Assessment and Restoration of Chestnut Branch of Mantua Creek: An Educational Partnership

摘要

The Chestnut Branch of Mantua Creek is a typical stream in an agricultural watershedrnundergoing suburban development. The stream bisects the campus of Rowan University andrncollects all the storm water from the campus and surrounding community. Recent developmentrnin both Rowan University and the surrounding area has led to an increase in the amount ofrnimpervious surface, which in turn caused an increase in runoff and a decrease in the waterrnquality of the stream. In addition, excess runoff has caused severe bank erosion in manyrnlocations along the stream corridor.rnThe restoration project is being completed in a partnership between the GloucesterrnCounty Planning Division and the Rowan University Civil and Environmental EngineeringrnDepartment. Undergraduate engineering students are taking part in the project by conductingrnfield surveys, monitoring water quality, developing a computer model of the stream, andrndesigning bank stabilization measures. Working with faculty and engineers from county andrnstate agencies, students are gaining hands-on experience in all aspects of non-point sourcernpollution control.rnWith a grant from the National Science Foundation Research Experience forrnUndergraduates (REU) in Pollution Prevention, a student from Virginia Tech joined RowanrnUniversity to help in this project. Students have continually measured and analyzed streamrnwater quality, completed a topographic survey of the area, used computer software to develop anrnaccurate map of the stream, and conducted a hydraulic study of the drainage area. Students arerncurrently installing instruments to measure stream flow and creating a computer model of thernstream in HEC-RAS. Over the next two years, student teams will complete the site assessmentrnand bank stabilization design. Academic-public partnerships such as this can provide valuablernexperiences for students, improve environmental quality, and provide a worthwhile service to therncommunity.