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