Stream Restoration
The Chesapeake Bay TMDL has led to the implementation of a large number of regenerative storm water conveyance (RSC) system style restorations in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. RSC restorations reconnect streams with their flood plain by building a series of rock weir dams and filling incised channels with new substrate.
Researchers at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) have been monitoring an RSC implemented in spring of 2015 on Muddy Creek on the SERC property. As part of this project, Dr. Patrick has been working with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to monitor the effect of the restoration on litter decomposition rates, benthic invertebrates, fish, and microbial communities. Litter decomposition, invertebrate communities, and fish communities were monitored for two years pre-restoration; microbial communities were monitored for one year pre-restoration. Data are being collected in the treatment reach, an upstream control reach, and a second control stream.
Our hope is to understand the impact that these engineering approaches designed to reduce sediment and nutrient export to downstream ecosystems have on in-stream biota.
Researchers at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) have been monitoring an RSC implemented in spring of 2015 on Muddy Creek on the SERC property. As part of this project, Dr. Patrick has been working with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to monitor the effect of the restoration on litter decomposition rates, benthic invertebrates, fish, and microbial communities. Litter decomposition, invertebrate communities, and fish communities were monitored for two years pre-restoration; microbial communities were monitored for one year pre-restoration. Data are being collected in the treatment reach, an upstream control reach, and a second control stream.
Our hope is to understand the impact that these engineering approaches designed to reduce sediment and nutrient export to downstream ecosystems have on in-stream biota.