BRADLEY CREEK PROJECT STUDY SITES

Below is a description of each project site. Please be respectful of private property and do not trespass in yards without permission of the landowner. When entering the stream at each site, enter from the road or by walking along the very edge of the creek. Please think about safety and use caution.

At each site, please note adjacent land use, whether it is fresh or saline, clarity of water, presence or absence of flora and fauna in the water. Think about the factors that may impact water quality.

SITE 1--Upper North Branch-CLEAR RUN

Data Availability: 1994 to present (Mallin et al. Tidal creek reports on reserve in library).

Landuse: Mostly single family, however, there is a multi-family residential complex and some commercial properties upstream.

Data Collection Point: approximately 2 m SE of culvert

Note: Extensive overgrowth adjacent to creek, some stabilization by limestone riprap, beware of poison ivy!

SITE 2- Lower North Branch- MALLARD ROAD/ROSE AVENUE

Data Availability: Fall 1997 to Fall 2000 (http://www.uncwil.edu/people/lynnl/f00data.html), 1994 to present (Mallin et al. Tidal creek reports on reserve in library).

Landuse: Mostly single family, however, this site receives runoff from the retention ponds behind Lowes and Walmart. The property owner on the North side of the road has reported seeing mysterious, foamy, material in the water on occasion.

Data Collection Point: 1m SE of the culvert

Note: Extensive vegetation overhang at this site (providing shade), fairly natural conditions.

SITE 3--Tidal North Branch --WRIGHTSVILLE AVENUE BRIDGE

Data Availability: Fall 1997 to 1999 (http://www.uncwil.edu/people/lynnl/f00data.html), 1994 to present (Mallin et al. Tidal creek reports on reserve in library).

Landuse: Single family, undeveloped, wetlands, some multifamily upstream and some agricultural.

Data Collection Point: Off of the SE side of the bridge

Note: This is a tidal site. It is important to note at this site the direction of flow when you collect measurements as the tide could be rising or falling. If falling, the contaminant inputs are more likely to originate from upland sources. If rising, the inputs are more likely to originate from seaward sources. The wetlands adjacent to the channel at this site should provide some buffering (filtering) of contaminants. Note the extensive stands of cord grass, which are tolerant of more saline conditions and patches of black needle rush, which prefer more brackish conditions.

SITE 4--Tidal Mouth-- BRADLEY CREEK MARINA

Data Availability: 1994 to present (Mallin et al. Tidal creek reports on reserve in library).

Landuse: Single family, undeveloped, and transportation

Data Collection Point: Most seaward boat slip

Note: The creek in this area has been dredged to accommodate boats. Concrete bulkheads armor edges of creek. Note chemical and fuel films on the water. Note extensive oyster reefs in the middle of the creek. As this is also a tidal site, these reefs may be exposed on low tides. During falling tides, these oysters filter particles carried in the ebbing flow and may remove some pollutants before upland waters reach the coastal ocean.

SITE 5--Tidal South Branch --WRIGHTSVILLE AVENUE CULVERTS

Data Availability: Fall 1997 to Fall 2000 (http://www.uncwil.edu/people/lynnl/f00data.html), 1994 to present (Mallin et al. Tidal creek reports on reserve in library).

Landuse: Single family, undeveloped, wetlands, some multifamily upstream and some agricultural.

Data Collection Point: Between the culverts on the ESE side of the road

Note: This is a tidal site. It is important to note at this site the direction of flow every time you collect measurements as the tide could be rising or falling. If falling, the contaminant inputs are more likely to originate from upland sources. If rising, the inputs are more likely to originate from seaward sources. The wetlands adjacent to the channel at this site should provide some buffering (filtering) of contaminants. Note the more brackish vegetation (black needle rush) closer to the uplands and the more saline vegetation (cord grass) along channel banks and seaward of the site. Be careful not to sink in the mud along the channel banks--it can be quite soupy. Note the new development occurring adjacent to the marsh.

SITE 6 --Lower South Branch --ANDOVER ROAD

Data Availability: Fall 1998 to Fall 2000 (http://www.uncwil.edu/people/lynnl/f00data.html), 1994 to present (Mallin et al. Tidal creek reports on reserve in library).

Landuse: Mostly single family, however, there is a horse farm slightly upstream

Data Collection Point: 2m NE of the culvert

Note: Stabilization of channel bank, extensive lawn adjacent to site, beware of snakes.

SITE 7- Upper South Branch-- UNCW CAMPUS

Data Availability: No previous data available

Landuse: Institutional

Data Collection Point: approximately 5m NNW of the road (recently cleared area)

Note: Heavy vegetation along banks, extensive lawns adjacent to the creek.