Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center™

As sure as the snow falls in winter and flowers bloom in spring, the Philadelphia Flower Show is once again upon us. Presented by The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, this year's Flower Show theme is "America the Beautiful." View photo album from 2005 Philadelphia Flower Show

Philadelphia Flower Show Photo courtesy of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society

The Philadelphia Water Department and the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, Inc. are presenting "Keeping America's Waterways Beautiful," an exhibit that features creative solutions to restoring a section of riverbank along the Schuylkill.

Nearly seven years ago, a gaggle of Canada geese took up year-round residence in Fairmount Park along a section of West River Drive. People flocked to the geese, bringing an endless and abundant supply of food, giving the geese no reason to leave, resulting in environmental changes.

The geese tore up the landscape and caused significant erosion to the stream bank. When it rained, the stormwater runoff carried sediment along with pollutants into the river. More than 150 geese, producing nearly 82 tons of droppings annually, posed a risk to drinking water quality since their new home was very close to an intake for one of Philadelphia's water treatment plants.

A humane solution was needed, and one was quickly found. Geese feel insecure in areas where the natural ground cover obstructs their line of vision. Following this logic, volunteers from the Water Department, Fairmount Park Commission and citizens restored the barren stream bank with native trees, shrubs, grasses, and wildflowers that grow higher than the line of vision for the geese.

Large rocks were placed in areas where the flow of the river had already eroded the bank. Next, EQ Compost, a by-product of Philadelphia's wastewater treatment process was applied. This fine-textured, nutrient-rich, dark compost is well suited for encouraging vegetation to grow in disturbed soils common to stormwater erosion.

Erosion control matting made from coir (coconut) fiber was laid on top of the compost-enhanced soil to provide temporary stability to the soil surface. Pillow blankets of coir fiber were used on steep sections of riverbank.

Educational signs were also installed, detailing the consequences of feeding the geese and the risk they posed to the city's drinking water. A split-rail, wooden fence was also set up to separate the newly planted area from a popular West River Drive bike trail.

The project proved to be a success, and the geese moved on to less environmentally sensitive areas in the park. The flourishing native plants are effectively protecting the source water by absorbing and filtering much of the stormwater runoff before it enters the river. The graceful meadow, dotted with colorful wildflowers, now provides a visual retreat for the thousands of Philadelphians who recreate in that area of Fairmount Park. The native plants used to restore the riverbank have yielded additional benefits by increasing habitat for small animals, insects and even for fish.

Using best management practices, as demonstrated in this modest project, can add up to make a significant improvement in the quality of America's water resources from the Schuylkill River, to the Delaware Estuary to the shining Atlantic!

Stop by the Philadelphia Water Department's exhibit to learn how to use best management practices to restore stream banks along waterways in your neighborhood. You can find best management practices throughout the rest of the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center's website.

To learn more about the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, visit their website at www.DelawareEstuary.org or call them at 800-445-4935.

The Flower Show runs from March 6-13, and will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center at 12th and Arch Streets. Doors will be open on Sundays, March 6 and March 13 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, March 7 to March 11 from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Saturday, March 12 from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Advance tickets are $20 for adults, and $12 for children ages 2-12. Admission at the door will be $26 on opening day, $22 per day throughout the weekdays, and $24 each day on the closing weekend. Tickets for children will remain $12 per day. For Flower Show information and to order tickets, call The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society at 215-988-8899, or visit their website at www.theflowershow.com.

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