Storm damage at Kemper Park

The two recent heavy rain events, Hurricane Irene and tropical storm Lee have caused a lot of damage along the little Neshaminy and Kemper Park. I think the flooding from Lee was the worst. The ground was already saturated and then we got another heavy rain.

I went to the park yesterday evening. The river was still high, brown and fast. I heard from another visitor that some houses on the left side of the park got flooded when the creek overflowed its banks. Since I had my dogs I did not get to the back of the park. The picnic benches in the two front pavillions had floated away. They are on the right side of the park near the creek.

The trash cans floated away. I saw a guy rolling one away from where it had settled close to the fence behind his house. The grey top seems to be missing. All of the wood chips that were spread on the ground of the play area are gone.There is a large dead tree on the shore behind the play ground. It is lodged against another dead tree on the shore. There is a lot of sand on the grass. The park is going to need some major maintenance. If we can just get some dry weather parks and recreation will be able to start the work. 

I think the damage would have been worse if it was not for the riparian buffer repair project. What is a riparian? I found the answer on wikipedia so I will be able to answer that question.

A riparian buffer is a vegetated area (a "buffer strip") near a stream, usually forested, which helps shade and partially protect a stream from the impact of adjacent land uses. It plays a key role in increasing water quality in associated streams, rivers, and lakes, thus providing environmental benefits. 

A riparian buffer is usually split into three different zones, each having its own specific purpose for filtering runoff and interacting with the adjacent aquatic system. Buffer design is a key element in the effectiveness of the buffer. 

Zone 1. This zone should function mainly to shade the water source and act as a bank stabilizer. The zone should include large native tree species that grow fast and can quickly act to perform these tasks. Although this is usually the smallest of the three zones and absorbs the fewest contaminants, most of the contaminants have been eliminated by Zone 2 and Zone 3.

Zone 2. Usually made up of native shrubs, this zone provides wonderful habitat for wildlife, including nesting areas for bird species. This zone also acts to slow and absorb contaminants that Zone 3 has missed. The zone is an important transition between grassland and forest.

Zone 3. This zone is important as the first line of defense against contaminants. It consists mostly of native grasses and serves primarily to slow water runoff and begin to absorb contaminants before they reach the other zones. Although these grass strips should be one of the widest zones, they are also the easiest to install.

Streambed Zone. The streambed zone of the riparian area is linked closely to Zone 1. Zone 1 provides fallen limbs, trees, and tree roots that in turn slow water flow, reducing erosional processes associated with increased water flow and flooding. This woody debris also increases habitat and cover for various aquatic species.

When I have been in the park I have sometimes wondered why they allow “weeds” to grow so high. After reading the information from Wikipedia I know why. It is a part of a system to protect the land and the creek.  Now when I am near a creek or river I look at the vegetation in a different way. I understand why they do not just remove dead trees on the bank. The roots can still hold on to the soil and prevent it from washing away. 

I hope we have some dry weather for a little while. We all need a chance to dry out and recover from the rains. The park really needs a chance to recover.
The humidity makes if hard to enjoy being outside and exercising. I have not been able to do any training for the Philadelphia marathon in November. Next Saturday I will either walk in the park or go to the gym that has a track in Willow Grove.

Till next time.