Identifying non-point sediment source areas to prioritize land management and restoration activities

Session: 55. - Solutions for Lake Ontario: Addressing the Human Footprint on Regional Water Quality

Mark Eastman, Credit Valley Conservation, [email protected]
Lorna Murison, Credit Valley Conservation, [email protected]

Abstract

The Credit River has been identified as one of the major contributors of total phosphorus (predominantly sediment-bound) to Lake Ontario. In an effort to prioritize landscape management and restoration activities to reduce sediment and phosphorus loads, a visually based Hotspot Identification Tool (HIT) for sediment loss was developed.  This tool applies the Stream Power Index method to rural subwatersheds and the Event Mean Concentration approach to urban subwatersheds.  Maps identifying critical sediment contributing areas have been produced, which have allowed outreach staff to engage in conversations with landowners in an effort to reduce sediment and nutrient loss from the identified high risk erosion areas. Identified landowners are being contacted and encouraged to implement fertility and erosion control best management practices such as nutrient management planning, conservation tillage, cover crops and erosion control structures. A farm tour to the site of a Water and Sediment Control Basin was used to raise public awareness of what farmers are doing to improve soil health and surface water quality by controlling erosion.   

1. Keyword
hydrologic cycle

2. Keyword
phosphorus

3. Keyword
sediment transport

4. Additional Keyword
erosion