I
5359
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
_Cprvalhs Environmental
Research Laboratory
Corvallis, Oregon 97330
001R77108
NON POINT SOURCE PROGRAM
Status Report
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Corvallis Environmental Research Laboratory
Criteria and Assessment Development Division
Non Point Source Program
Status Report
October - December 1977
printed on recycled paper
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N PS STATUS R E PO RT
Tne Corvallis Environmental Research Laboratory (CERL) has formally
developed a comprehensive research program for the determination and
evaluation of the ecological effects of non point source (NPS) pollutants.
This program, initiated October 1, 1977, brings together 17 professional
staff members (see staffing roster) and will approach the problem from an
inter-disciplinary, systems effect perspective. To help insure that the
research approach and outputs are compatible with EPA's operational
programs, an NPS Research Advisory Committee (RAC) and a NPS Coordinator
have been appointed. At the present time the RAC has membership
representing the Office of Water Planning and Standards, Washington D.C.
and Regions IV and X, Atlanta and Seattle, respectively. However, because
of interest, the possible expansion to include additional members
r'l including non-EPA personnel, is currently under review. Walter Rittall
V has been appointed the CERL NPS Coordinator and has the overall
responsibility for program direction.
Non point source research is being conducted at other EPA Laboratories
^ with the Environmental Research Laboratory at Athens, Georgia, having the
rx principal responsibility for developing methods to predict the transport
v of NPS pollutants and to quantify the resultant streamside loadings.
These activities are coordinated thru the Office of the Associate
Directors at Athens and program information can be obtained from either
George W. Bailey or Walt Sanders (comm 404-546-3307 or FTS 250-3307).
Since this is the first mailing of this report please review the attached
form and notify us, by returning the form (1) if you wish to continue to
receive this report (2) desire an address change or (3) desire to add
additional names to the list. In addition, please review Sections II and
III for information relative to potential research interests and
employment needs. This document contains preliminary information,
therefore please do not act on the information without first communicating
with the individual whose name and number (comm 503-757- and FTS 420-)
appear with the item of interest.
As CERL's research on the ecological effects of NPS pollutants progresses,
accomplishments will be described in subsequent progress reports. If the
results are of a significant nature, Research Highlights will be issued to
disseminate the information immediately. Copies of progress reports,
Research Highlights and research reports can be obtained from CERL's
Office of Public Awareness (Chris West - 4600).
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I. Program Objective and Goals for FY-78
In the development of a comprehensive research approach, four broad
program objectives were established. These objectives are all oriented
toward aquatic ecosystems and are:
(1) To determine the ecological effects of NPS pollutants and
pollutant loadings.
(2) To determine the ecological effectiveness of NPS controls.
(3) To develop a regional approach relating land use activity to NPS
pollution problems.
(4) To develop a scientific basis for the establishment of "wet
weather" stream standards* emphasizing the non-steady state
nature of NPS pollutants.
The development of a specific work plan for FY-78 required more definition
and consequently specific research goals were established.
The overall research goal established was the development of an
understanding of how non-steady state phenomena and watershed activities
relate to in-stream physical consequences and impact stream biotic
communities. Three subgoals were then defined which are descriptive of
the research approach being followed and serve to structure the in-house
research activities actively being pursued. These are:
Subgoal A: Develop, evaluate and/or verify methods for measuring
change in community structure.
Subgoal B: Define the relationship between stress and community
structure.
Subgoal C: Define how watershed characteristics and activities
relate to stream flow and NPS inputs (i.e., stress
factors).
What we are attempting to do is as follows:
Given that NPS stream inputs are driven by precipitation, they are
therefore stochastic in nature and are the most severe during periods of
increased flow. Existing water quality data and standards, predicated on
dry weather flow conditions become of little value in describing NPS
loadings and concentrations. To assist Regional personnel in
controlling NPS inputs, wet weather "standards" and data bases must be
developed.
Standard in this context is meant to imply the broadest possible
definition and is not restricted to strict numerical limits.
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The Agency's current approach to NPS control is a form of source control
[i.e., the Best Management Practice (BMP)]. While it is possible to
predict reductions in yearly loadings as a result of imposed management
practices, it is not currently possible to say that such reductions are
effective in maintaining and enhancing many of the desired uses of the
impacted water body. In this regard, the impact of, and protection of
water use takes precedence over conventional water quality effects and
standards. Thus CERL's researchers are attempting to develop assessment
techniques that will predict the impact on the water body, as a function
of desired water use. The current effort focuses on Pacific Northwest
streams in forested watersheds where fish production is one of the desired
uses, hence the emphasis on biological communities.
