaȱ(NH3)/Nitrate,ȱNitriteȱ Septicȱsystems/fertilizers/livestockȱ (NO3,ȱNO4)ȱ feces/CanadaȱGooseȱfecesȱ Metalsȱ(lead,ȱcadmium,ȱzinc)ȱ Roadȱ&ȱparkingȱlotȱrunoff/dumps/waterȱlinesȱ ȱ Tableȱ1ȱȬȬȱȱNonȬpointȱSourceȱPollutionȱParametersȱandȱPossibleȱSourcesȱ ȱ TheseȱexamplesȱofȱnonȬpointȱsourceȱpollutionȱareȱassociatedȱwithȱtypicalȱlandȱ usesȱinȱaȱrural/residentialȱwatershed.ȱȱTheȱsignificanceȱofȱeachȱcontaminantȱisȱ summarizedȱbelow.ȱȱThisȱinformationȱhasȱbeenȱextractedȱfromȱtheȱPennsylvaniaȱ Citizens’ȱVolunteerȱMonitoringȱProgramȱTechnicalȱHandbookȱ(RiverȱNetworkȱandȱPAȱ DEP,ȱ2001):ȱ ȱ Fecalȱcoliformȱbacteriaȱ(ofȱwhichȱE.ȱcoliȱisȱaȱspecies)ȱisȱaȱbiologicalȱ contaminantȱthatȱreachesȱsurfaceȱandȱgroundwaterȱasȱaȱresultȱofȱwasteȱ fromȱwarmȬbloodedȱanimals,ȱincludingȱwildlife,ȱlivestockȱandȱhumans.ȱȱ Thisȱbacteriaȱisȱassociatedȱwithȱleachateȱfromȱfailingȱsepticȱsystems,ȱ livestockȱsuchȱasȱhorsesȱorȱcattleȱgrazingȱinȱorȱnearȱstreamsȱ(orȱmanureȱ piles),ȱandȱconcentrationsȱofȱwildlifeȱsuchȱasȱlargeȱresidentȱCanadaȱgooseȱ populations.ȱȱHighȱlevelsȱofȱtheseȱbacteriaȱcanȱpresentȱhealthȱrisksȱforȱ waterȱsupply,ȱswimmingȱandȱotherȱrecreationalȱusesȱofȱwater,ȱandȱcanȱ degradeȱconditionsȱforȱaquaticȱlife.ȱ

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ȱ TotalȱSuspendedȱSolidsȱ(TSS)ȱareȱundissolvedȱmaterialsȱorȱparticlesȱthatȱ willȱfloatȱinȱtheȱwaterȱcolumn.ȱȱTheyȱcanȱincludeȱsoils,ȱorganicȱmatter,ȱandȱ manȬmadeȱsubstances.ȱȱSuspendedȱsolidsȱaffectȱwaterȱclarityȱandȱcanȱ reduceȱphotosynthesisȱandȱcauseȱhigherȱwaterȱtemperatures,ȱinhibitingȱ aquaticȱplantȱandȱanimalȱlife.ȱȱSuspendedȱsolidsȱareȱgenerallyȱattributedȱtoȱ soilȱerosionȱassociatedȱwithȱdevelopmentȱsites,ȱroadȱrunoffȱorȱfarmȱfieldsȱ lackingȱconservationȱpractices.ȱȱȱVisiblyȱbrownȱwaterȱafterȱaȱheavyȱrainȱisȱ theȱmostȱobviousȱexampleȱofȱTSS,ȱhoweverȱtheyȱmayȱbeȱpresentȱinȱlessȱ noticeableȱconcentrationsȱthatȱstillȱdegradeȱstreamȱquality.ȱȱȱ ȱ Phosphatesȱ(PO4)ȱareȱaȱformȱofȱphosphorus,ȱanȱessentialȱnutrientȱforȱplantȱ growthȱandȱmetabolicȱreactionsȱinȱplantsȱandȱanimals.ȱȱTogetherȱwithȱ nitrogen,ȱitȱisȱaȱkeyȱelementȱinȱtheȱaquaticȱecosystem.ȱȱTheȱmainȱartificialȱ sourcesȱofȱphosphateȱareȱsepticȱsystemsȱ(householdȱdetergents),ȱandȱ chemicalȱfertilizersȱusedȱforȱlawnsȱandȱfarmȱfields.ȱȱTooȱmuchȱphosphorusȱ canȱcauseȱexcessiveȱbiologicalȱactivityȱandȱleadȱtoȱproblemsȱsuchȱasȱ unnaturalȱalgaeȱbloomsȱ(eutrophication),ȱwhichȱdegradeȱwaterȱqualityȱforȱ fishȱandȱotherȱaquaticȱlifeȱbyȱconsumingȱdissolvedȱoxygenȱasȱplantȱ materialȱdecomposes.ȱȱTheȱGreenȱLaneȱReservoir,ȱjustȱupstreamȱfromȱtheȱ confluenceȱofȱUnamiȱCreekȱwithȱtheȱmainȱstemȱPerkiomenȱCreek,ȱhasȱ beenȱlistedȱasȱImpairedȱbyȱPAȱDEPȱdueȱtoȱhighȱphosphateȱlevels.ȱȱUnderȱ theȱtermsȱofȱtheȱCleanȱWaterȱAct,ȱaȱTotalȱMaximumȱDailyȱLoadȱ(TMDL)ȱ strategyȱhasȱbeenȱdevelopedȱandȱwillȱbeȱimplementedȱupstreamȱofȱtheȱ reservoirȱtoȱreduceȱphosphateȱlevelsȱandȱachieveȱcomplianceȱwithȱUSȱEPAȱ standards.ȱȱ ȱ Ammoniaȱ(NH3)ȱandȱNitrate/Nitriteȱ(NO3,ȱNO4)ȱareȱformsȱofȱnitrogen,ȱaȱ naturallyȱoccurringȱgasȱinȱtheȱatmosphereȱthatȱcombinesȱwithȱoxygenȱorȱ hydrogenȱtoȱprovideȱvitalȱnutrientsȱforȱplantȱgrowthȱandȱmetabolicȱ reactionsȱinȱplantsȱandȱanimals.ȱȱNitrogenȱandȱphosphorusȱareȱtheȱ primaryȱsourcesȱofȱfoodȱenergyȱinȱtheȱaquaticȱecosystem.ȱȱAmmoniaȱ (NH3)ȱisȱaȱbyproductȱofȱorganicȱdecomposition,ȱandȱisȱusuallyȱassociatedȱ withȱhumanȱsewage,ȱlivestock,ȱorȱCanadaȱgooseȱpopulations.ȱȱNitratesȱ andȱnitritesȱmayȱbeȱfoundȱinȱfecalȱmatterȱorȱinȱchemicalȱfertilizersȱappliedȱ toȱlawnsȱandȱfarmȱfields.ȱȱExcessiveȱAmmonia,ȱNitrateȱorȱNitriteȱcanȱcauseȱ tooȱmuchȱbiologicalȱactivityȱandȱcanȱbeȱtoxicȱtoȱaquaticȱlife.ȱȱHighȱ concentrationsȱinȱdrinkingȱwaterȱcanȱbeȱtoxicȱtoȱinfantsȱ(“blueȱbabyȱ syndrome”).ȱȱ ȱ

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Metalsȱ(lead,ȱcadmium,ȱzinc)ȱareȱallȱnaturallyȱoccurringȱelementsȱthatȱcanȱ beȱtoxicȱtoȱaquaticȱlifeȱandȱhumans.ȱȱTheyȱbecomeȱconcentratedȱbyȱhumanȱ activitiesȱassociatedȱwithȱautomobilesȱ(brakeȱdustȱinȱroadȱandȱparkingȱlotȱ runoff),ȱmanufacturing,ȱdumpsȱandȱlandfills,ȱandȱevenȱhouseholdȱ plumbingȱandȱwaterȱsystemȱsupplyȱlines.ȱȱLeadȱisȱusedȱinȱolderȱplumbingȱ andȱhouseholdȱpaints.ȱȱCadmiumȱoccursȱwithȱzincȱandȱlead,ȱandȱisȱusedȱinȱ metalȱplating,ȱbatteries,ȱandȱpaints.ȱȱZincȱisȱcommonȱinȱgalvanizedȱ plumbingȱpipes.ȱȱExposureȱtoȱlead,ȱcadmium,ȱandȱzincȱcanȱcauseȱ numerousȱseriousȱhealthȱimpactsȱtoȱhumansȱandȱotherȱanimals.ȱȱȱ ȱ PointȱSourceȱPollutantsȱ Dischargeȱfromȱindustrialȱfacilitiesȱandȱwastewaterȱtreatmentȱplantsȱareȱaȱlessȱ commonȱsourceȱofȱwaterȱqualityȱimpactsȱinȱtheȱUpperȱUnami.ȱȱTheȱmainȱpointȱ sourceȱdischargeȱisȱfromȱtheȱMilfordȱTownshipȱWastewaterȱTreatmentȱPlant.ȱȱ Potentialȱcontaminantsȱfromȱeffluentȱincludeȱnutrientsȱsuchȱasȱnitratesȱandȱ phosphates.ȱȱ

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ȱ Riparian Buffers and Steam Restoration

ȱ Courtesy:ȱHeritageȱConservancyȱRiparianȱBufferȱAssessmentȱ ȱ TheȱStroudȱWaterȱResearchȱCenterȱhasȱrecentlyȱdocumentedȱthatȱriparianȱforestȱ buffersȱprovideȱinȬstreamȱbenefitsȱbyȱprocessingȱwaterȱmovingȱthroughȱtheȱ bufferedȱstreamȱreach,ȱnotȱjustȱoverlandȱflowȱthroughȱtheȱbuffer,ȱasȱhadȱbeenȱ previouslyȱdocumented.ȱȱResearchersȱdocumentedȱthatȱstreamȱreachesȱflowingȱ throughȱforestedȱareasȱareȱwider,ȱshallower,ȱwithȱrougherȱbedsȱandȱmoreȱhabitatȱ thanȱstreamsȱflowingȱthroughȱopenȱherbaceousȱcoverȱtypes.ȱȱRiparianȱforestȱ buffersȱprovideȱgreaterȱvarietyȱofȱorganicȱfoodȱandȱmoreȱnaturalȱtemperatureȱ patterns.ȱTheȱincreasedȱabundanceȱofȱbacteria,ȱalgae,ȱinvertebrates,ȱandȱfishȱareȱ allȱbenefitsȱofȱforestedȱstreamsȱȬȬȱandȱitȱisȱthisȱabundanceȱthatȱenablesȱstreamsȱtoȱ betterȱprocessȱcertainȱpollutantsȱ(NationalȱScienceȱFoundation,ȱ2005)ȱ ȱ

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ȱ Figureȱ2ȱȬȬȱRiparianȱForestȱBufferȱCrossection.ȱ ȱ RiparianȱbuffersȱareȱdefinedȱinȱthisȱAssessmentȱasȱwoodedȱcorridorsȱparallelingȱ streamsȱandȱextendingȱoutwardȱatȱleastȱ100ȱfeetȱfromȱtheȱtopsȱofȱbothȱbanksȱofȱaȱ stream.ȱȱTheyȱprovideȱnumerousȱcommunityȱbenefits,ȱandȱareȱoftenȱtheȱfirstȱlineȱ ofȱdefenseȱforȱnonȬpointȱsourceȱsurfaceȱwaterȱqualityȱconcernsȱsuchȱasȱsediment,ȱ erosion,ȱnutrientsȱandȱotherȱpollutants.ȱȱTheȱrootsȱofȱtrees,ȱshrubsȱandȱ herbaceousȱvegetationȱhelpȱtoȱanchorȱstreamsideȱsoilsȱandȱreduceȱflooding.ȱȱTheȱ leaves,ȱtwigs,ȱbranchesȱandȱlogsȱofȱtreesȱprovideȱfoodȱandȱhabitatȱonȱwhichȱtheȱ entireȱfoodȱwebȱofȱaȱhealthyȱstreamȱecosystemȱisȱbased,ȱandȱtreeȱcanopiesȱ provideȱshadeȱtoȱmaintainȱcoolerȱwaterȱtemperaturesȱnecessaryȱforȱmanyȱnativeȱ aquaticȱorganisms,ȱincludingȱnativeȱbrookȱtrout.ȱȱȱ ȱ TheȱvastȱmajorityȱofȱtheȱstreamsȱinȱtheȱsouthernȱhalfȱofȱtheȱUpperȱUnamiȱCreekȱ watershedȱareȱborderedȱbyȱforest,ȱhowever,ȱtheȱnorthernȱhalfȱincludesȱnumerousȱ streamȱreachesȱwithȱ“gaps”ȱinȱriparianȱbufferȱcoverageȱdueȱtoȱclearingȱforȱ agricultureȱandȱotherȱuses.ȱȱTheȱRiparianȱForestȱBufferȱmanualȱpreparedȱbyȱtheȱ USȱForestȱServiceȱrecommendsȱaȱminimumȱofȱ75ȱfeetȱofȱforestȱcoverȱonȱeachȱsideȱ ofȱaȱstreamȱ(Welsch,ȱ1991).ȱȱPortionsȱofȱtheȱstudyȱareaȱhaveȱtheȱpotentialȱforȱ significantlyȱwiderȱbuffersȱthatȱwouldȱbenefitȱtheȱhealthȱofȱtheȱstreamȱecosystem.ȱȱ ȱ TheȱRiparianȱBufferȱAssessmentȱofȱSoutheasternȱPennsylvaniaȱ(theȱAssessment)ȱ preparedȱbyȱtheȱHeritageȱConservancyȱinȱ2001,ȱincludesȱaȱdetailedȱanalysisȱofȱ riparianȱbufferȱcoverageȱandȱgapsȱinȱtheȱUnamiȱCreekȱwatershedȱasȱshownȱinȱ

