Morristown National Historical Park Watershed Study - Phase II - Aquatic Resoruces

Trama, Francesco; Galloway, Lisa

A major part of Morristown National Historical Park exists in what was once a highly-rural area of western Morris County, New Jersey. This relatively small park is of great historical and ecological importance to the people of New Jersey and our nation. Unfortunately, this highly prized parkland no longer benefits from the low-intensity use that was once characteristic of the lands surrounding the park. A rapid suburbanization has taken place along its boundaries during the past few decades, and there appears to be little chance for any major curtailment. These changes in land use threaten the natural resources of this park. The National Park Service hat correctly recognized this threat to the integrity, preservation and public use of Morristown National Historical Park and has sought to establish background or baseline data on the natural resources within the park's boundary. In keeping with this recognized need, the Park Service contracted Associated Ecologists to conduct an evaluation of the park's aquatic resources. That study has been completed and afinal report was submitted (Mele and Mele 1983). One of the shortcomings in the study by Associated Ecologists was the benthic macroinvertebrate survey. The number of samples taken were too few, quantitative methods were not used and identification was rarely to genus. Benthic macroinvertebrates, especially the larval aquatic insects, are one of several groups found in lotic environments that have been used to classify streams (Persoone 1979; NCDNR 1986) and to monitor water quality (Hawkes 1979). The objectives of this study were to: 1. establish, reconfirm or extend baseline data on selected parameters of water quality, 2. measure seasonal concentrations of aluminum in the stream waters and in the soil, 3. determine the seasonal fecal coliform/fecal streptococcus ratios in the major streams, 4. perform a comprehensive and quantitative survey of the benthic macroinvertebrates, and 5. identify the macrophytes and benthic algae associated with the park's streams. The results of this study are meant to supplement and/or confirm the finding reported by Mele and Mele (1983). When taken together these two studies should provide: 1. a satisfactory inventory of aquatic resources, 2. knowledge of current water quality, 3. guidance in the establishment of suitable management practices, and 4. a workable in—house program for monitoring the status of the aquatic systems in the park.