As will be seen in the following descriptions of the planned in-house
research projects to be undertaken, CERL researchers are attempting to
develop the methodology to quantify the in-stream NPS pollutant stress and
to evaluate the resultant impact on the system relative to a desired use.
These data, we hope, will serve as the basis for establishing rational
assessment techniques for NPS pollutants.
II. In-House Projects FY-78
The NPS Program, subject to the availability of funds, is seeking to
expand the technical expertise of it's in-house staff thru use of the
provisions of the Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA). This Act allows
EPA to bring on board professionals from other governmental or state
agencies, including universities, for a limited period (1-2 years),
subject to a cost sharing agreement between the participating agencies.
Candidates with expertise in sediment transport and related in-stream
processes of erosion and deposition are being sought to work with the
Ecosystems Modeling and Analysis Branch. Candidates with expertise in
functional analysis of benthic communities and biological data
interpretation/statistics are being sought to support the activities of
the Special Studies Branch. Prospective candidates should contact the NPS
Coordinator directly for more details on programatic constraints and
timing.
In-house research projects are briefly presented in the following
section. If detailed information as to approach, scope, etc., is desired,
copies of CERL's Work Plan For Ecological Effects of Non Point Source
Pollutants can be obtained by contacting the NPS Coordinator (Walter
Rittall - 4718).
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Subgoal A:
Project Title:
Community Structure as_ a Measure £f Stress
This project will be conducted at a small experimental stream with a
highly stressed section (sedimented) and a natural upstream section.
Several methods for measuring and evaluating community structure will be
tried and, if necessary, modified. The work will culminate in the
selection of an approach and the methodology for measuring stress via
changes in community structure. (Frank Stay - 4762, Jeff Lee - 4758)
Subgoal B:
Project Title:
Stress-Community Relationships
Using channel and artificial stream facilities at Oregon State
University's Oak Creek Laboratory of Biology, research will be conducted
to: (1) determine the effect of bed composition and sediment loads on
benthic community structure and fish production, (2) develop techniques
to simulate the physical and biological characteristics of small woodland
streams and (3) determine the need for additional test facilities for
expanding the experimental range of flow and velocity. These efforts
should aid in the development of upper limits of steady state sediment
levels to preclude adverse effects on fish production. These facilities
may be augmented in FY-78 to allow experiments simulating major storm
events (Biological Aspects, Clarence Callahan - 4658; Physical Aspects,
Mostafa Shirazi - 4751).
Subgoal C:
Project Title:
Effects of Silviculture Practices
£n Streamflow and Sediment Load
Using existing data, this project will determine the modifications in flow
(hydrograph) and sediment (concentration vs. time) for small streams
impacted by various forest management practices. This work will be
conducted using short time frames (i.e., hours) consistent with storm
events. The output will be used to provide representative non-steady
state flow and sediment data for input into ecological effects, laboratory
and field experiments (Don Lewis - 4754).
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Project Title:
Streamflow as Affected by Silviculture
Data on streamflow and the aerial extent of silviculture! activities will
be used to determine how logging affects flow in large watersheds. Aerial
photography will be used to examine logging trends, coupled with long-term
discharge records to provide predictive relationships. The output will
directly assist forest managers in assessing the hydrologic impact of
watershed activities and to estimate discharge/sediment relationships for
large watersheds (Jim Omernik - 4613).
Project Title:
Relationships Between Non-Point Source Nutrient
Concentrations j'n Streams and Land Use
This project will be an extension of the National Eutrophication Survey
(NES) work completed in 1977. The objective is to increase the
understanding of the relationships between NPS nutrient concentrations in
streams and overall land usage. The importance of the area! distribution
of land uses within watersheds will be specifically addressed and related
to in-stream concentrations. (Jim Omernik - 4613).
III. Extramural Projects FY-78
The following section describes three on-going extramural research
projects, two grants and one interagency agreement, which were funded in
FY-77. In addition, program plans for expenditures in FY-78 are outlined.
Pre-proposals relative to any of the identified areas should be mailed to
NPS Coordinator, CERL, 200 S.W. 35th Street, Corvallis, Oregon 97330.
