Big Stream Fact Sheet

Transcription

1 Big Stream Fact Sheet Big Stream flows into the west shore of Seneca Lake at Glenora Point. Its watershed is dominated by agriculture, though it passes through Dundee and receives effluent from the waste water treatment plant (WWTP) that is southeast of the village. Big Stream has a relatively large watershed area and makes up approximately 7% of the inflow to Seneca Lake. It is classified by the DEC as a Class C fishing stream. SLPWA has sampled and tested Big Stream during 2014 and 2015 at the five locations shown on the map (CSCS, CC14A, UDWP, BSDG and BSGP). The location, just upstream of the Dundee WWPT (identified as UDWP), was added in 2015 to investigate the impact of that point source.

2 Results Results for phosphorus (a plant and algae fertilizer) and E. coli bacteria (indicator of human and animal wastes) are the most concerning of the attributes tested. The graphs show the individual values for phosphorus and E. coli from all samples. Note that phosphorus levels during base flow conditions are reasonably low for the three locations upstream of the WWTP, and rise considerably (~5X) just downstream of the plant. The samples from high flow periods show large increases of phosphorus, likely due to agricultural field run off. Phosphorus as a nutrient source in water bodies is highly linked to weed and algae growth saw Seneca Lakes first confirmed toxic algae blooms (HABS). HABS were reported along the shore north, south and east of the mouth of Big Stream. E. coli (that bacteria which is found in the intestines of humans and animals) is not regulated in Class C streams. E.coli results are high for Big Stream under normal flow conditions. Most were mostly above the guidance values for an A Class water body, and often several multiples of that level. Those values are seen in the graph on the right. During one of the high flow conditions the E.coli levels jumped to dramatically high levels (100X+ the guidance values!), again likely due to run off from agriculture operations. The very high levels that are seen in the highest of flow conditions pollute Seneca Lake (a Class A drinking water supply), with this dangerous bacteria. This data does not indicate the waste water treatment facility as a significant contributor to the high bacteria levels. Actions to address these issues should occur at the community and state level. Upgrades or replacement of the WWTP can address the high phosphorus output. Improvement in best practices and/or regulatory controls on agricultural practices can have impact on the dramatic run off effects seen for both phosphorus and E.coli levels.

3 Catharine Creek Fact Sheet Catharine Creek is one of the major tributaries to Seneca Lake, at approximately 31% of the total watershed area. It originates in the Horseheads, NY area and flows north, into the southern tip of the lake, and. It is by far the longest Seneca Lake tributary, flowing mostly through agriculture and forested areas. It is a DEC Class C stream, and receives effluent from the Montour Falls WWTP. The Watkins Glen WWTP puts effluent directly into Seneca Lake off shore of the mouth of Catharine Creek. SLPWA (and its partner CSI) sampled and tested Catharine Creek throughout 2014 and 2015 at the locations shown on the map (CCHF, CCMP, HGM, AND CCSL). One of the sites (HGM) is McClure Creek, (a tributary) just prior to entering Catharine Creek. McClure drains a large agricultural area in the Odessa, NY area. Two investigative sampling locations were added for the 2015 season, one upstream and one downstream of the Montour Falls WWTP.

4 Results Results for phosphorus (a plant and algae fertilizer), E. coli bacteria (indicator of human and animal wastes), and chloride are the most concerning of the attributes tested. The graph of total phosphorus shows that the furthest upstream location is high (2 3X the guidance value), possibly being affected by fertilization of the Mark Twain Golf Course, which is adjacent to the stream. Sampling points downstream shows reduced values, likely the effect of dilution from other tributaries to Catharine Creek. The investigative sampling just downstream of the Montour Falls Wastewater Treatment Plant (MFWWTP) shows a substantial (2 7X) increase in total phosphorus, except during the high water flow event that was sampled. High water flow conditions generally increased the phosphorus levels tested by ~2 3X, likely the result of run off in agricultural areas. Total Phosphorus ug/l Total Phosphorus by CCHF CCMP HGM MFWWTP CCSL E.coli levels at the most upstream point are quite variable, below to 7X the guidance level. Values downstream from that location, but upstream of the WWTP, are generally below or near the guidance level. The WWTP increases the E.coli levels by 3 20X when tested in 2015, and the one high flow condition captured showed very high levels (10 30X the guidance level). Actions to address these issues can occur at the community and state level. Upgrades or replacement of the WWTP can address the high phosphorus and E.coli output. Improvement and controls on agricultural practices can have impact on the large run off effects seen for both phosphorus and E.coli levels. Chloride levels need to be addressed at the lake level, and has been highlighted by SPLWA to the DEC and EPA. E. Coli Colonies per 100 ml E. Coli Colonies by

