Nutrient Loading of Streams Entering Sodus Bay and Port Bay, NY

Abstract

The Wayne County SWCD, in cooperation with the Center for Applied Aquatic Sciences and Aquaculture at SUNY Brockport, have successfully identified and prioritized several problems associated with water pollution on two watersheds. The initial goal was to identify any pollution problems that may have existed. The first objective was to identify and prioritize which nutrients were of concern. The second objective was to identify and prioritize which tributaries and their watersheds were the most impaired. All of these objectives have been achieved. Our current goal is to identify the sources of priority pollutants within the priority 2 tributaries and to implement corrective measures. Our final objective will be to develop a comprehensive pollution prevention plan. Each of these goals represents a common sense approach to improving water quality. By first identifying and prioritizing tributaries, pollutants and sources, the District is able to make decisions that will have the greatest impact on water quality and thus provide a high level of cost effectiveness. Previous monitoring work in Wayne County has allowed for the successful identification and prioritization of nutrients likely to be promoting eutrophication on local embayments, Monitoring strategies have also allowed for the identification and prioritization of the most polluted tributaries on Sodus and Port Bay. These accomplishments have provided a foundation for the next and current phase of the program; identifying the actual sources of pollution. Since Sodus Creek East and Wolcott Creek have been identified as the most impaired, it follows that correcting pollution problems on these tributaries shall result in the greatest improvement on water quality downstream. The method currently being used to identify sources of polluted runoff is referred to as Stressed Stream Analysis or segment analysis. This method involves the sectioning of a stream into segments and collecting water samples at noted locations along each segment. As multiple samples are collected, analyzed and reviewed, new sample sites are determined in such a way that allows for the isolation of significant nutrient inputs. These inputs can be field specific or in the case of point sources can be structure specific whether point or nonpoint. Major tributaries continue to be monitored. This will serve as a benchmark that can be used to assess future improvements implemented in the watersheds. Stressed Stream Analysis has not been fully completed on Glemnark and Wolcott Creeks. This report reflects the accomplishments to date utilizing Stressed Stream Analysis and the results of tributary monitoring. 3