United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Environmental Research
Laboratory
Athens GA 30613
Research and Development
EPA-600/S3-83-054 Jan. 1984
Project  Summary
Fluvial  Transport and  Processing
of Sediments  and  Nutrients  in
Large Agricultural  River  Basins
David B. Baker
  Rivers and streams draining water-
sheds in northwestern Ohio were sam-
pled in a 3- to 5-year study to describe
the transport of nutrients and sedi-
ments in large agricultural basins. Land
use in the watersheds, which ranged in
size from 171  to 16,395 km2, was
dominated by row crop agriculture on
generally fine  textured and poorly
drained soils. Automatic samplers were
used to collect at least four samples
per day at 12 U.S. Geological Survey
gauging stations. During storm events
all samples were analyzed, whereas
during non-event periods one sample
per day was analyzed.
  For these rivers the concentrations
of suspende  jlids, total phosphorus,
nitrate plus nitrite nitrogen and total
Kjeldahl nitrogen increased with in-
creasing stream flow.  Storms with
similar peak discharges had widely
varying flux weighted concentrations
of both sediments and nutrients. Large
seasonal and annual variations in flux
weighted concentrations were also ob-
served. The ratio of particulate phos-
phorus to sediments varied greatly
among samples, with lower ratios gen-
erally associated with higher suspended
solids concentrations.
  The unit area yields of nutrients were
considered to be in the high range for
agricultural watersheds. Sediment de-
I ivery ratios ranged from 6.2% to 11.9%.
There was no correlation between sed-
iment delivery  ratio and basin size.
Furthermore, there was no correlation
between gross erosion rates and unit
area nonpoint phosphorus yields.
  Phosphorus entering streams from
point sources was rapidly processed by
the stream system. Subsequent trans-
port  of this phosphorus to the lake
depended on resuspension of particu-
late phosphorus during storm events.
The soluble reactive phosphorus ex-
ported during storm events was largely
derived from nonpoint sources. Upon
delivery to Lake Erie, phosphorus from
nonpoint sources had a higher per-
centage availability than phosphorus
derived from point sources and pro-
cessed by the stream system.
  The data illustrate many patterns of
nutrient and sediment transport in river
systems. Many of these patterns need
to be taken into account in establish-
ing water quality monitoring programs.
These data should also be useful in
evaluating the  effectiveness of con-
servation tillage in controlling agricul-
tural nonpoint source pollution.
  This Project Summary was developed
by EPA's Environmental Research Lab-
oratory, Athens GA. to announce key
findings of the research project that is
fully documented in a separate report
(see Project Report ordering informa-
tion at back).

Background
  Studies of nonpoint  pollution in  the
Great Lakes Basin indicate that the rivers
of northwestern Ohio, which drain into the
western and central basins of Lake Erie,
carry  the largest loads of agriculturally
derived nutrients and sediments entering
the entire Great Lakes system. These loads
are a product of intensive,  row-crop agri-
culture on fine textured soils in the rela-
tively large river basins of this regioa
Because these loads comprise a large
portion of the phosphorus entering Lake