5 Keuka Outlet Fact Sheet Keuka Outlet is the largest tributary to Seneca Lake, its watershed area representing 35% of total. It is the sole outlet of Keuka Lake, and flows northeast from Penn Yan to Dresden, mid way on the western shore of Seneca Lake. The flow from Keuka Lake is controlled by gates in a dam at Penn Yan. The drainage area is largely made up of agriculture and forested land, though the outlet does receive effluent from the Penn Yan WWTP. The stream has a long history of mills and industry on its shores, and historically provided water for a canal connecting the two lakes. The Keuka Outlet stream is a DEC Class C fishing stream. The maps shows the sampling locations on the outlet stream, though the watershed encompasses all that flows into Keuka Lake. SLPWA (and its partner CSI) has sampled and tested the outlet throughout 2015 at the four locations shown on the map (KOKL, KOFM, KOT, KOSL). Results for phosphorus and nitrogen (nutrients that encourage plant and algae growth), and E. coli bacteria (indicator of human and animal wastes) are the most concerning of the attributes tested.

6 Results Total Phosphorus by Total Nitrogen by Total Phosphorus ug/l Nitrogen mg/l The graph showing phosphorus levels, at the locations sampled, shows that at normal stream flow conditions the levels are reasonable at the 1 2X the DEC guidance level of 20ug/l. During the one storm event tested the phosphorus levels increased dramatically to ~20X the guidance level. The graph for nitrogen is similar, with normal flow conditions showing levels at or below the guidance level. Again the high flow of the storm event showed nitrogen levels 4X the guidance level. High flow levels combined with high levels of nutrients results in much added nutrients flowing into Seneca Lake, adding to the issue of weed and algae growth saw Seneca Lakes first confirmed toxic blue green algae blooms. The graph to the right shows the levels of E.coli during normal flow and the one high flow event captured. At normal flow, the E.coli levels increase as the stream flows from Keuka to Seneca Lake, starting below the guidance level and ending at or above that level, The real concern is the dramatically high levels seen during the high flow event, with levels increasing from 20X to 310X. E. coli is not regulated in Class C streams. The very high levels that are seen in the highest of flow conditions pollute Seneca Lake (a Class A drinking water supply) with this dangerous bacteria. Investigative sampling will be required to determine if the Penn Yan waste water treatment facility is a significant contributor to the high bacteria levels. E. Coli Colonies per 100 ml E. Coli Colonies by Bar plot data is from storm water flow conditions scale is on right Actions to address these issues can occur at the community and state level. Upgrades or replacement of the WWTP can address the high phosphorus output. Improvement and controls on agricultural practices can have impact on the dramatic run off effects seen for both phosphorus and E.coli levels

7 Reeder Creek Fact Sheet Reeder Creek flows into the northeast end of Seneca Lake after emerging from the Seneca Army Depot. The Depot is an EPA Superfund site where soil and water contamination resulting from years of munitions storage and disposal has been investigated and remediated. Reeder Creek is a DEC Class C, fishing stream. Its watershed (outlined to the right in yellow) includes effluent from two waste water treatment facilities and drains a wetlands area at its source. Also included in the watershed, inside the depot, are the burning grounds, where munitions were disposed of by explosion and burning. Algae blooms reported on the north end of Seneca Lake in 2015 are identified with yellow labels on the map. SLPWA and its partner CSI have sampled and tested Reeder Creek throughput 2014 and 2015, at the four locations shown on the map (RCM, RC96A, RCAR AND RCNP).

8 Results Results for phosphorus (a plant and algae fertilizer) and E. coli bacteria (indicator of human and animal wastes) are of most concern. The graphs below show the individual values for phosphorus and E. coli from all samples. NONE of the values were below the DEC guidance values; many are orders of magnitude higher. The phosphorus levels for Reeder Creek are much higher than seen in any of the other stream testing that is done on Seneca or Cayuga Lakes. Comparison of normal flow and storm water data, and other factors, indicate that the issue here is driven by ground water contamination within the depot. The science linking phosphorus levels to algae blooms is well documented, and the summer of 2015 showed Seneca Lake s first confirmed toxic algae blooms. Studies within the Seneca Depot will be required to fully understand and resolve this source of phosphorus. E. coli is not regulated in Class C streams, but note the extremely high levels that are seen in storm water conditions (expressed in this chart as multiples of the guidance value!) in all locations, including at the lakeshore. When we have a lot of water flowing into Seneca Lake (a Class A drinking water supply), it is highly polluted with dangerous bacteria. This data does not indicate that the waste water treatment facilities are a major contributor to the high bacteria levels. Runoff of surface contamination may be the most likely cause, and requires additional study to pinpoint. SLPWA has petitioned the NYS DEC to declare Reeder Creek as an impaired waterbody, which would instigate further study by the state, and eventually result in actions to improve the water quality of the lake. Total Phosphorus ug/l Multiples of 235 Colonies/100 ml Total Phosphorus by Sampling E. Coli Colonies by Sampling