The summer of 2022 gave us a glimpse of Core Creek Park with less water and more mudflats. While kayak, Dragonboat, and canoe traffic diminished, uncommon birds – individually or in flocks – visited the reshaped Lake Luxembourg. As of November 30, excavation of a deeper conservation pool east and upstream of Woodbourne road has been completed. The creation of emergent wetlands at the pool’s margin will begin in the summer of 2023.

Project accomplishes this year include:

  • Installation of barriers to prevent harm to the red-belly cooter population
  • Installation of fish and wildlife habitat features in the pool
  • Removal of nearly 20,000 cubic yards of accumulated sediment from the conservation pool
  • Deposited, graded, and seeded the excavated material on adjacent agricultural fields to overwinter

The project is designed to reduce suspended solids and nutrient pollution making it into the body of Lake Luxembourg. The desired outcome is improved water clarity, less frequent algal blooms, and an overall improvement to the lake ecosystem. The project is funded by the County of Bucks, along with grants from the Environmental Protection Administration, PA Department of Community and Economic Development, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

A very dry July dropped the water level quickly exposing large mudlflats.
The first scoops of sediment are removed from the conservation pool in early August.
Semi-palmated sandpipers join the locals at Lake Luxembourg.
Red-belly cooters and painted turtles mingle
with non-native red-eared sliders.
Hatchling red-belly cooter carried from the project site to the water’s edge
Egg-laying red-belly cooter
The empty nest of the Core Creek Eagle pair ready for their
December – July nesting season.
As the equipment left the pool on November 4.
The pool and the sediment receiving field.