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Watershed assessment modelling
1. Watershed Assessment Modeling to
Identify Critical Sources of Pollution and
Evaluate Effectiveness of Conservation
Management Practices
Nichole Embertson, Ph.D.
Science and Planning Coordinator
Whatcom Conservation District
SWCS Conference | July 31, 2018
2. Tenmile Watershed was selected for
2017 NWQI Pilot Project
NWQI Goal:
Implement voluntary conservation
practices to improve water quality in
high-priority watersheds while
maintaining agricultural productivity.
3. Contained 35.4 mi2
watershed with diverse land
uses
WCD actively working with
landowners in watershed
NRCS technical and
financial assistance available
Existing stakeholder and
landowner engagement
Water quality monitoring
and specific water quality
targets (TMDL)
Current focus on improving
water quality in watershed
Why Tenmile Watershed?
6. OpenNSPECT* Model Assessment
What goes in?
Topography
Soils
Land use
Precipitation
*OpenNSPECT = Open-source Nonpoint Source Pollution and Erosion Comparison Tool
7. OpenNSPECT* Model Assessment
What comes out?
Phosphorus
Suspended
Solids
Nitrogen
Pathogens
Darker color = higher potential source contribution
We call these critical source areas.
*OpenNSPECT = Open-source Nonpoint Source Pollution and Erosion Comparison Tool
8. Model Outcome: Combined ranking based on
all four water quality concerns
Green = low potential source contribution
Yellow = moderate
Red = highest potential source contribution
9. Fewer dark areas = fewer potential source locations
Evaluate Effectiveness of Ag BMPs
Example: Implementation of Cover Crops on Fallow Fields
Phosphorus Nitrogen
No Cover
Cover
Crops
With
Cover
Crops
10. What Can We Do With Modeling
Results?
Focus planning efforts in critical source areas or
specific land uses
Evaluate the effectiveness of various BMPs by land
use type and practice
Determine the impact and potential effectiveness of
NRCS programs in an area
Focus cost-share priorities and funding
Adapt outreach materials and efforts to meet the
social considerations of landowners in a watershed
11. Social Factors and Outreach
Effective management of water pollution must
address both:
Environmental conditions
and
Choices people make that impact the environment
Focus
Groups
Land Owner
Survey
Outreach
Plan
Community
Engagement
12. Greatest Threats to Water Quality
Percent of respondents
Outreach Survey: Greatest Threats to Water Quality
14. 34
33
32
31
31
31
28
27
21
21
16
16
15
13
10
7
2
7
0 10 20 30 40
Department of Health
Whatcom Family Farmers
Whatcom Conservation District
Laurel Watershed Improvement District
Tenmile Clean Water Project
WSU University Extension
Whatcom Farm Bureau
Other local landowners, friends, etc.
WA State Department of Agriculture (WSDA)
WA State Department of Ecology
Farm Service Agency
Natural Resources Conservation Service…
A local farm and garden center
Local livestock group
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA )
Whatcom County
Fertilizer or seed sales people
Some other agency or organization
Percent of Respondants
All respondents (n=177)
Outreach Survey: Trusted Sources of Information
15. Overall Outcomes of Tenmile
Watershed Assessment
Characterization of Tenmile Watershed
Identify high risk land uses and effective conservation practices
Understand social factors affecting BMP implementation and
how to address specific to watershed
Outreach to landowners is now targeted based on watershed,
impact modeling and community
Better, strategic allocation of resources (time, $) and efforts
informed by the watershed assessment
Expect water quality improvements long-term
Expand to other watersheds for better planning, outreach, and
implementation
16. Report Contents:
A. Background and Purpose
B. Watershed Characterization
C. Hydrologic and Water
Quality Characterization
D. Resource Analysis
Assessment
E. Summary and
Recommendations
F. Outreach
G. References
H. Appendix
I. Local Contacts
www.whatcomcd.org/tenmile
17. Disclaimer: The reproduction or use of any of the images or content within
this document is not allowed without prior approval from the creator.
