Spring Creek - Palmyra
Project Location
The Spring Creek Project is located in the suburbs of Palmyra, PA.
This project was initiated by the Borough of Palmyra to achieve local water quality goals. The project assisted in improving the quality of life in the community and supporting county and statewide initiatives to reduce nutrient and sediment pollution in local waterways and in the Chesapeake Bay.
About
The Borough of Palmyra implemented two Best Management Practices (BMPs) to improve water quality in Spring Creek:
Bioswale: A natural drainage ditch filled with plants and soil that filters pollution from stormwater. The contributing drainage area is 30.37 acres.
Vegetated Swale: Similar to a bioswale but with different plants, designed to slow down and clean stormwater. The contributing drainage area is 51.88 acres.
Both systems work as water filters, using plants and soil to trap pollutants
Both BMPs are on private land and were constructed with landowner permission. These BMPs help:
Remove thousands of pounds of sediment, phosphorus, and nitrogen from stormwater each year
Slow down stormwater flow, reducing flooding risk
Before RESTORATION
Below are the original conditions off of Lingle Avenue in Palmyra where the amount of water and rate of flow had created a deep path that offered no pollutant control.
DURING RESTORATION
Below is the progress during construction of the Spring Creek bioswale and vegetated swale. Photos show the installation of the rock wall and temporary covers to put the soil and seed over.
All construction was done by Flyway Excavating.
AFTER Restoration
Depicted below is the completed project. The bioswales reduce sediment and nutrient pollutants, reduce the rate and volume of stormwater runoff, increase biodiversity, and increase food and habitat for native wildlife species.
Why This Matters
The bioswale and vegetated swale will:
Reduce sediment and nutrient pollutants
Reduce the rate and volume of stormwater runoff
Increase biodiversity
Increase food and habitat for native wildlife
Assist Palmyra Borough and Pennsylvania in meeting their goals for cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay
The Palmyra Borough Restoration at Spring Creek shows how communities can use nature-based solutions to clean water, protect wildlife, and contribute to Chesapeake Bay restoration. It's a practical example of local action creating meaningful environmental impact within an urban setting.