Photos 1 & 2: Dr. William Hilgartner, paleoecologist and lecturer at The Johns Hopkins University, and Dr. Dorothy J. Merritts, Professor, Department of Earth and Environment at Franklin & Marshall College, collect samples from the Conoy Creek on Aug. 7, 2008.
Photo 3: Dr. Merritts conducting research on Aug. 21, 2008.
Photo 4: Progress of construction on Aug. 25, 2008, as seen from Bainbridge and Serpentine Roads.
Photos 5 & 6: Dr. Merritts displays a charcoal sample found from a layer of soil, indicating a fire may have occured in the area's past. A broad spear arrowhead, which has been carbon-dated at close to 4,000 years old, was discovered in the creek bed.
Photo 7: As layers of sediment were removed, an old log crib bridge was revealed. It is believed that the bridge was used as a crossing during the construction of one of the creek's dams during the late 1700s to early 1800s.
Photo 8: A close-up look at one of the many depression areas being dug alongside the creek. These areas will act as wetland pockets.
Photo 9: Mark Metzler, Biologist and Project Manager, from RETTEW Associates, explains the design beyond the project.
Photo 10: Masonic Village residents (l-r) Dale Williams, Bob Forney and Dick Zell collect and test water samples from the Conoy Creek. They are part of the Lancaster County Conservation District's Water Quality Volunteer Coalition.
Photo 11: Progress of restoration as of Sept. 24, 2008.
Photo 12: Status of project, now on the north side of the creek, as of Oct. 7, 2008.
Photo 13: Michael Rahnis, a GIS Research Specialist, Franklin & Marshall College; Dr. Merritts; and Dr. Robert Walter, Associate Professor, Department of Earth and Environment at Franklin & Marshall College, study the layers of soil in a ditch dug near the creek.
Photo 14: The different colors of the soil indicate the different time periods the layers would have been deposited and the makeup of the landscape. The darker soil indicates wetlands once encompassed the area hundreds or even thousands of years ago - a geographic feature the current project is recreating.
Photos 15, 16 & 17: Progress of construction on Oct. 15, 2008, Phase 2.
Photos 18 & 19: Masonic Village employees spead wildflower seeds native to Pennsylvania around the creek bed. The seeds, which should bloom by August, will help maintain the creek's ecosystem by attracting animals and insects and propagating plant life.
