^cosrx ]&z) NBNPQIHT SOURCE SUCCESS STORY PRO"^ /rnzann Boy Scout Camp Project Reduces Phosphorous in Christopher Creek Waterbody Improvsd 'n ^006 Christopher Creek was listed on the state's Clean Water Act (CWA) section 303(d) list of impaired waters for nutrients (total phosphorus) due to pollution from recreational areas. Managers of recreational facilities began implementing best management practices (BMPs) beginning in 2008 to address pollution sources, especially leaking septic systems and horse pastures. As a result, phosphorus levels decreased and the phosphorus impairment was removed in 2016. Problem Christopher Creek is a seven-miie-iong creek flowing within the greater Salt River watershed, about 100 miies northeast of Phoenix. The area surrounding Christopher Creek is predominantly U.S. Forest Service land, and the area is sparsely populated. Christopher Creek empties into Tonto Creek, which flows 73 miles through the Tonto National Forest and ultimately drains into Roosevelt Lake just outside of Phoenix. Roosevelt Lake, part of the Salt Ri ver Project, is the largest reservoir in Arizona and serves as a major water source for the Phoenix metropolitan area (Figure 1). Recreational use of lands surrounding Christopher Creek led to nutrient (phosphorus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) impairments. Christopher Creek (waterbody 15060105-353) was listed as impaired for nutrients (phosphorus) on the state's CWA section 303(d) list in 2006. In addition, Christopher Creek and Tonto Creek are not attaining for £ coli. A total maximum daily load (TMDL) was developed and approved for E. coli in 2004. A broad watershed plan for the greater Salt River watershed was written in the mid-2000s. This water- shed plan provided broad themes and ideas on how to address watershed impairments. As a result, the Boy Scouts, Gila County, and the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ.) identified an aging campsite wastewater treatment system (septic system) and nearby horse pasture lands as sources of E. coli and nutrients. In 2007 the local Boy Scout Troop submitted a project proposal to address contaminants entering Christopher Creek from the septic system and horse pasture lands. Figure 1. Christopher Creek flows into Tonto Creek in central Arizona. Project Highlights In 2008 project partners completed a septic system upgrade and horse pasture clean-up at the R-Bar-C Boy Scout Camp on Christopher Creek (Figure 2). The project received $162,300 in CWA section 319 funds, with an additional $108,000 of in-kind match provided by Gila County and a $200 in-kind match provided by the Boy Scouts in the form of volunteer services. Overall, the project included installation of two 5,300-gallon septic tanks, one 5,300-gallon recirculat- ing tank and one 4,000-gallon pump tank. Several buildings were connected to the new septic lines and treatment facilities. The central kitchen was connected to the treatment system through a new 5,300-gallon grease trap. Williams Creek Toqfo Creek Fish Watchery Horton Creek [onto Creek Hunte'r-Creek (Bear Flat evelopment Tor>t$ Creek j Haiglet impaired Christopher Creek Impaired Portion of Tonto Creek Attaining Portion of Tonto Creek Tributaries to Tonto & Christopher Creek | Tonto & Christopher Creek Watershed r - - -jp 0 1.25 2.5 5 7.5 10 ^ Miles ------- Figure 2. A new septic system was installed at the Boy Scout campground. To address future potential horse pasture runoff, ongo- ing pasture clean-up activities have been established by the Boy Scouts as part of their own camp manage- ment program. Results At the outset, project partners anticipated load reduc- tions for E. coli and nutrients between 75 percent and 90 percent. Effectiveness monitoring was conducted byADEQin Christopher Creek, and the sampling primarily focused on E. coli and nutrients. Nitrogen, E. coli, and phosphorus sample results were analyzed and compared to data collected for the TMDL report. The analysis showed that phosphorus exceeded the water quality standard in pre-project sampling, and never during post-project sampling. The standard requires that the total phosphorus annual mean not exceed 0.10 milligrams per liter (mg/L). In 2003, before project implementation, annual mean total phos- phorus levels exceeded the standard under baseflow conditions (0.134 mg/L) and storrnflow conditions (1.367 mg/L). In 2014, after project implementation, the annual mean total phosphorus levels met the standard under both baseflow conditions (0.042 mg/L) and storrnflow conditions (0.0398 mg/L). As a result, in 2016 Christopher Creek was delisted as impaired for total phosphorus based on the results of the 2013 and 2014 sampling data. Christopher Creek isstill listed as impaired for E. coli and dissolved oxygen. Partners and Funding Gila County partnered with the Grand Canyon Council of the Boy Scouts of America to implement this proj- ect. The project was entirely within the Boy Scouts' camp, including the horse pasture. Gila County pro- vided in-kind match ($108,000) by providing staff time. The Boy Scouts provided in-kind volunteer services ($200). The project received $162,300 in CWA section 319 funds. ADEQ analyzed the data, wrote the TMDL, provided technical assistance, and continues to moni- tor the creek. The total project cost was $270,500. * ^ ' % \ PROt*° 2 o U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water Washington, DC EPA 841-F-17-001BB December 2017 For additional information contact: Jade Dickens Arizona Department of Environmental Quality 602-771-4115 • Dickens.Jade@azdeq.gov ------- |