For my first assignment I wanted to look at a feature that is central to the University of Richmond campus, Westhampton Lake. I would like to preface my discussion with a common perception of students of the UR campus that the lake is either radioactive or a bio hazard. One always hears rumors of individuals who cross the lake who, are within hours, sick with serious infections. Speaking to a Bio student yesterday, who has done field tests on the lake, has found that it meets all standards for a recreational/healthy lake. However, she cautioned me not to drink the water, since it may have E. Coli and other potentially harmful bacterium in it.
With these thoughts in mind, I began my physical survey...
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Name of Body of Water: Westhampton Lake Date: May 30th, 2007
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Riparian Zone & Erosion: A riparian zone is an important feature to most watersheds. The RP Zone is the interface between land and a flowing water body. The word Riparian, includes the Latin prefix ripa, meaning riverbank. This site often has numerous types of flora which can sustain numerous species of animals. The plants that compose the RP play a central role in filtering nitrates and runoff before it enters the water. The CBP feels there should be a minimum 35 feet to a RP Zone which slowly terraform from the water's edge to forest line.
^--- In this photo we are looking at one of the many streams that feeds into the Westhampton Lake near the Greek Row on River Road. The RP Zone is so thick that is almost impossible to get near the stream due to vegetation. This particular stream meets all of the CBP's criteria for a successful and healthy RP.
^--This RP (near DHall and the Tyler Haynes Commons on the Westhampton side of the lake) has numerous types of plants before reaching a paved path and then large trees and shrubs. While not the natural progression seen in the first shot, it still qualifies as a good RP.
^-- The Richmond side of the lake has the weakest, and at some points, nonexistent RP Zones. This photo shows the construction of Lakeview which slopes directly into the lake (to the left of the photo). Because of the lack of an RP zone, runoff has killed much of the grass near the lake. To prevent erosion this side of the lake has a man made approach... (see next photo)
^--The Richmond side of the lake uses large rocks along with netting below the soil to prevent erosion. This strategy is noticeable by the sharp drop of the land towards the water and the lack of a smooth transition to the water's edge evident elsewhere on the lake.
******RP overall analysis******
I was impressed with the RPs at the Westhampton Lake. The streams that deposit water into the lake all have fairly strong RPs. The Westhampton side of the lake, especially near the forested areas, is superb as well. However, the Richmond side of the lake's RP Zones should be the focus of repair and rejuvenation in order to create a more natural and effective natural barrier to prevent runoff and erosion to the lake.
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Litter: Litter was less of a problem then previously assumed. The objects that appeared most frequently at the observable water's edge were glass bottles, cans, baseballs, and tennis balls. The streams that feed the lake were noticeably cleaner, however a tire and Disney style hat were found at two separate points.
<- In this photo a plastic cup can be observed in the lake. While trash is presumable further and deeper in the lake, the water's edge was surprisingly not in bad condition.
***Trash Overall Analysis***
Trash does not appear to be a serious problem. As would be presumably suggested, regular cleanups of the water's edge would take care of a small portion of the problem. Also, more trash receptacles would provide a means to stop some of the littering along the lakeside.
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Point Source Pollution: PSP observes a direct point of pollutants entering a body of water. This is often characterised by pipes dumping a substance or pollutant into a body of water. Surprisingly, there are two point source pollution locations on campus.
^--While I have no field test to confirm, it goes without saying that any sort of power plant will generate pollution. Our campus's coal plant is only used at certain hours, but does contribute to air pollution. Also, the copious amount of coal near the water may have an effect, primarily due to a small RP Zone separating the coal from the stream. Runoff would be the main area of concern here. It is interesting to note that this PSP affects the water leaving the lake, so no effects are truly felt in the Westhampton Lake.
^-- This stream I have temporarily dubbed 'Orange Stink'. If you're wondering why, the title sums it up. It is both a strange orange color and has a pungent odor. This stream enters right near the coal plant from what appears to be a suburban area near the golf course (which is adjoining campus). If I get the means I really want to run field tests on this site to see if the cause is pollution, chemicals, or a strange biological feature.
***PSP Overall Analysis***
While I cannot come to any confirmed conclusions, I strongly feel investigation of these two sites is of high importance to my study. If these sites do prove to be contributing substansial amounts of pollution to the water it would mean problems for many other points down the stream/river exiting the Westhampton Lake.
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Species Observed & Forests:
Birds: Great Blue Heron, Goose (Canadian & Domesticated), Ducks (Mallard), Robin, Crow, Dunking Water Bird (needs id & photo).......three sets of hatching's: Duck, Canadian Goose, Canadian Goose
Mammals: Squirrel
Reptiles: Snapping Turtle
Amphibians: Frog, Tadpoles
Fish: Sunnies, Minnows
Insects: Snails, Mosquito, Butterfly (yellow and dark with blue spots), Gnats, Ants
Trees: (MANY) at least 4 types of pine, lots of deciduous (beech & maple among others)
Plants: Far too many to count or quantify with my knowledge, much more than originally anticipated
***Species Observed Overall Impression***
Diversity is much more sophisticated than I originally thought. Also, bird flocks appear to have grown substantially since last year (especially seemingly non-migratory ducks). Fish appear all around lake, not just by gazebo as suggested by some.
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Lake Water:
Algae
^-- This is one example of algae in the lake. Yet this is restricted to the banks of the lake and appears to be simply a sign that the lake is alive and healthy.
^-- This photo was taken of the lake in the Fall of 2005. During this fall the lake was covered in a thick film of algae which created a malodorous smell and changed to very bright shades of green, blue, yello, and orange. The lake has not had a similar experience in the past two years.
Professor Chris Stevenson stated at that time, "The plain fact is that the lake is eutrophic (ie, highly productive). This is partly natural – lakes tend to become progressively more eutrophic as they age, and shallow lakes do so fairly quickly – but the process is accelerated by nutrient pollution. The source of the pollution is somewhat debatable. University Facilities claims that it is due to sources further up the watershed (eg, residences, Ukrops, etc) and not due to fertilizer used on University grounds. That’s perhaps debatable; I suspect both sources are important, though I can’t say for sure.So the only long term solution is to reduce nutrient pollution into the lake, and possibly treat the sediment (or dredge it) to get rid of the nutrients there (which can be re-released into the water). Anything else – including the aerators – is only treating the symptoms rather than the disease".
Muddy: Only at one point, where the streams enter the lake near where River Road and Richmond meet.
Odorous: 'Orange Stink' stream
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Well that sums it up! My first physical survey *whew* it took 3 hours to make this post. I learned where the lake needs improvement and also where it excels. Overall, I was very impressed with the state of the lake.
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