Ecological Assessment Of The Delaware Riverfront
Ecological Assessment Of The Delaware Riverfront Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pier 53 South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Genesis of the Tidal Delaware Monitoring Program
Regulatory
CSO Stormwater
Comprehensive Characterization Reports Delaware River Conservation Plan Changing Hydrologic Conditions Restoration implications? Source water protection? Waterfront development?
Philosophy of the Watersheds Assessment Program All-Inclusive
Biological Assessment
Iterative
Comprehensive
Physical Assessment
Chemical Assessment
Physical Assessment: Tidal Wetlands Survey
Surveys conducted between 2007-2008 Field observations taken during low tide Site mapped based on bathymetric profile Qualitative sediment surveys Qualitative vegetative surveys
Areas of potential wetland creation or enhancement from Walt Whitman to Benjamin Franklin bridges
Zone 1: Darby Creek To Schuylkill Confluence
Potential “Healthy” Enhancement Tidal Wetlands Area
Zone 2: Naval Yard To Benjamin Franklin Bridge Potential Tidal Wetland Creation Sites: Pier 70 “Walmart Site”
Zone 3: Benjamin Franklin Bridge To Betsy Ross Bridge “DEW-37” Potential Enhancement
“DEW-36” Potential Creation
Zone 4: Betsy Ross Bridge To Poquessing Creek
Site “DEW 46”: Pennypack Creek Confluence
Site “DEW 45”: Potential Enhancement Project
Chemical Assessments: Continuous and Discrete Sampling
Discrete sampling Boat runs Transects Wastewater Treatment Plants Continuous USGS stations Tidal Tributaries
Chemical Assessments: Continuous and Discrete Sampling Nitrate Results by Rivermile 2 1.8 1.6
NEWPCP 104.1 SEWPCP 96.75 Schuylkill River 92.5 SWWPCP 90.75
06.01.11 07.19.11 08.17.11 10.18.11 10.31.11 11.17.11 12.15.11 01.12.12 02.28.12 03.29.12 05.08.12 06.07.12
Nitrate (mg/L)
1.4 1.2 1
0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0 80
85
90
95 100 Rivermile
105
110
115
Biological Assessments: Fisheries Surveys Surveys conducted from 2008 to present Assessments performed as part of • Regulatory requirements • In-kind match to grants • Cooperative monitoring program Studies conducted along Delaware River, Schuylkill River and smaller tidal
Fisheries survey below Ben Franklin Bridge, 2009
FINDINGS
High Value Resource
Diverse fish community
20 different species resident and migratory fish
Young-of-Year American Shad
Habitat for migratory species “of concern” Blueback herring Alewife American shad
Atlantic Menhaden Juvenile River Herring
60.0
Percent Contribution (%)
50.0
40.0
30.0
Legend 20.0
Late Spring Summer 10.0
0.0
Species
Fish species collected during spring and summer surveys
Pier 53 S to Pier 78 S
Schuylkill River American Shad Passage & Relative Abundance At Fairmount Dam (2004-2011) 4000
American shad Passage (n) 3366
Catch-Per-Unit-Effort (CPUE)
16.00 14.00
Fairmount Fishway Closed For Restoration
3000 2500 2000
1500 1000 500
345 91
56
41
2005
2006
10.00 8.00 1485
6.00 4.00 2.00
0
0 2004
12.00
2521
2007
2008
Year
0.00 2009
2010
2011
Catch-Per-Unit-Effort (fish/min)
Number Of American shad Passed (n)
3500
18.00
LEGEND
Conclusions
Shallow littoral zones and interstitial areas of piers are being used by migratory species as:
Areas of refuge (predator avoidance)
Foraging (food acquisition)
Reproduction (spawning habitat)
These results were:
Unexpected and promising
Indicate an extremely precious ecological commodity along the Delaware River Waterfront in central Philadelphia
Suggest that sustainable urban fisheries may be attainable
Biological Assessments: Freshwater Mussel Surveys Joint effort between: Partnership for the Delaware Estuary Academy of Natural Sciences Philadelphia Water Department
Identifying:
Species diversity Relative abundance Critical habitat Ecosystem services
Implications
Increased potential for recreational activities
Boating Fishing Passive Recreation
Increased economic value of the waterfront property
Developers will need to balance waterfront development interests with protection of this high value resource
Increased level of mitigation required for intertidal or open water takings
There is limited areas of opportunity for freshwater tidal wetland enhancement or creation
Current A conceptual rendering of tidal restoration along Delaware Riverfront near Pier 70 South
Post-enhancement
Conclusions and Questions:
A lot of new wetland creation or restoration opportunities have been identified.
Propagation of key biological species is occurring along this urban corridor.
Strong potential for a high level of controversy
How do we balance?
How much recreation, human activity, and structure can be accommodated and still preserve the essential environmental services that are provided? How do we plan for the future?
