Stream Bank Restoration at Watson Creek

Background

Watson creak is a historic creek in central Bucks County that at one time was the industrial center of the county with 7 mills operating along its banks. Watson creek is also a historic trout stream with cool waters where trout have thrived. Watson creek feeds Mill creek which joins Neshaminy creek that flows all the way to the Delaware River. Unfortunately, over the years invasive weeds, in particular Japanese Knot weed, have infested the banks of the stream. The banks of Watson creek are privately owned and the land owners requested help in removing the invasive weeds and restoring the riparian buffer.

Project Goals

• Remove the invasive weeds and teach the homeowners how to maintain the properties
• Reforest the riparian buffer and increase the habitat on the properties 
• Teach the homeowners how to restore and maintain the properties

Project Description

The project started on June 26, 2020, when Volunteers from Penn State Extension’s Master Watershed Steward Program, Members of the Neshaminy Watershed Association plus assorted homeowners, some 16 volunteers in all, descended on Mill Road to eradicate Japanese knotweed and other invasive weeds along Watson’s Creek.  The volunteers arrived with machetes, loppers, canoe paddles and a hedge trimmer to begin Phase 1 of a three-step process.

Phase 2 was executed in August, when the Neshaminy Watershed Association members guided the homeowners in the application of an herbicide to the knotweed stumps to help minimize regrowth, a key best-management-practice to eradicate Japanese knotweed.

Phase 3 was a fall tree planting and spring live staking. On October 15-16, 2021, the Neshaminy Watershed association teamed with The Buckingham Township EAC and neighbors along Watson Creek to plant 100 trees to reestablish the riparian buffer there. Oaks, persimmons, button bush, spice bush and silky dogwoods were donated by the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership. The objective was to replant this area with native trees before invasive species had a chance to re-establish.

In April 2022, Neshaminy Watershed Association members instructed the neighbors in how to install live stakes along the stream bank. Live stakes were harvested from properties in Bucks County and purchased from Ernst Conservation Seeds. A total of 100 live stakes were installed by the homeowners.

During the summer of 2022 the neighbors continue to remove Japanese Knotweed and other invasives along the stream bank. In October 2022 the homeowners, along with the Neshaminy Watershed Association, obtained a second tree grant from the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership for 100 additional native trees and shrubs that were planted to restore the stream bank. This included 22 species including, sycamores, oaks, maples, button bush, spice bush, red osier dogwood, silky dogwood, elderberry, gray dogwood, black willow, and nannyberry.

Future plans

While this process is ongoing and will take many years to complete, the progress along the stream is significant.  As more homeowners observe and understand the impact of this work, they are joining the effort to restore and maintain the creek. More invasive weeds are removed, additional trees continue to be planted and previous planting maintained. This project is a wonderful example of how cooperation between a volunteer organization, the community, local government and the 10 Million Trees Partnership can make an impact on the environment. 

Partners

• Bucks County Master Watershed Stewards
• Buckingham Township EAC
• 10 Million Trees for Pennsylvania (Grantor)

Ways to get involved

 If you are interested in getting involved with this project, please email us at  neshaminywatershed@gmail.com