Conservation Corner: The seen and unseen at Lawsons Fork Creek
Muddy as a chocolate milkshake or light green with algae, Lawsons Fork Creek is entirely Spartanburg County’s river. From the headwaters in Inman to the confluence with the Pacolet River, its watershed (land area draining to the waterway) comprises more than 80 square miles ― about 10% of Spartanburg County, encompassing the northeastern side of the City of Spartanburg.
While we can appreciate Lawsons Fork’s beauty at the Cottonwood Trail or at Glendale Shoals Preserve, or along tributaries including the Chinquapin Preserve or on the USC-Upstate campus, we also need to recognize the areas where side streams are confined in roadside ditches, such as along Pine Street, and the pipes that bring in roadside runoff through storm drains. Whether seen or unseen, these paths bring not only water, but also nutrients, organic matter, street surface oils, microbes, sediment, and litter into this crucial waterway.
River recreation is an enticing summer treat, so it’s helpful to know some of the water-quality concerns. Sampling conducted using the South Carolina Adopt-a-Stream protocols shows that E.Coli, an indicator of possible pathogens in surface waters, is typically within guidelines for safe recreational use during low water. After a rain, those levels increase as storm drains capture pet waste and wildlife fecal matter, so it’s wise to wait 24-48 hours before creek contact, particularly for children who may unintentionally swallow water. Storm runoff also brings in lawn care chemicals. Fertilizers can lead to algal growth, and pesticides can negatively impact stream dwellers, so use them sparingly and only as needed.
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Recent rain may deter you from entering the water, anyway, because that’s when Lawsons Fork appears thick with suspended sediment. A two-year study (McKarney-Castle et al., 2017, Journal of Environmental Management) showed that Lawsons Fork carried a higher quantity of sediment compared with other Piedmont streams of similar size, and that about 60% came from streambank erosion. This can be reduced by healthy riparian buffer zones – the vegetated edges of streams that stabilize the soil while providing wildlife habitat.
The researchers found that about 30% of the sediment came from urban environments, including construction sites.
However, researchers also determined that some of this erosion occurs because in many places the bottom of Lawsons Fork is comprised of resistant bedrock. During a storm, the river’s increased erosive power is forced sideways. That can undermine trees and sweep them into the river. Next time you’re at Glendale Shoals Preserve, take a look at the huge cottonwood log hovering on the edge of the dam!
Recently, we have seen significant new neighborhood construction on the east side of Spartanburg; we can expect sediment loads to increase as woodlands are cleared. Forested land contributed less than 10% of the stream sediment in the cited study. Development also increases impervious surfaces like rooftops, roads, and parking lots, which prohibit water from sinking into the ground and instead direct it more quickly to streams via surfaces and stormwater runoff – increasing its erosive power and intensifying the streambank erosion noted above. An unfortunate result of excess stream sediment is the impairment of habitat for aquatic wildlife -- aquatic insects live in the stream bottom sediment, but can suffocate when it is too much.
Whenever the Lawsons Fork experiences storm flow, we also see litter: plastic bottles, aluminum cans, styrofoam cups, wayward balls, items of clothing, shards of glass, trash bags, and a wide variety of other items discarded either intentionally or carelessly where they can be swept into storm drains or directly into the river. Litter is not only unsightly, it is also dangerous for tender feet!
Furthermore, these products break down into smaller pieces where they can be ingested by fish, causing damage and diminishing intake of their natural diets. Litter sweeps such as those sponsored by the SC Aquarium and Keep One Spartanburg Beautiful are helpful, but it’s more effective to limit what enters our streams in the first place.
Lawsons Fork Creek is the home stream for many residents of Spartanburg County, but everyone lives within a watershed, and impacts are similar throughout our region.
Be mindful and aware, both of what you can see and of what you cannot, as you enjoy the summer along your favorite rivers!
Dr. Kaye Savage is the director of the Goodall Environmental Studies Center and professor of environmental studies at Wofford College.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Conservation Corner: Getting the big picture of Lawsons Fork Creek
