National Nonpoint Source Monitoring Program (NNPSMP)

Long-Term Monitoring Projects to Document Water Quality Improvements from BMPs

Jean Spooner, Dan Line, Laura Szpir, Deanna Osmond, NCSU

Don Meals and Steve Dressing, Tetra Tech, Inc

In cooperation with

NNPSMP Project Personnel Nationwide

U.S. EPA

28 projects in U.S. (24 completed monitoring)

“Long-term”

BMPs, land use tracking, and water quality monitoring

USEPA Section 319 National Nonpoint Source Monitoring Program (NNPSMP)

Corsica River, MD

Kickapoo Creek, IL

Stamp Sands, MI

http://ncsu.edu/waterqualityNWQEP NOTESNNPSMP Summary Report (Project summaries)Tech NotesLesson Learned

Villanova PA

2012 NNPSMP Workshop, Tulsa OK

Section 319 National Nonpoint Source Monitoring Program (NNPSMP) Projects

Highlights:1. Experimental Design

2. Lag Time

3. Nutrient Management & Nutrient Mass Balance

4. Livestock Exclusion/Fencing & Grazing Management

5. Stream & Riparian Restoration

6. LID & Better Site Design

1. Experimental DesignConcept: Increase probability of isolating changes in water quality due to BMPs Minimize Minimum Detectable Change (MDC) Paired watershed design = ideal Upstream/downstream – before/after Nested watersheds Multiple watersheds Explanatory variables (covariates), e.g., discharge, stage height, season, upstream

concentrations/load, baseflow vs storm flow, land treatment/use)

NMP Projects (examples):

Lake Champlain Basin Watersheds, VT3 Paired watersheds (2 treatment, 1 control) - 50% decrease in bacteria & TP from riparian buffers/livestock exclusion

Long Creek, NC Upstream/Downstream – Before/After (76% TP load reductions from riparian buffers/livestock exclusion)

Jordan Cove, CT 3 Paired watersheds (existing, new traditional, new LID residential development)

Morro Bay, CA (Paired watershed documented 49% reduction in turbidity from grazing management and livestock exclusion)

Morro Bay, California Chumash Creek Treatment Watershed Grazing Management & Riparian FencingPaired Watershed Study

Increased infiltration Delayed peak flow Decreased fluctuations in DO Decrease in temperature

49% reduction in turbidity – during storm events

Morro Bay, California Chumash Creek Treatment Watershed Grazing Management & Riparian Fencing Paired Watershed Study

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2.Lag Time

NNPSMP Projects (examples): Stroud Preserve, PA (Reduction in groundwater nitrate from riparian reforestation took 10 years)

Pequea & Mill Creek, PA (reduction in N fertilizer did not document NO3 reduction in stream)

Ground water age dating: 3-4 years for land applied nutrients to reach springs 15-39 years for ground water to reach stream channel

Lake Champlain Watersheds, VT (no improvements in fish communities despite improved habitat and temperature)

Walnut Creek, IA (prairie restoration)

Walnut Creek, IABMPsCropland BMPs

Native prairie/savanna restoration (~25% row crops converted)

13,000 acre (12 digit HUC) Treatment Watershed Lag factors: low permeable soils near stream; root establishment;

soil reserves; upstream cropland sources Paired Watershed w/ Covariates: Control watershed, upstream, discharge, season 10 years: 1.2 mg/l decrease in NO3-N over (10%)

Changes detected ‘sooner’ in Subwatersheds NO3-N decrease 1.2 - 3.4 mg/l (12-40% reduction)

Contrast:Stream NO3-N increased rapidly after CRP lands converted back to cropland

in control watershed

3. Nutrient Management & Nutrient Mass Balance Concept: Source reduction = key to water quality improvements Nutrient inputs ‘balance’ outputs E.g., Precision Feeding & Nutrient management

NNPSMP Projects (examples): Lightwood Knot Creek, AL (cover, poultry litter storage/waste utilization) Syn Magill, IA (animal waste management systems) Peacheater Creek, OK (fertilizer rates based on soil testing) Otter Creek, WI (nutrient & pesticide management)

New York City Watershed, NY (precision feeding, nutrient management)

Project Findings: All document significant reductions in nutrients (N, P), most 50%; up to 75% All had nutrient management or mass balance as part of a SYSTEM of BMPs Providing insights to states in applying USDA national standard for manure application rates in high P-index fields

