Mt. Bethel Fens Hydrology

The Mt. Bethel Fen Complex, located in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, is nestled along the Jacoby Creek Valley, in the rural Mt. Bethel community. The 2,500-acre complex of at least 10 rare wetland communities consists of small calcareous fens and seeps, marshes and wooded swamps scattered across a glaciated limestone valley.

Recognized by botanists since the turn of the century as a botanical wonder, the Mt. Bethel Fens contains an unusual plant community found only in eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The fens at Mt. Bethel are linked by their proximity and, more importantly, by their shared source of water. The amount, quality and chemical composition of the water are crucial to the fens' existence. If the quality or quantity of the water declines in one fen, it will decline in all of them, damaging or eliminating the delicate fen communities.

LEO works in partnership with the Pennsylvania chapter of The Nature Conservancy and to help monitor and understand ground water flow in the fens. Ultimately this data will be used.

Internship involves:

• Monitor shallow water wells and reain gages:
  Weekly sampling of stream flow data from data loggers
  Monthly sampling of wells for water quantity and quality
  Monitor climate parameters (down load data from weather stations)
• Seasonal sampling of wells and streams to monitor water chemistry
  
• Update and maintenance of database (water quality, quantity, climate)
• GPS/GIS mapping of fens
• GIS database development
• Preparation of written report documenting progress and results
• Monthly samples at fens for porewater chemistry

Background and interest in environmental science, ecology, or hydrology a plus. Car required. This can be used towards Natural Science Credit.

For more information contact Anne Meltzer asm3@lehigh.edu