This stream section was divided up into five segments:
Segment #1 We are not quite sure of the direct source of where the stream starts in the storm drain in the High School field. We also saw a storm drain on the side of the road and in the middle of some sand on the other side of the road. We saw some oil around a big patch of cat tails leading to three different pipes. We think the oil should be checked in the areas where the oil came back together. We think the oil is man made because the storm drain across the road consumes car exhaust and oil. The second reason it could be man made is that there's a Building and Grounds Department with lots of barrels. There could be sewage in the stream because the school septic system is right beside the bank.
Segment #2 begins at the school pathway to the ABRHS athletic fields. It runs along the nature path. It is approximately 572 feet long. The presence of Phragmites, run-off mud, rocks and cobblestones from wetlands and blockage of overflow from adjacent fields contribute to our concern about stream flow and other stream conditions. There is also a pipe, where the water flow is faster than most of the stream. There may be another pipe feeding into the pipe that we saw (see map). We also noticed lots of trash, scum, oily sheen, bubbles and brown foam. There were a lot of grassy areas (athletic fields), where fertilizer may be running off into the water. There were a lot of trees, that provided good shade, critter habitat and erosion prevention.
Segment #3 Our section is wetlands along the south side of the stream from the footbridge to the rock, for about 145 feet. It is a very good habitat with many healthy plants, but it has some litter near the footpath, especially by the bridge.
Segment #4, Pond Section: The Pond had a visible oil sheen of unknown origin along the edges and portions of the middle (perhaps 30-40%), but very little trash in the surrounding area. This area is occasionally visited by students from the nearby elementary, junior high and high schools.
The pond abuts high school athletic fields (50%) and a forested area (50%). Surrounding the pond are sporadic areas of vegetation, including shrubs and trees. A stream from the neighboring wetlands flows into the pond. Overflow runoff flows from the pond toward Rte. 27.
A soil sample gathered from the site had a clay-like consistency. The water appeared to be brownish-green, with a slightly fishy odor. Small fish were visible in the pond, as were frogs, aquatic insects and snails. Animal droppings were seen along the trail. The circumference of the pond is approximately 587 feet.
Segment #5 The length of Segment #5 is approximately 277 feet. The bulging sedimentation barrier along Rte. 2 and Rte. 27 needs to be checked.
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