collecting land use data for tmdls - powerpoint
TRANSCRIPT
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Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Setting the Course for Improved Water Quality –Collecting Land Use Data for TMDLs
A TMDL training program for local government leaders and other water managers – Session 6b
wq-iw3-56b
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In this presentation
Understanding the whole watershed systemwhy watershed assessment data is as important as water quality data
Gathering needed assessment dataPlanning and documenting your assessment approach Submitting data to MPCA staff
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Your project to date
Scoped the projectBegan data inventory (existing water quality, land use, geomorphology, hydrogeology, biology, etc.)
Identified data gaps for all types of data
Next: Fill data gaps
The focus of this presentation: Collecting watershed assessment data
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yWhy is watershed data as important as water quality data?
To effectively manage water quality, we must understand the whole system that affects an impaired waterbody
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In the past…
Our inclination has been to focus on water quality data alone
The need to examine other sets of data was often an afterthought (considered less important)
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yWhat can watershed data contribute to a TMDL Study?
Watershed data:allows us to describe that multi-dimensional, complex watershed (topography, soils, vegetation, climate, geology, etc.)
helps us explain the impact of land use activities on water quality (nonpoint pollution contributions)
provides data needed to model future conditions
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yWhat can watershed data contribute to a TMDL Study?
Watershed data:helps to identify pollutant sources specific to certain land uses assists in the quantification of pollutant loads from those land usesare required when identifying priority areas for implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs)
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yWatershed assessment:data needs
A watershed assessment typically requires 4 major data sets:1.Land use (land cover, kinds of facilities)
2.Geomorphology (geology, channel size and shape)
3.Hydrogeology (soils, water table characteristics, groundwater quality)
4.Surface water (hydrography, overland flow, water quality monitoring)
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Planning Your Watershed Data Collection Activities
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Creating a data collection plan
Your Monitoring Plan should include a section devoted to gathering watershed data
Gaps in your watershed data?
Develop a plan to fill the gaps
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Creating a data collection plan
Fill out Worksheets 7-1 to 7-3 to help you plan and document your watershed assessment activities
Keep record of your decisions in your project file
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Monitoring plan
Include:Data collection goals and objectivesGeneral data collection approachTimelineRoles and responsibilities for data collectorsData storage and management plan
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yWatershed data collection goals
Examples of goals:1. Determine:
source contributions conditions under which pollutants are deliveredpathways for surface and groundwater flow
2. Develop and/or calibrate hydrologic or water quality models
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yWho gathers and stores the data and when?
Your monitoring plan should identify who will gather and manage data setsTypically, local government staff will gather existing dataIn some cases, local officials or consultants will need to collect new data (be specific about data needs)Develop timeline, identify roles
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yData collection objectives –example
Goal: Determine source contributions
Data collection objective 1 –Collect comprehensive agricultural land use data for watershed to include:
1. Crop type 7. Culverts 2. Tillage 8. Topography3. Percent crop residue 9. Location of roads 4. Soil types 10. Watershed divides5. Fertilizer data 11. Other infrastructure6. Tile lines 12. Feedlots
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Gathering New Watershed Data
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yScope/extent of watershed assessments will vary
Watershed data is an integral part of most
TMDL projects
The level of detail needed for a watershed
assessment may vary
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yScope/extent of watershed assessments will vary
Minnesota RiverCritical conditions occur during low flow, therefore event driven runoff events were not significant factor in low DO impairmentLand use assessment data deemed less important
Example:
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yWhen should you collect new watershed data?
1.Initially assess existing water quality data2.Define the problem3.Collect data
A well-defined problem allows you to appropriately scope watershed assessment
(Example: assess point sources only if needed)
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y Scope the
project
Conduct data
inventory----------Identify water
quality data gaps
----------
Identify watershed data gaps
---------
Determine whether
new data is needed
Develop data collection
plans ----------
Collect new water quality
data
----------Collect bio monitoring
data
Analyze WQ data
----------
Define water quality
problem
Modeling
----------
Develop allocation formula
It is likely to
be iterative!
Collect new watershed
data
TMDL study process
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Remember…
Value watershed data
as much as water quality data
Prepare: It can be time consuming!
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yWhat kinds of watershed data are typically gathered?
