What's up in the Watershed?

What a surprise! Mid-summer in New Jersey and it's hot, humid and sticky! I don't know why I'm surprised—except for my college years in West Virginia, I've always lived in South Jersey, and this is what summer is here. I find myself sounding like my grandfather with alarming frequency: "When I was a kid, it wasn't this hot," or "Yes, it was hot back then, but we didn't whine about it!" or "We didn't have air conditioning and we survived!" Usually I catch myself before my son says "Ok, Grandad."

So, back to the current weather! Even though the temperature and lack of rain are very similar to last year, I've notice some differences in the marsh. Last year, we had a nasty layer of black algae on the banks of the Cinnaminson side of the creek. This year, it's on the Riverton side, and my side is completely clear of it. The difference in the appearance of the arrow arum and other marsh plants has me puzzled. Usually, the marsh starts to go brown at the end of August, maybe mid-August when we're going to have an early winter. This year, the plants have begun to change color before the end of July. I don't think it's because of the lack of rain - the creek is tidal, and the plants are covered with water twice a day. I sincerely hope that this doesn't mean an even earlier winter! I'll keep watching and keep you posted.

The beavers downstream from me should have had their kit by now, but the heat has kept all of the beavers in their lodges during day light hours, so I haven't seen the baby. (Did you know that beavers are born with fur, teeth, eyes open and can swim the day they are born?) Occasionally they can be heard in the middle of the night.  

There is apparently a problem with beavers in Moorestown, near Lippincott Pond. I'm to visit the site with Mr. Merchel and Ms. Rich in the near future to see what can be done. My major concern is that people usually want the animals removed - they think that the beavers will get a new home and live happily ever after. Sadly, that is not the case. Once they have been captured, they are indeed taken away - but they are not relocated, they are put to death. I find that objectionable - humans are the intruders in the beavers home, not the other way around!I've seen muskrats on several occasions, and the catfish are plentiful. I am thrilled to say that there have been more turtles in the creek than there have been for years!

I am a bit concerned that this may only be a temporary situation. A proposed construction site upstream from here, whose future is not very clear at this point, has been found in violation of a variety of regulations by the Burlington County Soil Conservation District. After the heavy rain earlier this week, the sediment washing into the creek was visible all the way down to Lakeview and beyond. If you would like to learn more about this development and the legal and environmental issues that affect the entire watershed and  involve the township, the developer, the BCSCD and the NJDEP, please contact me. I'll see that you get a summary and current status report of the situation.