Angela Gorczyca Surface Water Specialist Raritan Headwaters Association December 3, 2016

Transcription

1 Angela Gorczyca Surface Water Specialist Raritan Headwaters Association December 3, 2016

2 Volunteer Stream Monitoring Program

3 Benthic Macroinvertebrates

4 Pollution Sensitive Macros Mayflies Stoneflies Caddisflies

5 High Gradient Macroinvertebrate Index

6 High Gradient Macroinvertebrate Index Kingdom Phylum Class Order NJIS HGMI Family Genus Species

7 Example with South Branch Raritan River Site 1

8 Stream Monitoring Season in Context 2011 Tropical Storms Irene & Lee 2012 Superstorm Sandy 2013 Record Rainfall in June 2014 Disruptive Snowfall Rain event 2015 Dry May Consistent Rain in June 2016 Drought watch in June

9 Water Quality Rankings in 2016 Excellent Good Fair Poor No Data

10 Water Quality Summary Poor, 2% No Data, 2% Excellent, 10% Changes between # of sites Remained Full Attainment 26 (42%) Fair, 39% Remained Non-Attainment 12 (19%) Improved 7 (11%) Good, 48% Declined 11 (18%) New 5 (8%) No Data 1 (2%)

11 Impaired Sites Excellent Good Fair Poor No Data

12 Top Ten Causes of Use Impairment

13 Bacteria Study Staff and volunteers sampled impaired monitoring sites and non-regulated swimming areas Sampling occurred on a weekly basis during the month of August Analyzed with IDEXX Colilert test and Quantitray/2000 E. coli levels shall not exceed a geometric mean of 126 counts/100 ml or a single sample maximum of 235 counts/100 ml

14 Week 1

15 Week 2

16 Week 3

17 Week 4

18 Week 5

19 Geometric Mean

20 Geometric Mean Sewage Treatment Plant

21 Geometric Mean Septic Systems

22 Geometric Mean Agriculture

23 Dogs

24

25 Septic System

26 Agriculture

27 Case Study: Black River Site 5

28 Case Study: Black River Site 5

29 Case Study: Black River Site 5

30 Case Study: Black River Site 5 & Septic Systems

31 Case Study: Black River Site 5 Nitrate

32 Case Study: Black River Site 5 & Phosphate

33 Case Study: Black River Site 5 & ph

34 Case Study: Black River Site 5 & Specific Conductance

35 Case Study: Black River Site 5 & Groundwater Contamination

36 Take Home Points Raritan Headwaters is using a new Index of Biotic Integrity called the High Gradient Macroinvertebrate Index Bacteria is a major source of impairment in New Jersey and at our impaired sites What you can do: Pick up and dispose of dog waste Inspect and maintain your septic system Properly store farm animal manure Don t feed the geese Maintain vegetated buffers around streams and ponds Install green infrastructure Test your well annually for bacteria

37 THANK YOU!!

38 Bill Kibler Director of Policy o New Jersey Council of Watersheds o Climate Change o Drought o State Water Supply Plan o 2016 List of Impaired Waterbodies o Open Space Funding o Burnt Mill o Morning Call: January 19 th, 8:00-10:00 a.m. o Elections Have Consequences

39 So many ways to join the mission Most importantly get active locally (Environmental Commission, Green Team, Shade Tree Commission, etc.) Make a difference at home River Friendly Programs Host WaterWays & RiverFest in your local schools Attend a Watershed Planning Seminar for local officials Stream Cleanup April 22, 2016, Earth Day! Become a Volunteer Stream Monitor Test your well annually pass the message on Participate in land stewardship projects Volunteer to help educate the public Make a donation to help fund our programs

40 h?v=otalyuygjtw h?v=ump3hpcb2qo Videos to play at SOW