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Figureȱ3ȱȬȱRiparianȱForestȱBufferȱAssessmentȱMap.ȱȱTheȱmapȱhighlightsȱtheȱ extentȱofȱstreamȱreachesȱlackingȱbufferȱinȱtheȱagriculturalȱlandscapeȱatȱtheȱ headwatersȱofȱtheȱUnamiȱCreekȱwatershed.ȱTheȱgoalȱofȱtheȱAssessmentȱisȱ“toȱ promoteȱnonȬpointȱsourceȱ(NPS)ȱpollutionȱpreventionȱandȱmitigation.”ȱȱThisȱ studyȱinvolvedȱhelicopterȱflightsȱandȱvideoȱassessmentsȱofȱriparianȱcorridorsȱ alongȱtheȱmainȱstemȱPerkiomenȱCreek,ȱandȱaerialȱphotographȱevaluationȱandȱ fieldȱverificationȱofȱriparianȱcorridorsȱthroughoutȱtheȱwatershed.ȱȱȱ ȱ Theȱresultsȱincludeȱdocumentationȱofȱ4ȱcategories:ȱ“full”ȱriparianȱforestȱbuffersȱ (atȱleastȱ50ȱfeetȱofȱwoodlandȱonȱeachȱsideȱofȱaȱstream);“partial”ȱriparianȱforestȱ buffersȱ(lessȱthanȱ50ȱfeetȱofȱwoodlandȱonȱoneȱorȱbothȱsidesȱofȱaȱstream);ȱstreamsȱ “lackingȱbufferȱonȱoneȱside”;ȱandȱstreamȱsegmentsȱ“lackingȱbuffersȱonȱbothȱ sides”,ȱwhereȱriparianȱforestȱbuffersȱareȱmissing.ȱȱȱ ȱ TheȱresultsȱofȱtheȱAssessmentȱandȱsubsequentȱanalysisȱprovideȱimportantȱ guidanceȱforȱongoingȱriparianȱbufferȱconservationȱandȱrestorationȱactivitiesȱinȱ theȱUpperȱUnamiȱCreekȱvalley.ȱȱPerhapsȱtheȱmostȱimportantȱfactorȱaboutȱtheȱ UnamiȱCreekȱisȱthatȱitȱhasȱtheȱhighestȱamountȱofȱstreamȱbufferingȱrelativeȱtoȱ otherȱsubbasinsȱinȱtheȱPerkiomenȱCreekȱwatershed,ȱandȱoneȱofȱtheȱhighestȱinȱtheȱ SchuylkillȱRiverȱbasin.ȱȱ(NLT,ȱ2002)ȱ ȱ Areasȱwithȱfullȱriparianȱbuffersȱareȱgoodȱcandidatesȱforȱvoluntaryȱprotectionȱ agreementsȱsuchȱasȱconservationȱeasements.ȱȱPartialȱbuffersȱcanȱbeȱexpandedȱ withȱtreeȱplantingȱeffortsȱandȱbyȱfencingȱstreamsȱinȱareasȱwhereȱfloodplainȱ meadowsȱorȱfieldsȱexist,ȱȱextendingȱtheȱwidthȱofȱexistingȱriparianȱbuffersȱto,ȱ ideally,ȱatȱleastȱ100Ȭfeetȱonȱeitherȱsideȱofȱtheȱstream,ȱasȱrecommendedȱbyȱtheȱ ChesterȱCountyȱWaterȱResourcesȱAuthorityȱ(CCWRA,ȱ2003).ȱȱMissingȱbuffers,ȱ areasȱwhereȱstreamsȱflowȱunprotectedȱthroughȱfieldsȱorȱlawns,ȱareȱ “opportunities”ȱforȱreforestation.ȱȱTheȱonlyȱexceptionsȱtoȱthisȱrecommendationȱ applyȱinȱareasȱwhereȱnativeȱherbaceousȱwetlandsȱ(i.e.ȱsedgeȱmarshesȱandȱwetȱ meadows)ȱprovideȱimportantȱhabitatsȱforȱnativeȱplantsȱandȱwildlife.ȱȱȱ Headwatersȱstreamsȱ(1stȱandȱ2ndȱOrder)ȱareȱamongȱtheȱmostȱimportantȱlocationsȱ forȱreducingȱNPSȱpollutionȱthroughȱriparianȱbufferȱprotection.ȱSmallȱstreamsȱ representȱtheȱgreatestȱstreamȱmilesȱandȱtheȱnarrowestȱwidthsȱinȱanyȱwatershedȱ–ȱ therefore,ȱtheyȱexposeȱsurfaceȱwaterȱtoȱaȱbroadȱareaȱofȱpotentialȱlandȱuseȱimpactsȱ toȱwaterȱquality.ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱȱ

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ȱ ȱ Totalȱ Lackingȱ Lackingȱ Partialȱȱ Fullȱȱ %ȱTotalȱ ȱ Streamȱ BufferȱȱBothȱ Bufferȱȱ Forestȱȱ Forestȱ inȱFullȱ ȱ Lengthȱ Sidesȱ OneȱSideȱ Bufferȱ Bufferȱ Forestȱ ȱ (12.8%)ȱ (7.5%)ȱ (0.74%)ȱ (79%)ȱ Bufferȱ Unamiȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ Creekȱ 411,296ȱft.ȱ 52,819ȱft.ȱȱ 30,810ȱft.ȱȱ 3,051ȱft.ȱ 324,615ȱft.ȱȱ 79%ȱ Tableȱ2ȱ–ȱRiparianȱBufferȱSummaryȱ ȱ AsȱidentifiedȱinȱtheȱUpperȱPerkiomenȱCreekȱWatershedȱConservationȱPlan,ȱtheȱUnamiȱ Creekȱrisesȱtoȱtheȱtopȱofȱtheȱriparianȱbufferȱconservationȱprioritiesȱlistȱofȱ7ȱ subwatershedsȱforȱseveralȱreasons:ȱȱ x Itȱhasȱtheȱgreatestȱlinearȱstreamȱmilesȱ(62ȱmiles)ȱinȱFullȱForestȱBufferȱcoverage;ȱȱȱ x Withȱ62ȱoutȱofȱitsȱ78ȱstreamȱmilesȱinȱFullȱForestȱBufferȱcoverage,ȱtheȱUnamiȱhasȱ theȱgreatestȱpercentageȱ(79%)ȱofȱtotalȱstreamȱmilesȱborderedȱbyȱforest.ȱȱȱ x Atȱ31,998ȱacres,ȱtheȱUnamiȱisȱalsoȱtheȱlargestȱsubwatershedȱinȱtheȱUpperȱ PerkiomenȱValley,ȱmeasuringȱoverȱtwiceȱasȱlargeȱasȱtheȱWestȱBranchȱ(14,768ȱ acres),ȱandȱitȱcontainsȱtheȱhighestȱpercentageȱofȱforestedȱcover.ȱItȱprovidesȱfullȱ bufferingȱofȱ27%ȱofȱtheȱtotalȱstreamȱmilesȱinȱtheȱUpperȱPerkiomenȱwatershed.ȱ ȱ Theȱcontributionȱofȱthisȱnearlyȱcontiguousȱforestedȱstreamȱfrontageȱtoȱtheȱoverallȱ healthȱandȱqualityȱofȱtheȱUpperȱPerkiomenȱwatershedȱcannotȱbeȱoverestimatedȱ (UPWC,ȱ2001).ȱȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ RiparianȱandȱWetlandȱVegetationȱ Inȱdiscussingȱtheȱinterrelationshipsȱbetweenȱriparianȱforestsȱandȱwetlandsȱandȱ streamȱquality,ȱitȱisȱimportantȱtoȱunderstandȱtheȱnativeȱvegetativeȱcommunitiesȱ thatȱcharacterizeȱtheȱUnamiȱCreekȱwatershed.ȱȱȱ ȱ SuccessionalȱRedȱMapleȱForestȱ ThisȱforestȱtypeȱisȱtypicallyȱfoundȱinȱlowȬlyingȱareasȱalongȱstreams,ȱfloodplainsȱ andȱheadwatersȱareasȱwithȱhydricȱsoils,ȱparticularlyȱthoseȱthatȱhaveȱbeenȱloggedȱ orȱabandonedȱfromȱfarmingȱwithinȱtheȱlastȱ20ȱtoȱ30ȱyears.ȱȱDominantȱspeciesȱare:ȱ ȱ Easternȱredcedarȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Juniperusȱvirginianaȱ ȱ Redȱmapleȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Acerȱrubrumȱ ȱ Tuliptreeȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Liriodendronȱtulipiferaȱ ȱȱȱ ȱ Whiteȱashȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ FraxinusȱAmericanaȱ ȱ

23 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

ȱ BottomlandȱOakȬHardwoodȱPalustrineȱForestȱ ForestedȱareasȱalongȱbroaderȱfloodplainsȱborderingȱtheȱUnamiȱandȱRidgeȱValleyȱ Creeksȱmatureȱtoȱthisȱforestȱtype.ȱȱDominantȱspeciesȱinclude:ȱ ȱ Blackȱwalnutȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Juglansȱnigraȱ ȱ Boxȱelderȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Acerȱnegundoȱ ȱ Hopȱhornbeamȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ostryaȱvirginianaȱ ȱ Pinȱoakȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Quercusȱpalustrisȱ ȱ Riverȱbirchȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Betulaȱnigraȱ ȱ Shagbarkȱhickoryȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Caryaȱovataȱ ȱ Silverȱmapleȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Acerȱsaccharinumȱ ȱ Sycamoreȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Platanusȱoccidentalisȱ ȱ SilverȱMapleȱandȱSycamoreȬRiverȱBirchȬBoxȱElderȱFloodȱPlainȱForestȱ AlluvialȱsoilsȱinȱtheȱwatershedȱmayȱsupportȱforestȱstandsȱdominatedȱbyȱfastȬ growingȱsilverȱmaple,ȱsycamore,ȱorȱriverȱbirch,ȱeachȱaȱpioneerȱspeciesȱadaptedȱtoȱ streamsideȱhabitats.ȱ ȱ ButtonbushȱWetlandȱandȱAlderȬNinebarkȱWetlandȱ Shrubbyȱwetlandȱcommunitiesȱinȱtheȱstudyȱareaȱareȱknownȱtoȱsupportȱtheȱ followingȱspecies:ȱ ȱ Alderȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Alnusȱspp.ȱȱ ȱ ȱ Arrowwoodȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Viburnumȱdentatumȱ ȱ Buttonbushȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Cephalanthusȱoccidentalisȱ ȱ Elderberryȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Sambucusȱcanadensisȱ ȱ RedȬosierȱdogwoodȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Cornusȱamomumȱ ȱ Silkyȱdogwoodȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Cornusȱracemosaȱ ȱ Spicebushȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Linderaȱbenzoinȱ ȱ SwampȱRoseȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Rosaȱpalustrisȱ ȱ Willowȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Salixȱspp.ȱ ȱ Winterberryȱhollyȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ilexȱverticillataȱ ȱ TussockȱSedgeȱMarshȱandȱMixedȱforbȱMarshȱ Openingsȱinȱshrubbyȱwetlands,ȱandȱbroaderȱwetȱmeadowȱareasȱsupportȱtheseȱ communities,ȱincludingȱspeciesȱsuchȱasȱtussockȱsedge,ȱsweetȱflagȱiris,ȱsensitiveȱ fernȱandȱskunkȱcabbage.ȱȱȱ ȱ TheȱUnamiȱCreekȱValleys:ȱVegetationȱSurvey,ȱBucksȱandȱMontgomeryȱCountiesȱ preparedȱforȱNaturalȱLandsȱTrustȱbyȱClaudiaȱSteckelȱinȱ2001,ȱincludesȱaȱsurveyȱ ofȱwoodlandȱtreesȱalongȱtheȱUpperȱUnamiȱCreekȱjustȱaboveȱtheȱBucksȬ

24 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

MontgomeryȱCountyȱline.ȱȱThisȱsiteȱwasȱnotedȱasȱincludingȱaȱ“youngȱtoȱ maturingȱforestȱcommunityȱthatȱisȱanȱintermediateȱformȱbetweenȱaȱredȱoakȱ–ȱ mixedȱhardwoodȱforestȱandȱsugarȱmapleȱ–ȱbasswoodȱforest,ȱwithȱnotedȱlocationsȱ forȱherbaceousȱvernalȱpondsȱandȱseeps.”ȱUpperȱslopesȱsupportȱaȱmatureȱmixȱofȱ oak,ȱbeechȱandȱhickory,ȱwhileȱslowerȱslopesȱareȱdominatedȱbyȱredȱmapleȱandȱ tulipȱpoplar.ȱȱSugarȱmapleȱandȱbeechȱareȱnotedȱasȱdominantȱsaplings.ȱȱ“Aȱ broadleafȱpalustrineȱforest,ȱconsistingȱofȱaȱmixȱofȱredȱmaple,ȱredȱash,ȱwhiteȱoakȱ orȱpossiblyȱswampȱwhiteȱoakȱ(Quercusȱbicolor),ȱshagbarkȱhickory,ȱblackȱcherry,ȱ slipperyȱelm,ȱredȬcedar,ȱhawthornȱ(Crataegusȱsp.)ȱandȱyoungȱsugarȱmaple”ȱwasȱ documentedȱalongȱUnamiȱCreek,ȱwithȱaȱdiverseȱmixȱofȱherbaceousȱwildflowers,ȱ ferns,ȱsedgesȱandȱgrasses.ȱȱ“Occasionalȱseepsȱandȱephemeralȱpoolsȱoccurȱ throughoutȱtheȱpropertyȱatȱallȱelevations;ȱtheȱfloodplainȱareaȱcontainsȱdeeperȱ(upȱ toȱ24”ȱdeep)ȱephemeralȱpools,ȱfilledȱinȱAprilȱwithȱsalamanderȱandȱfrogȱeggȱ massesȱ(Steckel,ȱ2001)ȱȱ

