Pacemaker Fishing Forum

Goose Creek Pilot Project Finds Health Signs in Goose Creek

A fish count conducted on Goose Creek last week through a partnership between the Goose Creek Association and George Mason University’s Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center documented more than 700 fish and over 20 species in a single 100-meter stretch.

The findings are a remarkable indicator of a thriving local ecosystem, according to GCA Executive Director Alyson Borowczyk.

The work is part of a one-year pilot program funded by Loudoun County that combines electrofishing, benthic sampling, and eDNA analysis to better understand stream health in the Goose Creek and Broad Run watersheds. This work is part of GCA’s ongoing efforts to monitor and protect Goose Creek, a State Scenic River and source of drinking water for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier counties.

The Oct. 2 exercise was led by T. Reid Nelson, an assistant professor and faculty fellow at PEREC, with support from fellow faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates studying aquatic and fisheries ecology.

“Fish counts tell us a lot about the condition of Goose Creek,??  Nelson stated.

He said the study results provide an “incredible snapshot of biodiversity that speaks to a healthy ecosystem.??

“For folks who haven’t seen it firsthand, it’s almost unbelievable how much life can be found in such a short section of creek. By combining traditional methods with newer tools like eDNA, we can continue to track these changes and make informed decisions about conservation,??  Nelson said.

During the year-long pilot project, teams will conduct monthly analyses of water samples collected at eight sites in the Goose Creek watershed and four sites in the Broad Run watershed. Biannual benthic macroinvertebrate (BMI) analysis will be conducted at the same 12 sites, providing a long-term biological measure of stream health. The data will be analyzed and compiled in reports to be reviewed in bimonthly meetings with GCA representatives to further guide monitoring efforts. 

The sampling results also are posted online at goosecreek.org/stewardship/goosecreekwatch.

At the end of the pilot, Goose Creek Association will publish a revised Goose Creek Report Card to help communicate the health of the creek and encourage informed conservation practices.

“Our work with George Mason University strengthens what volunteers have been doing for decades,??  stated Karl Kelley, chair of GCA’s Water Quality Committee. “By pairing rigorous science with grassroots stewardship, we can give the public the information they need to understand the state of Goose Creek and why protecting it matters.??