-------
Erie, the transport and processing of sed-
iments and nutrients in the major rivers of
this region have received detailed study.
The objectives of these studies have been
to document and characterize the existing
pollutant loads,  to  identify critical sub-
watersheds, to compare the transport and
fate of pollutants derived from point and
nonpoint sources, and to develop baseline
data to evaluate water quality benefits of
nonpoint control programs.
  Modeling studies  of the phosphorus
balance for Lake Erie indicate that reduc-
tions in  phosphorus loading  from agri-
cultural sources will be necessary to
achieve the desired reductions  in eutro
phication.  Concurrently  with the river
transport studies, the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers conducted detailed studies to
determine the applicability of various agri-
cultural best management practices for
reducing nutrient and sediment losses from
cropland  in these  river basins.  These
studies concluded that a variety of con-
servation tillage  practices, including  no-
till,  could significantly and economically
reduce phosphorus loading to Lake Erie.
  A  major tillage demonstration project
was initiated in the Honey Creek Water-
shed of the Sandusky Basin with support
from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
and the Agricultural Stabilization and Con-
servation Service. The results of the Honey
Creek  Project and  other tillage demon-
stration projects in the area, confirm that
many of the area's soils  are suitable for
conservation tillage management and that
these  methods, when  properly  imple-
mented, offer economic advantages to
farmers. The Great Lakes National Program
Office of the U.S.  EPA has supported  a
conservation tillage implementation pro-
gram in 20 agricultural counties within the
Lake Erie Basin.
  Studies of nutrient and sediment trans-
port in northwestern Ohio rivers have been
supported by grants and contracts from
several  different agencies and organiza-
tions. These include: 1)  research grants
from the U.S. EPA for studies of flow
augmentation and river transport; 2) con-
tracts with the Toledo Metropolitan Area
Council of Governments  as part of their
208 Planning Study; 3) contracts with the
US. Army Corps of Engineers for data
collection  in support of the Lake Erie
Wastewater Management Study; 4) con-
tracts with the Ohio Department of Natu ral
Resources for reservoir management stud-
ies; 5) grants from the Rockefeller Founda-
tion and the Soap and Detergent Associa-
tion for studies  of  agricultural  nonpoint
pollution; 6) grants from  the  cities of
Tiffin, Bucyrus, and Upper Sandusky for
evaluating instream benefits of phospho-
rus removal programs;  and 7) support
from  Heidelberg College for  matching
funds and data collection during interim
periods between external funding sources.
A  selected list of related reports is in-
cluded at the end of this summary.
  The results of this study have been used
extensively for the development of recom-
mendations contained in the Final Report
of the Lake Erie Wastewater Management
Study. The data have also been used in
calibrations  of  several nonpoint source
models. A detailed river transport model
was developed by the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers using Sandusky Basin data. A
generalized version of the U.S. Army Corps
river transport model is  presented in the
Appendix to the complete report

Study Area
  The study area, which  contains 12 U.S.
Geological Survey stream gauging sta-
tions, is located in northwestern Ohio. The
stations included river mouth stations on
the Maumee, Portage, Sandusky and Huron
rivers where data on tributary loading to
Lake Erie were obtained. In addition, sta-
tions  were operated on five major trib-
utaries to  the Sandusky River  and three
additional Sandusky River sites to identify
critical watersheds and to study the trans-
port and processing of nutrients and sedi-
ments as they move through  stream
systems.

Study Methods
  Automatic samplers were used to col-
lect a minimum of four samples per day at
each sampling station. During periods of
high flow and/or high turbidity, each sam-
ple was analyzed. Under low  flow con-
ditions, only a single sample per day was
analyzed. Analyses routinely included sus-
pended solids (SS), total phosphorus (TP),
soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), nitrate
plus nitrite nitrogen, ammonia, conduc-
tivity, and chloride. The U.S Geological
Survey provided stage data for the times of
sample collection and  stage-discharge
rating tables for each station.
  This report focuses on data collected
through the 1979 water year. Atthattime
from  three  to  five years of data were
available at each  station. Since  1979,
studies have continued  at several of the
transport stations, and pesticide analyses
have  been  added. All  data have been
placed in the STORET system.