25 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

ȱ Land Use

TheȱUpperȱUnamiȱCreekȱwatershedȱisȱstillȱlargelyȱruralȱcomparedȱtoȱotherȱareasȱ ofȱBucksȱandȱLehighȱcounties.ȱȱDueȱtoȱitsȱrelativelyȱremoteȱlocationȱfromȱ populationȱcentersȱandȱtheȱbuildingȱconstraintsȱposedȱinȱpartȱofȱtheȱareaȱbyȱtheȱ underlyingȱdiabaseȱgeology,ȱtheȱUpperȱUnamiȱhasȱlargelyȱescapedȱtheȱrapidȱ ratesȱofȱpopulationȱgrowthȱandȱlandȱconsumptionȱimpactingȱotherȱmunicipalitiesȱ inȱcentralȱandȱnorthernȱBucksȱCounty.ȱȱȱFarmingȱandȱruralȱresidentialȱ communitiesȱstillȱdominateȱtheȱnorthernȱhalfȱofȱtheȱwatershed,ȱwhileȱwoodlandsȱ andȱscatteredȱhomesȱinȱwoodedȱsettingsȱcharacterizeȱtheȱsouthernȱhalf.ȱȱȱWhileȱ theȱrateȱofȱgrowthȱhasȱbeenȱrelativelyȱslow,ȱtheȱnumberȱofȱcurrentȱandȱpendingȱ subdivisionȱapplicationsȱinȱmunicipalitiesȱsuchȱasȱMilfordȱandȱWestȱRockhillȱ indicatesȱthatȱtheȱpatternȱofȱlandȱuseȱandȱownershipȱisȱstartingȱtoȱshiftȱtowardȱaȱ moreȱsuburbanȱresidentialȱandȱcommercialȱscenario.ȱȱ ȱ TheȱUpperȱUnamiȱareaȱhas,ȱuntilȱrecently,ȱnotȱsupportedȱlargeȬscaleȱresidentialȱ orȱcommercialȱdevelopment.ȱHistorically,ȱtheȱpopulationsȱofȱlocalȱmunicipalitiesȱ haveȱbeenȱlocatedȱinȱvillagesȱsuchȱasȱTrumbauersvilleȱandȱMilfordȱSquare,ȱandȱ largerȱtownsȱsuchȱasȱPerkasieȱandȱQuakertown.ȱȱMostȱresidentsȱlivedȱinȱsingleȬ familyȱhomesȱonȱsmallȱlots.ȱInȱtheȱmidȬȱtoȱlateȱ20thȱcentury,ȱmanyȱindividualȱ roadȬfrontȱlotsȱandȱlargeȱlotsȱwereȱsoldȱoffȱforȱcustomȱhomesȱandȱcabinsȱ–ȱaȱtrendȱ whichȱcontinuesȱtoday.ȱȱAȱnumberȱofȱlargeȱresidentialȱsubdivisionsȱofȱ50ȱorȱmoreȱ homesȱatȱvaryingȱdensitiesȱareȱproposedȱorȱareȱbeingȱconstructedȱinȱMilfordȱ TownshipȱinȱtheȱvicinityȱofȱtheȱQuakertownȱexitȱofȱtheȱNortheastȱExtensionȱofȱ theȱPAȱTurnpike.ȱȱRouteȱ663ȱinȱthisȱareaȱisȱbecomingȱaȱcorridorȱforȱcommercialȱ andȱlightȱindustrialȱdevelopment.ȱȱ ȱ Theȱstudyȱareaȱforȱthisȱprojectȱisȱtheȱlargelyȱforestedȱridgesȱandȱvalleysȱofȱtheȱ southernȱportionȱofȱtheȱUpperȱUnamiȱCreekȱwatershedȱinȱBucksȱCounty,ȱbelowȱ Routeȱ663ȱandȱaboveȱtheȱcountyȱline.ȱȱTheȱlandȱuseȱpatternȱinȱthisȱareaȱisȱ markedlyȱdifferentȱfromȱtheȱrapidlyȱdevelopingȱagriculturalȱlandscapeȱofȱtheȱ northernȱportionȱofȱtheȱwatershed.ȱTheȱlandȱuseȱpatternȱinȱbothȱareasȱisȱcloselyȱ linkedȱtoȱtheȱownershipȱpattern,ȱtheȱnaturalȱconstraintsȱofȱtheȱland,ȱdemographicȱ trends,ȱlocalȱlandȱuseȱregulations,ȱandȱtheȱcentralȱBucksȱCountyȱrealȱestateȱ market.ȱȱȱ ȱ

26 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

TheȱsouthernȱareaȱcanȱgenerallyȱbeȱdescribedȱasȱaȱsecondȬgrowthȱforestedȱ landscapeȱofȱwoodedȱdiabaseȱridges,ȱsteepȱwoodedȱvalleysȱwithȱscatteredȱ19thȱ centuryȱmillȱsites,ȱsummerȱcampȱproperties,ȱwithȱsmallȬscaleȱsuburbanȱ residentialȱandȱcommercialȱdevelopmentȱslowlyȱencroachingȱfromȱnearbyȱ villagesȱofȱTrumbauersville,ȱTylersport,ȱandȱSellersville,ȱalongȱmajorȱroadsȱsuchȱ asȱRidgeȱRoadȱ(Routeȱ563)ȱandȱAllentownȱRoad.ȱȱParcelȱsizesȱtendȱtoȱbeȱsmallerȱ inȱthisȱarea,ȱwithȱmanyȱaveragingȱbetweenȱ10ȱandȱ50ȱacres.ȱȱWhileȱthereȱareȱ generallyȱnoȱdirectȱroutesȱinȱorȱoutȱofȱtheȱUnamiȱForest,ȱmajorȱroadsȱinȱtheȱareaȱ suchȱasȱRouteȱ663,ȱRouteȱ563ȱandȱAllentownȱRoadȱareȱallȱservingȱasȱconduitsȱforȱ newȱdevelopment.ȱȱ ȱ AsȱreportedȱinȱtheȱUpperȱUnamiȱCreekȱLandscapeȱConservationȱPlanȱ,ȱ“(t)hereȱareȱnoȱ majorȱindustrialȱorȱcommercialȱlandȱusesȱpresentȱinȱtheȱstudyȱarea,ȱotherȱthanȱ smallȱbusinessesȱandȱlightȱindustrialȱfacilities.ȱTheȱonlyȱlargeȬscaleȱrecreationalȱ usesȱinȱtheȱstudyȱareaȱareȱtheȱFoxȱHollowȱGolfȱCourse,ȱtheȱGreatȱSwampȱ sportsmen’sȱclub,ȱandȱseveralȱcampȱproperties,ȱincludingȱCampȱMenȬOȬLan.ȱȱ Communityȱfacilitiesȱareȱlimitedȱtoȱmunicipalȱbuildingsȱandȱparks.ȱȱPublicȱ utilitiesȱincludeȱatȱleastȱ4ȱmajorȱcorridors:ȱPECOȱEnergyȱtransmissionȱlinesȱand,ȱ AT&Tȱfiberȱopticȱlines,ȱandȱgasȱpipelinesȱthatȱpassȱthroughȱtheȱareaȱfromȱwestȱtoȱ east.ȱȱȱTheȱhistoryȱofȱlargeȱcampsȱinȱtheȱareaȱisȱsymbolicȱofȱitsȱpresenceȱinȱtheȱ regionȱasȱaȱrelativelyȱremote,ȱnaturalȱgetaway.”ȱ(NLT,ȱ2002)ȱ ȱȱ Forȱitsȱrelativelyȱlowȱpopulation,ȱtheȱstudyȱareaȱsupportsȱaȱrelativelyȱhighȱ densityȱofȱroads,ȱaȱpatternȱsharedȱacrossȱmuchȱofȱPennsylvania.ȱȱTheȱforestedȱ landscapeȱisȱcrisscrossedȱbyȱmajorȱhighways,ȱstateȱarterialȱroads,ȱlocalȱpavedȱandȱ dirtȱroads,ȱandȱanȱincreasingȱnumberȱofȱinternalȱroadȱnetworksȱandȱculȬdeȬsacs,ȱ withȱveryȱfewȱroadlessȱareasȱofȱ1,000ȱacresȱorȱmore.ȱȱȱNaturalȱLandsȱTrustȱ documentedȱtheseȱconditionsȱinȱitsȱUnamiȱRestorationȱofȱHumanȱMadeȱ ImprovementsȱandȱDisturbanceȱReportȱ(NLT,ȱ2003).ȱȱFigureȱ4,ȱbelow,ȱillustratesȱ theȱscatteredȱblocksȱofȱforestȬinteriorȱhabitatȱinȱtheȱlowerȱandȱupperȱsectionsȱofȱ theȱUnamiȱForest.ȱȱTheȱNLTȱreportȱconcludesȱthatȱforestȬinteriorȱwildlifeȱcanȱbeȱ protectedȱinȱtheȱregionȱifȱquantitativeȱcriteriaȱforȱhabitatȱconnectivityȱcanȱbeȱ developedȱandȱappliedȱinȱtheȱarea.ȱȱTheȱstudyȱspecificallyȱrecommendsȱ quantitativeȱmappingȱandȱprotectionȱofȱforestȬinteriorȱhabitatȱandȱlinkagesȱ betweenȱforestȱblocks.ȱȱTheȱReportȱrecommendsȱ“deȬfragmentation”ȱofȱhabitatȱ throughȱremovalȱofȱcertainȱstructuresȱandȱworkingȱtoȱreduceȱutilityȱandȱroadwayȱ fragmentation,ȱandȱpromotingȱadequateȱbridgeȱcrossingsȱtoȱallowȱwildlifeȱ underpassesȱalongȱstreams.ȱ

27 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

Figureȱ4ȱȬȬȱȱForestȱInteriorȱHabitatȱBlocks.ȱ ȱ TheȱSchuylkillȱWatershedȱConservationȱPlanȱidentifiedȱaȱmoderateȱamountȱofȱ road/streamȱcrossingsȱrelativeȱtoȱotherȱwatershedsȱinȱtheȱSchuylkillȱRiverȱbasinȱ (NLTȱetȱal,ȱ2001).ȱȱȱWithinȱtheȱforestedȱstudyȱarea,ȱatȱleastȱ25ȱpointsȱhaveȱbeenȱ identifiedȱwhereȱroadsȱcrossȱstreams,ȱnotȱincludingȱdrivewaysȱandȱcrossingsȱ overȱunmappedȱtributaries.ȱȱȱȱTheȱAcademyȱofȱNaturalȱSciencesȱhasȱdocumentedȱ theȱwaysȱinȱwhichȱroadȱandȱroad/streamȱcrossingsȱ–ȱparticularlyȱfullȬpipeȱ culvertsȱȬȬȱcanȱhaveȱaȱsignificantȱimpactȱonȱtheȱhydrologyȱandȱwaterȱqualityȱofȱ riversȱandȱstreamsȱ(NLTȱetȱal,ȱ2001).ȱȱWhereȱroadsȱcrossȱstreams,ȱculvertsȱorȱ bridgesȱcanȱalterȱtheȱchannelȱsize,ȱshape,ȱand/orȱgradientȱleadingȱtoȱchannelȱ erosionȱandȱscour.ȱȱNumerousȱsamplingȱstationsȱforȱthisȱstudyȱincludeȱreachesȱ downstreamȱofȱculvertsȱwhichȱclearlyȱchannelizeȱwaterȱandȱcauseȱaȱgougingȱ effectȱinȱstreambeds.ȱȱȱ ȱ Roadsȱinȱtheȱstudyȱareaȱareȱaȱmeasureȱofȱhabitat/openȱspaceȱfragmentationȱforȱ terrestrialȱandȱaquaticȱwildlife,ȱincreasedȱmortalityȱratesȱamongȱwildlifeȱ populations,ȱandȱanȱindicatorȱofȱtheȱintensityȱofȱexistingȱorȱpotentialȱlandȱuse.ȱȱAȱ

28 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______particularlyȱdetrimentalȱpatternȱinȱtheȱUpperȱUnamiȱwatershedȱisȱtheȱcloseȱ proximityȱofȱroadsȱ(bothȱpavedȱandȱgravel)ȱtoȱsmallȱheadwatersȱstreamsȱ–ȱoftenȱ unmappedȱfirstȱorderȱstreamsȱthatȱsimplyȱfollowȱroadsideȱditchesȱconstructedȱ forȱdrainage.ȱȱStormwaterȱrunoffȱfromȱroadsȱadjacentȱtoȱstreamsȱcanȱtransportȱ contaminantsȱsuchȱasȱsediment,ȱsalts,ȱoilsȱandȱpesticidesȱusedȱalongȱtheȱroadȱ edges.ȱȱTheȱimpactsȱofȱthisȱmanȬmadeȱinfrastructureȱonȱaquaticȱlifeȱisȱevidentȱinȱ theȱresultsȱfromȱcertainȱsamplingȱstationsȱinȱthisȱAssessment.ȱȱItȱshouldȱbeȱnotedȱ thatȱtheȱStroudȱWaterȱResearchȱCenterȱandȱotherȱwatershedȱorganizationsȱ emphasizeȱtheȱimportanceȱofȱreducingȱtheseȱfragmentationȱeffectsȱbyȱreplacingȱ fullȬpipeȱculvertsȱwithȱhalfȬpipeȱculvertsȱorȱbridges,ȱeitherȱofȱwhichȱallowȱforȱaȱ moreȱnaturalȱstreambedȱandȱfloodplain.ȱ

29 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

ȱ Stream Reaches and Subbasin Land Use ȱ TheȱbiologicalȱassessmentȱdataȱcollectedȱforȱtheȱUpperȱUnamiȱCreekȱwatershedȱ isȱorganizedȱbyȱ6ȱsubwatershedsȱorȱsubbasins.ȱȱȱTheȱ12ȱsamplingȱstationsȱandȱ associatedȱstreamȱreachesȱsurveyedȱareȱmappedȱinȱFigureȱ5ȱ–ȱPrioritizedȱStreamȱ ReachesȱandȱParcels,ȱandȱrankedȱbyȱtotalȱscoreȱinȱTableȱ1.ȱȱTheȱsubbasinȱ descriptionsȱinȱthisȱsectionȱcharacterizeȱtheȱlandȱusesȱandȱownershipȱpatternȱ associatedȱwithȱeachȱstreamȱreach.ȱȱȱ ȱ Tableȱ1ȱandȱFigureȱ5ȱbothȱemployȱaȱcolorȬcodedȱsystemȱforȱclassifyingȱstreamȱ reachesȱandȱsamplingȱstationsȱinȱtermsȱofȱtheirȱTotalȱScoreȱ(BiologicalȱScoreȱ+ȱȱ HabitatȱScore).ȱȱGreenȱrepresentsȱClassȱ1ȱreachesȱwithȱTotalȱScoresȱofȱ179ȱorȱ greater.ȱȱYellowȱrepresentsȱClassȱ2ȱreachesȱwithȱTotalȱScoresȱofȱbetweenȱ155ȱandȱ 178.ȱȱOrangeȱrepresentsȱClassȱ3ȱreachesȱwithȱTotalȱScoresȱbelowȱ155.ȱȱTheȱStreamȱ andȱReachȱIDȱcolumnȱonȱtheȱtableȱcorrespondsȱbyȱcolorȱandȱcodeȱ(RV1,ȱSC2,ȱetc.)ȱ withȱtheȱcoloredȱdotsȱandȱcoloredȱtaxȱparcelsȱonȱFigureȱ5.ȱȱȱȱ

30 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

ȱ

Unami Creek (UC1, UC2, UC3) The three stream reaches sampled on the main stem of Unami Creek include two Class I reaches which are among the highest ranking sites in the Assessment (UC1 and UC2), and a Class II reach (UC3).

The main stem Unami above the study area flows through a relatively flat, mostly agricultural landscape with a rapidly expanding area of intensive development centered around the Quakertown Exit of the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Several large nursery, greenhouse and poultry operations are located in this area, and some are near small headwaters tributaries.

