Red Streams

BLUERAISING OUR STREAM'S I.Q.

Red Clay Valley Association

The Review is published quarterly by the Red Clay Valley Association for its m

embers.

1760 Unionville-W

awaset Road, W

est Chester, PA 19382

T:(610)793-1090F:(610)793-2813

E:water@

bva-rcva.orgW

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w.redclayvalley.org

INSIDE: • RRCCVVAA CClleeaann--uupp

Volume: LVIII No. 1February, 2010

RREEVVIIEEWWSSTTRREEAAMM SSUURRVVEEYYSS SSHHOOWWIIMMPPRROOVVEEDD WWAATTEERR QQUUAALLIITTYY

The Red Clay Creek hasimproved considerably since RCVAcommissioned the first water qualitystudy in the early 1960’s. Beginningwith scientists from the Academy ofNatural Science in Philadelphia, theRed Clay was sampled for bothchemical and biological parameters.Since those first surveys, techniqueshave changed and so has the qualityof the stream.

Beginning in 1969 the U.S.Geological Survey developed a waterquality assessment that has been usedannually thereafter. There are twosampling points on the Red Clay, oneat the bottom of the east branch justbefore the confluence with the westbranch and a second on the lowerpart of the west branch below thebridge on Chandler Mill Road. In thelast 40 years a number of dischargeshave been removed from the stream orhave stopped altogether. In addition,improved soil conservation practiceson farms and better management atdevelopment sites have reducedsediment loads and runoff. In 1998the west branch sampling site wasmoved from a point above the Kennettsewage treatment plant discharge to itscurrent location. The new site initiallyshowed reduced water quality whichhas significantly improved after thenew treatment plant went online in2001.

The most recent samplingsshow the continued improving trend.Notable changes have been thesignificant reduction in phosphorousdischarged to the stream and thecontinuing low level of nitrogen. These

two elements can increase algalgrowth and reduce water quality. Theindex which measures water qualityunder the U.S. Geological Survey’sprogram has continued to show slightbut steady improvement in the past tenyears. At this point, most of thesignificant impacts to the stream havebeen reduced or eliminated. To furtherimprove water quality will requirebetter management of stormwater andreduction of sediment loads in thestream.

The Pennsylvania Departmentof Environmental Protection in 2009completed an overall assessment of theRed Clay Creek. This assessment isconducted every ten years and thelatest results show little change fromthe 1999 levels. The upper westbranch continues to be in goodcondition and meets state standards.The lower west branch and the entireeast branch are still below statestandards. The influences reducingwater quality are primarily sedimentand, to a lesser extent, nutrients.RCVA’s Red Streams Blue Program hasrecognized the remaining problemsand the program will focus onsubstandard streams by developingprojects which will improve waterquality.

The Red Clay Creek has comea long way from its former status asthe worst stream in the region. Itsimprovement is one of the successstories in this area, but thatimprovement is still unfinished. Youcan follow progress through thenewsletter and on the website underthe Red Streams Blue Program.

SSUUMMMMEERR CCAAMMPP RREEGGIISSTTRRAATTIIOONN IISS NNOOWW OOPPEENN!! CCAAMMPPSS FFIILLLL QQUUIICCKKLLYY!! RREEGG

Members and nonmembers are invited to an eveningof fun and good company while learning somethingnew about nature. The symbol indicates a familyfriendly program.

March 18th - Family Stargazing 7:00 to 9:00 PMDo you know how to find the big dipper in the sky?

How about Polaris, our north star? Join us for anevening of stargazing and some Greek and Romanmythology about the constellations. Bring a blanket, aflashlight and binoculars if you have them. Hot cocoawill be provided!

April 15th - Green Roofs 5:30-7:00 PMJoin us for an informational community meeting

about green roof technology and the environmentalbenefits of green roofs. What are the factors involvedin designing and installation? This is a presentation ofWeston Solutions, Inc. Bring your questions!

Friday, May 21st - Myrick Center Camp Out - 6:30 PM to 8:30 AM, SaturdayThis is a unique opportunity to enjoy the night sounds

of the Myrick Center. Learn how to build a safecampfire, take a night hike, make s’mores, listen for owls and camp under the stars. This is a great way tointroduce the family to camping in a safe environmentwith experienced staff. A camping list will be providedat registration. Space is limited.

June 17th – Lyme Disease Q & A 5:30 to 7:00 PMChester County has one of the highest rates of Lyme

disease in the world. Learn how to protect yourself fromthe ticks that spread the disease, and what to do if youare bitten. Presentation by the Pennsylvania LymeDisease Awareness Committee, a collaboration of the Chester/Delaware County Farm Bureau, the Lyme Disease Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Inc.,and the Chester County Health Department.

BVA/RCVA Members: $5.00 for ages 13 to adult. Kids are free.

Nonmembers: $7.00 for ages 13 to adult.Kids are free.

Payment and registration are due by the Mondaybefore your program. Children 12 years old andunder are free and must be accompanied by an adult.Parking is on the office side of the property. Meet atthe Browning Barn.

TTHHIIRRDD TTHHUURRSSDDAAYYSS FFOORR NNAATTUURREE EENNTTHHUUSSIIAASSTTSS

Tom Brightman, Land Steward at Longwood Gardens,will be discussing the evolution of the garden habitathe and his wife tend in Kennett Square, PA. Usingslides from his home garden, he will guide theaudience in

• developing a vision for their garden • cultivating a sense of place, native plant and

wildlife interactions, and aesthetics • learning about plant selection, management

issues, and related topics.