1a. Land use – agricultural areas
Photos: Courtesy of USDA NRCS
Crop type Tillage % crop residueSoil typesTile lines (location, diameter, flow direction, material) Fertilizer data:1. Type (manure, commercial granular,
anhydrous)2. Application rate (weight/time)3. Composition (nitrogen, phosphorus,
potassium)4. Application method (chisel plowed,
injected, surface applied)
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Gathering land use data
Culverts (location, diameter, depth, flow direction, material)
TopographyLocation of roads Watershed dividesOther infrastructure (buildings,
wells, etc.)Feedlots (use manual for Feedlot
Evaluation Model)
Photos: Courtesy of USDA NRCS
1a. Land use – agricultural areas
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Gathering land use data
Impervious area (road surfaces and roofs)Pervious area (lawns, gravel, mixed vegetation)Forested areasConstruction sites
1b. Land use – urban areas
Photos: Courtesy of USDA NRCS
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Gathering Land Use Data
Gravel pitsLocation of storm sewers (alignment, diameter, flow direction, material, shape)
Road sanding practices (also grain analysis, if available) (e.g., tons/month from November through April)
Street sweeping practices (date occurs, volume collected, grain analysis, soil classification)
1b. Land use – urban areas
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Ground-truthing
Usually, the accuracy of land use data must be verified –requiring
1. Windshield surveys for crop types, tillage, and types of pervious surfaces
2. Field-checking the crop residue, culvert locations and flow directions, and impervious area
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yGathering geomorphology data
2. GeomorphologyChanges in impervious surfaces within the last century (use GIS/aerial photos)
Changes in vegetative management over the last centuryChannel changes (systemic or local?)
Specific measurements to use in Rosgen analysis
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yGathering geomorphology data
2. GeomorphologyCross–sectional data for main channel and floodplain stream slope, length Valley lengthGrain size, classification of bed/bank soilsLocation, size, and rate (volume/time) of streambank slumpsLocation of sand and gravel bars
Photo: Jason Ewert
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yGathering geomorphology data
2. GeomorphologyErosion resistance and shear strength of bed and bank materialsStream, streambank, and floodplain vegetationLocation and details of hydraulic structures (dams, drain tiles, culverts, bridge crossings, etc.)
Local geologic stratigraphyPhoto: Courtesy of USDA NRCS
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Gathering hydrogeology data
3. HydrogeologyProject location within the state (geologic perspective)
Geologic influences on the waterbody (impacts the kinds of data needed)
Impacts of land uses, when superimposed on area geology
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Gathering hydrogeology data
3. HydrogeologyDelineation of the areal extent of each aquifer discharging to receiving waterDelineation of groundwater recharge areasLand use and surficial soil types within recharge areasRegional geological stratigraphy(obtained from soil borings, well logs, geologic atlas)
Photo: Courtesy of USDA NRCS
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Gathering hydrogeology data
3. HydrogeologyGroundwater chemistry Environmental isotope monitoring to determine groundwater age and source areas
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Gathering surface water data
4. Surface waterHydrologic pathways and processes of source waterImpact of wetlands and lakes on impaired water (where applicable)
More information in module 8
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yWhere do you obtain data sets?
Agricultural data1. Soil and Water
Conservation Districts2. Commercial fertilizer
applicators3. Landowners4. Farm Services
Administration (FSA)(FSA data especially important if you have phosphorus or dissolved oxygen impairments!)
Urban data1. Metropolitan Council2. Cities3. Land Management
Information Center (LMIC)
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yWhere do you obtain data sets?
Geomorphology1. US Geological Survey2. MPCA3. MnDNR
Hydrogeology1. US Geological Survey2. MPCA3. MnDNR4. USDA - NRCS
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yWhere do you obtain data sets?
Surface Water1. MPCA2. Mn DNR3. Local Planning Departments4. SWCDs5. US Geologic Survey6. Mn Dept. of Agriculture7. Met Council (metro area)8. US EPA9. US Fish and Wildlife Service10. Extension Service
Groundwater1. Mn Department of Health2. MPCA
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yHow do you format data submitted to MPCA?
Excel spreadsheetsGISAccess databases for feedlots
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yWhat software does MPCA use to analyze data?
ARC-GIS (most common)EPA software package (BASINS)
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How do we use the data?
Evaluate possible pollutant sources (using watershed model, GIS or both)Generate GIS maps that can assist in prioritization of management activities Locate and design BMPsInform stakeholders
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Remember, in most cases…
DetailedAccurate,Complete,
DATA
DetailedAccurate,Complete,
DATA
Strong analysisStrong analysis
Precise implementation
plan
Precise implementation
plan
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yLimitations of watershed assessments
Difficult to isolate individual source inputsResults depend upon data input qualityNeed correct data for assessment approach Photo: Jason Ewert
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yDocument your assessment process
Develop a report. Include:Detailed locational information of
identified features (latitude, longitude, legal description)
Time of data collection (month, year)
Data sources and who collected it
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Summary
Watershed data is as important as water quality dataWatershed data allow us to understand the whole system we need to manageIf there are gaps in your watershed data, develop a (monitoring) plan to help you get what you need
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Summary
Detailed information on land use, geomorphology, hydrogeology, and surface water is usually neededThe more detailed your watershed data, the stronger the analysisData quality is criticalDocument your assessment process and keep a file of relevant material
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yRemember: Discipline is required!
But, make sure to put the pieces back together to understand the whole system
Even experts are tempted to look at data sets in isolation
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Need help?
Call MPCA modelers:
Hafiz Munir 651-757-2595
Nick Gervino 651-757-2388
John Erdmann 651-757-2341
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In an age when man has forgotten his origins and is blind even to his most essential needs for survival, water along with other resources, has become the victim of his indifference.
– Rachel Carson