The majority of the woodlands and wetlands in this area tend to be concentrated along steep, wet, or flood-prone areas associated with streams. Forested uplands in the watershed that are not associated with stream corridors are typically small (<20 acres) isolated woodlots and hedgerows. Riparian woodlands of up to 300 feet in width (150 feet on each side of the stream) can be found along some of these headwaters streams, however, streams in this area are shown as having two of the largest gaps for riparian buffer coverage (i.e. both sides lacking) in the Heritage Conservancy’s Riparian Buffer Assessment (Heritage Conservancy, 2001).

A 100-year floodplain is associated with all but the uppermost reaches of the Unami Creek and its tributaries. Many sections of floodplain average between 200 and 400 feet in width, with broader sections reaching up to 2,000 feet wide.

The presence of forested wetlands and hydric soils in and near the study area is evidenced by the frequent use of the word “swamp” in local road names, place names, and the former name for the Unami Creek itself. Swamp Creek Road which follows the lower main stem of the stream in Montgomery County south of the study area. The name appears frequently to the north of the study area, as described in the Upper Unami Creek Watershed: Landscape Conservation Plan:

“(t)he local name Swamp Church is used for a Mennonite church on Rosedale Road just west of Rosedale, while West Swamp Church is on nearby West Swamp Road and East Swamp Church is also on Swamp Road in the village of Brick Tavern located nearby The “swamp” may describe a woodland patch of 25 acres or so that adjoins an extensive wooded/successional wetland area is located . at the hamlet of Steinsburg on the north side of Rosedale Road (a) major forest/stream/wetland complex of

31 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

nearly 200 acres is situated at the hamlet of Brick Church, where four of the Unami Creek tributaries merge. This area is underlain by hydric & alluvial soils . The area is crossed by two roads (Brick Tavern Road and Mill Pond Road), but otherwise represents a relatively unbroken block of forest and wetland extending for nearly one mile along the Unami Creek above the village of Milford Square. The 100-year floodplain in this area is unusually broad, reaching almost 2,000 feet in width. “ (NLT, 2002)

This area is adjoins the Milford Middle School property, which is specifically listed as a priority area for protection in the Upper Perkiomen Creek Watershed: Landscape Conservation Plan. Implementation Action #2.C. in the Plan reads: “Protect land along the Unami Creek adjacent to Milford Middle School in Milford Township.” (NLT, 2002)

UC1

Milford Route 663 Square

Spinnerstown

Wastewater Treatment Plant

Figure 6 -- Upper Unami Creek Subbasin Land Use Pattern Above UC1.

32 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

Milford Square is a growing village center upstream of UC1 at Route 663, where the Unami merges with Licking Creek, which flows in from the northwest. The reach of the Unami in which both the UC1 and UC2 sampling stations are located, between Milford Square and the NE Extension, is characterized by over 2 miles of riparian forest buffer of at least 300 feet in width, with only 2 road crossings. South of the village, the stream then flows through a 50+ acre wooded area and merges with a second order tributary that flows through the 153-acre Quakertown Airport property to the east.

The Unami Creek crosses under an old stone bridge at Allentown Road and continues flowing in a southwesterly direction through a wooded corridor, then along the eastern edge of a 150 acre forest block. This forested tract borders the stream for approximately 1 mile above the UC1 sampling station, and is fragmented by two roads and a utility line. Molasses Creek merges with the Unami in this area. The riparian forest buffer in this reach is at least 300 feet on each side of the stream, and is much greater on the west bank. The UC1 sampling station is at Kumry Road just downstream of the Milford- Trumbauersville Wastewater Treatment Plan.

The area within one mile upstream of UC1 is listed in the Bucks County Natural Areas Inventory as a Priority 3 Site, and is described as follows:

UnamiȱCreekȱinȱtheȱvicinityȱofȱAllentownȱRoadȱincludingȱMilfordȱTownshipȱParkȱ ThisȱstretchȱofȱtheȱUnamiȱCreekȱincludesȱforestedȱfloodplainȱandȱotherȱscouredȱ areasȱalongȱtheȱcreek.ȱȱWoodedȱslopesȱoccurȱbelowȱAllentownȱRoad.ȱȱTheȱ geologyȱisȱaȱcombinationȱofȱdiabaseȱandȱhornfels.ȱȱAȱ1997ȱsurveyȱofȱfishȱ documentedȱhighȱnativeȱfishȱdiversityȱ(15ȱspecies)ȱinȱthisȱsectionȱofȱtheȱUnamiȱ Creekȱ(Criswellȱ1998).ȱ“ȱȱȱNotableȱfeaturesȱofȱthisȱareaȱincludeȱtuliptreeȬbeechȬ mapleȱforest,ȱSycamoreȬriverȱbirchȬboxȱelderȱfloodplainȱforest,ȱandȱhighȱnativeȱ fishȱdiversityȱ(RhoadsȱandȱBlock,ȱ1999).ȱ ȱ

33 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

UC2

Wastewater Treatment Plant Trumbauersville

Fox Hollow Golf Club

Figure 7 -- Upper Unami Creek Subbasin Land Use Pattern Above UC2.

As described in the Landscape Conservation Plan, “the 3,500 foot stretch of the Unami between Kumry Road and the confluence with Schmoltz Creek includes a broad alluvial forest (at least 30 acres) averaging 500 feet in width, with a number of small streams and sloughs. Two small tributaries flow into this natural area from the east, and the entire floodplain is underlain by alluvial soils. Farm fields border the forest on both sides, and the NE Extension is just to the west.“ (NLT, 2002)

The Unami continues flowing south past its confluence with Schmoltz Creek (also from the northwest), and enters the Fox Hollow Golf Club, a golf course with over 2,000 feet of stream frontage, little or no riparian buffer, extensive mowed streambanks and a large island for one of its holes. The Unami in this section is buffered from the Turnpike by less than 200 feet of woodlands, with one 500-foot reach bordering the embankment of the highway. An unnamed tributary stream less than a mile in length flows through a partly wooded

34 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______corridor to the east near Esten Road and joins the Unami approximately 500 feet upstream of the sampling station. A narrow crop field borders the riparian corridor Below Trumbauersville Road, the Unami flows past a neighborhood of older summer camps before crossing under the Turnpike and merging with Butter Creek.

The Assessment ranking for this stream reach is the highest Total Score (190) out of all of the assessed reaches. It’s Biological Score was especially high, achieving 90.5% of the Reference Score for Cooks Creek. This score is unexpected given the elevated potential for non-point source pollution from golf course, highway, and lack of a substantial riparian forest buffer and natural wetlands. The stream flows through nearly one half mile of substantial riparian buffer before reaching the sampling station, this high score may be an example of the in-stream pollution processing function of riparian forest buffers documented by the Stroud Water Research Center (NSF, 2004). Dilution of pollutants with higher quality surface and ground water may also be a factor. Schmoltz Creek and unnamed tributary flow into the Unami above the sampling station, and the area also supports one of the greatest concentrations of hydric soils in the Upper Unami Creek watershed, an indicator of seeps and springs.

35 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

UC3

Trumbauersville Road

Upper Ridge Road

Finland

Figure 8 -- Upper Unami Creek Subbasin Land Use Pattern Above UC3.

The third sampling station on the main stem of Unami Creek is situated in a wooded area at the Upper Ridge Road bridge at the hamlet of Finland. This site is just downstream of an impounded area where Milford Township has been removing residences from the floodplain due, in part, to lack of proper sewerage facilities and flooding problems.

36 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

Molasses Creek MC1

Milford Spinnerstown Route 663 Square

Kumry Road Wastewater Treatment Plant

Figure 9 -- Molasses Creek Subbasin Land Use Pattern Above MC1.

Molasses Creek is a major headwaters tributary of the Unami which has its source in a partly wooded, partly agricultural area on the Lehigh/Bucks County line. Molasses Creek flows for nearly 4 miles in a southeasterly direction, through a primarily agricultural landscape, before reaching its confluence with the Unami above Kumry Road. Its watershed area is 3.4 square miles.

The watershed of Molasses Creek includes two of the most intensive uses within the entire Upper Unami watershed: the Quakertown exit of the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and the Milford-Trumbauersville Wastewater Treatment Plant at Rosenberger Road, which features the largest pond in the Unami Creek watershed (over 5 acres) and a stream discharge.

The biological sampling station on Molasses Creek (MC1) was established at the bridge beside Rosenberger Road, near its intersection with Umbright Road. This MC1 and its associated reach is situated within a forested section of the Molasses

37 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

Creek watershed identified as a Priority 2 Conservation Area in the Landscape Conservation Plan (NLT, 2003). This reach has a substantial riparian forest buffer of over 200 feet at its narrowest point extending for over one half mile upstream of MC1, with only 3 houses situated within this zone. A young stand of Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) borders the stream for about ¼ mile upstream of MC1. The ownership pattern along this reach includes 10 unprotected, mostly undeveloped wooded parcels of between 10 and 60 acres in size, with an average parcel size of about 30 acres. The prevalence of hydric soils and a broad 100-year floodplain in this area may help to explain its undeveloped condition.

The Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike is a major land use with the potential to influence stream quality for approximately 1 mile upstream of the site. At Spinnerstown, Molasses Creek flows for approximately ½ mile along the edge of a woodland, with the Turnpike approximately 400 feet from its east bank, passing under another major road, Route 663, and adjacent to the Milford Township Building and Park on Krammes Road. The turnpike crosses the stream over a culvert approximately ½ mile upstream of the MC1 site, and follows within 600 to 800 feet of its west bank, flowing through mostly alluvial soils. PennDot maintains stormwater outlets which deposit runoff from the Turnpike into alluvial forest along Molasses Creek. The Quakertown exit of the turnpike along Route 663, located within 1 mile upstream of the MC1, is experiencing rapid and widespread commercial and residential development.

The upper reaches of Molasses Creek, above the village of Spinnerstown, are bordered by a riparian buffer averaging 300 feet wide and hydric soils. The stream segment that flows past Spinnerstown is mapped as a “gap” in the Riparian Buffer Assessment.

38 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

Schmoltz Creek SC1, SC2

Kumry Road

Figure 10 -- Schmoltz Creek Subbasin Land Use Pattern Above SC1 and SC2. SchmoltzȱCreekȱisȱaȱheadwatersȱtributaryȱofȱtheȱUnamiȱCreekȱthatȱparallelsȱ MolassesȱCreekȱandȱflowsȱtoȱtheȱsoutheastȱforȱnearlyȱ3ȱmilesȱthroughȱanȱ agriculturalȱandȱruralȱresidentialȱlandscapeȱbeforeȱreachingȱitsȱconfluenceȱwithȱ theȱUnami.ȱȱTheȱstreamȱdrainsȱanȱareaȱofȱ3.79ȱsquareȱmiles.ȱTwoȱfirstȱorderȱ streamsȱformȱtheȱupperȱreachesȱofȱSchmoltzȱCreekȱnorthȱofȱRouteȱ663,ȱsouthȱandȱ westȱofȱSpinnerstown.ȱȱTheseȱstreamsȱdrainȱaȱrelativelyȱlevelȱareaȱofȱactiveȱ farmland,ȱwithȱaȱscatteredȱmixȱofȱlowȬdensityȱresidentialȱproperties.ȱȱOfȱallȱ streamsȱinȱtheȱUpperȱUnamiȱCreekȱwatershed,ȱtheȱupperȱSchmoltzȱCreekȱhasȱtheȱ greatestȱstreamȱlengthȱlackingȱforestȱbufferȱonȱbothȱsidesȱ(HeritageȱConservancy,ȱ 2004).ȱȱMuchȱofȱtheȱareaȱwithoutȱriparianȱbufferȱcoverageȱisȱinȱfarmlandȱ revertingȱtoȱoldȱfieldȱandȱshrubȱwetland.ȱȱȱAȱnarrow,ȱforestedȱridgeȱformsȱtheȱ drainageȱdivideȱtoȱtheȱsouth.ȱȱȱȱ

39 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

AfterȱtheȱheadwatersȱtributariesȱmergeȱandȱflowȱthroughȱaȱculvertȱunderȱRouteȱ 663,ȱSchmoltzȱCreekȱentersȱtheȱnorthernȱlimitȱofȱtheȱdiabaseȱwoodland.ȱȱItȱisȱhere,ȱ alongȱKumryȱRoadȱandȱWalnutȱRoadȱwestȱofȱtheȱPAȱTurnpike,ȱthatȱtheȱsamplingȱ stationsȱSCIȱandȱSC2ȱareȱlocated.ȱȱTheseȱsitesȱbothȱrankȱasȱClassȱIIȱinȱtermsȱofȱ aquaticȱresources.ȱȱȱȱ

40 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

Hazelbach Creek HC1,ȱHC2ȱ

Sawmill Road

Figure 11 -- Hazelbach Creek Subbasin Land Use Pattern Above HC1 and HC2. ȱ HazelbachȱCreekȱisȱaȱfairlyȱshortȱbutȱecologicallyȱimportantȱstreamȱvalleyȱ originatingȱinȱanȱagriculturalȱandȱruralȱresidentialȱareaȱandȱthenȱflowingȱthroughȱ aȱlargeȱblockȱofȱdiabaseȱwoodland.ȱȱItsȱwatershedȱisȱtheȱsmallestȱinȱthisȱ Assessment,ȱatȱ2.15ȱsquareȱmilesȱinȱarea.ȱWhileȱtheȱupperȱreachȱofȱHazelbachȱ CreekȱisȱborderedȱcloselyȱbyȱSawȱMillȱRoadȱandȱaȱnumberȱofȱresidentialȱlots,ȱtheȱ lowerȱhalfȱbelowȱFennelȱRoadȱflowsȱthroughȱaȱrelativelyȱrural,ȱforestedȱ landscapeȱwithȱonlyȱ2ȱadditionalȱroadȱcrossingsȱbeforeȱitȱmergesȱwithȱtheȱUnamiȱ CreekȱnearȱFinland.ȱȱSeveralȱlargeȱlandholdingsȱandȱprotectedȱlandsȱinȱthisȱ diabaseȱportionȱprovideȱaȱcoreȱareaȱforȱprotectionȱofȱtheȱcontiguousȱdiabaseȱ forestȱblockȱwestȱofȱtheȱPAȱTurnpike.ȱȱȱ

41 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

Butter Creek BC1,ȱBC2ȱ

Wright Road Butter Creek Swamp

Manderfield Preserve

Allentown Road

Figure 12 -- Butter Creek Subbasin Land Use Pattern Above BC1 and BC2.

Butter Creek is the second most heavily forested subwatershed in the upper portion of the Unami Creek watershed. Land use is generally limited to large lot rural residential with custom homes (no large subdivisions) along the network of 5 local roads. The stream originates in two small forks and flows from east to west, from Route 309 near its source to the Northeast Extension of the PA Turnpike at its confluence with the Unami Creek. The quality and quantity of water in the stream benefits from its extensively forested watershed and undisturbed wetlands and the lack of impervious surfaces and resulting stormwater runoff. Runoff from Route 309 does not drain to the headwaters of Butter Creek, and the only road runoff to the creek comes from the network of 5 local roads in the subwatershed.

