Fry's Run Watershed Association
November 1, 2010 Minutes

Members present: Matt Powers, Bob Schmidt, Jim Wilson, Linda Heindel, and Polly Clark. 

Dr.  Frank Pazzaglia, Chair of the Earth and Environmental Science Dept. at Lehigh University gave an hour and a half presentation showing the topographical layers of Fry's Run from a regional perspective, together with a simplified explanation of how to determine water velocity and sedimentation rates in streams. The geologic information is available on paper maps and digitally from both the federal and state governments' Geologic Survey maps. LIDAR and Penn State University and the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission also have high resolution maps. Linda Heindel mentioned that Liesel Dreisbach-Williams and Terry Lee are both on the 
LV Planning Commission and might be helpful local contacts. 

Pazzaglia explained that for our purposes two major considerations of the stream are important: the "flashiness" (i.e., how much water it is carrying and how fast the water level changes) and how much sediment it carries over the course of several seasons. There should be at least 2 areas tested, either on Fry's Run tributaries or on a comparably sized nearby watershed (e.g., Nancy Run in Bethlehem Twsp), at least 5 times to get a more representative sampling to compare unimpacted areas (farm and forest lands) vs. impacted areas (developed areas with houses, pavement, roads, etc). Economic impacts (e.g. the cost of repairing roadbeds, bridges, the widening and eroding of the stream bed and the impact of nearby shallow well-water contamination) are also important considerations. 

He explained both low tech and more sophisticated and expensive methods of water discharge measurement that can be used -- some as simple as a wooden triangle weir with oranges floating on the water's surface and hoboes (little pressure sensors that operate on batteries and last for years). Hoboes use a transponder that can measure water pressure at intervals we determine (usually every 15 minutes); the readings can then be plugged in to a computer to read the results. It's possible a Lehigh undergraduate intern would be able to schedule weekly visits to the watershed this summer over a 10-12 week period accompanied by a FRWA member for supervision who would show him where to place the weirs and to negotiate with landowners. The Lehigh department would probably be able to lend us their hoboes. 

He explained that a lot of this information is available in the recent Saucon Creek Watershed presentation he gave, which he emailed to Matt Powers and which will be e-mailed to FRWA for review. He encouraged FRWA members to attend the upcoming Watershed Conference at Lehigh University's STEPS Building in March, 2011. He also explained that getting a rain gauge would be very helpful for our purposes. 

Jim Wilson, Northampton County Soil Conservation District, met with  Gordon Heller last week. He'll try to meet with us by the next FRWA meeting at the Fry's Run Park site to go over the planned size of the buffer zone, etc. Matt Powers and Jim Wilson will try to be there. The Western Pa. Conservancy is still willing to do the design for us. Matt also plans to get input for the Pa. Fish & Boat Commission later on, per Mr. Heller's suggestion. 

Jim mentioned trying to get a grant from the Lower Delaware Wild & Scenic River Assoc. for the buffer zone plants, but it was brought to his attention that Williams Twsp. may not yet belong to that, so Matt will check with Twsp. Manager, Debbie Patterson, and bring it up at the next Supervisors' meeting to see if Wms.Twsp is willing to join. 

Bob and Eileen Schmidt and Jeff McGuire did the most recent roadway trash pick-up. The next pick-up will be in the spring. 

For the next township newsletter for articles from FRWA, members will either volunteer or Matt will assign articles at the next meeting, Tuesday,12/07/10, at 7:00 pm. 


                                                                                 Submitted by, 

                                                                                  Polly Clark