Results
   Flux-weighted and time-weighted mean
concentrations  were developed for major
parameters at each  sampling  station.
These are shown in Table 1. Parameters
whose concentrations tend to increase
with increasing stream flow— SS, TP, and
nitrates— have higher flux-weighted than
time-weighted concentrations. The Bucyrus
station is located a short distance down-
stream from the municipal sewage treat-
ment plant At that site, the time-weighted
concentration  of  TP exceeded the flux-
weighted concentration. Conductivity al-
ways  decreased  with increasing flow,
whereas the time-weighted concentrations
of SRP were higher than the flux-weighted
concentrations at stations below signifi-
cant point source inputs.
  In Figure 1, a typical hydrograph, chemo-
graph  and sediment  graph pattern for
northwestern Ohio rivers is shown. The
peak concentrations of SS and TP occur in
advance of the peak  discharge whereas
peak nitrate concentrations trail the peak
discharge. Concentrations  of TP (not
shown) parallel  the SS  concentrations.
Often  SRP concentrations  increase  in
parallel with the TP concentrations. The
minimum conductivity generally corre-
sponds with the peak discharge.
  The trailing nitrate peaks are associated
with the delayed arrival at the stations of
nitrate-laden  tile effluents relative to the
arrival of surface runoff with its high SS
and TP concentrations. Sediment resus-
pension during  the  rising stage of the
hydrograph also helps to account for the
advance sediment and phosphorus peaks.
  At each  of the sampling stations, the
flux-weighted concentrations of sediments
and nutrients showed large variations be-
tween  individual storms, seasons and
years. At the Upper Sandusky station, the
flux-weighted concentrations were calcu-
lated for 52 individual storms. In Figure 2
these concentrations for TP are plotted in
relation to the peak flow for the storm.
Storms with  similar peak  flows  have
widely varying concentrations of both TP
and sediments over the entire range of
peak flows. Although some of the vari-
ability is associated with differences be-
tween  snow melt and rainfall induced
events, much of it is related to variations in
rainfall intensity and amount pre-existing
soil moisture and ground cover. This large
variability  in  phosphorus and sediment
concentrations for  storms with  similar
peak flows illustrates the complexity as-
sociated with calibrating runoff models for
large watersheds.
  There are  large  annual variations in
discharge,  load and flux-weighted mean
concentrations of sediments and nutrients
at the stations. The concentrations depend

-------
Table 1. Comparison of Flux Weighted and Time Weighted Mean Concentrations of Suspended Solids and Nutrients in Northwestern Ohio River
Basins


Location
Maumee

Portage

Huron

Sandusky

Mexico


Weighted
N Concentration
1769 Flux
Time
1842 Flux
Time
2027 Flux
Time
2237 Flux
Time
1578 Flux
Time
Upper Sandusky 2729 Flux

Bucyrus

Tymochtee Cr.

Honey Cr.

Time
2299 Flux
Time
2631 Flux
Time
2115 Flux
Time
Broken Sword Cr. 1766 Flux

Wolf, East

Wolf, West


8 3 "
rx »»

_^-0-
0 i to" 3E. ^ -^
^~ «- t

^,§ -
•c *° ^ci.
CTl ^

c§- •£ £
++ +ft *c.
<0 U)  v,
5 ,-t- O ~^
c- *E *O r/*
*- . **•)
<38--I |
£ t c
lo- is !

*





Time
1654 Flux
Time
1699 Flux
Time
§rx


_o I v A
I ^" KrV^


§ - /if \
8 -" \ Ai\ \
* & \HU\ \
?3 • yff \ \

s « A/ 1 \
^ ^0 /U/ \
Is /It \ j
£ liA \ /
8 to / \ Jbc


__*_*/
* — ; — 1 — !-*•* i • •
10. 12. 14. 16.
Day of April

Suspended
Sediment
mg/L
242
106
164
62
220
69.6
217
83.1
239
85.8
235
105
173
49.6
205
68.7
180
57.8
244
78.3
181
42.4
183
40.8





1
\
\
\ */
\x
. /<
\ / X
\/ ^
y
A

V
i ^^
v ^r^
*——^-—-*~— -,

18
1981


Soluble NO3-NO2
Total P, Reactive P, Nitrogen, Conductivity
mg/L
0.516
0.340
0.402
0.360
0.362
0.343
0.453
0.244
0.428
0.250
0.518
0.482
0.573
1.13
0.419
0.181
0.403
0.195
0.401
0.157
0.416
0.161
0.394
0.232






