The Forgotten Past of Mid-Atlantic Streams
Justin Spangler, PE
LandStudies, Inc.
Lititz, PA
Author: Spangler, Justin
Land use changes over the past three centuries have profoundly shaped the form and function of streams throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Many contemporary assessment methodologies fail to account for the natural condition or the historical land use changes, focusing instead on recent changes and current conditions. This oversight limits our ability to fully understand natural stream behavior, stream degradation, hydrologic alterations, and sediment transport dynamics.
This presentation will explore how past land use changes from colonization, industrialization and urbanization has left evidence of these changes in today’s landscape. Deforestation, agriculture, mill dam construction, industrialization and urbanization from the 18th and 19th centuries continue to influence stream morphology, water quality, and ecological health today. By integrating historical land use observations into modern stream assessments, we can improve restoration recommendations and develop comprehensive approaches to improve watershed resilience. It is essential to recognize the long-term effects of past land use when planning effective conservation and management efforts - not just in the Mid-Atlantic, but worldwide.
About Justin Spangler, PE
Coming Soon