Nutrient and Soil Losses from the Eighteenmile Creek Watershed

Abstract

Determination of sources and magnitude of soil and nutrient losses from a watershed is prerequisite to remedial action and essential to making cost-effective land management decisions as it reduces the likelihood of costly miscalculations based on the assumption of soil and nutrient sources and modeling rather than their actual identification. This process enhances the ability of concerned groups to obtain external funding for demonstration and remedial projects. In July 2003, the Niagara County Soil & Water Conservation District (NCSWCD), in conjunction with the Department of Environmental Sciences and Biology at SUNY Brockport, began a monitoring program for Eighteenmile Creek, located in Niagara County, New York. The purpose of the monitoring program was to collect water quality data to quantify the concentration and loading of nutrients and suspended sediments transported from Eighteenmile Creek to Lake Ontario and to evaluate the health of the creek and its impact on Lake Ontario. In addition, the data serve as a database to make informed water quality management decisions including the development of a watershed management plan, and as a benchmark of discharge and nutrient data to measure the success of future remediation efforts. This report, prepared by SUNY Brockport and the Niagara County Soil and Water Conservation District, provides information on the nutrient/sediment monitoring program of Eighteenmile Creek. Included are methodologies, results of the monitoring including documentation on types and amounts of nutrients that may be adversely impacting water quality and the conditions which generate them. Lastly, the report serves as a mechanism of transmittal of results and conclusions to all concerned parties and stakeholders of the Eighteenmile Creek watershed.