^ /""
^\^




^
^_
^^—



-*^ 	
^sTT-
^~-~-_
20. 22


mg/L mg/L ivnhos
0.116 4.92 517
0.116 3.91 652
0. 1 19 5.89 554
0.191 3.80 854
0.104 3.61 540
0.201 2.50 685
0.093 4.61 487
0.073 3.09 716
0.070 3.50 624
0.069 3.49 750
0.134 3.90 478
0.234 2.60 709
0.219 3.42 460
0.837 3.11 702
0.069 5.12 397
0.040 3.48 751
0.101 4.85 397
0.102 3.74 587
0.061 4.87 428
0.042 3. 1 1 637
0.118 4.71 578
0.063 292 764
0. 100 6. 14 464
0.133 3.45 747
more on the proportion of winter-to-
summer runoff than on the total amount of
runoff for the year.
Calculated paniculate phosphorus (PP)
to sediment ratios show that because
there are substantial variations in annual
flux-weighted concentrations of SS, there
are also large annual variations in phos-
phorus/sediment ratios. Models that esti-
mate PP export based on sediment yields
should take into account the effects of
sediment concentrations on PP/SS ratios.
Mean annual loads of nutrients and
sediments at each station were estimated
using two methods. Either flux-weighted
concentrations were multiplied by mean
annual discharge based on long term
hydrological records for each station or
flow duration tables were used in com-
bination with flux-weighted concentra-
tions for each flow interval. The two
methods gave very similar results. The
resulting mean annual unit area yields are
Figure 1. Typical patterns of changing concentrations of suspended sediments, nitrates and shown in Table 2. These yields are con-
conductivity during a runoff event at the Me/more gaging station on Honey Creek.
sidered to be in the high range for agri-

-------
cultural regions that have been studied,
especially considering the large size of the
drainage areas.
  As part of a related study, gross erosion
rates were calculated for each of the study
watersheds. These erosion rates coupled
with the unit area  sediment yields allow
direct  calculation  of sediment delivery
ratios.  Both the erosion  rates and sed-
iment  delivery ratios are also shown  in
Table 2.
  The  sediment delivery ratios  ranged
from 6.2% to 11.9%.  The general ten-
dency  of delivery ratios to decrease with
increasing basin area, however, was not
evident for these streams. These basins
were much larger than those in which
previous measurements of sediment de-
   §T
                             livery have been made. Sediment delivery
                             ratios were inversely correlated with gross
                             erosion rates for the study watersheds.
                               Concentration exceedency calculations
                             for nitrates,  for example,  indicate  that
                             Ohio's drinking water standard (10 mg/L
                             nitrate-N) was exceeded from 2% to 5% of
                             the time at the transport  stations  (see
                             Table 3). Concentrations of 7 mg/L are
                             exceeded more than 10% of the time at all
                             of the stations. Widespread adoption of
                             conservation tillage in this region could
                             increase the duration of time when nitrate
                             standards are exceeded by increasing tile
                             flow in relation to surface runoff.
                               Flux exceedency calculations confirm
                             the dominant role of periods of high flux in
                             total stream transport of sediments and
•   cs
5
                                               «

