Section 319
NDNPDINT SOURC* PROGRAM SUCCESS STDRY
BMPs Result in Significant Reduction of Bacteria and Phosphorus
Loading
WatPrhndv Imnrnvpd Beaty Creek, in northeast Oklahoma, was impaired for patho-
gens, specifically E coA'and Enterococcus, due in part to poor
waste management practices and direct access of livestock to the stream. Landowner educa-
tion and implementing best management practices (BMPs) to promote proper animal waste
and nutrient management, as well as better riparian zone management have led to signifi-
cantly decreased amounts of bacteria in the creek. As a result, Oklahoma expects to remove
Beaty Creek from its 2006 303(d) list for E coli impairment. In addition, expected phosphorus
loading to Beaty Creek is also decreasing as compared to a control watershed with no BMP
implementation.
Problem
The Beaty Creek watershed contains approxi-
mately 39 chicken houses; hog and turkey
operations; and extensive, streamside cattle
grazing on pasture fertilized with animal waste.
Septic systems, land development, some row
crop agriculture and fertilizer application are
also found in the watershed. These activities
have cumulatively generated a high amount
of nonpoint source pollution and resulted in
elevated levels of bacteria in Beaty Creek. In
2002, Oklahoma placed all 13 miles of Beaty
Creek on the 303(d) list as impaired for E. coli
and Enterococcus. In addition, high levels of
phosphorus loading contributed to eutrophi-
cation and phosphorus exceedance in Lake
Eucha, a downstream reservoir.
Project Highlights
The number one restoration priority for the
Beaty Creek area was riparian buffer estab-
lishment and protection. Another focus was
disseminating information on pasture manage-
ment and proper application of poultry litter
as fertilizer—key issues in the watershed.
Numerous educational workshops, meet-
ings, and tours demonstrating BMPs in the
watershed were essential for the success
Areas for cattle feeding and waste storage
were constructed to reduce the amount of
bacteria and nutrients entering the stream.
of this project. Approximately 63 percent of
landowners in the watershed implemented
BMPs through cost-share contracts from 2000
to 2004.
Results
Attendance was high at the various educational
presentations. Approximately 100 cost-share
contracts to implement BMPs in the Beaty
Creek watershed were signed into action in
both Oklahoma and Arkansas. BMPs included
establishing 335 acres of riparian buffer
-------
areas, establishing/managing approximately
10,000 acres of pasture; the provision of more
than 150 alternative water sources for cattle;
the construction of 56 heavy use areas, 16 cat-
tle feeding/waste storage facilities, 31 miles
of cross fencing, four poultry waste storage
facilities; and the replacement of 27 septic
systems. Resulting water quality improve-
ments led to Beaty Creek being nominated for
removal from the 2006 303(d) list forf. coli.
This brings it one step closer to full attainment
of the Primary Body Contact Recreation (PBCR)
beneficial use.
In addition, BMPs have reduced the expected
loading of phosphorus in the Beaty Creek
watershed as compared to a control water-
shed with no BMPs. Analysis of water quality
data collected after the implementation of the
Beaty Creek BMPs indicates that the increas-
ing trend is no longer evident, which, in itself,
is a measure of success. Independent analysis
of water quality data, conducted by Oklahoma
State University, using a paired watershed
methodology showed a 31 percent decrease
in expected phosphorus loading to the lake
from Beaty Creek in the presence of BMPs,
compared to expected loading in the absence
of BMPs. Average flow-weighted phosphorus
concentrations decreased from 0.220 mg/L to
0.191 mg/L. Although phosphorus loadings are
still significant, the rate of phosphorus loading
has been reduced. BMP implementation to
reduce nutrient loading and evaluation of the
stream continues.
The success of this project and continued
interest in implementing BMPs has allowed
the pursuit of a related project in the adjoining
Spavinaw Creek watershed. One of the great-
est successes of the project is that landown-
ers are beginning to implement the practices
without the benefit of cost-share assistance,
and they are requesting assistance with BMP
design and using their own funds. Even land-
owners outside the watershed are interested in
the practices that were demonstrated in Beaty
Creek and are beginning to implement them.
Partners and Funding
A total of $1,338,401 was available to sup-
port installation of the BMPs associated with
this project. This included $632,467 federal
dollars from EPA section 319 funds, $528,133
state dollars, and a required $177,800 match
from landowners. The Eucha watershed has
been a special emphasis area for Oklahoma's
EQIP program, ensuring that at least $325,000
worth of additional practices were imple-
mented throughout the watershed. Different
groups participating in the Beaty Creek
project included the Oklahoma Conservation
Commission, Delaware County, Oklahoma
and Benton County, Arkansas Conservation
Districts, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture,
Oklahoma State University Cooperative
Extension Service, NRCS, Farm Services
Agency, Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation
Commission, local producers, poultry integra-
tors, and animal waste marketers.
sou
E 600-
o
o
^™
Colonies/
1 1
o-
£. coli
Geometric mean=115
Geometric mean=25
*
*
P ±
^ i
800-
600-
400-
200-
o-
Enterococcus
Geometric mean=274
*
Geometric mean =76
D
r^
*
*
*
'
Boxplots indicate the
interquartile range
(25th-75th percentile)and
median of the data in
each of two periods: "Pre"
contains data from August
1999 to January 2001;
"Post" includes data from
July 2001 to May 2005.
The red line indicates the
geometric mean above
which the beneficial use is
not achieved. There were
significant reductions in
mean levels of both £ coli
and Enterococcus bacteria.
Pre
Post
Pre
Post
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Off ice of Water
Washington, DC
EPA841-F-07-001D
April 2007
For additional information, contact:
Dan Butler
Oklahoma Conservation Commission
405-522-4500
dan.butler@conservation.ok.gov
------- |