PT03 Landscape-Scale Ecological Risk Assessment
Exhibit Hall
8:00 AM - Tuesday, 11 November 2003
(PT050) Landscape-scale examination of an eroding river in a developed watershed.
Perhamus, P1, Simmons, W2, Watson, M3, 1 AMEC Earth & Environmental, Inc., Somerset, NJ, USA2 Monmouth County Health Department, Freehold, NJ, USA3 Princeton Hydro, LLC, Ringoes, NJ, USA
ABSTRACT- The Manasquan River in the Atlantic Coastal Plain physiographic section of New Jersey is experiencing a severe erosion and water quality problem. High stormwater flows resulting from accelerated development in the watershed has created a cause-and-effect situation between water quantity and quality. The unique physical and chemical characteristics of the mineral glauconite, prevalent in this watershed, confounds these circumstances by exacerbating the effects of erosion and non-point source pollution. Impacts to the river include massive erosion and bank failure; elevated fecal coliform, phosphorous, and metals; biological impairment of the macroinvertebrate community; and loss of fish habitat. Using a Rosgen-based approach for stream classification as a starting point, as assessment of the river within the context of its watershed was conducted. This study integrated traditional stream assessment techniques with a regional-scale examination of land use to (1) classify the river into discrete stream types, (2) produce a set of reach-specific stream stabilization recommendations, (3) provide a forum for debating the value of traditional BMPs in an over-developed watershed, and (4) allow for active public participation in watershed improvement.
Key words: erosion, rosgen, watershed