                                     + +
                                      + ++
                                                    /*
     0.5
Figure 2.
                       1.0               1.5
                               Log (Peak Flow) mfl/s
                                             2.0
                                                               2.5
Relationships between flux-weighted mean concentrations of total phosphorus for
individual runoff events and the peak flow for the events. Storm event data were
taken from the Upper Sandusky gaging station on the Sandusky River.
nutrients. For the Maumee station the 5%
of the time with  the highest fluxes ac-
counted for the following percentages of
total stream transport: SS, 70%; TP, 57%;
SRP, 39%; dissolved solids, 30.3%; and
water 39.2%. For the Honey Creek station
the corresponding figures were: SS, 79%;
TP, 65%;  SRP, 50%; dissolved  solids,
30%; and water 44.4%. In general, as the
watersheds become smaller, greater per-
centages of the total transport are ac-
counted for by short periods of high flux.
  The nonpoint phosphorus yields from
each basin were calculated by subtracting
the upstream point  source inputs.  The
resulting unit area nonpoint phosphorus
yields  are  shown also in Table 2.  This
calculation  assumes  100% delivery  of
point  source inputs through the stream
system. It is recognized that for stations
with substantial point source inputs, such
as Bucyrus and Portage, the resulting unit
area nonpoint phosphorus yields are un-
realisticaily low. These same stations have
sediment yields similar to adjacent basins.
One would expect similar nonpoint phos-
phorus-to-sediment ratios  regardless  of
the presence or absence of  point sources
in the basins. These data suggest that the
delivery of point source phosphorus through
stream systems is substantially  less than
100%.
  Much of the phosphorus that  enters
stream  systems from point sources is
quickly removed from the flowing water.
In the Sandusky Basin, the point source
phosphorus loading rate upstream from
the Fremont station was 5.3 kg/hr. At this
station the  phosphorus flux  was less than
5.3 kg/hr 55% of the time while  during
this time the average flux  was  only 1.8
kg/hr. Although  these  periods of low
phosphorus flux are associated  with low
stream flows, most of the flow is derived
from  base  flow in the watershed rather
than point  source inputs. Given the low
flow phosphorus concentrations in water-
Table 2.    Unit Area Yields of Sediments and Nutrients for Northwestern Ohio Agricultural Watersheds
Location
Maumee
Portage
Huron
Sandusky
Mexico
Upper Sandusky
Bucyrus
Tymochtee Cr.
Honey Cr.
Broken Sword Cr.
Wolf, East
Wolf, West
Total P,
kgha-'yr-1
1.34
0.97
1.02
1.10
1.17
1.45
1.85
1.06
1.09
1.43
1.40
1.02
Non-PL P
Yield,
kgha'1 yf1
1.14
0.61
0.57
0.96
0.98
1.04
0.68
1.06
1.01
1.43
1.40
1.03
Soluble
Reactive P,
kgha'1 yr1
0.30
0.30
0.29
0.24
0.21
0.39
0.74
0.18
0.27
0.22
0.39
0.26
NOrNO2
Nitrogen
kg ha'' yr'1
13.1
15.1
10.2
12.5
12.2
11.4
11.5
13.4
13.1
17.3
15.8
16.0
Suspended
Sediment
ton ha'1 yr'1
0.63
0.40
0.59
0.52
0.65
0.63
0.54
0.52
0.49
0.87
0.61
0.48
Gross
Erosion
ton ha'' yr'1
6.84
5.00
7.51
8.25
9.37
9.35
7.85
8.41
6.86
9.39
5.11
4.19
Delivery
Ratio,
%
9.2
8.0
7.9
6.3
6.9
6.8
6.9
6.2
7.1
9.2
11.9
11.5

-------
sheds lacking point sources, most of the
low flow phosphorus flux must be derived
from  nonpoint sources. Phosphorus con-
centration profiles in stream reaches below
point source  inputs  confirm  the rapid
deposition of point source derived phos-
phorus. Data  described  above suggest
that some of this point source derived
phosphorus is not resuspended and ex-
ported from the stream system.
  Although point  source phosphorus
enters streams largely as bioavailable SRP,
this phosphorus is rather quickly assimi-
lated  into the stream bed. Its subsequent
export is apparently in the form of PP that
is resuspended during storm events. Com-
parison  of the bioavailability of  PP, as
measured by traditional extraction tech-
niques,  at sites downstream from large
point source inputs with the bioavailability
of PP exported from watersheds lacking
major point sources, shows no differences.
Apparently, point source SRP has  under-
gone  similar chemical transformations as
fertilizer SRP by the time it is  exported
from the watersheds.
  During runoff events, much more SRP is
exported from these  rivers than can be
accounted for by upstream point  source
inputs entering the streams  during the
storm events. Watersheds lacking point
source inputs have similar SRP export as
those containing  point sources. Conse-
quently, most of the SRP exported during
storm events must be derived from  non-
point sources. This SRP exported  during
storm events may be an important source
of bioavailable phosphorus entering the
open water of Lake Erie. Its rapid passage
through estuaries and  bays would make it
         much less subject to estuarine or near-
         shore processing than SRP derived from
         point sources emptying directly into estu-
         aries or the  nearshore zone of the lake.
         Because of the extensive export of non-
         point-derived SRP during runoff events,
         the overall  bioavailability of nonpoint-
         derived  phosphorus is greater than the
         bioavailability  of  point source-derived
         phosphorus at the time of its export from
         the river basins.


