Wilson Creek Riparian Buffer Demonstration Project 2013
Lycoming College CWI Jenna Baker| Dr. Mel Zimmerman | Lycoming College Background and Purpose In 2006, the Tioga County Conservation District along with Babb Creek Watershed Association and Pine Creek Headwaters Protection began a collaboration in an attempt to address a section of Wilson Creek that was classified as agriculturally impaired on the DEP 303 List. The project began with the identification and cooperation of two farms, Smith and Coolidge. In 2006, a grass Riparian Buffer was planted at Smith Farm and deciduous trees and shrubs were planted as Coolidge Farms along the impaired section of Wilson Creek. Additional Best Management Practices (BMPs) were put in place at the farms which included fencing to restrict livestock from stream access, as well as other manure management. Biological Results Project Overview Conclusion Between 2007 and 2013 there appears to be a slight reduction in phosphorous but a reversal for nitrate. The effectiveness of the riparian buffer and fencing appears to be compromised because the farmers still allow livestock access to the stream periodically. Based on the macroinvertebrate data, the stream quality has gone from severely impaired to moderately impaired. Site Map Pre-BMP monitoring of the creek began in 2006 by members of Pine Creek Headwaters. Lycoming College CWI did follow up monitoring in 2007 and 2008. A follow up study occurred in 2013. Smith (downstream) and Coolidge Farms (upstream), along Wilson Creek, were compared to a reference site, Broughton Hollow through backpack electrofishing, macroinvertebrate identification, and water chemistry data. The data collected in 2013 was compared to the data from 2006-2008 to see how much the water quality has changed with the implementation of Riparian Buffers and BMPs. Broughton Hollow (BH1): 41.66881N 71.31373W Smith Farm (S1 & S2): 41.6815N 77.29980W Coolidge Farm (C1 & C2): 41.69070N 77.29124W Water Chemistry for Summer 2007 &2013 CWI Interns: Lynette Dooley, Emily Vebrosky, Chelsea Brewer, Miranda Giraldo, Clayton Good, Laura Shelmire, Cory Trego, Brian Gordon Smith Farm 2006 (2008) Smith Farm 2013 Coolidge Farm 2006 (2008) Coolidge Farm 2013 Broughton Hollow 2006 (2008) Broughton Hollow 2013 EPT Index (taxa) 8 9 6 7 13 7 Water quality based on Family level Hilsenhoff Biotic Index 5.72 Fair, Fairly significant organic pollution 5.09 Good, some organic pollution 5.82 Fair, Fairly significant organic pollution 5.11 Good, some organic pollution 4.31 Very Good, Possible slight organic pollution 4.64 Good, some organic pollution Total Macroinver- tebrate Taxa 17 17 13 13 20 13 Total Fish Taxa 6 11 6 6 6 5 Water Quality based on IBI for fish 23 (Between Very Poor and Poor) 28 (Poor) 32 (Poor) 33 (Poor) 32 (Poor) 32 (Poor) Species Diversity for Macroinverteb -rates 2.85 2.48 1.36 2.35 2.75 2.90 Species Diversity for Fish 1.18 2.66 1.26 1.50 0.94 2.07 Parameters Coolidge Farm 2007 Coolidge Farm 2013 Smith Farm 2007 Smith Farm 2013 Brought on Hollow 2007 Broughton Hollow 2013 pH (lab) 6.780.247 7.020.028 6.380.566 6.920.028 6.45 7.79 Conductivity (S) 3165.657 207.7528.63 8 271 Alkalinity (ppm) 106.82.475 107.538.891 99.30.354 47.510.607 98 110 Orthophosphate (ppm) 0.090.050 0.260.163 0.24 Phosphorous (ppm) 0.280.106 0.200.014 0.430.064 0.340.0707 0.20 0.25 Nitrate (ppm) 0.540.007 0.70 0.580.0912 1.150.212 0.4 0.7 Nitrite (ppm) 0.0090.004 0.0120.0007 0.007 DO (ppm) 9.930.742 8.460.177 6.653.394 8.010.028 8.2 10.13 Temp (C) 20.751.061 14.90.212 201.414 15.40.566 17.5 14.5 TDS 1614.243 102.813.011 136 Volume (m 3 /s) 0.030 0.110.007 0.38 Special thanks to Lori Davias, Watershed Specialist Tioga County Conservation District Printing: Wilson Creek Riparian Buffer Demonstration Project 2013 Lycoming College CWI: Pre and Post Pictures Jenna Baker| Dr. Mel Zimmerman | Lycoming College Smith Farm Pre-Riparian Buffer and BMPs 2007 Coolidge Farm Pre-Riparian Buffer and BMPs 2007 Coolidge Farm Post Riparian Buffer and BMPs 2013 Smith Farm Post Riparian Buffer and BMPs 2013 CWI Interns: Lynette Dooley, Emily Vebrosky, Chelsea Brewer, Miranda Giraldo, Clayton Good, Laura Shelmire, Cory Trego, Brian Gordon Special thanks to Lori Davias, Watershed Specialist Tioga County Conservation District