The 1,500+ acre (4.35 square mile) stream valley averages approximately 1 mile wide and three miles in length, and includes approximately 60% forest, 30%

42 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______agricultural, and 10% residential. Livestock and agricultural uses in the area appears to be limited to a few small scattered farms and small sheep flocks and horse stables along Butter Creek Road, Schukraft Road, and Camp Rock Hill/Esten Roads. The northern fork includes a portion of a mobile home park and also a series of in-stream ponds maintained by the Great Swamp Fish, Game and Forestry Association.

The southern fork of the stream is almost entirely forested, and has its source in forested seeps and wetlands in State Game Lands #196 just east of Schukraft Road. A smaller rivulet rises to the south in a red maple wetland “saddle” along Schukraft Road. All three tributaries merge along Butter Creek Road in the Butter Creek wetland. Most of the diabase woodland here appears to be 50 to 75 years in age, with a mixture of oaks, hickories and red maple. From here, the stream flows to the west for approximately one-half mile through an unusually large (500+ acre), undeveloped area of dense forest with buffers averaging at least 1,000 feet on each side. Several homes are located approximately 1,000 feet from the source, along a dead end road called Tower Road which leads to a radio tower on a knoll at an elevation of about 730 feet above sea level. Newer homes on Schukraft Road are constructed within 100 feet of small tributary streams. Several other homes are located at least 2,000 feet to the south. This upper reach of the stream is crossed by at least 2 utility corridors (including an Interstate Energy gas/petroleum pipeline and a fiber optic cable) and a gravel road.

The next 1,700 feet of this upper reach of Butter Creek is impounded to form 3 large ponds, with a second road crossing. Several farmfields and a road border the north side of the stream in this area, though the majority of the landcover is still forested. Just downstream from the ponds, a large mobile home park straddles the Unami watershed boundary and includes over 75 units in the Butter Creek subwatershed. The wastewater treatment system for this community does not appear to discharge to Butter Creek, however, stormwater runoff drains toward Butter Creek, with the closest units and internal roads located only 700 feet from the stream. Butter Creek flows for another half mile through a densely wooded valley with large lots along the south side within 300 feet of the stream, and a large lot subdivision on the north side with a home 200 feet from the stream. The main stem then flows within 100 feet of the north side of Butter Creek Road for over 1,600 feet before crossing under Allentown Road. This section is mostly wooded, with several mature pine plantations and residential clearings.

At this point, a second headwaters tributary merges with the main stem. This second tributary includes two forks that rise in the same large forested patch as the main stem. They then pass through large rural lots along Cedar Hollow Road, where they merge and flow north through a mostly wooded landscape

43 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______before merging with the main stem. This tributary is impounded at two locations to create large ponds.

Just west of Allentown Road, Butter Creek flows through the Manderfield Preserve managed by Heritage Conservancy, and passes within 600 feet of a large campground (with a number of camper trailers scattered in woodland clearings). At this point, the stream flows for approximately one mile through a forested landscape unbroken by roads or clearings, and with one large acre pond. The forest patch on the south side of the stream is several hundred acres in area. The north side of the stream includes forested riparian buffers of at least 150 feet in width, with a number of agricultural fields further upslope along Camp Rock Hill/Estes Road. West of the closed section of Bennetts School Road, Butter Creek flows through a similar landscape for another 2,000 feet before passing under Wright Road, then another 3,500 feet through less densely forested landscape before reaching its confluence with the Unami Creek under the overpass of the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. This final lower segment of Butter Creek includes a mix of agricultural and forested residential properties, with full-to-partial riparian buffers.

44 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

Ridge Valley Creek RV1,ȱRV2ȱ

Figure 13 -- Ridge Valley Creek Subbasin Land Use Pattern Above RV1 and RV2.

The Bucks County portion of Ridge Valley Creek is the most forested subwatershed of the upper Unami Creek valley, flowing for over 4 miles through over 1,100 acres of relatively dense diabase forest with only small clearings and scattered custom homes. This is the largest subbasin of the Unami Creek, at 11.1 square miles (including a major portion in Montgomery County). Ridge Valley Creek includes the southern half of State Game Lands #196, which, at 348.52 acres, is the largest protected area in the upper Unami Creek watershed. While the majority of SGL #196 is managed as forest, the Game Commission manages a series of fields along Ridge Valley Road with feed crops and habitat for game birds.

Two broad swaths of agricultural land can be found in this subwatershed, the largest following the drainage divide along Ridge Road (Route 563) and the

45 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______second centered around the hamlet of Argus along Allentown Road and Thousand Acre Road. A large landfill under construction near the top of the subwatershed at Shady Lane and County Line Roads appears to be impacting a small headwaters tributary through filling of wetlands and siltation.

This reach of Ridge Valley Creek is roughly 1 mile wide, and is crossed by roads passing over culverts in 5 places along small headwaters tributaries. The three main roads bisecting the valley are Allentown Road, Twin Lows Road, and the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The main stems passes under larger bridges at each of these crossings. An electric utility line parallels the creek along the ridge to the south, crossing several headwaters wetlands. Two other utility corridors cross the stream valley in a north-south direction.

46 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

Ownership Patterns

Ownership Patterns

Whatȱisȱmostȱnoticeable,ȱandȱconcerning,ȱaboutȱtheȱpatternȱofȱownershipȱinȱtheȱ UpperȱUnamiȱisȱitsȱfragmentedȱnature.ȱȱTheȱlargeȱparcelsȱofȱ250ȱtoȱ1,250ȱacresȱorȱ evenȱ100ȱtoȱ250ȱacresȱpresentȱinȱtheȱMontgomeryȱCountyȱportionȱofȱtheȱ watershedȱareȱnotȱpresentȱinȱtheȱUpperȱUnamiȱinȱBucksȱCounty.ȱȱȱTheȱ fragmentedȱnatureȱofȱlandȱownershipȱsimplyȱmeansȱthatȱlargeȱscaleȱprotectionȱ effortsȱmustȱincorporateȱtheȱagreementȱofȱmanyȱlandowners.ȱ ȱ LargestȱParcelsȱ(50ȱtoȱ100ȱacres)ȱ InȱNLT’sȱearlierȱUpperȱUnamiȱCreekȱWatershed:ȱLandscapeȱConservationȱPlan,ȱtheȱ largestȱpropertiesȱidentifiedȱasȱConservationȱPrioritiesȱinȱtheȱUpperȱUnamiȱCreekȱ areȱ24ȱparcelsȱofȱbetweenȱ50ȱandȱ100ȱacresȱinȱsize.ȱȱSomeȱofȱtheseȱareȱlargerȱfarmȱ propertiesȱinȱtheȱnorthernȱportionȱofȱtheȱUpperȱUnami,ȱidentifiedȱforȱtheirȱ wetlandsȱandȱriparianȱcorridorsȱratherȱthanȱtheirȱtotalȱacreage.ȱȱOnlyȱthreeȱparcelsȱ ofȱjustȱoverȱ100ȱacresȱinȱsizeȱwereȱidentifiedȱasȱConservationȱPriorities,ȱandȱtwoȱofȱ theseȱareȱownedȱbyȱtheȱPennsylvaniaȱGameȱCommissionȱasȱpartȱofȱStateȱGameȱ Landsȱ#196.ȱȱTheȱgoalȱofȱtheȱongoingȱconservationȱeffortsȱinȱtheȱareaȱisȱtoȱsecureȱ allȱtheȱConservationȱPriorityȱParcelsȱwithȱpermanentȱprotectionȱfromȱfutureȱ developmentȱandȱtoȱpromoteȱecologicalȱlandȱmanagement.ȱȱTheyȱrepresentȱtrueȱ “anchors”ȱofȱbiodiversityȱinȱtheȱregion.ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ

47 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

SecondȬTierȱParcelsȱ(25ȱtoȱ50)ȱ TheȱnextȱlevelȱofȱparcelȱsizesȱinȱtheȱUpperȱUnamiȱCreekȱWatershed:ȱLandscapeȱ ConservationȱPlanȱstudyȱareaȱareȱthoseȱinȱtheȱ25ȱtoȱ50ȱacreȱrange.ȱȱSeveralȱ institutionalȱandȱcommercialȱownersȱ(i.e.ȱcamps,ȱgolfȱcourses)ȱeachȱownȱaȱseriesȱ ofȱindividualȱparcelsȱwhich,ȱwhenȱcombined,ȱtotalȱoverȱ100ȱacres.ȱȱ Approximatelyȱ31ȱofȱtheȱlargestȱparcelsȱareȱconcentratedȱinȱtheȱ25ȱtoȱ50ȱacreȱrange.ȱȱ Roughlyȱ97ȱparcelsȱfallȱwithinȱthisȱsizeȱcategory.ȱȱTheseȱincludeȱpropertiesȱsuchȱ asȱparks,ȱhuntingȱclubs,ȱnatureȱpreservesȱandȱprivateȱholdingsȱȱscatteredȱ throughoutȱtheȱarea,ȱbutȱtheyȱareȱoftenȱcontiguousȱwithȱotherȱparcelsȱinȱthisȱsizeȱ classȱorȱtheȱLargestȱParcels.ȱȱTheyȱoftenȱincludeȱsignificantȱwoodlands,ȱsteepȱ slopes,ȱhydricȱsoilsȱandȱriparianȱcorridors.ȱȱTheseȱparcels,ȱifȱnotȱalreadyȱ protected,ȱareȱgenerallyȱlistedȱasȱconservationȱprioritiesȱtoȱsecureȱconservationȱ andȱsoundȱlandȱmanagement.ȱ ȱ ThirdȬTierȱParcelsȱ(10ȱtoȱ25)ȱ TheȱnextȱlevelȱofȱopenȱspaceȱparcelsȱfallȱinȱtheȱUpperȱUnamiȱCreekȱWatershed:ȱ LandscapeȱConservationȱPlanȱinȱtheȱ10ȱtoȱ25ȱacreȱrange.ȱȱTheseȱareȱscatteredȱwidelyȱ throughoutȱtheȱUpperȱUnamiȱarea,ȱoftenȱinȱcontiguousȱblocksȱadjoiningȱlargerȱ parcels.ȱȱPropertiesȱinȱthisȱsizeȱcategoryȱareȱimportantȱprioritiesȱforȱ“infill”ȱ conservationȱbetweenȱlargerȱtracts.ȱȱȱ ȱ SmallȱIndividualȱParcelsȱandȱSubdivisionsȱ Approximatelyȱ47ȱparcelsȱofȱlessȱthanȱ10ȱacresȱareȱincludedȱasȱConservationȱ Priorities,ȱonlyȱinȱcasesȱwhereȱtheȱmajorityȱofȱtheȱparcelȱcontributesȱtoȱanȱ importantȱblockȱofȱhabitatȱasȱpartȱofȱaȱmosaicȱofȱlargerȱcontiguousȱparcels.ȱȱManyȱ ofȱtheseȱalsoȱappearȱtoȱbeȱvacantȱwithȱdifficultȱaccess,ȱandȱaȱnumberȱareȱownedȱ byȱaȱsingleȱpartyȱasȱmultipleȱparcels.ȱȱMostȱofȱtheȱlargestȱparcelsȱareȱsituatedȱ alongȱtheȱstreamsȱandȱwoodedȱslopesȱinȱtheȱarea,ȱwhileȱtheȱsmallerȱparcelsȱareaȱ moreȱrandomlyȱlocated.ȱȱNumerousȱparcelsȱbelowȱ10ȱacresȱinȱsizeȱcanȱbeȱfoundȱ alongȱnearlyȱeveryȱroadȱthroughoutȱtheȱstudyȱarea.ȱAnȱincreasingȱnumberȱofȱ largeȬlotȱsubdivisionȱ(3ȱtoȱ5ȱacresȱorȱmoreȱperȱlot)ȱareȱbeingȱdeveloped,ȱandȱ customȱhomesȱareȱbecomingȱmoreȱprevalentȱinȱtheȱdiabaseȱwoodlands.ȱȱȱ ȱ TheȱprioritizedȱparcelsȱidentifiedȱinȱFigureȱ5ȱofȱthisȱAquaticȱResourceȱAssessmentȱ andȱConservationȱPlanȱareȱdrawnȱfromȱtheȱownershipȱpatternȱanalysisȱdataȱ developedȱforȱtheȱtwoȱconservationȱplansȱpreparedȱforȱtheȱUnamiȱForestȱbyȱ NaturalȱLandsȱTrust,ȱasȱdescribedȱonȱtheȱfollowingȱpage.ȱȱ

48 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

Figureȱ14ȱȬȬȱUnamiȱCreekȱValleysȱ LandscapeȱConservationȱPlanȱ(NLT,ȱ 2001)ȱLargeȱParcelsȱmap.ȱȱThisȱmapȱȱ depictsȱtheȱownershipȱpatternȱofȱtheȱ lowerȱ(MontgomeryȱCounty)ȱportionȱ ofȱtheȱwatershed,ȱwithȱlargerȱparcelsȱ (25ȱacresȱorȱgreater)ȱshownȱinȱdarkȱ green).ȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Figureȱ15ȱȬȱUpperȱUnamiȱCreekȱ Watershed:ȱLandscapeȱConservationȱ Planȱ(NLT,ȱ2002)ȱPriorityȱ ConservationȱAreasȱmap.ȱȱThisȱmapȱ depictsȱgroupsȱofȱpriorityȱtaxȱparcelsȱ withinȱtheȱlargestȱblocksȱofȱforestȱ andȱcorrespondsȱtoȱownershipȱ patternȱdataȱforȱtheȱupperȱ(Bucksȱ County)ȱportionȱofȱtheȱwatershed.ȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ

49 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

Existing Protected Riparian Open Space ȱ TheȱUpperȱUnamiȱCreekȱwatershedȱcurrentlyȱsupportsȱnearlyȱ2,000ȱacresȱofȱlandȱ protectedȱbyȱprivateȱlandownersȱworkingȱwithȱstateȱandȱcountyȱagencies,ȱlocalȱ municipalities,ȱandȱlandȱtrusts.ȱȱProtectionȱmethodsȱutilizedȱinȱtheȱupperȱUnamiȱ include:ȱStateȱGameȱLandȱacquisition;ȱpurchaseȱofȱstateȱandȱcountyȬfundedȱ agriculturalȱeasements;ȱmunicipalȱacquisitionȱofȱlandȱandȱconservationȱ easementsȱthroughȱtheȱsubdivisionȱprocess;ȱmunicipalȱparkȱacquisition,ȱand;ȱ landȱtrustȱacquisitionȱofȱpreservesȱandȱconservationȱeasements.ȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ MilfordȱTownshipȱOpenȱSpaceȱPlanȱandȱMilfordȱTownshipȱParkȱandȱRecreationȱ Planȱ(2003)ȱ TheȱMilfordȱTownshipȱOpenȱSpaceȱPlanȱandȱMilfordȱTownshipȱParkȱandȱ RecreationȱPlanȱprovidesȱdetailedȱassessmentsȱofȱ“PermanentlyȱPreservedȱ Areas”ȱandȱ“TemporarilyȱPreservedȱAreas”.ȱȱAsȱofȱ2002,ȱtheȱPreservedȱAreasȱ mapȱandȱtableȱshowȱtheȱfollowingȱbreakdown:ȱȱ ȱ AȱnumberȱofȱtheseȱareasȱareȱnearȱorȱadjacentȱtoȱlandsȱidentifiedȱasȱRiparianȱLandȱ ProtectionȱPrioritiesȱinȱthisȱPlan,ȱparticularlyȱalongȱButterȱCreek,ȱwhereȱbothȱ MilfordȱandȱWestȱRockhillȱTownshipȱareȱworkingȱcloselyȱwithȱtheȱCounty,ȱ NaturalȱLandsȱTrust,ȱandȱtheȱHeritageȱConservancyȱtoȱestablishȱaȱprotectedȱ greenwayȱlinkȱbetweenȱtheȱUnamiȱCreekȱandȱtheȱQuakertownȱSwamp.ȱȱȱ ȱ ȱ“Thereȱareȱoverȱ900ȱacresȱofȱpermanentlyȱpreservedȱlandȱinȱMilford.ȱTheȱ townshipȱownsȱ23ȱparcelsȱtotalingȱoverȱ475ȱacres.ȱMolassesȱCreekȱParkȱ(63ȱacres)ȱ andȱUnamiȱCreekȱParkȱ(73ȱacres)ȱareȱMilford’sȱdevelopedȱcommunityȱparks.ȱTheȱ balanceȱofȱtownshipȬownedȱacreageȱisȱinȱundevelopedȱopenȱspaceȱparcels.ȱ PermanentlyȱpreservedȱlandȱinȱMilfordȱincludesȱhomeownerȱassociationȱ propertyȱandȱlandsȱunderȱvariousȱtypesȱofȱconservationȱeasements,ȱsuchȱasȱ agriculturalȱpreservationȱeasements,ȱamongȱothers.”ȱ(Milford,ȱ2003)ȱ ȱ Anȱadditionalȱ749.32ȱacresȱareȱmappedȱasȱTemporarilyȱPreservedȱAreas,ȱ includingȱlandȱownedȱbyȱchurches,ȱpublicȱutilities,ȱprivateȱrecreationalȱgroupsȱ (i.e.ȱcamps,ȱsportsmen’sȱclubs)ȱandȱschools.ȱȱDueȱtoȱtheirȱsize,ȱlocationȱandȱtheȱ uncertaintyȱofȱtheirȱprotectedȱstatus,ȱaȱnumberȱofȱtheseȱparcelsȱareȱimportantȱ candidatesȱforȱprotection.ȱ ȱ ȱ

50 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

TABLEȱ4ȱ–ȱProtectedȱLandsȱinȱMilfordȱTownshipȱ Tractȱ Owner/Statusȱ Areaȱ PriorityȱAreaȱLocationȱ MolassesȱCreekȱ MilfordȱTownshipȱ 22.47ȱacȱ MolassesȱCreek,ȱsouthȱsideȱofȱ Parkȱ Rte.ȱ663ȱnearȱMC1.ȱ UnamiȱCreekȱParkȱ MilfordȱTownshipȱ 72.77ȱacȱ NearȱUC1,ȱaȱPriorityȱ2ȱareaȱ onȱtheȱUnamiȱatȱAllentownȱ Roadȱs.ȱofȱMilfordȱSquare.ȱ LandsȱalongȱBarrelȱ MilfordȱTownshipȱ 50.91ȱacȱ BarrelȱRunȱCreek,ȱn.ȱofȱ RunȱCreekȱ Trumbauersville.ȱ Rosenbergerȱtractȱ MilfordȱTownshipȱ 95.68ȱacȱ NearȱUC1ȱadjoiningȱeastȱsideȱ ofȱ38.87ȱacȱMilfordȱMiddleȱ Schoolȱtract.ȱ Wiseȱtractȱ MilfordȱTownshipȱ 14.95ȱacȱ NearȱBC2,ȱlowerȱButterȱCreek Wheelinȱtractȱ MilfordȱTownshipȱ 15.65ȱacȱ NearȱBC2,ȱlowerȱButterȱCreek Shelpsȱtractȱ MilfordȱTownshipȱ 26.81ȱacȱ NearȱBC2,ȱlowerȱButterȱCreek WillowȱStreamȱ Homeownersȱ 38.68ȱacȱ BarrelȱRunȱCreek,ȱn.ȱofȱ Condo.ȱ Associationȱ(HOA)ȱ Trumbauersville.ȱ WillowȱStreamȱȱ HOAȱ 18.64ȱacȱ BarrelȱRunȱCreek,ȱn.ȱofȱ Trumbauersville.ȱ TollgateȱLandingȱ HOAȱ 13.85ȱacȱ BarrelȱRunȱCreek,ȱn.ȱofȱ Trumbauersville.ȱ Woodlandsȱ HOAȱ 9.27ȱacȱ NearȱSC2,ȱLowerȱSchmoltzȱ Creationȱ Creek,ȱWalnutȱLaneȱȱȱ Moodȱtractȱ Agriculturalȱ 110.00ȱ LickingȱCreekȱheadwaters,ȱȱ Easementȱ MeyersȱRoadȱ Suttonȱtractȱ Conservationȱ 9.56ȱacȱ NearȱHC2,ȱHazelbachȱCreekȱ Easementȱ n.ȱofȱFennelȱRoad.ȱ Heinrichȱ Conservationȱ 31.11ȱacȱ NearȱHC2,ȱHazelbachȱCreekȱ Easementȱ s.ȱofȱFennelȱRoad.ȱ Camburnȱ Conservationȱ 22.65ȱacȱ NearȱHC2,ȱn.ȱsideȱofȱDoerrȱ Easementȱ Roadȱ Williamsȱ Conservationȱ 32.31ȱacȱ NearȱHC2,ȱn.ȱsideȱofȱDoerrȱ Easementȱ Roadȱ Blattnerȱ Conservationȱ 24.22ȱacȱ NearȱHC2,ȱn.ȱsideȱofȱDoerrȱ Easementȱ Roadȱ PAȱTurnpikeȱ StateȱLandȱ 29.36ȱacȱ NearȱUC2,ȱe.ȱsideȱofȱ Commissionȱ Turnpike,ȱconfluenceȱofȱ Schmoltz/UnamiȱCreeksȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ

51 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

TABLEȱ2ȱ–ȱProtectedȱLandsȱinȱMilfordȱTownshipȱ(continued)ȱ Tractȱ Owner/Statusȱ Areaȱ PriorityȱAreaȱLocationȱ MilfordȬ PublicȱUtilityȱLandȱ 32.85ȱacȱ NearȱUC2,ȱe.ȱsideȱofȱ Trumbauersvilleȱ RosenbergerȱRd,ȱconfluenceȱ SewerȱAuthorityȱ Molasses/UnamiȱCreeks.ȱ Quakertownȱ PublicȱUtilityȱLandȱ 153.75ȱ ExtensiveȱfrontageȱonȱUnamiȱ Airportȱ acȱ tributary.ȱ Campȱȱ PrivateȱRecreationalȱ 156.18ȱ NearȱHC2ȱalongȱlowerȱ MenȬOȬLanȱ Landȱ acȱ HazelbachȱCreek.ȱ FoxȱHollowȱGolfȱ PrivateȱRecreationalȱ 136ȱacȱ NearȱUC2ȱalongȱUnami,ȱn.ȱ Courseȱ Landȱ sideȱofȱTrumbauersvilleȱ Road.ȱ MilfordȱTownshipȱ PrivateȱRecreationalȱ 91.45ȱ NearȱSC2,ȱlowerȱSchmoltzȱ FishȱandȱGameȱ Landȱ ac.ȱ Creek,ȱbetweenȱCanaryȱRoadȱ andȱTurnpike.ȱ ȱ ProtectedȱlandsȱinȱWestȱRockhillȱportionȱofȱtheȱstudyȱareaȱincludeȱtheȱ350Ȭacreȱ StateȱGameȱLandsȱ#196,ȱtheȱ54ȬacreȱManderfieldȱPreserveȱmanagedȱbyȱHeritageȱ Conservancy,ȱeasementȱlandȱalongȱButterȱCreek,ȱandȱtheȱWestȱRockhillȱ Townshipȱparkȱproperty.ȱȱȱ

Natural Lands Trust is negotiating several additional conservation easements to protect hundreds of additional forested acres in the Upper Unami in or near Priority Stream Reaches. As incompleted projects, these parcels were not mapped as part of this Assessment.

52 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

Riparian Land Protection Priorities

ȱ Forȱtheȱtwelveȱassessedȱstreamȱreaches,ȱaȱtotalȱofȱ72ȱparcelsȱtotalingȱ1,220ȱacresȱ areȱidentifiedȱonȱFigureȱ5ȱasȱPriorityȱParcelsȱforȱacquisition.ȱȱStreamȱreachesȱonȱ theȱMolasses,ȱUnami,ȱHazelbach,ȱandȱRidgeȱValleyȱCreeksȱareȱidentifiedȱinȱtheȱ UpperȱUnamiȱCreekȱprojectȱareaȱasȱhighȱprioritiesȱforȱconservationȱbasedȱonȱ theirȱproximityȱupstreamȱofȱfiveȱClassȱ1ȱsamplingȱstations.ȱȱȱAȱtotalȱofȱfortyȬtwoȱ parcelsȱtotalingȱoverȱ750ȱacresȱofȱlandȱupstreamȱofȱtheseȱstationsȱareȱshownȱasȱ Classȱ1ȱPriorityȱParcelsȱonȱtheȱmapȱtitledȱPrioritizedȱStreamȱReachesȱandȱParcelsȱ (Figureȱ5).ȱȱTheseȱpropertiesȱwereȱidentifiedȱasȱaȱresultȱofȱtheȱdetailedȱGISȱanalysis,ȱwithȱ anȱemphasisȱonȱprotectingȱlargeȱparcelsȱwithȱextensiveȱstreamȱfrontageȱlocatedȱwithinȱ 3,000ȱfeetȱupstreamȱofȱtheȱfiveȱClassȱ1ȱsamplingȱstations.ȱȱ ȱ StreamȱreachesȱonȱtheȱUnami,ȱButterȱandȱSchmoltzȱCreeksȱareȱidentifiedȱasȱ mediumȱprioritiesȱforȱconservationȱbasedȱonȱtheirȱproximityȱupstreamȱofȱfourȱ Classȱ2ȱsamplingȱstations.ȱȱAȱtotalȱofȱnineteenȱparcelsȱassociatedȱwithȱClassȱ2ȱ reachesȱareȱidentifiedȱinȱFigureȱ5,ȱencompassingȱanȱareaȱofȱoverȱ325ȱacres.ȱȱClassȱ 3ȱstreamȱreachesȱcanȱbeȱfoundȱinȱtheȱupperȱRidgeȱValley,ȱButter,ȱandȱHazelbachȱ Creeks.ȱȱElevenȱparcelsȱtotalingȱoverȱ145ȱacresȱareȱidentifiedȱinȱFigureȱ5ȱasȱlowerȱ prioritiesȱforȱacquisitionȱ–ȱhowever,ȱtheseȱareasȱwarrantȱfurtherȱstudyȱasȱ potentialȱrestorationȱsites.ȱȱClassȱ2ȱPropertiesȱareȱidentifiedȱthroughȱGISȱanalysisȱandȱ includeȱlargeȱparcelsȱwithȱextensiveȱstreamȱfrontageȱlocatedȱwithinȱ2,000ȱfeetȱupstreamȱofȱ

53 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______theȱfourȱClassȱ2ȱsamplingȱstations.ȱClassȱ1ȱPropertiesȱareȱidentifiedȱasȱthoseȱwithinȱ1,000ȱ feetȱofȱtheȱthreeȱClassȱ3ȱsamplingȱstations.ȱȱ ȱ TheȱgoalȱofȱthisȱparcelȬbasedȱanalysisȱisȱtoȱprotectȱlandscapeȬscaleȱnetworksȱofȱ forestedȱriparianȱcorridorsȱprovidingȱbufferingȱandȱinȬstreamȱfiltrationȱforȱwaterȱ qualityȱandȱhealthyȱcommunitiesȱofȱaquaticȱorganisms.ȱȱȱTheȱpropertiesȱ identifiedȱareȱaȱminimumȱofȱ5ȱacresȱorȱgreaterȱinȱsize,ȱandȱareȱsituatedȱinȱȱ MilfordȱandȱWestȱRockhillȱTownships.ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ TheȱPrioritiesȱareȱlistedȱinȱtheȱfollowingȱsectionsȱbyȱmunicipalityȱandȱwatershed,ȱ withȱdescriptionȱofȱimportantȱfeaturesȱandȱpotentialȱconservationȱstatusȱwhereȱ possible.ȱȱTheȱparcels’ȱidentifyingȱnumberȱdoesȱnotȱindicateȱitsȱpriority.ȱȱCertainȱ listingsȱareȱaȱseriesȱofȱcontiguousȱparcelsȱunderȱsingleȱownership.ȱȱOthersȱareȱ listedȱasȱproposedȱforȱsubdivision,ȱwithȱpotentialȱprotectionȱofȱkeyȱresources.ȱȱ Landsȱthatȱareȱalreadyȱprotectedȱareȱlistedȱandȱmappedȱasȱsuchȱbasedȱonȱcurrentȱ information.ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱ

54 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

ȱ Classȱ1ȱStreamȱReachȱParcelsȱ ȱ TheȱfollowingȱsectionsȱofȱtheȱupperȱUnamiȱCreekȱwatershedȱareȱidentifiedȱinȱthisȱ PlanȱasȱClassȱIȱPriorityȱParcelsȱdueȱtoȱtheirȱmultipleȱbenefitsȱforȱprotectionȱandȱ enhancementȱofȱbiodiversityȱandȱwaterȱqualityȱandȱquantity:ȱ ȱ MolassesȱCreekȱCorridorȱȱ RidgeȱValleyȱCreekȱCorridorȱ UnamiȱCreekȱȱ HazelbachȱCreekȱCorridorȱȱ ȱ AȱtotalȱofȱfortyȬtwoȱparcelsȱareȱidentifiedȱasȱClassȱ1ȱPriorityȱParcels,ȱ encompassingȱanȱareaȱofȱoverȱ750ȱacresȱ(seeȱFigureȱ5).ȱ

