Capturing floodplain/stream reconnection via the hyporheic box approach (or something better)
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Excess nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from human activities have contributed to degradation of coastal waters globally. A growing body of work suggests that hydrologically restoring streams and rivers in agricultural and urban watersheds has potential to increase N and P retention, but rates and mechanisms have not yet been analyzed and compared across studies. We present our research on the efficacy of stream restoration to remove N and P and examine the influence of floodplain reconnection on the magnitude of removal. The hyporheic box approach of Striz and Mayer (2008) is currently employed in restoration protocols to calculate nutrient removal credits. However, more recent research suggests that this approach may be overly conservative. We revisit the hyporheic box approach and present alternative approaches to identifying the biologically active extent of restored streams in order to facilitate and stimulate discussion by the Chesapeake Bay Program technical panel as to how to best revise the 2013 report “Recommendations of the Expert Panel to Define Removal Rates for Individual Stream Restoration Projects” to estimate N removal rates for the purpose of crediting stream restoration projects under the Chesapeake Bay TMDL.