Dr. Pasternack :: Watershed Estuary Interactions Research

What is OPC?
The Otter Point Creek (OPC) component of the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Maryland is a 672 acre coastal forest and tidal freshwater delta that has formed where Winter's Run empties into the Bush River in Harford County, Maryland. The OPC component includes the Melvin G. Bosley Wildlife Conservancy and Leight Park. The wetlands within the Bosley Conservancy lie between the Route 40 bridge to the west and the Bush River to the east.

Riparian forest and tidal freshwater wetlands that constitute the Conservancy are cut by the distributary channels of Otter Point Creek. Two natural logjams- formed during Hurricane Agnes in 1972- plug the creek in the woodlands upstream of the marsh and the channel distributaries. An impact study has found that the logjams significantly influence the hydrology and geomorphology of the downstream area. In particular it was found that they dissipate hydraulic energy, store water and sediment, encourage bank erosion, redirect flows to different distributaries, and increase habitat diversity (Teitz, 1993). Extensive urbanization of the surrounding area has also influenced the wetland hydrology via channelization, sedimentation, storm water diversions to the creek, etc.

OPC research

OPC Vegetation- Comprehensive vegetation mapping and statistical analysis of forest, wetland, and submerged aquatic vegetation led by Dr. Bill Hilgartner and Dr. Greg Pasternack.
A comprehensive paleoecological investigation led by Dr. Bill Hilgartner that successfully explained the past evolution of the wetland habitats.
A study of emphemeral channels and logjams in the riparian forest led by Warren Tietze.
OPC Tides- Monitoring of water levels and wind patterns on the delta led by Dr. Greg Pasternack.
OPC Sedimentation- Monitoring of sedimentation and erosion in relation to plant associations, hydrology, and animal acitivity led by Dr. Greg Pasternack.
OPC Delta evolution modeling led by Greg Pasternack- One wonders what Otter Point Creek looked like hundreds of years ago, and what it will look like hundreds of years from now. To answer long term questions, a computer model was developed, and that work is presently being published (to appear April 2001) after receiving thorough peer review. The OPC model shows 4 major periods of sedimentation changes, and can predict the current distribution of habitat types very well. Specific results will be placed on the web site as soon as allowed.