Loper Run: A Story of Student Science and a Changing Stream

Students from CRHS getting instructions for collecting benthic macroinvertebrates

From 2018 to 2023, the American Littoral Society embarked on a vital project, collecting data from five freshwater streams in Cumberland County, NJ.
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Funded by the William Penn Foundation and in partnership with local non-profits, this initiative aimed to establish a baseline for stream health and track changes over time. These streams, all tributaries of the Cohansey and Maurice Rivers, ultimately flow into the Delaware Bay, highlighting the crucial connection between healthy streams and a healthy bay.

One of these sites, Loper Run, located adjacent to Cumberland Regional High School (CRHS), became a focal point for student involvement and a compelling case study in environmental change.

In 2018, with the help of CRHS students, the Littoral Society installed a rain garden along Loper Run. This wasn't just any rain garden, it was strategically placed to intercept a clear line of erosion from the school parking lot, preventing sediment runoff from polluting the stream.

Installing the Mayfly continuous water sensor in the water.

That same year, a Mayfly water monitoring sensor was also installed, providing continuous data on temperature, conductivity, and turbidity. This real-time monitoring offers valuable insights, revealing changes in the stream's condition, such as the impact of rainfall or road salting. View the current state of the stream.

Beyond continuous monitoring, students from CRHS have participated in annual benthic macroinvertebrate surveys. Donning waders, they collect samples, learning how the presence or absence of certain species acts as a powerful indicator of freshwater ecosystem health. These "bottom-dwelling" creatures, some more sensitive to pollution than others, provide a biological snapshot of the stream's condition.

Some of these students later became crew members in our summer Restoration Corps program, where they were certified in biological and habitat monitoring through the NJ Department of Environmental Protection and were therefore able to submit the data they collected throughout the summer to the state.
 
As part of the Delaware River Watershed Initiative (DRWI), Society staff conducted quarterly monitoring at each of these sites, collecting data utilizing a YSI and flow meter, as well as sending samples to the Academy of Natural Sciences at Drexel University for lab analysis, measuring nitrogen and phosphorus levels, among other parameters. This data was used to create the “stream health report card” you can see at the bottom of this post.

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Students from CRHS collecting benthic macroinvertebrates.

he data paints a concerning picture: Loper Run's water quality has unfortunately declined over time, with a sharp increase in nitrogen and phosphorus levels starting around 2022. This trend is starkly reflected in the Nitrogen and Phosphorus graph. Regular on-site observations during this period revealed a declining water level and increasingly stagnant conditions.

While the report includes average macroinvertebrate data, it doesn't fully capture the reality that by the end of the study period, these organisms became incredibly difficult to find in the mud, indicating a significant deterioration in habitat quality.

The cause of this decline remains a question mark, requiring further investigation into upstream activities. A major change occurring around 2021-2022 likely played a role, and identifying this change is crucial.

The story of Loper Run is a reminder of the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the importance of long-term monitoring. It also highlights the power of student involvement in scientific research and the crucial role of community-based conservation efforts.

The Littoral Society's work at Loper Run continues, with ongoing efforts to understand the changes and work towards restoring this valuable waterway.

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