55 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

ȱ MolassesȱCreekȱCorridorȱ(MC1)ȱ Thisȱareaȱincludesȱandȱextensiveȱalluvialȱforestȱandȱadjacentȱuplandsȱjustȱeastȱofȱ theȱPennsylvaniaȱTurnpikeȱandȱsouthȱofȱRouteȱ663.ȱȱȱAȱtotalȱofȱ8ȱparcelsȱ encompassingȱ118ȱacres)ȱareȱidentifiedȱasȱClassȱ1.ȱParcelȱIDȱ#sȱ8ȱandȱ9ȱareȱ countedȱtogetherȱasȱoneȱparcel.ȱ Description:ȱȱAȱrelativelyȱlargeȱsubwatershedȱwithȱanȱagriculturalȱheadwatersȱ andȱheavilyȱforestedȱfloodplainȱatȱitsȱlowerȱendȱnearȱtheȱsamplingȱstation.ȱȱ MolassesȱCreekȱreachesȱtheȱUnamiȱjustȱupstreamȱofȱtheȱMilfordȬTrumbauersvilleȱ WastewaterȱTreatmentȱPlan.ȱȱȱ ȱ NearestȱRoads:ȱRosenberger,ȱUmbright,ȱandȱKumryȱRoads.ȱȱNortheastȱExtensionȱ ofȱPAȱTurnpike.ȱ Municipality:ȱȱMilfordȱTownships.ȱ ȱ

Label # Parcel ID # Acres 1ȱ 23010031ȱ 15.810ȱ 2ȱ 23010029ȱ 2.183ȱ 3ȱ 23010030ȱ 1.319ȱ 4ȱ 23010012ȱ 9.321ȱ 5ȱ 23010011ȱ 7.901ȱ 6ȱ 23010183ȱ 47.229ȱ 7ȱ 23010033ȱ 23.063ȱ 8ȱ 23010032ȱ 10.595ȱ 9ȱ 23010032Ȭ001ȱ 0.633ȱ 118.054 Total total acres ȱ ȱ ȱ

56 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

ȱ RidgeȱValleyȱCreekȱCorridorȱ(ȱRV2)ȱ ȱ Aȱtotalȱofȱ9ȱparcelsȱencompassingȱ116ȱacresȱareȱidentifiedȱasȱClassȱ1(seeȱFigureȱ5).ȱ ȱ Description:ȱTheȱreachȱsouthȱofȱAllentownȱRoadȱflowsȱthroughȱextensiveȱ woodlandsȱandȱisȱfedȱbyȱseeps,ȱrivuletsȱandȱwetlands.ȱȱSeveralȱhomesȱareȱ situatedȱcloseȱtoȱtheȱstream.ȱȱTheȱmiddleȱandȱlowerȱsectionsȱofȱRidgeȱValleyȱ CreekȱinȱBucksȱCountyȱflowȱtoȱtheȱwestȱthroughȱdenseȱforestȱandȱisȱimpoundedȱ inȱseveralȱlocationsȱnearȱtheȱhamletȱofȱRidgeȱValleyȱonȱAllentownȱRoad.ȱȱȱ ȱ NearestȱRoads:ȱAllentownȱRoad,ȱRidgeȱValleyȱRoad,ȱThousandȱAcreȱRoadȱ ȱ Municipality:ȱWestȱRockhillȱTownshipȱ

Label # Parcel ID # Acres 92ȱ 52001025Ȭ004ȱ 9.602ȱ 93ȱ 52001025Ȭ003ȱ 10.164ȱ 94ȱ 52001025Ȭ007ȱ 2.973ȱ 95ȱ 52001025Ȭ006ȱ 1.977ȱ 96ȱ 52001017Ȭ003ȱ 8.757ȱ 97ȱ 52003086ȱ 27.326ȱ 98ȱ 52001025Ȭ002ȱ 12.239ȱ 99ȱ 52003085Ȭ001ȱ 4.099ȱ 100ȱ 52003083ȱ 38.992ȱ 116.129 Total Total acres

57 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

ȱ UnamiȱCreekȱ UnamiȱCreekȱincludesȱtwoȱClassȱ1ȱreaches.ȱ ȱȱ UnamiȱCreekȱbelowȱMilfordȱSquareȱ(UC1)ȱ Aȱtotalȱofȱ8ȱparcelsȱ(217.03ȱacres)ȱareȱidentifiedȱasȱClassȱ1ȱ(seeȱFigureȱ5).ȱ ȱ Description:ȱȱForestedȱslopes,ȱfloodplainȱandȱstreamȱfrontageȱonȱUnamiȱCreekȱ andȱaȱlargeȱtributaryȱdownstreamȱofȱMilfordȬTrumbauersvilleȱWastewaterȱ TreatmentȱPlan.ȱȱWoodedȱstreamȱcorridorȱisȱlistedȱasȱaȱPriorityȱ3ȱsiteȱinȱBucksȱ CountyȱNaturalȱAreasȱInventoryȱdueȱtoȱrelativelyȱhighȱdiversityȱofȱnativeȱfishȱ speciesȱ(15).ȱȱIncludesȱoverȱ4,000ȱfeetȱofȱfullȱriparianȱbuffer.ȱ ȱ NearestȱRoads:ȱȱAllentownȱRoad,ȱMillȱRoad,ȱHillcrestȱRoadȱ ȱ Municipality:ȱȱMilfordȱTownshipȱ ȱ

Label # Parcel ID # Acres 27ȱ 23010060ȱ 56.468ȱ 28ȱ 23010061Ȭ002ȱ 33.019ȱ 29ȱ 23010061ȱ 20.881ȱ 30ȱ 23010048ȱ 19.067ȱ 31ȱ 23010047ȱ 20.458ȱ 32ȱ 23010053ȱ 28.397ȱ 33ȱ 23010044ȱ 10.648ȱ 34ȱ 23010054ȱ 28.088ȱ 217.03 Total total acres

ȱ UnamiȱCreekȱ(UC2)ȱ Aȱtotalȱofȱ12ȱparcelsȱareȱidentifiedȱasȱClassȱ1,ȱtotalingȱ167ȱacres.ȱȱȱ ȱ Description:ȱȱExtensiveȱforestedȱfloodplainȱandȱwetlandsȱatȱconfluenceȱofȱ MolassesȱCreek,ȱUnamiȱCreek,ȱandȱanȱunnamedȱtributaryȱfromȱtheȱeast.ȱȱAdjoinsȱȱ UC1ȱtoȱnorthȱandȱUC3ȱtoȱsouth.ȱȱIncludesȱoverȱ2.5ȱmilesȱofȱfullȱorȱpartialȱriparianȱ buffer.ȱȱMilfordȱTownshipȱWastewaterȱTreatmentȱPlantȱisȱsituatedȱjustȱtoȱtheȱ westȱandȱdischargesȱtoȱMolassesȱCreekȱatȱthisȱpoint.ȱKumryȱRoadȱformsȱ

58 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______southernȱboundary,ȱandȱUmbrightȱRoadȱbisectsȱtheȱarea.ȱȱDownstreamȱofȱFoxȱ HollowȱGolfȱClub.ȱȱPartlyȱimpounded.ȱ ȱ NearestȱRoads:ȱȱTrumbauersvilleȱRoad,ȱPAȱTurnpike.ȱ ȱ Municipality:ȱȱMilfordȱTownshipȱȱ

Label # Parcel ID # Acres 35ȱ 23020052ȱ 34.475ȱ 36ȱ 23007195ȱ 11.458ȱ 37ȱ 23020051ȱ 12.775ȱ 38ȱ 23007187ȱ 17.257ȱ 39ȱ 23007188ȱ 23.822ȱ 40ȱ 23020157ȱ 25.497ȱ 41ȱ 23007193ȱ 10.415ȱ 42ȱ 23007194ȱ 16.901ȱ 43ȱ 23020159Ȭ002ȱ 6.443ȱ 44ȱ 23020156ȱ 3.006ȱ 45ȱ 23020158ȱ 0.475ȱ 46ȱ 23020052Ȭ001ȱ 4.776ȱ 167.3 Total total acres

59 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

HazelbachȱCreekȱCorridorȱ(HC1)ȱ Aȱtotalȱofȱ4ȱparcelsȱ(141ȱacres)ȱareȱidentifiedȱasȱClassȱ1ȱ(seeȱFigureȱ5).ȱ ȱ Description:ȱȱExtensiveȱforestedȱstreamȱvalleyȱwithȱalluvialȱforestȱandȱ shrub/sedgeȱmarshȱseeps.ȱȱCampȱMenȬOȬLanȱisȱmajorȱlandowner.ȱListedȱasȱaȱ Priorityȱ3ȱsiteȱinȱBucksȱCountyȱNAIȱasȱaȱcharacteristicȱdiabaseȱstreamȱ“withȱ extensiveȱwooded,ȱshrubby,ȱandȱherbaceousȱwetlandsȱformingȱaȱmosaicȱofȱ habitatsȱwhichȱincludesȱamphibianȱandȱreptileȱhabitat.”ȱȱNaturalȱLandsȱTrust’sȱ KlaberȱpreserveȱisȱsituatedȱatȱtheȱheadwatersȱofȱtheȱHazelbachȱatȱSawȱMillȱandȱ SpinnerstownȱRoads. ȱ NearestȱRoads:ȱȱCanaryȱRoad,ȱDoerrȱRoad,ȱFelsȱRoad,ȱTrumbauersvilleȱRoad.ȱ ȱ Municipality:ȱMilfordȱTownshipȱ

Label # Parcel ID # Acres 23ȱ 23007128ȱ 43.271ȱ 24ȱ 23007130ȱ 17.353ȱ 25ȱ 23007126ȱ 60.083ȱ 26ȱ 23007127ȱ 20.056ȱ 140.763 Total total acres

60 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

ȱ Classȱ2ȱStreamȱReachȱParcelsȱ ȱ Aȱtotalȱofȱ19ȱparcelsȱinȱtheȱUpperȱUnamiȱareȱidentifiedȱasȱClassȱIIȱpriorities,ȱ encompassingȱanȱareaȱofȱoverȱ325ȱacres.ȱȱȱ ȱ

SchmoltzȱCreekȱCorridor,ȱLowerȱ(SC1,ȱSC2)ȱ Aȱtotalȱofȱ9ȱparcelsȱ(151ȱacres)ȱareȱidentifiedȱasȱClassȱ2.ȱȱTheseȱreachesȱareȱ contiguousȱandȱareȱlistedȱhereȱtogetherȱ(seeȱFigureȱ5).ȱ ȱ Description:ȱExtensiveȱforestedȱstreamȱvalleyȱwithȱalluvialȱforest,ȱforestedȱ wetlandsȱandȱadjacentȱdiabaseȱwoodlands,ȱadjoinsȱlowerȱHazelbachȱCreekȱ woodlands.ȱAnȱagriculturalȱeasementȱprotectsȱaȱfarmȱalongȱbothȱsidesȱofȱtheȱ headwatersȱportionȱofȱSchmoltzȱCreekȱinȱLowerȱMilfordȱTownship,ȱLehighȱ County.ȱ ȱ NearestȱRoads:ȱKumryȱRoad,ȱWalnutȱRoad,ȱCanaryȱRoad.ȱ ȱ Municipality:ȱȱMilfordȱTownshipȱ

Label # Parcel ID # Acres 10ȱ 23007140ȱ 17.387ȱ 11ȱ 23007139ȱ 20.180ȱ 12ȱ 23007138Ȭ005ȱ 10.369ȱ 13ȱ 23007138ȱ 65.119ȱ 14ȱ 23007150ȱ 16.489ȱ 15ȱ 23007149ȱ 14.415ȱ 16ȱ 23007151ȱ 2.422ȱ 17ȱ 23007151Ȭ001ȱ 2.194ȱ 18ȱ 23007151Ȭ002ȱ 2.685ȱ 151.260 Total total acres

61 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

UnamiȱCreekȱatȱconfluenceȱofȱMolassesȱ(UC3)ȱ Aȱtotalȱofȱ3ȱparcelsȱ(60ȱacres)ȱareȱidentifiedȱasȱClassȱ2ȱpriorities.ȱȱAȱnumberȱofȱ smallȱ<ȱ2ȱacresȱdevelopedȱparcelsȱareȱfoundȱinȱthisȱarea.ȱ ȱ Description:ȱȱForestedȱareaȱatȱFinland,ȱincludesȱimpoundedȱstreamȱwithȱsummerȱ camps.ȱȱ ȱ NearestȱRoads:ȱȱUpperȱRidgeȱRoad,ȱTrumbauersvilleȱRoad.ȱ ȱ Municipality:ȱȱMilfordȱTownshipȱ

Label # Parcel ID # Acres 70ȱ 23008003Ȭ002ȱ 4.769ȱ 72ȱ 23020011ȱ 31.463ȱ 77ȱ 23020012ȱ 23.773ȱ 60.05 Total total acres

62 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

ButterȱCreekȱatȱWrightȱRoadȱ(BC2)ȱ Aȱtotalȱofȱ7ȱparcelsȱ(116ȱacres)ȱareȱidentifiedȱasȱClassȱ2ȱprioritiesȱ(seeȱFigureȱ5).ȱȱȱ ȱ Description:ȱȱForestedȱareaȱbetweenȱprotectedȱopenȱspaceȱownedȱbyȱMilfordȱ Townshipȱ–ȱimportantȱgrowingȱgreenwayȱcorridorȱwithȱextensiveȱalluvialȱforest,ȱ shrubȱwetlandȱhabitat.ȱȱȱȱ ȱ NearestȱRoads:ȱȱWrightȱRoad,ȱOldȱWoodsȱRoad.ȱ ȱ Municipality:ȱȱMilfordȱTownshipȱ

Label # Parcel ID # Acres 81ȱ 23020137ȱ 12.203ȱ 82ȱ 23020147ȱ 14.330ȱ 83ȱ 23020127Ȭ002ȱ 5.676ȱ 84ȱ 23020136ȱ 22.797ȱ 85ȱ 23020127ȱ 41.560ȱ 86ȱ 23020128ȱ 9.467ȱ 87ȱ 23020127Ȭ001ȱ 9.829ȱ 115.862 Total total acres