Pier 53 South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Genesis of the Tidal Delaware Monitoring Program
Regulatory
CSO Stormwater
Comprehensive Characterization Reports Delaware River Conservation Plan Changing Hydrologic Conditions Restoration implications? Source water protection? Waterfront development?
Philosophy of the Watersheds Assessment Program All-Inclusive
Biological Assessment
Iterative
Comprehensive
Physical Assessment
Chemical Assessment
Physical Assessment: Tidal Wetlands Survey
Surveys conducted between 2007-2008 Field observations taken during low tide Site mapped based on bathymetric profile Qualitative sediment surveys Qualitative vegetative surveys
Areas of potential wetland creation or enhancement from Walt Whitman to Benjamin Franklin bridges
Zone 1: Darby Creek To Schuylkill Confluence
Potential “Healthy” Enhancement Tidal Wetlands Area
Zone 2: Naval Yard To Benjamin Franklin Bridge Potential Tidal Wetland Creation Sites: Pier 70 “Walmart Site”
Zone 3: Benjamin Franklin Bridge To Betsy Ross Bridge “DEW-37” Potential Enhancement
“DEW-36” Potential Creation
Zone 4: Betsy Ross Bridge To Poquessing Creek
Site “DEW 46”: Pennypack Creek Confluence
Site “DEW 45”: Potential Enhancement Project
Chemical Assessments: Continuous and Discrete Sampling
Discrete sampling Boat runs Transects Wastewater Treatment Plants Continuous USGS stations Tidal Tributaries
Chemical Assessments: Continuous and Discrete Sampling Nitrate Results by Rivermile 2 1.8 1.6
NEWPCP 104.1 SEWPCP 96.75 Schuylkill River 92.5 SWWPCP 90.75
06.01.11 07.19.11 08.17.11 10.18.11 10.31.11 11.17.11 12.15.11 01.12.12 02.28.12 03.29.12 05.08.12 06.07.12
Nitrate (mg/L)
1.4 1.2 1
0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0 80
85
90
95 100 Rivermile
105
110
115
Biological Assessments: Fisheries Surveys Surveys conducted from 2008 to present Assessments performed as part of • Regulatory requirements • In-kind match to grants • Cooperative monitoring program Studies conducted along Delaware River, Schuylkill River and smaller tidal
Fisheries survey below Ben Franklin Bridge, 2009
FINDINGS
High Value Resource
Diverse fish community
20 different species resident and migratory fish
Young-of-Year American Shad
Habitat for migratory species “of concern” Blueback herring Alewife American shad
Atlantic Menhaden Juvenile River Herring
60.0
Percent Contribution (%)
50.0
40.0
30.0
Legend 20.0
Late Spring Summer 10.0
0.0
Species
Fish species collected during spring and summer surveys
Pier 53 S to Pier 78 S
Schuylkill River American Shad Passage & Relative Abundance At Fairmount Dam (2004-2011) 4000
American shad Passage (n) 3366
Catch-Per-Unit-Effort (CPUE)
16.00 14.00
Fairmount Fishway Closed For Restoration
3000 2500 2000
1500 1000 500
345 91
56
41
2005
2006
10.00 8.00 1485
6.00 4.00 2.00
0
0 2004
12.00
2521
2007
2008
Year
0.00 2009
2010
2011
Catch-Per-Unit-Effort (fish/min)
Number Of American shad Passed (n)
3500
18.00
LEGEND
Conclusions
Shallow littoral zones and interstitial areas of piers are being used by migratory species as:
Areas of refuge (predator avoidance)
Foraging (food acquisition)
Reproduction (spawning habitat)
These results were:
Unexpected and promising
Indicate an extremely precious ecological commodity along the Delaware River Waterfront in central Philadelphia
Suggest that sustainable urban fisheries may be attainable
Biological Assessments: Freshwater Mussel Surveys Joint effort between: Partnership for the Delaware Estuary Academy of Natural Sciences Philadelphia Water Department
Identifying:
Species diversity Relative abundance Critical habitat Ecosystem services
Implications
Increased potential for recreational activities
Boating Fishing Passive Recreation
Increased economic value of the waterfront property
Developers will need to balance waterfront development interests with protection of this high value resource
Increased level of mitigation required for intertidal or open water takings
There is limited areas of opportunity for freshwater tidal wetland enhancement or creation
Current A conceptual rendering of tidal restoration along Delaware Riverfront near Pier 70 South
Post-enhancement
Conclusions and Questions:
A lot of new wetland creation or restoration opportunities have been identified.
Propagation of key biological species is occurring along this urban corridor.
Strong potential for a high level of controversy
How do we balance?
How much recreation, human activity, and structure can be accommodated and still preserve the essential environmental services that are provided? How do we plan for the future?
