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A COMPREHENISVE NONPOINT SOURCE FIELD STUDY FOR SEDIMENT, NUTRIENTS AND PATHOGENS IN THE SOUTH FORK BROAD RIVER WATERSHED IN NORTHEAST GEORGIA
Citation:
Smith, C N., D L. Spidle, F E. Stancil, P D. Smith, B E. Kitchens, H P. Kollig, L Smith, S Senter, M J. Cyterski, L M. Prieto, D C. Bouchard, K Wolfe, M. Flexner, T. R. Cavinder, AND B. Johnson. A COMPREHENISVE NONPOINT SOURCE FIELD STUDY FOR SEDIMENT, NUTRIENTS AND PATHOGENS IN THE SOUTH FORK BROAD RIVER WATERSHED IN NORTHEAST GEORGIA. Presented at Science Forum 2003, Washington, DC, May 5-7, 2003.
Impact/Purpose:
Develop sampling protocols and a comprehensive database to field test developmental, predictive TMDL models. These protocols and models will then be applied for calculating TMDLs.
Description:
There is an urgent need for EPA to develop protocols for establishing Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) in streams, lakes and estuaries. A cooperative TMDL field data collection project between ORD and Region 4 is ongoing in the South Fork Broad River Watershed (SFBR), a 245.18 square mile area with 337.32 stream miles located in the Savannah River Basin that consists of intensive storm event stream sampling. In 1998, the State of Georgia listed the SFBR watershed as biologically impaired (i.e. 303. (d) list), but the source of contamination was unknown. This project is 1) developing sampling protocols to measure the TMDL of bedload and suspended sediment, nutrients (nitrate, ammonia, ortho phosphorus and total phosphorus) total organic carbon and pathogens (fecal coliform, E. coli, and enterococci), and 2) developing a comprehensive database to develop, field test and apply mathematical models and protocols for calculating the TMDLs in this watershed and its tributaries in a field setting not available elsewhere in the U.S. Six stream sites have been highly instrumented with specialized monitoring equipment (ISCO water samplers, YSI multi-probes and cableway sampling systems) for collecting data before, during and after storm events. A weather station located in the watershed is collecting meteorological data and additional precipitation data are being collected from seven other sites. Stream hydrographic data are being collected for stage and velocity to develop stage-discharge relationships for each sampling site including a continuous real-time gaging station at the watershed outlet. When the study is complete, over three hundred stream cross-sectional sites will be surveyed and samples analyzed for characterization (particle size and carbon content by loss on ignition). Prior to the SFBR project, there was limited scientific data available to support TMDL development. The results of the SFBR project will accomplish the following:
1. Provide a comprehensive dataset that allows for the development, field testing, and calibration of mathematical models addressing water quality and quantity in a watershed. The dataset created in SFBR will be unique; there is no other study site with a comparable collection of data in the U.S.
2. Provide robust data and models that establish a scientific basis for clean sediment and pollutant TMDLs.
3. Provide a means of testing field and laboratory instrumentation, methodolgy, and development of standard operating procedures for sampling protocols, sample processing and analytical analyses.
4. Develop procedures for site selection, field instrumentation, maintenance and servicing, frequency of sampling, data requirements, safety and QA.