63 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

Classȱ3ȱStreamȱReachȱParcelsȱȱ ȱ Aȱnetworkȱofȱ145ȱacresȱofȱlandȱonȱ11ȱparcelsȱalongȱtheȱupperȱHazelbach,ȱRidgeȱValley,ȱȱ andȱButterȱCreeksȱhasȱhighȱvalueȱforȱprotectionȱandȱrestorationȱofȱwaterȱresourcesȱ andȱbiologicalȱdiversity,ȱevenȱwhereȱsamplingȱscoresȱwereȱrelativelyȱlow.ȱȱȱTheseȱ areasȱareȱshownȱonȱFigureȱ5ȱasȱClassȱ3ȱPriorityȱParcels,ȱandȱincludeȱriparianȱ corridors,ȱfloodplains,ȱwetlandsȱandȱhydricȱsoilsȱwithinȱ1,000ȱfeetȱupstreamȱofȱ Classȱ3ȱsamplingȱstations.ȱȱTheseȱreachesȱareȱsmallȱenoughȱthatȱsomeȱgoȱdryȱorȱ areȱpooledȱinȱsummerȱ(ButterȱandȱHazelbach),ȱwhileȱRidgeȱValleyȱisȱinfluencedȱ byȱimpoundments.ȱ ȱ Theseȱnetworksȱareȱvaluableȱhabitatsȱinȱtheirȱownȱrightȱandȱinȱtermsȱofȱtheirȱ proximityȱtoȱhigherȬrankingȱblocks,ȱandȱmayȱbeȱconsideredȱhighȱprioritiesȱforȱ restorationȱofȱriparianȱbuffers,ȱwetlands,ȱandȱstreambanksȱ(includingȱdamȱ removal).ȱȱWithȱgradualȱrestorationȱofȱriparianȱforestsȱandȱwetlandsȱthroughȱaȱ combinationȱofȱmunicipalȱordinancesȱandȱlandownerȱinitiatives,ȱtheȱaquaticȱ healthȱofȱtheseȱClassȱIIIȱreachesȱwillȱbecomeȱtheȱ“greenȱinfrastructure”ȱthatȱ ensuresȱtheȱlongȱtermȱhealthȱofȱtheȱUnamiȱCreekȱwatershed,ȱtheȱqualityȱandȱ quantityȱofȱitsȱwater,ȱandȱtheȱhabitatȱitȱprovidesȱforȱpeople,ȱplantsȱandȱwildlife.ȱ

64 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

ButterȱCreekȱatȱAllentownȱRoadȱ(BC1)ȱ Aȱtotalȱofȱ3ȱparcelsȱ(35ȱacres)ȱareȱidentifiedȱasȱClassȱ3ȱprioritiesȱ(seeȱFigureȱ5).ȱȱȱ ȱ Description:ȱȱButterȱCreekȱSwampȱandȱȱadjacentȱforestedȱheadwatersȱareasȱ upstreamȱofȱbridgeȱatȱAllentownȱRoad.ȱȱAdjoinsȱeastȱsideȱofȱManderfieldȱ Preserveȱ–ȱimportantȱgrowingȱgreenwayȱcorridorȱwithȱextensiveȱalluvialȱforest,ȱ shrubȱwetlandȱhabitat.ȱȱȱȱ ȱ NearestȱRoads:ȱȱAllentownȱRoad,ȱButterȱCreekȱRoad.ȱ ȱ Municipality:ȱȱWestȱRockhillTownshipȱ

Label # Parcel ID # Acres 78ȱ 52002002ȱ 23.017ȱ 79ȱ 52002001ȱ 7.317ȱ 80ȱ 52001058Ȭ002ȱ 4.723ȱ 35.057 Total total acres

65 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

RidgeȱValleyȱCreekȱCorridorȱ(ȱRV1)ȱ ȱ Aȱtotalȱofȱ4ȱparcelsȱencompassingȱ53ȱacresȱareȱidentifiedȱasȱClassȱ3ȱ(seeȱFigureȱ5).ȱ ȱ Description:ȱTheȱreachȱnorthȱofȱAllentownȱRoadȱflowsȱthroughȱanȱimpoundedȱ areaȱatȱtheȱvillageȱofȱRidgeȱValley,ȱbutȱupstreamȱareasȱsupportȱextensiveȱ woodlandsȱadjacentȱtoȱandȱincludingȱStateȱGameȱLands.ȱȱTheȱareaȱisȱfedȱbyȱ forestedȱheadwatersȱseeps,ȱrivuletsȱandȱwetlands.ȱȱȱ ȱ NearestȱRoads:ȱAllentownȱRoad,ȱRidgeȱValleyȱRoad,ȱThousandȱAcreȱRoadȱ ȱ Municipality:ȱWestȱRockhillȱTownshipȱ

Label # Parcel ID # Acres 88ȱ 52003098ȱ 28.344ȱ 89ȱ 52003109ȱ 8.456ȱ 90ȱ 52003109Ȭ005ȱ 14.089ȱ 91ȱ 52003097ȱ 1.857ȱ 52.746 total acres Total

66 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

HazelbachȱCreekȱCorridorȱ(HC2)ȱ Aȱtotalȱofȱ4ȱparcelsȱ(56ȱacres)ȱareȱidentifiedȱasȱClassȱ3ȱ(seeȱFigureȱ5).ȱ ȱ Description:ȱȱExtensiveȱforestedȱstreamȱvalleyȱwithȱalluvialȱforestȱandȱ shrub/sedgeȱmarshȱseeps.ȱȱUpstreamȱofȱCampȱMenȬOȬLan,ȱwithȱlargerȱ residentialȱproperties.ȱListedȱasȱaȱPriorityȱ3ȱsiteȱinȱBucksȱCountyȱNAIȱasȱaȱ characteristicȱdiabaseȱstreamȱ“withȱextensiveȱwooded,ȱshrubby,ȱandȱherbaceousȱ wetlandsȱformingȱaȱmosaicȱofȱhabitatsȱwhichȱincludesȱamphibianȱandȱreptileȱ habitat.”ȱȱNaturalȱLandsȱTrust’sȱKlaberȱpreserveȱisȱsituatedȱatȱtheȱheadwatersȱofȱ theȱHazelbachȱatȱSawȱMillȱandȱSpinnerstownȱRoads. ȱ NearestȱRoads:ȱȱCanaryȱRoad,ȱDoerrȱRoad,ȱFelsȱRoad.ȱ ȱ Municipality:ȱMilfordȱTownshipȱ

Label # Parcel ID # Acres 19ȱ 23007106Ȭ003ȱ 33.495ȱ 20ȱ 23007110ȱ 13.008ȱ 21ȱ 23007112ȱ 4.443ȱ 22ȱ 23007111ȱ 5.332ȱ 56.278 total acres Total

67 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

RestorationȱPrioritiesȱ WaterwaysȱlackingȱriparianȱforestȱbuffersȱinȱtheȱUpperȱUnamiȱCreekȱwatershedȱ areȱfullyȱexposedȱtoȱerosion,ȱpollutantsȱandȱsunlight,ȱandȱareȱlistedȱinȱtheȱ Assessmentȱ(seeȱFigureȱ3)ȱasȱLackingȱBufferȱonȱBothȱSides.ȱȱTheȱlocationȱandȱ extentȱofȱtheseȱgapsȱisȱcriticallyȱimportantȱinȱtermsȱofȱimpactsȱtoȱotherwiseȱ healthyȱstreamȱsegmentsȱandȱvaluableȱcommunityȱwaterȱsupplies.ȱȱȱTheseȱareasȱ areȱprimeȱcandidatesȱforȱrestorationȱeffortsȱsuchȱasȱthoseȱthatȱhaveȱbeenȱ underwayȱinȱtheȱwatershedȱthroughȱstreambankȱfencingȱandȱtreeȱplantingȱ projects.ȱȱTheȱamountȱofȱeffortȱtoȱreforestȱthisȱrelativelyȱsmallȱpercentageȱofȱ streamȱmilesȱcanȱproduceȱmajorȱbenefitsȱforȱstreamȱqualityȱandȱresultȱinȱmajorȱ costȱsavingsȱbyȱreducingȱfutureȱfloodȱdamage,ȱdredgingȱfrequencyȱandȱwaterȱ treatmentȱprocedures.ȱȱȱ ȱ Inȱaddition,ȱtheȱAssessmentȱnotedȱ26ȱstreamȱmilesȱ(11%ȱofȱtheȱtotalȱinȱtheȱ watershed)ȱasȱLackingȱBufferȱonȱOneȱSideȱbutȱhavingȱaȱfullȱ50’ȱbufferȱonȱoneȱ side.ȱȱTheȱUnamiȱsupportsȱtheȱgreatestȱnumberȱofȱsegmentsȱwithȱtheseȱ characteristics.ȱȱȱAȱtotalȱofȱ2.7ȱmilesȱofȱstreamsȱareȱmappedȱasȱhavingȱPartialȱ ForestȱBuffersȱofȱlessȱthanȱ50’ȱonȱbothȱsides.ȱȱ ȱ ApproximatelyȱtenȱmilesȱofȱtheȱUpperȱUnamiȱwatershedȱlacksȱriparianȱbufferȱ coverage.ȱȱWhileȱthisȱisȱonlyȱaboutȱ13%ȱofȱtheȱtotalȱstreamȱmilesȱinȱtheȱUnamiȱ (UPWC,ȱ2001),ȱitȱoccursȱinȱheadwatersȱareasȱwhereȱstreamsȱareȱsmallȱandȱ sensitiveȱtoȱpollutionȱandȱheatingȱthatȱaccompaniesȱlackȱofȱwoodedȱbuffers.

68 UPPER UNAMI CREEK AQUATIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION PLAN ______

Conclusion

This Upper Unami Creek Aquatic Resource Assessment and Conservation Plan combines field-collected data on aquatic life with GIS-based parcel analysis. It takes a valuable first step toward understanding how specific parcels of land, based on their management and ecological health, may directly benefit the habitat and water quality conditions supporting benthic macroinvertebrate communities – the canaries in the coal mine for stream health in the region. It incorporates assessments of land use and land ownership patterns affecting each subbasin and the stream reaches where monitoring stations are established.

This Plan also provides knowledge to assist in carrying forward the ongoing effort to identify and protect hose land parcels which have the greatest potential for protecting, or enhancing, the health of the stream ecosystems and water quality that are the basis for reliable drinking water supplies in the region. The GIS- based analysis provided in the Plan has generated a detailed listing of Riparian Land Protection Priorities, adding an aquatic resource component to the terrestrial resource-based Conservation Priorities provided in the Upper Unami Creek Watershed: Land Conservation Plan (NLT, 2002).

This Assessment and Plan are offered as a guidebook for Trust staff and local conservation leaders to use in charting the water future for communities in the Upper Unami and around the region. It also points toward possible future projects that meld the goals of strategic conservation planning with accurate field data on stream ecosystem health. By expanding data sets to include rapid bioassessment and long-term biological data collected by PA DEP, Stroud Water Research Center, volunteer monitors, and others, the parcel-based analysis demonstrated here can help to focus on protecting high quality land to protect high quality streams in the lower Delaware Valley.

With increasing understanding of the land-water link, conservation partners may act with care for protecting riparian lands providing ecosystem services resulting in clean, plentiful water for people, plants and animals.

69

TABLE 3 – Stream Reaches Ranked by Total Score (Green = Class I, Yellow = Class II, Orange = Class III)

Biological % Reference Biological Habitat Total Stream and Reach ID Stream Reach: Score Score Condition Score Score Cooks Creek multiple 42 n/a n/a 157 199

Unami Creek UC1 Kumry Road (downstream) 30 71.4% Slightly Impaired 153 183 UC2 Trumbauersville Road 38 90.5% Non-Impaired 152 190 Slightly Upper Ridge and Trumbauersville Impaired/Non- Roads UC3 34 80.9% Impaired 143 177

Ridge Valley Creek Allentown Road (upstream of road, Moderately RV1 downstream of dam) 20 47.6% Impaired 129 149 RV2 Rocky Dale Road (downstream) 24 57.1% Slightly Impaired 155 179

Butter Creek Manderfield Preserve (downstream of Slightly Impaired BC1 Allentown Road) 26 61.9% 128 154 BC2 Wright Road (downstream) 24 57% Slightly Impaired 154 178

Hazelbach Creek HC1 Trumbauersville Road 28 66.7% Slightly Impaired 158 186 HC2 Doerr Road (upstream) 32 76.2% Slightly Impaired 122 154

Schmoltz Creek SC1 Kumry Road 32 76.2% Slightly Impaired 139 171 SC2 Walnut Lane 40 95.2% Non-Impaired 134 174

Molasses Creek MC1 Rosenberger and Umbright Rds. 28 66.7% Slightly Impaired 151 179 N o r th e a s t

1. County boundaries, mu ni cipal boundaries, watershed boundaries and waterways received through Pennsylvania Spatial Data Access (www.pasda.psu.edu). Upper Unami Watershed Boundary 2. Protected lands added into G IS by NLT. 3. Parcel Boundaries received thrEough Bucks and Montgomery Counties and Milford Township. County Boundaries 4. Priority Parcels and Sampling Statxions entered into GIS by NLT. M te Municipal Boundaries o n l s Parcel Boundaries as io s e n Waterways s Class 1 Sampling Station C Class 2 Sampling Station r e e k Class 3 Sampling Station Class 1 Priority Parcel Class 2 Priority Parcel 6 Class 3 Priority Parcel State Gamelands Natural Lands Trust Easement Natural Lands Trust Ownership 4 7 Camp Unami 5 Township Easements 8 Township Open Space 9 k 13 ee Other Protected Lands 1 2 r C 3 31 MC1 30 32 33

12 34 11 28 10

14 27 29 SC1 15

1617 i 18 SC2 m

a n UC1

U

P

H e

n

a

z n el b s

a y

c l h v

a

n

i

a 19

20 21 4 1 40

22 C

HC2 r 44 e 42 e 43 k 45 25 38 35 46 26 36

39 37

24 23

UC2 HC1 85

T 81 ek 78 u Butt re 79 k er C r e n BC1 e BC2 84 80 r p 82 C i 83 k 86 87 61-68 47-60 e (North to South) (North to South) 70 71 69 72 75 77 73 74 76 UC3

i 97 m 98 RV1 a Ridge n 92 99 91 88 U 93 94 89

95 90

100

96

RV2

Valley

k Cree

PRIORITIZED STREAM REACHES AND PARCELS 1031 Palmers Mill Road Media, PA 19063 Upper Unami Aquatic Resource Assessment and Conservation Plan Feet 610-353-5587 0 1,000 2,000 Milford and West Rockhill Townships, Bucks County, Pennsylvania www.natlands.org Compiled By: DCR 12/28/05