Lake Luxembourg and Core Creek Feasibility Study and BMP Implementation

Select staff of Princeton Hydro conducted a Phase I Diagnostic and Feasibility Study of Lake Luxembourg under the Clean Lakes (314) Program with the funds awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Lake Luxembourg is located within the Core Creek Watershed with the majority of the watershed located in Core Creek County Park, one of the most heavily utilized parks in Bucks County, PA. Princeton Hydro conducted in-lake and watershed monitoring activities, quantified the annual pollutant (nitrogen, phosphorus, and suspended solids) loads, and developed a Restoration and Management Plan for the lake and watershed. These data were used by Princeton Hydro with the PA Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) to develop a total phosphorus Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the lake.

After the Phase I Study was completed, Princeton Hydro designed and implemented a number of Best Management Practices (BMPs). Princeton Hydro assisted the Bucks County Department of Parks and Recreation in obtaining additional funds through the USEPA Non-point Source Pollution Program (319) for the implementation of agricultural BMPs throughout the watershed. A shift from agricultural to residential and commercial land use prompted the development of another NPS project to address these issues. For this, Princeton Hydro assisted the Bucks County Conservation District (BCCD) in obtaining additional funds through the 319 Program. The funds were used for five stream bank and shoreline stabilization projects within the Core Creek County Park.

Princeton Hydro also completed another 319 project that implemented a number of small retrofits to remove phosphorus from stormwater, installed additional vegetative shoreline buffers with the aid of students from Neshaminy Middle School, and created a pocket wetland BMP to continue to reduce the total phosphorous (TP) loads entering the lake.

Finally, Princeton Hydro and Bucks County embarked on an ambitious project to restore the inlet area of the lake, termed the Conservation Pool, into a naturalized stormwater treatment facility. This 17-acre forebay area had filled in with sediment over the decades and had limited capacity to treat the nutrient rich inflowing water. Using nature as a guide, Princeton Hydro designed and implemented a plan to dredge 15,000 cubic yards of phosphorus-rich sediment. Additionally, an emergent wetland system was designed and is currently being installed to better retain sediment and phosphorus before it reaches the main body of the lake. This system included infrastructure to ensure the ongoing maintenance and functionality of this BMP.

Princeton Hydro continues to work closely with all of the stakeholders within the watershed to improve the water quality of Lake Luxembourg and restore Core Creek and its riparian corridor. For example, Princeton Hydro will work with the BCCD in reassessing and updating the stailization practices in other sections of the watershed that have been impacted by both climate change and invasive species.