Monitoring Stream Health in South Jersey's Barrett's Run

While the old saying is that all streams run to the sea, what isn't mentioned is what they pick up and carry to that destination, which can include trash, fertilizers, and all sorts of pollution that can harm both the streams and the sea - as well as everything living in them.

​In a previous post, we explored the Littoral Society's work with Loper Run, a Cumberland County, NJ stream where student science and long-term monitoring revealed a concerning decline in water quality.

As part of the same larger project, funded by the William Penn Foundation, the American Littoral Society has been diligently collecting data from several other freshwater streams within the Cohansey and Maurice River Watersheds. These waterways, like Loper Run, ultimately feed into the vital Delaware Bay, reinforcing the understanding that the health of our bay is intrinsically linked to the well-being of these smaller tributaries.

In this post, we'll take a closer look at another of these fascinating sites: Barrett's Run.

Barrett's Run: The Benefits of Native Grasslands
Located downstream of our Barrett's Run Native Grassland Restoration site in Hopewell Township, NJ, this stream offers a compelling example of how land management practices can positively influence water quality.

Started in 2014, the restoration project involved seeding former farmland with a diverse mix of native grasses and perennials. An additional boost of perennials was added to a section in 2023, thanks to a grant from the Xerces Society, enhancing pollinator habitat as well. The trails meandering through the grassland are maintained for public enjoyment by Hopewell Township, creating a beautiful space for recreation and ecological benefit.

By maintaining this area as a thriving native grassland, rather than allowing for development, the land can act as a natural sponge and filter. The dense vegetation helps capture and slow down stormwater runoff, allowing sediments and potential pollutants to be filtered out before they reach Barrett's Run.

We are able to monitor the stream's health, with a YSI EXO Sonde, a sophisticated instrument that provides real-time measurements of key water quality parameters including pH, specific conductance, turbidity, and dissolved oxygen (DO).

• pH: In South Jersey, particularly closer to the Pinelands, the water tends to be naturally slightly acidic.
• Specific Conductance: This measures the water's ability to conduct electricity and can indicate the presence of dissolved solids like salt.
• Turbidity: This measures water clarity, with higher turbidity indicating more suspended sediments.
• Dissolved Oxygen (DO): Crucial for aquatic life, DO levels indicate the amount of oxygen available for respiration.

We also employ a flow meter and measuring tape to estimate the total water flow in Barrett's Run during our visits. By measuring the stream's width, water velocity at various points, and depth, the Academy of Natural Sciences can calculate an estimated flow volume. Tracking water flow over time is essential for understanding how changes in the watershed, such as increased impervious surfaces, can impact stream dynamics, potentially leading to flash flooding or reduced base flow.

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