Precision Feeding Reduce P imports to farm in purchased feed Feed & home-grown forages analyzed for

nutritional content & diets adjusted Dietary input of P reduced 25% Excretion of P reduced 33%

Manure storage & spreading - timing Manure application based on soil test (P) – rates Other BMPs in Whole Farm Planning

Livestock exclusion & alternative water supply Relocated stream channel away from barn Elevated stream crossings Rotational grazing & crop rotations

New York City Watershed, NY

Successes - Load Reductions 64% NH3 53% TDP 36% PP 28% TSS 23% NOX

- Improved farm P mass balance

- Slowed net soil P accumulation

New York City Watershed

4. Livestock Exclusion/Fencing, Grazing Management

Concept: Remove immediate source of N&P

(fencing, alternative water supply, raised stream crossing) Riparian plantings

Revegetate streambanks Moderate water temperatures Improved habitat

NNPSMP Projects (examples): Pequea & Mill Creek, PA (reductions: TP 14%, TKN 26%, TN 19%, TSS 37%)

Morro Bay, CA (reductions: turbidity 49%, peak flow, DO fluctuations, temperature)

New York City Watershed, NY (reductions: nutrient loads)

Peacheater Creek, OK (reductions: 69% TP and 59% TN loads

Lake Champlain Watersheds, VT (reductions: 50% bacteria &TP)

Long Creek, NC (reductions: TSS 83%, TP 76 % loads)

Peacheater Creek, OK (part of Illinois River Watershed)

Targeted BMPs with increased cost-share incentives (90%) for riparian buffers with alternative water sources for livestock

Flexible riparian width with ‘pre-rated’ cost-share

New BMP to minimize winter manure spreading: winter cattle feeding facilities

Decreases in TP (69%) and TN (59%) loads measured

Water quality problem: PhosphorusSources: Pasture and poultry housesDesign: Paired watershed

Pasture managementLivestock exclusion/buffers

Section 319 NNPSMP Project

Lake Champlain Basin, VT

Results:•Riparian buffers cost-effective

•50% decrease in bacteria & TP (greater reduction at high loading rates)

Pollutants:Phosphorus Bacteria

“Build it ……

Long Creek, NC - Upstream-Downstream/ Before-After BMP Implementation

BMPs: livestock exclusion (fencing, alt. water, crossings, riparian plantings, nutrient waste mgt)

Pollutant Load Decr. Conc. Decr.

TSS 83 % 74 %Turbidity 69 %TP 76 %Fecal Coli/step

85/ 81 %

State Program: Monitoring guidance for CWMTF funding: storm composites for load calculations BMP effectiveness of fencing (low cost) and increased awareness CREP and Tar PAM NEP using effectiveness (Discussions on-going) target small streams/headwaters TMDL (pathogen)

Decrease flashy / high values

5. Stream & Riparian Restoration

Concept: Channel modification (dimension, pattern, profile) Revegetate & stabilize streambanks Habitat improvement Moderated water temperatures Channel pool and riffle creation

NNPSMP Projects (Examples): Peacheater Creek, OK Waukegan River, IL Lake Pittsfield, IL (in addition to sediment basins) Stroud Preserve, PA Upper Grande Ronde River Basin, OR Swatara Creek, PA

Section 319 NNPSMP Project

Stroud Preserve, PAWater Quality Problem:Elevated nutrients (particularly nitrate) in

Brandywine River

BMPS (Paired Watershed Design) Treatment watershed: 3-zone riparian buffer, agriculture corn/soybean/hay Control watershed: agriculture corn/soybean/hay (limited stream buffer) Control watershed: agricultural watershed converted to forest 5 year ‘baseline/calibration’ period for tree establishment

Water Quality Changes (riparian buffer installed 1992)Mass Balance at riparian buffer transects (5-10 years to detect):

Nitrate: 26 % reduction or 90 kg/yr (subsurface flow) Sediment: 43 % reduction (level spreader and reforested buffer, overland flow) TP: unchanged (decrease particulate P, increase soluble P)

Instream: similar nitrate decreases as groundwater. 10 years to detect nitrate decreases and , needed paired watersheds)

