Recent
ActivityRecent
Activity
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Study area close-ups are now available for many areas of this project. Please click on the map (at left) to view these photos. (Clicking on this map will open a new window where you can navigate through the photos for the project. These photos are hosted by the University of Pittsburgh.) |
A total of 6 walking surveys and sampling events were conducted through December, 2004; two additional walking surveys and sampling events have been conducted in April and May, 2005. The surveys took place in select areas downslope of the project and at four of the sedimentation ponds. The super silt fences have been observed to hold back up to 12 inches of sediments where properly maintained. Fence damage, blow-outs in silt fences and damage/missing fabric reduce the effectiveness of the silt fence, although at present most upslope areas are relatively well vegetated. Supersilt fencing by and large has served its purpose and its useful life.
Maintenance has been a problem in the past, but it is questionable if fencing should continue to be maintained from here on out. Sampling and analysis of sedimentation pond influent and effluent has been conducted; the results of the data are being analyzed with respect to suspended solids, turbidity, color, and other chemical parameters. Data trends with respect to time and other factors such as precipitation are being evaluated.
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SB-14 |
12 in Sediment Held Back by SSF |
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Heavy Vegetation, No Fabric on Fence |
Tree Fall on Super Silt Fence |
Under Task B,
at some locations along the highway construction area measurements will be taken
of flow into wetlands and ground water levels. These measured values will be
compared to the predicted values determined by computer models in order to
determine the effectiveness of the modeling technique.
| Parshall Flumes are used to measure flow | |
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| Graph of flow measured in the flume | |
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| Graph of rainfall data used in the computer models | |
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Ground water levels around the highway construction are measured using monitoring wells |
Graph of ground water levels and rainfall amounts |
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Task C of the I-99 Project focuses on status and trends of both the pre-existing and replacement wetlands. Among the questions that are being examined are:
A Field Monitoring Implementation Plan has been prepared to guide the collection of additional data needed to address these questions. In the spring of 2005 the project team began field investigations of water and soil chemistry, vegetation characteristics, terrestrial vertebrate communities, and benthic macroinvertebrate populations. These efforts will continue into 2007.
The team has also initiated a review of wetland assessment
methodologies to provide an evaluation of the state of the art in assessing
wetland functions and values. The data needs of methods that are identified as
particularly promising for utilization in Pennsylvania are being incorporated
into the field efforts to assist in further evaluation.
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Emerging wetland vegetation on Bald Eagle Ridge |
Completed replacement wetland along Route 220 |
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Black Rat Snake on wetland fringe, May 2005 |
Rock dams were located in the stream through Port Matilda Park to provide fishing habitat. These dams have been removed and natural pools constructed in the stream. This benefits the stream since the dammed pools filled with silt material, decreasing water quality in the pools. The new pools will function more efficiently, keeping the water aerated and flushing the stream bed of silts during routine high flows.
Other mitigation work included riparian planting and rock structure construction, as well as regrading of much of the park area.
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| June 2005, pre-construction | September 2005, under construction |
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| April 2006 |
Click the links below for additional photos and updates on this Task.
Click the links below for additional photos and updates.