         Conclusions
         1.  A combination of both detailed  and
            long-term studies is necessary to accu-
            rately characterize the export of nutri-
            ents  and  sediments from  large agri-
            cultural watersheds such as those of
            northwestern Ohio. Most of the  ma-
            terial export occurs during runoff eventa
            During  individual events the concen-
            trations of various components change
            rapidly and  in characteristic patterns.
            The flux-weighted mean concentrations
            for runoff events of the  same  size,
            however,  can show  large variations
            from storm-to-storm over a wide range
            of storm sizes. Only part of this vari-
            ability can be explained on the basis of
            seasonal effecta Large annual variations
            in flux-weighted means are also present
            Ratios of  phosphorus-to-sediment ex-
            port vary from year to year. Attempts to
            characterize the export of nutrients and
            sediments based on short term studies,
            no matter how detailed they might be,
            could give very misleading results. An
            appreciation of  the  patterns of vari-
            ability observed in these studies could
                                     be useful in designing and interpreting
                                     monitoring studies in other areas.
                                  2.  The large  variability  in nutrient  and
                                     sediment loads for storms of equal size
                                     suggests that material  export is not
                                     limited by the transport capacity of the
                                     rivers but rather by the movement of
                                     materials from the land  surface to the
                                     stream  system.  Thus,  reductions in
                                     river export  should  accompany  non-
                                     point control programs that  reduce
                                     material  transport from the land  sur-
                                     face to the stream systems. Possible
                                     increases in stream bed or stream bank
                                     erosion associated with the sediment
                                     carrying capacity of the stream will not
                                     prevent the effectiveness of land man-
                                     agement control programs.
                                  3.  The sediment delivery  ratios  in the,
                                     study watersheds range from 6.2 to
                                     11.9%, whereas average gross erosion
                                     rates vary from 4.2 ton to 9.4 ton/ha/yr.
                                     The delivery  ratios are not correlated
                                     with the size of the watershed but are
                                     inversely correlated with the gross ero-
                                     sion rate. There is no correlation be-
                                     tween gross erosion rates and unit area
                                     nonpoint phosphorus yields.  These
                                     observations  raise doubts  about the
                                     concept of "critical areas" and the use
                                     of gross erosion rates in their identifi-
                                     cation. The sediment and phosphorus
                                     yields from  these large watersheds
                                     may be more related  to the amount of
                                     clay entrained by rain drop impact and
                                     subsequent surface runoff. Tillage prac-
                                     tices that increase cover and/or de-
                                     crease runoff could reduce sediment
                                     and phosphorus yields from areas of
                                     both high and low gross erosion.
Table 3.    Percentage of Time the Indicated Concentrations of Nitrate-Nitrogen fmg/l) were Exceeded at Representative Gaging Stations
   Exceedency   Maumee
Portage
Tindall
Me/more
Wolf West
Nevada
















