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Restoring the Manatawny
By Producer, Kelly Meinhart
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removal of a large dam from the Manatawny Creek was just the
beginning of the restoration process for the Manatawny. If you
missed last week’s feature, please check it out as it
features the video
presentation, which originally aired in 2001, and
shows the process of the dam removal, as well as the parties
involved.
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lot has happened to the Manatawny since those days. Her channel
has recreated itself, new plants have established themselves
in places never seen before, fish have returned to areas that
they were previously inhibited from, macroinvertebrates have
flourished, water temperature and chemical processes have changed,
and people’s attitudes have changed as well.
hen I first visited the site of the Manatawny, folks in the
area were on the fence about the pending removal. Some were
even down right mad. They said it was a historical part of the
town, and that it should stay. Others argued that it no longer
served a viable purpose to the community and that it was infringing
on the health of the creek. It was quite a debate.
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the end, progress pushed forward and the dam was removed. I
recently returned to the site, and to a site just upstream from
where the dam once stood. I was accompanied by folks from the
Delaware RiverKeeper Network, who was in charge of the streambank
restoration efforts after the removal process.
was amazed at the changes I saw, and the positive improvements
that had been done. Not only could I see the bottom of the creek,
not only did the water look much cleaner and healthier, but
I could see real change in the upstream banks as well.
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fter the dam was removed the Delaware RiverKeeper Network began
their work upstream to restore the eroded banks, and to help
the waters from eroding new areas. Their work was funded through
the PA DEP and US EPA, and included partnerships with the Greater
Pottstown Watershed Alliance, the Pottstown Borough, and the
Academy of Natural Sciences.
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began in September 2001, and wrapped up in 2003, with the stabilization
of approximately 1,700 linear feet of streambank along Memorial
Park. Two J-hooks rock veins were installed to re-center flows
offset by a pedestrian bridge upstream. As Rich will tell you
in his video clips, the project was quite a success.
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orking with the community is a big part of what the RiverKeeper
Network does, and this project is no exception. They’ve
been working very closely with area residents and organizations
to create involvement in the project, and to foster a sense
of inclusion in it for the residents.
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instance, one impact that every water, stream or wetland faces
is the invasion of non-native species. Purple Loostrife, while
beautiful in appearance, is extremely damaging to these sensitive
areas. This invasive plant spreads easily and quickly and has
a strong root system.
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order to circumvent the Purple Loostrife from establishing itself
in the newly bare banks of the Manatawny, the RiverKeeper Network
has developed a program to control the invasion of the plant.
Working with the local watershed association, the groups combined
efforts to pull the Purple Loostrife as it begins to grow. It’s
an intensive project, but one that has positive results, and
as Dan told me in his video interviews, one that can make a
real difference.
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he
Delaware RiverKeeper Network is just one of the partners in
the effort to restore the Manatawny Creek, and create a more
viable habitat for aquatic species. But their streambank stabilization
of the upstream channel is certainly something to marvel at.
The work and studies of the Manatawny continue, so be sure to
check out the following websites to learn the latest details:
 Delaware
RiverKeeper Network
Academy
of Natural Sciences
Greater
Pottstown Watershed Alliance |
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