Nichole M. Embertson, Ph.D.
Science and Planning Coordinator
Whatcom Conservation District
O: (360) 526-2381 x 126
E: nembertson@whatcomcd.org
www.whatcomcd.org/tenmile
Thanks Project Team!
Megan Harris
Aneka Sweeney
Andrew Phay
WCD and NRCS Staff
Questions?
Notes de l'éditeur
22 pilot watersheds
Approx 200 eligible NWQI watersheds
22 pilot watersheds
Approx 200 eligible NWQI watersheds
Section C covers:
Water Quantity, including relative contribution of the Tenmile Watershed to the Lower Nooksack River and seasonality of water quantity
Water Quality (pathogens N, P, and Sediment)
Map shows monitoring stations in the watershed-
10 monitoring stations for pathogens.
1 monitoring station for N, P, and Sediment that is sampled on a project basis (not currently being sampled)
Historic USGS Gauge station (not active since 2012)
Meg to edit
Model outputs: Potential Critical Source Areas
Darker color = higher potential source contribution.
As we move forward to implementation and evaluate implementation these things will continue to be important:
Ongoing water quality monitoring (PIC, WCWP)
Data management and water quality trend analysis in partnership with the WCWP
Implementation monitoring (track metrics such as landowner contacts, conservation practices installed)
Flow monitoring in Tenmile and Nooksack Basin
Effectiveness monitoring (edge of field) in our region
Farm planning, landowner interaction, and outreach
WHY SOCIAL INDICATORS? Effective management of Nonpoint Source (NPS) water pollution requires addressing both environmental conditions and the choices people make that impact the environment. To do this, your project may have to influence people’s awareness, skills, attitudes, capacity, or constraints related to water quality improvement.
Letters were mailed to rural residential landowners with a printed link to an online survey.
Paper surveys were mailed to landowners engaging in agricultural practices, with a reminder letter that included a printed link to an online version.
186 respondents submitted a survey with at least a quarter of the questions completed. Partial surveys were included in the analysis.
Analysis includes comparisons between agricultural respondents (who have some form of agricultural land usage on their property) and residential respondents (no agriculture).
Agricultural (n=112)
Residential (no known agricultural activities) (n=74)
In your opinion, which of these, if any, pose the greatest threat for water quality in your area?
Respondents were presented with ten different potential threats to water quality and asked to identify which pose the greatest threat. The top ranked threats were “excessive use of fertilizers for crop production,” followed closely by “improperly maintained septic systems,” “highway, road or bridge runoff,” and “excessive use of residential lawn fertilizers or pesticides.”
Respondents who use their land for agricultural purposes had slightly different perceptions compared to residential respondents. This was noted especially among agricultural respondents who live in a CSA . These respondents were especially likely to cite road runoff, improperly maintained septic systems, and droppings from waterfowl or other wildlife when compared to residential respondents .
excessive use of fertilizers for both farm and lawn ranked highest. and timing and rate of fertilizer application was one of our target bmp's where lack of information on how to access fertilizer rate and timing was the biggest barrier. Perhaps offering free soil testing and interpretation would be a good motivator for this group.
Identified barriers compared across three practices
Respondents were asked about three recommended practices: maintaining a setback, applying fertilizer at recommended rates, and collecting and covering manure.
Lack of information was the top barrier for each of the three proposed practices. This shows that this was especially salient for following recommended fertilizer timing.
Cite sources for credibility of information, connect behavior with impact
Which of the following organizations and agencies do you most trust to provide you with accurate information?
Respondents identified agencies that they most trust to provide accurate information. When taken together, Department of Health was ranked first, followed by Whatcom Family Farmers and WCD.
Partner with trusted sources of information, unify messaging
Goals
Report submitted to local NRCS first of October 2017. Look to report for more information.
This presentation will follow the structure of the report.