TAKES TIME to document in-stream changes

Upper Grande Ronde River, OR Channel Restoration, Cattle Exclusion/Fencing

Water Quality ImpairmentRainbow trout: temperature-sensitive Successes Improved slope, W/D ratios, sinuosity,

pools, cool water habitat Improved number of trout

Recommendations Livestock exclusion alone is not

enough to recover sensitive aquatic life if stream channel & habitat remain degraded

Pool habitat provided critical temperature refuge

Section 319 NNPSMP Project

Swatara Creek, PAUse Impairment:Cold Water streams (boating, fishing, swimming)Acidity and sulfates/metals toxicity AMD (Abandoned Mine Drainage) from

abandon coal mines

BMPS (limestone and wetlands for acidity and metals; treat acid rain)

Open limestone cannels, anoxic and oxic limestone drains Diversion wells (innovative passive treatment systems), need 1 Ton WEEKLYAerobic wetlands

Water Quality Changes:At Ravine Site (immediate downstream of mine):

pH: annual minimum values increased to near neutral Fish: Non-existent in 1990 to 25 species in 1996-2006) Macroinvertebrate: fair (1994) to very good (1999 and 2000) Using data to modify BMPS and their maintenance

(anoxic limestone drain, limestone diversion wells, constructed wetlands)

Swatara Creek, PAAcid Mine Drainage Treatment by Diversion Wells

Flow Adjusted changeUpstream diversion wells

Downstream treatment diversion wells

Swatara Creek downstream many BMPs and tributaries

Section 319 NNPSMP Projects

6. Low Impact Development (LID) / Better Site Design

Concept: Innovative site design & stormwater management to reduce environmental

impacts Decreases development impact from large ‘footprint’ to smaller footprint Mimic pre-development hydrology (water quality, quantity, hydrograph shape

baseflow) Manages stormwater close to the source (e.g., where it falls) Using on-site vegetation & soils for water quality & quantity treatment Minimize clearing & grading, working with existing topography and native vegetation

NMP Projects: Villanova Stormwater BMP Demo & Research Park, PA

Long-term monitoring of individual stormwater BMPs (inflow / outflow

Jordon Cove, CT First LID project in nation to evaluate with a paired watershed design

BMP Subdivision Construction BMPs Basement excavations Phased grading Immediate seeding of stockpiled

topsoil & proposed lawn areas Sediment detention basins & swales

LID Design Cluster design with shared open space Minimization of impervious surfaces

(narrow road, shared driveways) Grassed swales (not curb & gutter) Raingardens (bioretention) Mimic predevelopment hydrology (wq,

quantity, baseflow)

Paired Watershed Design (LID, Traditional, Built-out control)

Jordan Cove, CTLow Impact Development (LID) /Better Site Design

Traditional Subdivision

BMP Watershed

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Resources Developed by Tetra Tech, Inc. for USEPA LESSONS LEARNED from Section 319 National Monitoring Program ProjectsNMP Erosion Control Lessons LearnedNMP Grazing Management / Riparian Restoration Lessons LearnedNMP Animal Waste Management / Nutrient Management Lessons LearnedNMP Restoration Lessons LearnedNMP Urban Lessons Learned

TECH NOTESExploring Your DataDesigning Water Quality Monitoring ProgramsSurface Water Flow MeasurementsStatistical Analysis for Monotonic TrendsMinimal Detectable Change (MDC) (in review)Getting the Most from Volunteer Monitoring (NWQEP NOTES #127)Surface Water Flow Measurements (NWQEP NOTES #128)Lag Time in Water Quality Response to Land Treatment (NWQEP NOTES # 122)

http://ncsu.edu/waterquality/319monitoring

Section 319 NNPSMP Projects

Lessons Learned

Morro Bay Watershed Model, 4-H

Link water quality monitoring with land treatment tracking (spatial, temporal)

Determine the minimal detectable change (MDC) in water quality that can be detected with statistical and monitoring designs

Identify pollutants and sources – are treatments enough to achieve MDC?

Incorporate experimental design (baseline and/or calibration period, paired watershed, up/down-before/after, nested – with Explanatory Variables

Provide frequent data evaluation and feedback to monitoring program

Report and communicate plan for project evaluation and lessons-learned to policy-makers

2012 NNPSMP Workshop, Tulsa OK

www.villanova.edu/vus 261’2’4’