Watershed Characterization of Agricultural & Recreational Lands Principal Investigators – Bill Sciarappa & Cara Muscio Project Manager – Brian Hulme.

Watershed Characterization of Agricultural & Recreational Lands

Principal Investigators – Bill Sciarappa & Cara Muscio Project Manager – Brian Hulme

Agricultural and Recreational Assessment Approaches

• Ag and Recreational Land Surveys

• Water Quality Monitoring

• Farm Tours

• Soil Analysis

• Macroinvertebrate SamplingThese environmental tasks are a key part of a watershed management plan yet

provide excellent site specific information for agriculture and ag agents

1. Land Assessment Agricultural & Recreational

• 2005 Tax Atlas• GIS LU and Aerial Photos• Ag Land Mail Survey• Local Agent Knowledge

Ag and Rec Land Assessment Results

13219Total

15Sheep

140Rabbits

14Pigs

27Donkeys

278Horses

33Cats/Dogs

112Cows

270Chickens

Number of Owners

Total AnimalNumber

Animal

528.061208.5Total

17.3527.71Nursery

382.53836.62Crop

128.18164.17Pasture

Area Actively Farmed (acres)

Size (acres)Land Use

59.38533.37Total

023.92Athletic Field

50369.2Golf Course

9.38140.25Recreational

Impervious (acres)Size (acres)Land Use

Agricultural Land Results

Recreational Land Results

Livestock Results

2. Water Quality Monitoring

Samples taken once per week at 8 sampling sites for 1 full year baseline data set

YSI Multiparameter Probe Hach Orthophosphate Kit

Water Quality Monitoring Results

0.272230.05 - 1.50PO4-3 mg/LOrtho-Phosphate

2.83100.0 - 82.0µg/LChlorophyll

5.43180.00 - 308.3NTUTurbidity

0.623180.02 - 15.79NO3 mg/LNitrate

0.003100.00 - 0.040NH3 mg/LAmmonia

6.353185.18 - 7.48pHpH

10.392143.47 - 27.87mg/LDissolved Oxygen

0.1793010.090 - 16.200mS/cmConductivity

16.533182.92 - 30.34ºCTemperature

Median Values

# of Observations

Range (Min & Max Observed)UnitsParameter

9318< 50 NTUTurbidity (NTU)

2214> 4.0 mg/LDissolved Oxygen

212318 6.5-8.5pH

3318< 10 mg/LNitrate

# of Exceedences# of Samples*CriteriaParameter

Water Quality FW2 – NT Excedences

3. Farm Tours

• Manure Management• Erosion and Drainage Issues• Fertilizing Practices

A representative sampling of various farms were visited to observe:

Farm Tours Cont.

Right

Wrong

4. Soil AnalysisSoil Samples were taken from both stream banks

and Agricultural & Recreational Land

Soil Analysis Results

Wide RangesWide Ranges

Wide RangesWide RangesWide RangesWide RangesNitrate – (ppm)

Wide RangesWide Ranges

AverageAverageHighHighOrganic Carbon (%)

Wide RangesWide Ranges

AverageAverageHighHighOrganic Matter (%)

Low/AdequateLow/Adequate

Low/AdequateLow/AdequateLow/AdequateLow/AdequateMicronutrients (ppm)

Above Optimum

Above Optimum

Below/At Optimum

Below/At Optimum

Below/At Optimum

Below/At Optimum

Calcium (lbs./ac)

Above Optimum

Above Optimum

Below/At Optimum

Below/At Optimum

Below/At Optimum

Below/At Optimum

Magnesium (lbs./ac)

Above Optimum

Above Optimum

Below/At Optimum

Below/At Optimum

Below/At Optimum

Below/At Optimum

Potassium (lbs./ac)

Above Optimum

Above Optimum

Below/At Optimum

Below/At Optimum

Below/At Optimum

Below/At Optimum

Phosphorous (lbs./ac)

Wide RangesWide Ranges

Wide RangesWide RangesWide RangesWide RangespH

Recreational Land

Ag LandNative/Control Streambanks

Developed Streambanks

Mixed Streambanks

Ag Streambanks

* High Phosphorous, Iron and pH levels were detected and are naturally occurring for the region

5. Macroinvertebrate SamplingSamples taken in June, July and August at 8 sites to

quantify percentages of “Sensitive”, “Somewhat Sensitive” and “Tolerant” organisms. These indicators help determine long-term stream health

Macroinvertebrate Results

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

6 9 7 1 5 2 3 8

Conclusions & RecommendationsAgricultural and Recreational Land do not appear to be

having a major impact on the overall health of the Wreck Pond Brook Watershed.

However, it is the intention of RCE to:• Remind Growers, Landscapers and Home owners of the

importance of soil testing and appropriate fertilizing rates• Inform farmers about Manure Management Standards• Demonstrate on-farm manure containment facilities

Such information should help:• Prevent erosion, soil compaction and stream

encroachment during new and ongoing building projects• Educate the general public of the impact they are having

on their Watershed

THANKS TO• New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

• Wreck Pond Regional Stormwater Management Committee

• New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station

• Rutgers Department of Agriculture & Resource Management Agents