Case Study – Marylea Farm Stream Restoration Site Biological Monitoring
Carolyn Lanza
Mike Fowler, PE
Wildlands Engineering, Inc.
Charlotte, NC
Authors: Suraye Solis, Mike Fowler
Improved aquatic habitat and ecological uplift are often cited as benefits of stream restoration, but current research has found conflicting evidence of this statement. Many studies have focused on the benefits or lack thereof of urban stream restoration efforts on aquatic life, likely because these projects are under increased public scrutiny. However, many stream restoration projects occur in rural settings in current or historic agricultural land. Wildlands Engineering, Inc. (WEI) restored over 9,000 linear feet of Thomas Run and 3 tributaries at The Marylea Farm Stream Restoration Site in Harford County, MD. Construction of this project was completed in March 2020. In an attempt to determine the impact of restoration efforts on aquatic communities, WEI conducted pre-construction benthic macroinvertebrate and fish sampling in 2019. WEI macroinvertebrate sampling sites include two Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MD DNR) Maryland Biological Stream Survey (MBSS) sites: one is located upstream of the project to serve as a control, and one is downstream of the project to determine if the restoration activities have had effects on benthic communities outside of the project area. The inclusion of these sites will allow for comparison with MD DNR’s longer-term data set. Fish surveys were conducted along the two largest tributaries to Thomas Run; only a presence/absence survey was conducted on the mainstem of Thomas Run. Post-construction samples are being obtained in 2023, during year four of the active monitoring period. WEI will compare IBI scores and community descriptions to determine any trends of ecological uplift at the site.
About Carolyn Lanza
Ms. Lanza has six years of experience related to watershed resources. Ms. Lanza works out of Wildlands Raleigh office. She is responsible for geomorphic stream assessment, stream I/P calls, macroinvertebrate collection, post-construction monitoring, annual monitoring reports, GIS maps/data management, watershed planning, planting plans, and invasive species management.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-lanza-9b1581a7/
About Mike Fowler, PE
Mr. Fowler serves as the leader out of the Wildlands Virginia office and has over 29 years of experience in watershed planning, stormwater management, stream and wetland restoration, and design of stormwater management systems. He serves as a senior project manager and technical advisor for watershed planning, stormwater management, and ecological restoration projects within the firm.
