Salmon Creek Watershed Action Plan

Summary

The Pultneyville embayment where the Salmon Creek Watershed enters Lake Ontario is plagued by cultural eutrophication with high nutrient levels leading to the unwanted growth of algae and other water quality problems which limit the use of cottages, offend recreational users and detrimentally affect tourism.

A watershed analysis conducted by the Center for Environmental Initiatives (CEI) on behalf of the Salmon Creek Watershed Coordinating Committee (SCWCC) in 2010 and 2011 led to a complete characterization of the water quality of Salmon Creek, a quantification of the sources of phosphorus pollution loads and bacterial growth in the watershed along with recommendations for remediation. The analysis was two-fold, involving a rigorous water sampling program and application of computer modeling using MapShed software from Penn State University. This work was funded by two Healing Our Waters Coalition grants. Visit Site

This study identified two related water quality impairments that warrant further attention: beach closings due to high levels of bacteria washed into the Harbor during rain events; and elevated phosphorus levels in Salmon Creek that contribute to unwanted growth of algae and bacteria in Pultneyville Harbor.

Beach Closings: The sources of bacteria that contribute to beach closings during the swimming season in Pultneyville Harbor were identified. Best management practices (BMPs) to reduce the bacterial loads and resulting beach closings were evaluated.

Elevated Phosphorus: Analysis of the relative impact of current phosphorus and bacterial loadings from point and non-point sources demonstrates that 50% of the phosphorus released to this watershed is attributable to a regulated point source (food processing plant's wastewater treatment plant effluent). The remaining portion is distributed evenly between septic systems, farm animals, land application of food processing solids, and agricultural sources.

Using the results of this study CEI was able to create a Salmon Creek Watershed Action Plan that meets the Environmental Protection Agency criteria for a 9-element watershed restoration plan for the SCWCC. This plan details the non-point source remediation projects for which funding will be sought. An adaptive management approach will be used that implements the most effective measures first while monitoring the water quality impact to see if more should be done and consideration of impacts associated with reductions in phosphorus loads.

The fact that the SCWCC was able to put together a watershed restoration plan that meets EPA's criteria and use it to guide future funding requests is attributable to several characteristics of this project:

1. Effective Team Make-up – Our team included an elected official, Soil and Water Conservation District, County Planning Department, and Cornell Cooperative Extension
2. Public Involvement – We held two forums with the general public, one with Harbor stakeholders
3. Persistence – Attention to information-sharing and group dynamics to build trust over the two years we worked on the project
4. Data Presentation – Our report included phosphorus loading data based upon computer modeling and water quality sampling that provided a good basis for conversation
5. Evaluation of Remediation Alternatives – Our report provided information on the cost and effectiveness of a variety of remediation alternatives that facilitated plan development