On-Going Projects
Project Title:
Plans for Investigation of Non-Steady State Phenomena of Stream
Sedimentation and Effects on Stream Communities and Salmonid Production
Charles Warren, Oregon State University
This project involves a joint EPA/OSU effort to develop a comprehensive
research plan to deal with non-steady state stream sedimentation.
Investigations to be planned will include laboratory stream, experimental
stream channel and field study approaches. A preliminary rationale for
integration, generalization and application of results of planned
investigations will be developed. (M.S. Shirazi - 4751).
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Project Title:
Loading Rates and Ecological Significance of Nutrients
and Acidity i_n Wet and Dry Atmospheric Precipitation
University of Florida
The principal objectives of this project address four aspects of
atmospheric loading phenomena. These include (1) quantifying loadings,
(2) evaluating input mechanisms, (3) documenting ecological significance
and (4) determining natural and anthropogenic factors affecting
atmospheric fluxes of nutrients and acidity via rainfall and dry
precipitation. (T. Maloney - 4605)
Project Title:
Effects £f Livestock Grazing at the
Starkey Experimental Forest and Range
IAG USFS/EPA
Research will be conducted to determine the effect of cattle grazing
practices on water quality of adjacent stream in terms of NPS nutrient and
sediment loadings. The scope of the work will include streamside sampling
and measurement of physical, chemical and biological indicators of water
quality as well as light, precipitation and flow conditions. Flow
measurements will be taken under a separate IAG between USFS/EPA. (Ken
Malueg - 4761)
Planned Extramural Projects
Literature Reviews:
Literature review(s) are being planned to ascertain the level of knowledge
relative to (1) the relationship of macroinvertebrate communities to fish
communities in freshwater streams, (2) the spawning requirements of warm
water fish species and the effect of sedimentation on the spawning
efficiency and (3) the natural variability in stream biotic communities.
Research Grants:
Three research efforts are being planned to supplement in-house studies.
The general areas are as follows:
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1. Methodologies for differentiating land runoff from in-stream sources
of sediment concentration and loadings.
2. Statistical concepts, designs and approaches for sampling stream
biological communities to evaluate NPS pollutant effects.
3, Field application of functional group concepts in assessing NPS
pollutant effects.
Grants or Contracts:
EPA has entered into an Interagency Agreement with the U.S. Department of
Agriculture to conduct a "Model Implementation Program" where actual
BMP's will be implemented to reduce NPS loads and improve water quality.
CliRL has agreed to support this effort and will conduct a maximum of two
field assessments to examine the impact of the BMP's on stream ecology.
This effort is subject to obtaining an adequate study site and management
practice with acceptable control areas.
iV. Seminars/Workshops/Pubiications
Seminars:
The following seminars were given by scientists visiting CERL in October/
November 1977.
Dr. H.W. Shen, Colorado State University, "Basic Sedimentation
Processes and Their Relationships to Non Point Source Pollution."
Dave Heller and Diane Mayer, USFS Siuslaw National Forest, Mapleton
District, "Land Slide Inventory - Mapleton District, November-
December 1975."
Charles Hawkins, Oregon State University, "Functional Group
Approach."
Dr. J. Neuhold, Utah State University and member of EPA's Ecological
Advisory Committee, visited CERL and reviewed the approach of using
biological community structural changes as an indicator of stress.
Pub!ications:
J. M. Omernik, "Nonpoint Source-Stream Nutrient Level Relationships: A
Nationwide Study. EPA-600/3-77-105. September 1977. (See attached
technical report data form)
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NFS Program Staff
Name/Branch
Ted Austin, SSB
Bev Bowman, SSB
Clarence Callahan, SSB
Cathy Cameron, EMAB
Mike Grouse, SSB
Steve Dominquez, SSB
Jack Gakstatter, SSB*
Al Katko, SSB
Brenda Kennedy
Jeff Lee, EMAB
Don Lewis, EMAB
Fred Lotspeich, SSB
Larry Male, EMAB
Ken Malueg, SSB
Jim Omernik, SSB
Barry Reid, CAB
Walt Rittall, CAB
Safa Shirazi, EMAB*
Frank Stay, SSB
Bruce Tichenor, CAB*
Discipline ext.
