ENCLOSURE C
DESCRIPTION OF AQUATIC HABITAT
Keller Engineers, Inc.
8.A
AQUATIC HABITAT
1. Food Chain Production
Existing Site Conditions
The predominant plant species present at the site are mixed hardwoods, spicebush, and grass
species (predominantly Reed canary-grass). The vegetation has the capacity to provide food and
nesting areas for songbirds, water fowl, and vertebrates. Specifically, raccoon, muskrat, canada
geese, and whitetail deer signs were noted near the project. Based on a stream quality survey
performed at the site the stream quality is “excellent”. There is a diverse benthic macroinvertebrate population in the stream. At the time of our site visit (late May) the predominant
specie was Caddisfly larvae. The stream is slow flowing and contains several small pool areas near
the site. The wetland near the site is an emergent palustrine wetland. The predominant vegetation
is Woodland Bluegrass (FACW) and Jewelweed (FACW). Hydrology appears to be from surface
runoff and a hillside seep. Because such a small area of the stream bed will be disturbed, impacts
on the existing food chain are expected to be temporary and minimal.
2. General Habitat
Wetland 1
a.
Nesting, the wetland is composed of a small clearing surrounded by trees. The area
surrounding the wetland contains multiflora rose and other dense vegetation that would
provide habitat for nesting.
b.
Spawning, the wetland does provide a habitat for spawning amphibians.
c.
Rearing, the dense vegetation at the perimeter of the wetland provides a habitat for the
rearing of small mammals and birds. The shallow water and small flow provides a
habitat for rearing amphibians.
d.
Resting, the wetland provides a habitat for small mammals, birds and even larger
mammals to rest.
e.
Migration, the wetland appears to be too small to provide habitat for migratory animals.
f.
Feeding, the wetland is located in a horse pasture, therefore most of the desirable grazing
vegetation is removed by the livestock. However, there are feeding opportunities for
wildlife to feed on rose hips and touch-me-not seed that are not typically consumed by
livestock.
g.
Escape Cover, the area surrounding the wetland contains multiflora rose and other dense
vegetation that would provide escape cover habitat for small mammals and birds.
h.
Other, none noted
Wooden Bridge Creek
a.
Nesting, the stream in the area of the bridge is slow flowing and the substrate is sediment
with several rock ledges. This area would be suitable fish nesting habitat for bass,
bluegills and other species that nest in a depression on a muddy bottom.
b.
Spawning, the stream provides a habitat for spawning amphibians and fish. Numerous
tadpoles were observed in the shallow pool areas above the project site, in addition fish
fry were observed.
c.
Rearing, the stream area provides a habitat for the rearing fish, amphibians, waterfowl,
small mammals and birds.
d.
Resting, the stream provides a resting habitat for small mammals, songbirds, waterfowl,
and fish.
D:\106733216.doc
Keller Engineers, Inc.
e.
f.
g.
h.
Migration, the stream provides a habitat for migrating fish. This area is slow flowing
and would provide a resting area for fish between riffles. There are no barriers in the
stream to prevent migration and the stream is free flowing.
Feeding, the stream area provides feeding opportunities for aquatic and terrestrial
species. The numerous macro invertebrates observed at the site provide the opportunity
for fish to feed.
Escape Cover, the stream area provides escape cover habitat for small mammals, fish,
amphibians, and songbirds.
Other, none noted
3. Habitat for Threatened and Endangered Species
Correspondence from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, PNDI and Pennsylvania Game Commission have not identified any
threatened or endangered species in the project area.
4. Environmental Study Areas
There are no environmental study areas, sanctuaries or refuges found or identified in the area.
5. Macro-invertebrate Community
A diverse benthic macro-invertebrate population was observed at the site. The population is
dominated by the abundance of Caddisfly Larvae (as observed in late May). In addition numerous
species were noted that are relatively sensitive to pollution such as; Mayfly Nymph, Stonefly
Nymph, and fishing spider.
