Frequently Asked Questions

The restoration approach taking place along the Blue Green Connector project is called floodplain restoration. At its core, this method involves restoring the lost floodplain-wetland meadows that historically existed here, by excavating and removing “legacy sediment,” a word used to describe the eroded soils that over time have buried the historical floodplain. Floodplain restoration tries to restore the stream system as close as possible to the historical floodplain condition, within modern day constraints like existing buildings, roads, and utilities. 

Before European settlement, stream channels were not clearly defined and instead moved around freely, connecting with wetland pockets. The ground surface of most floodplains would have shared a similar appearance to what you can see on the inside of an English muffin – lots of variation with multiple high points, low points and interconnections! They were heavily vegetated and would have looked like an open, wet meadow full of grasses, sedges, and rushes with water-loving wildflowers, shrubs and some trees. The historical floodplain-wetland meadows provided a unique and much needed habitat for wildlife and pollinators. Visit the Big Spring Run Project website to learn more about the research being done to understand and restore the historical floodplain. 

The conditions found in today’s stream systems contribute to a variety of negative impacts, like water pollution, erosion and land loss, increased flooding, risks to community infrastructure, and loss of wildlife habitat. 34% of Pennsylvania’s 85,568 miles of rivers and streams are considered impaired or unhealthy (source: PA DEP, 2022 Integrated Water Quality Monitoring  Report). When a stream is considered impaired, that means it is so polluted that it does not meet water quality standards for water supply, aquatic life, recreation, or fish  consumption. The PA DEP reports agricultural activities, acid mine drainage from past coal mining operations, and urban/suburban stormwater runoff as the major sources for stream  pollution. Of the 1,400 miles of stream in Lancaster County, more than 50% are considered impaired. The Little Conestoga Creek is one of the most impaired waterways in the Susquehanna Basin. You can learn more about clean water efforts in Lancaster County by visiting the Lancaster Clean  Water Partners website here.

In recent history, woodlands have become more abundant along stream systems because the stream has been separated from its historical floodplain. These trees have grown on top of  thousands of pounds of sediment that have buried the historical floodplain and wetland complex. You may have even seen tall stream banks eroding through a tree’s root system, a  common sight in this region. Removing trees and legacy sediment found next to the stream are part of the restoration process to bring back the historical floodplain condition and the wetland processes that are necessary for a healthy riparian ecosystem. Trees and shrubs will be planted as part of the restoration. To mimic the historical condition, you will find trees and shrubs planted mostly along the edges of the floodplain, while much of the floodplain bottom will be planted with wet meadow species.

The restoration will be planted with a mix of wetland grasses, upland meadows, trees and shrubs. This variety of native plant species will make the restoration a local “biodiversity hotspot!” Biodiversity is a key indicator of the health of an ecosystem, and is measured by the  number of different species, including plants, animals and other organisms that share a particular “home.” Native plants are species that have developed and thrived in a particular geographic area over a very long period. They offer food, cover, and nesting sites for local  wildlife, and promote natural mosquito control with habitat for native predators like dragonflies, frogs, turtles, and fish.

Invasive species are those that live in areas where they do not naturally exist, and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause environmental harm. Their presence can lead to the extinction of native plants and animals, destroy biodiversity, and permanently alter habitats.  Invasive species are certainly being removed as part of the restoration! Some of the major invasive species that are being removed include: carpetgrass, cattail, porcelain berry, Japanese hops, reed canary grass, purple loosestrife, multiflora rose, bush honeysuckle, Bradford pear, and burning bush. These species could quickly become a significant problem if not managed properly and kept under control.

Floodplain and wetland corridors are the backbone of the collective watershed ecosystem, allowing wildlife to move through a fragmented landscape of agricultural fields, urban development, and modern infrastructure like roads and utilities. Restoration along streams forms a connecting corridor between important habitat islands or “stepping stones” of naturalized habitats like woodlands, forests, and meadows. It allows for the return of species that previously did not have access to this kind of habitat. Keep your eyes and ears open – you may be able to find migratory fish like eel or shad, muskrats, bats, bitterns, flycatchers, warblers, grebes, green or black-crowned night herons, waterthrushes, and many more wildlife species. 

Water quality improvement, reduced flooding, and habitat restoration are some of the numerous benefits to restoring floodplains. Because you are restoring the integrated functions of an entire system, the benefits are greater and longer-lasting compared to other traditional stream restoration practices. As a result of restoring the floodplain, the community can experience cleaner water through the filtration and removal of pollutants, protection of infrastructure like bridges, roads and buildings through reduced flood damage, improved water security through increased groundwater recharge and purification, and access to nature through recreation along trails. The local ecosystem benefits from a reduction in invasive species and an increase in biodiversity, which provides critical habitat for native plants and animals. Overall, floodplain restoration increases the community’s resilience in a changing climate with improved flood storage, groundwater recharge, and carbon sequestration.