Cooperator: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Project Chiefs: David J. Graczyk; Steven R. Corsi
Location: Priority Watersheds in Buffalo and Brown Counties
Project Number: BQY11
Period of Project: October 1990–Continuing
updated 2/20/07
Problem
An evaluation strategy is needed to assess the effectiveness of nonpoint-source
pollution-control measures in priority watersheds. Specifically, research is
needed to determine the impact of management practices on stream-water quality
and biology. Several techniques need to be developed and/or refined, such as
detecting trends in stream-water chemistry, sampling of fish and fish habitat,
relation between fish/fish habitat and changes resulting from watershed-management
practices, and use of habitat models for determining the impact of watershed
management on fish populations.
Objective
The overall objective of this project is to determine the trends in water
quality at sites prior to, during, and after implementation of improved land-management
practices in priority watersheds and to use GIS to document changes in land use/land
cover.
Approach
Post-practice implementation monitoring will be done for Eagle and Joos Valley
Creeks, which are in the Waumandee Creek Priority Watershed Project, and Bower
Creek, which is in the East River Priority Watershed Project. The pre-practice
implementation is complete for all of these sites. Continuous-record streamflow
and water-quality gaging stations were installed at each stream site. Water-quality
samples will be collected during events and low flows and analyzed for selected
constituents. Land-use inventories will be taken each year to help determine
the cause of any changes in water quality.
Progress (January 2006 to June 2006)
Post-practice implementation monitoring for Eagle and Joos Valley Creeks has
been ongoing since October, 2002. Water-quality loads were calculated for selected
parameters and storm periods. All the data were summarized and published in the
report “Water-Resources Data–Wisconsin.” Land-use inventories
were completed for each basin.
Plans (January 2006 to June
2006)
A report will be prepared on post-monitoring of Eagle and Joos Valley Creeks
in the Waumandee Creek Priority Watershed Project. The report summarizes the
results of a study on the effectiveness of watershed-management practices for
controlling nonpoint-source contamination in the Eagle and Joos Valley Creeks
watersheds. Bower Creek will be monitored for streamflow and water quality. Water-quality
samples will be collected bi-weekly from April through October, and monthly from
December through March. Samples will be collected at Bower Creek during runoff
periods. Land use will be updated for each basin. Water-quality loads for selected
parameters and storm periods will be calculated and compared to data collected
in previous years. The data will be analyzed to determine if there are any apparent
trends in water quality during implementation of best-management plans.
Reports
Corsi, S. R., Walker, J. F., Wang Lizhu,
Horwatich, J. A. and Bannerman, R. T., 2005, Effects of Best-Management Practices
in Otter Creek in the Sheboygan River Priority Watershed, Wisconsin, 1990-2002:
U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2005-5009, 26 p.
Graczyk, D.J., Walker, J.F., Horwatich, J.A. and Bannerman, R.T., 2003, Effects of Best-Management Practices in the Black Earth Creek Priority Watershed, Wisconsin, 1984–98: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report
03-4163, 24 p.
Walker, J.F., Graczyk, D.J., Corsi, S.R., Wierl, J.A., and Owens, D.W., 2001, Evaluation of nonpoint-source contamination, Wisconsin—water year 1999: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 01–105, 37 p.
Wierl, J.A., Giddings, E.M., and Bannerman, R.T., 1998, Evaluation of a method for comparing phosphorus loads from barnyards and croplands in Otter Creek watershed, Wisconsin: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 168–98, 4 p.
Corsi, S.R., Graczyk, D.J., Owens, D.W., and Bannerman, R.T., 1997, Unit-area loads of suspended sediment, suspended solids, and total phosphorus from small watersheds in Wisconsin: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 195–97, 4 p.
Rappold,
K.F., Wierl, J.A., and Amerson, F.U., 1997, Watershed characteristics and land
management in the nonpoint-source evaluation monitoring watersheds in Wisconsin:
U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 97–119, 39 p.
Wierl, J.A., Rappold, K.F., and Amerson, F.U., 1996, Summary of the land-use inventory for the nonpoint-source evaluation monitoring watershed in Wisconsin: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 96–123, 23 p.
Greb, S.R., and Graczyk, D.J., 1995, Frequency-duration analysis of dissolved-oxygen
concentrations in two southwestern Wisconsin streams: Water Resources Bulletin,
v. 31, no. 3, p. 431–438.
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