B.
WATER QUALITY AND STREAMFLOW
1. Natural Drainage Patterns
Wetland 1 is located in a drainage swale that eventually enters Wooden Bridge Creek below the
existing bridge. Wooden Bridge Creek is slow flowing in the area of the bridge.
2. Flushing Characteristics
The embankments of Wooden Bridge Creek are steep and the channel is confined within these
steep embankments. Stream velocity is rather slow, therefore flushing most likely occurs only in
significant storm events or snow melt.
Wetland 1 appears to have little flow, even in storm events, therefore flushing occurs infrequently.
3. Current Patterns
The stream velocity is slow in the area of the bridge. The stream bottom is a mixture of cobble and
eroded ledges. The current flows around these obstructions, however there are no obstructions
large enough to create eddies.
4. Groundwater Discharge for Baseflow
Wetland 1 appears to contain a small hillside seep. There was no observable flow at the time of the
site visit; however the swale appeared to be too wet to be conveying surface runoff. There were no
significant points of groundwater discharge noted in the study area.
D:\106733216.doc
Keller Engineers, Inc.
5. Natural Recharge Area for Ground and Surface Water
Wetland 1 provides for recharge of both ground and surface waters. Wooden Bridge
Creek allows for surface water recharge, which in turn enters Sideling Hill Creek.
6. Storm and Floodwater Storage and Control
Wooden Bridge Creek and its riparian area do provide stormwater and some flood
water control. These areas are mainly upstream and downstream of the site where the
embankments are more gradual.
Wetland 1 appears to be too small to provide a significant amount of floodwater
storage and control.
C.
WATER QUALITY
1. Preventing pollution
Wetland 1 appears to help reduce pollution (nutrients from animal waste) from
entering Wooden Bridge Creek. In addition the riparian area of Wooden Bridge
Creek helps to remove nutrients from the water.
2. Sedimentation control patterns.
The riparian area of Wooden Bridge Creek does reduce sediment pollution. Sediment
deposits were noted in the floodplain at the time of the site visit.
It appears that Wetland 1 reduces sediment from entering Wooden Bridge Creek by
the growth of wetland vegetation in the drainage swale.
3. Salinity distribution
NA
4. Natural Water Filtration
The degree to which natural filtration occurs is questionable. The eroded ledges
noted in the channel indicate those areas are flowing on bedrock, which would
facilitate little filtration. However, there are some areas near the proposed project
that have a cobble bottom which would provide some filtration.
Wetland 1 appears to provide some natural water filtration due to the gravel bottom
noted is some areas. The amount of filtration is probably small. The pockets of
hydric soil in the wetland slow the movement of water through the soil.
D.
RECREATION
1. Game Species
Wooden Bridge Creek and it’s riparian area do provide for game species. Numerous
game species signs were noted along the stream banks.
Wetland 1 provides little for games species because of its small size and the fact that
the area is pastured by livestock.
2. Non Game Species
D:\106733216.doc
Keller Engineers, Inc.
Small amphibians, animals, waterfowl, and birds utilize Wooden Bridge Creek, the
riparian area, and Wetland 1.
3. Fishing
Numerous fish fry and minnows were noted at the site. The PA Fish Commission
stocks Wooden Bridge Creek with trout at this location.
It appears Wetland 1 is too small to support fish.
4. Hiking
All the property adjacent to the proposed bridge is privately owned, therefore hiking
by the public may be limited.
5. Observation
The site can provide an observation point to view Wooden Bridge Creek.
E.
UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM PROPERTY
All the adjoining property is owned by one individual. The area of proposed
construction is within the Township right-of-way. Upstream property is open field on
the south side of Wooden Bridge Creek and wooded on the north side. Downstream
of the bridge is woods. The abundance of trees provides shade to Wooden Bridge
Creek
F. OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
None noted.
D:\106733216.doc