Stream Walk - Field Notes of Josef Bruder
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
- Walt DeWitt
- Craig Menta
- Hans Peters
- Laura Lynch
- Gina McGovern
- Joe Bruder
The walk started at the Railroad bridge located at the east end of Tamanend Park and proceded upstream to the intersection of Second Street Pike and Bristol Road. This is the northern Township boundary of Mill Creek. The bridge consists of three concrete box culverts, each approximately 8' x 10' with an elevated abandoned railroad bed well above in elevation. The banks are vegetated with natural growth and the land in this area is undeveloped. The property to the north appears lowland and likely prone to seasonal floodwaters. It is only about 3' to 5' above the creek bed. The streambed is wide from the bridge to where a large tributary converges at the south bank, a few hundred yards from the bridge. This tributary runs through Tamanend Park. Another small tributary at the north bank, near the bridgetapers off to a narrow drainage way. The banks along this area are somewhat undermined and very little debris and trash was noticed. There is a sewer line running along the north bank with lateral lines serving two streets.
At the convergance of Mill Creek and the branch coming from Tamanend Park, there was evidence of heavy equipment (tire tracks), recent tree cutting and some clearing work. This was primarily at the north bank and creek bed. This area contained cut sections of large trees and related debris. Pieces of a large plastic tarp, washed down by floodwater, were dispersed among the root outcroppings of the undermined banks. The creek above this area is heavily scoured with eroded banks. This continues upstream and perhaps in large part to the narrower creek bed and its serpentine course. The creek bed is rock strewn with numerous areas of indigenous rock structure. The majority of the south bank is undeveloped. Small fish were noticed in the creek.
The north bank, at approximately 100 yards farther upstream becomes the backyard of a residential property. It appears that the house has been constructed on fill to street level, raising it higher than the natural topography. A plastic pipe from this property runs to the creek. It is in disrepair and not flowing. Another house is under construction on the adjacent property. This house appears to have a first floor elevation well above creek bed elevation. However, it is very close to the creek (approx. 15 yards from a severely undermined bank) and in a direct line with the flow of the creek. Left to its natural flow, it would suggest that future floodwaters could have a severe impact on the rear of this property. There is a 18" diameter concrete stormwater pipe at the north bank from the adjacent street. It appears that this is the source of the drainage way which eventually empties into the creek near the railroad bridge. The next residential property along the north bank has a large lawn area with the house located well beyond the creek and elevated. There is the remains of an old concrete bridge at this location. It is unusable but acts to hold debris and otherwise restrict flow. This is located at a sharp bend in the creek where sand has silted the streambed. The next property (840 Bristol Road), is to the south bank and sits above and beyond the creek. It has a small pond that empties into the creek. Its driveway bridges the creek and has been reconstructed due to damage from the recent severe floodwaters. There are a number of stormwater pipes emptying into the creek at this location. They collect water along the other side of Bristol Road. and the street side bank has been reinforced and stabilized with gabions. Additionally, there is an older concrete wall also retaining the bank along the roadway. This wall is the roadway shoulder and extends to the next driveway crossingthe creek. The next driveway bridge (780 Bristol Road), appears to be in good shape. The north bank above this bridge is reinforced with boulders and rock. The house is an old stone farmhouse in reasonably close proximity to the creek and appears to be about 6 feet above the creek bed. It's first floor elevation appears suspect with regard to potential floodwater height. Behind this property the stream has a 90 degree bend and is deposited with silt. Thereafter, there are a number of widened and silted creek bed areas along the otherwise serpentinecourse of the stream. A large fallen tree crosses the creek. Its position appears above most high water flows and might not imede flow. Near the intersection of Second Street Pike and Bristol Road, a short but steep tributary empties into the south side of Mill Creek. It crosses under Second Street Pike with 2 concrete pipes and picks up stormwater from there. The flow from this tributary has taken down a large tree at the converegence of the creek. The Mill Creek crossing under Bristol Road occurs at the east side of its intersection with Second Street Pike. The crossing consists of an 8' x 12' concrete box culvert. It has a large concrete headwalland spillway. This structure appeared in reasonably good condition at the outfall end. There is a large pool at the spillway. The banks at this location are high above the creek. Along the shoulder of the road much litter was noticed. For the most part, this is the only location such litter was encountered.
As a personal overview, the overall condition of this section of Mill Creek appeared in reasonable condition with the following considerations and concerns. There were numerous areas of localized bank erosion. Also the creek appeared quite scoured. Given the general erpentine path of the creek and its width, this is an expected impact of such conditions. The bulk of the debris was limited to naturally occurring vegetative materiald eposited by previous floodwaters. The exception being the disturbed area referenced at the convergence of Mill Creek with the Tamanend Park tributary. No obvious identifiable sources of polution were observed. Based on physical appearance, overall water quality was consistent with previous section of the creek.
This concludes the stream walk for the length of Mill Creek passing through our township. The next stream walk will be scheduled for the Tamanend Park tributary that empties into Mill Creek.
END OF REPORT
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