Stream Walk - Field Notes of Josef Bruder Stream Walk #2 November 18, 2001 @ 1:00 PM, Southampton Creek The purpose of the stream walk is to become familiar with the stream and document observations for record as well as a basis to evaluate condition. This will become a tool to coordinate the focus of the proposed spring stream cleanup project. The following people participated in the walk: Estelle Brager Hans and Laura Peters Gina McGovern Joyce Hackenyos Carl Loscalzo Joe and Linda Bruder Claudine Fritz Walt DeWitt The walk started at the Davisville Road bridge (Southampton border) and proceeded downstream to the Toll Road bridge. The bridge was reconstructed approximately 5 years ago. It was enlarged and widened. The outfall of the bridge was flowing from underground. The creek thereafter had surface flow but very low. At this location there was some trash noticed. One item was a rusted cast iron radiator. Both sides of the bank were eroded and showed exposed roots. Slightly farther downstream there is more trash consisting of rusted bicycles, newspaper vending machine, a car wheel and miscellaneous debris. A distance up from the bank, on the Street Road side there are also old rusted auto parts. These are partially buried. The banks are naturally vegetated. The upper section borders county property and other larger non residential properties. The non residential properties extend the entire length of the east bank to the bridge. The lower half of the west bank consists of private residential properties. The stream narrows behind the General Davis Pub. This area has washed down vegetation debris. The small tributary next to the Pub is marginally flowing into the creek. At this location there is a slick on the water surface. There is also an old section of loose metal pipe in the stream bed. The golf driving range is located next to (downstream) the Pub. Another (6" diameter) section of pipe, some debris, old broken chunks of asphalt and a log jamb were noticed at this location. The township pond is off to the south, a short distance from the bank at this location. There was a disconnected, abandoned pump and controls with electrical panels nearby. But electrical panels appeared to be disconnected and not secured. There is also some metal piping crossing the streambed and appearing to continue onto the driving range property. It was later reported that this is part of a pump installation that enabled the driving range to pump irrigation water from the pond and stream. Still at the rear of the driving range, there are large broken sections of concrete placed along the bank. There is also a pond overflow into the stream. A slick was noticed on the water surface. This continues for most of the still water along the length of the driving range. At one smaller area it was thicker and white in color. There was also somewhat of a bad odor in this proximity. The streambed is more linear at the following section and not as eroded. At the first residence past the driving range (45 Tulip Circle), there was some trash near the stream bed and across the bank there were a few rusted shopping carts. The resident of this property stated that there was a recent raw sewage discharge into the stream from a backed up sanitary sewer mail located nearby. This was reported to the township and reportedly remedied. There was no mention of any potential cleanup from the spill. The residence appears to be the lowest in relationship to the stream. The owner stated that though floodwaters have come up to the house he was never actually flooded. He also stated that there was a previous small man-made pond which has since been abandoned and the area dry. The stream widens from this point. Private residences are located along the west bank. The streambed is meandering and appears to have been altered at various locations with some abrupt bends. Many of the properties are located high above the creek, with steep high banks, well above potential floodwater levels. Another secondary tributary enters the stream at the east bank. This was not flowing. A 30" diameter overflow pipe with a concrete headwall is at the west bank. This is the overflow pipe from the Southampton Estates detention pond. Both are dry. At this point there is a manmade stone wall bank on the east side approximately 50 yards in length. It is in good condition. Another masonry structure also exists. This could be the remains of an old bridge. The creek takes a right angle bend at this location. The adjacent downstream west bank has a similar stone wall bank. A few old shopping carts are located at this area. The stream makes a right angle bend here at which point the remnants of an old dam exist. The dam no longer retains water. The stream passes to either side of the dam walls. It appears that the streambed has been rerouted in the past in this general area at various points. It would be speculation as to how much of this was due to man made efforts such as the dam or due to other occurences. At the west bank, behind the residences, there is a 24" diameter pipe and headwall from street stormwater. This headwall is badly undermined by erosion. The banks in general along this stretch are badly eroded. There is a rusted cylindrical tank in the streambed; approximately 24" in diameter and 5' long. The Toll Road bridge is a short distance downstream. At the bridge piles of leaves were in the creek. It appeared someone was dumping them from the bridge. All participants returned to the starting point, which concluded the walk. As a personal overview, the overall condition of this section of Southampton Creek was not as good as the lower section beyoind the Toll Road bridge. There was more trash, most of which appears to have been there for some timeand could not be readily removed without the use of equipment. Only one small private pedestrian footbridge was constructed (45 Tulip Circle property). Some small minnows and birds were observed and a few areas of aquatic plant life. There were identifiable areaswhich do need some attention to improve the riparian environment and potential storm runoff. Most buildings appeared to be above likely flood water elevations, only the 45 Tulip Circle property appeared suspect. The lower half of this section accounted for almost all of the streamside residences. No serious stream abuse or pollution was observed other than the odor mentioned and some unidentifiable slicks on the water surface. An issue of serious concern is the recent sanitary sewer discharge and potential for future occurence. Another concern is the eroded banks. The course of the stream has areas of sharp change and likely not naturally formed. This should be evaluated further for possible attention. The condition and impact of the dam is also an issue of some significance. It likewise should be further evaluated. Given the location and type of trash, a pedestrian stream cleanup effort would be of marginal benefit for this section of the creek. END OF REPORT Return to Southampton Watershed Association home page. Site design by DiAnn Ohama.