When: Tuesday, March 9, 2010, 7:00-9:00 pmWhere: Hockessin Library, Valley Road,

Hockessin, Delaware

Who: Tom Brightman, Land Steward at Longwood Gardens;

Tom is the Land Steward at Longwood Gardens,responsible for the health and care of the 700 acres ofnatural and perimeter land at Longwood and waspreviously the Easement Manager for the BrandywineConservancy's Environmental Management Center.This event is sponsored by Red Clay Valley Association,Brandywine Valley Association, White Clay Creek Wild& Scenic Program, White Clay Watershed Association,and the National Park Service.Registration is required as seating is limited. Callor email Red Clay Valley Association (610) 793-1090 or water@bva-rcva.org.

www.greengridroofs.com

GGAARRDDEENNIINNGG FFOORR WWIILLDDLLIIFFEE......AANNDD YYOOUU!! FFRREEEE EEVVEENNIINNGG PPUUBBLLIICC LLEECCTTUURREE

OfficersCharles Potter

PresidentRichard Lewandowski

Vice PresidentS. Damon Sinclair

SecretaryKerry Haber

Treasurer

StaffJames E. Jordan, Jr.

Executive Director Robert Struble, Jr.

Watershed Conservation DirectorGiselle CosentinoEducation Director

Emily CostEducation Program Coordinator

Betsy StefferudAdministrative Assistant

Art TaylorMaintenance Technician

2010Wish List –

Chester County Astronomical

SocietyDate Cloud Date

March 12th March 13th April 16th April 17thMay 14th May 15thJune 11th June 12th

IISSTTEERR TTOODDAAYY AATT WWWWWW..RREEDDCCLLAAYYVVAALLLLEEYY..OORRGG..

WWhhaatt DDoo IInnss ee cc tt ss SSaayy AAbboouutt aa SSttrr eeaamm??Take a look! What is that thing in the picture? If you have any idea

what this animal is, you must be a nature enthusiast. If you know that it’s aninsect, you’re on the right path! Some of the characteristics of an insect canbe identified in this picture; an exoskeleton, a body with three parts – thehead, thorax, and abdomen – three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyesand two antennae.

Remember that insects go through many stages of life. Think of abutterfly, which goes through a lifecycle called a complete metamorphosis.A butterfly is the adult phase of this animal, but first it was an egg, then acaterpillar, then a chrysalis! The insect in the picture is a hellgrammite.After a hellgrammite hatches from an egg, it will live most of its life on thebottom of streams and rivers, and can often be found under rocks. Inwinter, the hellgrammite may burrow underground and when it emerges inspring or summer it will be an adult called a Dobsonfly. The Dobsonfly willstart this cycle all over again by laying eggs, usually on the leaves of plantsnear a stream.

Hellgrammites are not poisonous, although they can pinch. This ishow they catch their underwater food of insect larvae. They breathe withgills, can grow to be a few inches long and have two hooks at the end oftheir abdomen. Bear in mind, when you see an insect that might lookintimidating, that they are part of the most diverse group of animals onEarth. Their role as citizens of the planet is important. Their presence cantell us about the health of a stream. Hellgrammites and Dobsonflies preferto only live in and near clean, high quality waterways. This means that ifyou find them, the stream, creek or river where they live is healthy enoughto support the population of these insects. Look for hellgrammites in riffleareas with fast moving water, under rocks and in piles of leaves caught onthe rocks in streams and creeks. Dobsonflies, withtheir long mandibles and wings, can be found neartrees, roots, and on leaves of nearby plants.

See if you can figure out who has longermandibles, the male Dobsonfly or the female?

If you know the answer, write to me atwater@bva-rcva.org.

Until then, have fun looking for insects!

Your Friend,Hellgrammite

On January 19th thisadult Bald Eagle wasspotted along the Red

Clay Creek !

Used maple sugaring equipment – spiles,evaporating pan, materials for display

& to use

Red Clay Valley Association, Inc.1760 Unionville-Wawaset Road West Chester, PA 19382

Return Service Requested

Nonprofit OrganizationUS Postage PaidUnionville, PA Permit No. 13

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TThhuurrssddaayy,, MMaarrcchh 1188tthhThird Thursdays – Family StargazingSSaattuurrddaayy,, MMaarrcchh 2277tthhRed Clay Valley Clean-upSSuunnddaayy,, AApprriill 44tthh Brandywine Hills Point-to-PointWWeeddnneessddaayy,, AApprriill 1144tthh Annual DinnerTThhuurrssddaayy,, AApprriill 1155tthh Third Thursdays – Green RoofsSSaattuurrddaayy,, MMaayy 11ssttTrout Rodeo @ Nixon ParkFFrriiddaayy,, MMaayy 2211ssttThird Thursdays –Myrick Center Camp Out SSuunnddaayy,, JJuunnee 1133tthhFamily Nature DayTThhuurrssddaayy,, JJuunnee 1177tthh Third Thursdays –Lyme Disease Q & A

Upcoming events SSUUMMMMEERR CCAAMMPP

Space is still available!