Biologist 4659
Secretary SSB* 4612
Biologist 4658
Secretary EMAB* 4752
Biologist 4650
Biologist 4618
Biologist 4611
Biologist 4781
Secretary CAB* 4711
Physicist 4758
Systems Engineer 4754
Soil Scientist 4614
Statistician 4753
Biologist 4761
Geographer 4613
Civil Engineer 4853
Civil Engineer 4718
Mechanical Engineer 4751
Biologist 4762
Sanitary Engineer 4712
*CAB = Criteria and Assessment Branch, B.A. Tichenor, Chief.
*SSB = Special Studies Branch, J. Gakstatter, Chief.
*EMAB = Ecosystems Modeling and Analysis Branch, S. Shirazi, Chief.
8
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TECHNICAL REPORT DATA
(Please read Instructions on the reverse before completing)
1 REPORT NO.
EPA-600/3-77-105
2.
3 RECIPIENT'S ACCESSION NO.
4. TITLE ANDSUBTITLE
Nonpoint Source - Stream Nutrient Level Relationships;
A Nationwide Study
5 REPORT DATE
September 1977
6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE
7 AUTHOR(S)
James M. Omernik
8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO.
9 PERFORMING DRRANI7ATION NAME AND ADDRESS
Environmental Research Laboratory-Corvallis, OR
Office of Research and Development
U.S.Environmental Protection Agency
Corvallis., Oregon 97330
10. PROGRAM ELEMENT NO.
1BA029
11. CONTRACT/GRANT NO.
12 SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND
same
13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED
Einal - 197?-1977 - lnHouse_
14 SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
EPA/600/02
15 SUPPLfcMEHTAh / NOTES
16 ABSTRACT
National Eutrophication Survey (NES) data for a nationwide collection of 928 non-
point source watersheds were studied for relationships between macro-drainage area
characteristics (particularly land use) and nutrient levels in streams. Both the total
and inorganic forms of phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations and loads in streams were;
considered.
For both nationwide and regional data sets, significant correlations were found
between general land use and nutrient concentrations in streams. Mean concentrations
were considerably higher in streams draining agricultural watersheds than in streams
draining forested watersheds. The overall relationships and regionalities of the
relationships and interrelationships with other characteristics are illustrated carto-
graohically and statistically.
Two methods are
util izing mapped
provided for predicting nonpoint source nutrient levels in streams
one utilizing mapped interpretations of NES nonpoint source data and the other, regiona
mathematical equations and mapped residuals of these equations. Both methods afford a
limited accountability for regional characteristics.
KEY WORDS AND DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
DESCRIPTORS
b.IDENTIFIERS/OPEN ENDED TERMS
Land Use*
Nutrients*
Watersheds*
Phosphorus*
Nitrogen*
Loadings
Concentrations
Eutrophication
Stream Flow
Animal Unit Density
Soils
Geology
Nonpoint Source Nutrients
COSATI Held/Group
02A
02E
04A
04C
05A
05C
05G
18 DISTRIBUTION STATEMEN1
RELEASE TO PUBLIC
19 SECURITY CLASS (This Report/
UNCLASSIFIED
21. NO. OF PAGES
163
2O SECURITY CLASS (This page)
22. PRICE
_L
UNCLASSIFIED
EPA Form 2220—1 (Rev. 4—77) PREVIOUS EDITION is OBSOLETE
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PLEASE NOTE
We are compiling a separate mailing list to provide information
on the non point source research being conducted at the Corvallis
Environmental Research Laboratory.
If you would like to continue to receive this kind of information
or if you know of others who would, please fill out the address
form below and return it to us.
To mail, detach and fold this sheet on the dashed line and staple
so the preprinted CERL address and mailing imprint appear on the
outside.
Check the appropriate item(s). To help us avoid errors, please
type or print clearly. Don't forget your ZIP code.
Add my name to the CERL non point source program mailing list.
My address is the same as appears on your mailing label.
Add my name and change the address as indicated.
Add the additional name(s) as indicated.
Name Name
Agency or Agency or
Organization Organization_
Address Address
Telephone Telephone_
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Corvallis Environmental Research Laboratory
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
200 S.W. 35th Street
Corvallis, Oregon 97330
POSTAGE AND FEES PAID
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL.
PROTECTION AGENCY
EPA-335
NPS Coordinator
Criteria and Assessment Branch
Corvallis Environmental Research Laboratory
200 SW 35th Street
Con/all is, Oregon 97330
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