99%
98%
95%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
5%
2%
1%
0.5%
.01 mg/l
.03
.13
.44
1.45
2.01
2.57
3.20
4.30
5.32
6.53
8.02
9.10
10.60
12.30
13.00
.02 mg/l
.06
.21
.47
1.07
1.70
2,21
2.93
3.79
4.80
6.43
8.69
10.00
11.89
13.10
14.10
.02 mg/l .480 mg/l
.03
.09
.240
.510
1.190
1.800
2.560
3.140
4.100
5.410
7.200
8.800
10.900
13.820
16.460
.770
.970
1.260
1.670
2.020
2.340
2.820
3.330
3.990
4.990
7.380
9.360
13.300
16. 1 10
18.520
.040 mg/l
.070
.110
.240
.500
.900
1.55
2.66
3.61
4.54
6.16
8.21
9.70
11.30
14.60
16.39
.059 mg/l
.070
.130
.240
.500
.800
1.620
2.230
2.870
3.800
5.000
7.200
9.440
13.00
16.00
18.80
Watershed
area
Km2
16,395
1,109
3,240
386
171.5
271
Gross Erosion
mt/ha/yr.
6.84
5.00
8.25
6.86
4.19
9.31

-------
4. Both concentration profiles and flux
   exceedency data  indicate  that point
   source phosphorus, most of which is in
   the form of soluble reactive phosphorus
   when it enters streams, is rapidly proc-
   essed by the stream sediments. There
   is  indirect  evidence that  less than
   10096  of  the point  source derived
   phosphorus is subsequently delivered
   out of the stream system. Limited data
   suggest that the bioavailability of par-
   ticulate  phosphorus exported during
   storms is no greater from watersheds
   containing  large point  source  phos-
   phorus inputs than from watersheds
   lacking point sources. Apparently, the
   bioavailability of point source derived
   paniculate  phosphorus is  no greater
   than that of nonpoint source derived
   paniculate  phosphorus. Most  of the
   soluble reactive phosphorus exported
   during  storm events is derived from
   nonpoint sources. The short retention
   time of storm flows in the lower por-
   tions of rivers or in estuaries, bays and
   the nearshore zone may result in high
   deliveries of nonpoint derived soluble
   phosphorus through these zones to
   the open lake. In contrast, point source
   phosphorus entering these zones may
   be subject to deposition  and  trans-
   formation to less bioavailable forms.
5. The data sets on nutrient and sediment
   transport in northwestern Ohio rivers
   provide baseline data upon which the
   regional water quality benefits of con-
   servation tillage can be assessed. Ac-
   celerated conservation  tillage  imple-
   mentation  programs are  underway
   throughout the  region.

Related Reports
Cahill, Thomas H.,  R.  W. Pierson, Jr., and
   B. R.  Cohen. 1979.  Nonpoint Source
   Model Calibration in Honey Creek Water-
   shed. U.S. EPA. Athens, Georgia. EPA-
   600/3-79-054. 1 34  pp.
U.S. Army Corps  of Engineers,  Buffalo
   District 1982. Lake Erie Wastewater
   Management Study. Final Report 223pp.
Verhoff,  Frank H.  and  David  B.  Baker.
   1981. Moment Methods for Analyzing
   River Models With Application to Point
   Source  Phosphorus.  Water Research,
   15:493-501.
Verhoff, Frank H., David A. Melf i and David
   B. Baker. 1978.  Phosphorus Transport
   in Rivers. Lake Erie Wastewater Man-
   agement Study, U.S. Army Corps of
   Engineers, Buffalo District Buffalo, New
   York 88 pp.
David B. Baker is with Heidelberg College, Tiffin, OH 44883.
Thomas O. Barnwell, Jr., is the EPA Project Officer (see below).
The complete report, entitled "Fluvial Transport and Processing of Sediments and
  Nutrients in Large Agricultural River Basins," (Order No. AD A111894; Cost:
  $17.50, subject to change) will be available only from:
        National Technical Information Service
        5285 Port Royal Road
        Springfield, VA 22161
        Telephone: 703-487-4650
The EPA Project Officer can be contacted at:
        Environmental Research Laboratory
        U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
        College Station Road
        Athens, GA 30613

-------
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Center for Environmental Research
Information
Cincinnati OH 45268
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use $300
US. OFFICIAL MAIL
                                                                                                          FPMITY
                                                                                                          Fill
                                                                                                          IBE SJOO I
                                                                         US, POSTAGE

                                                                          s 0.2 ?
                                                                           SM E T i R
                                                                           503205
                                                                                        
-------