Georgia Water Resources Conference

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Georgia Water Resources Conference

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https://hdl.handle.net/1853/70886

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Georgia Water Resources Institute

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Now showing 1 - 10 of 11

A closer look at southeast regional drinking water wells: identifying problems using a down well camera

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2005-04) Vendrell, Paul ; Pagan, Tina ; Thom, William ; Risse, L. Mark

A majority of Georgia’s rural residents have their drinking water supplied by private water wells. It is critical these wells function properly and are free of pollutants. Over the past year, the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service has been using a down well camera to gain a better understanding of private drinking water wells with concerns identified by a drinking water well test. The down well camera captures footage that allows a specialist to check a well’s casing, depth of casing, presence of seepage at joints, and depth to water level that might lead to contamination. Images obtained with the camera identify problems and provide individuals with information necessary to encourage them to repair their well and remove the presence of any potential surface pollutants. The down well camera offers Cooperative Extension Services a way to target the needs of their clientele and educate the public. This presentation will showcase selected video frames captured by the camera.
Land use effects on suspended sediment yield in six small Georgia watersheds

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2005-04) Bradshaw, J. Kenneth ; Radcliffe, David E. ; Lichtenstein, Karin ; Bakker, Mark ; Jackson, Rhett ; Markewitz, Daniel ; Risse, L. Mark

In Georgia, over 600 stream segments are scheduled for TMDL development due designated use. Seventy-seven stream segments are listed for excessive sediment. The state does not have quantitative standards for the regulation of sediment concentration. The development of sediment yields using appropriate reference streams with minimum development may be a way to determine what the maximum daily sediment loading should be for impaired streams. This study was initiated to compare water quality in six streams with differing land use. This paper focuses on suspended sediment comparisons among the six streams. Two streams drain areas that are entirely forested and these represent reference streams for the purpose of this study. Two streams drain areas that are predominately agricultural (one dairy and the other a combination of poultry and cattle), and two streams drain areas that are in subdivisions with septic systems. Suspended sediment concentrations (SSC) and stream stage were measured during base flow and storm flow conditions. Annual sediment and water yields were calculated and for each stream for the years 2003 and 2004. Average SSC ranged from 155 to 720 mg/L and was lowest in one of the forested steams and highest in the dairy stream. Sediment yield ranged from 0.91 to 10.11 Mg/ha/yr and was lowest in one of the forested steams and highest in the dairy stream. In general, the forested streams had the lowest sediment yields, the agricultural watersheds had the highest sediment yields, and the suburban streams were intermediate.
Well protection solution: new tools for educating individuals on wellhead management

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2005-04) Pagan, Tina W. ; Vendrell, Paul F. ; Risse, L. Mark

This paper presents the University of Georgia (UGA) Extension Drinking Water Team’s new educational tools that teach well owners about wellhead protection and their role in safeguarding groundwater. In addition, it discusses the delivery methods identified to effectively instruct well owners on wellhead maintenance. Ninety-five of Georgia’s rural residents have their drinking water supplied by private water wells. It is critical these wells function properly and are free of pollutants to provide individuals with drinking water and prevent groundwater contamination. To address these issues, the following materials have been developed by the Georgia Extension Drinking Water Team: “Well…What Do You Know: An Introduction to Protecting Your Wells and Drinking Water” DVD/video, “Improving Drinking Water Well Condition” self-assessment, and “Solutions to Drinking Water Problems: A Clearinghouse of Drinking Water Well Information” website.
Field evaluation of compost and mulches for erosion control

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2005-04) Risse, L. Mark ; Faucette, L. Britt ; Gaskin, Julia W. ; Jordan, Carl F. ; Cabrera, Miguel L. ; West, Larry T.

Soil erosion is one of the largest contributors to nonpoint source pollution in Georgia. The use of surface applied organic amendments has been shown to reduce runoff and erosion and improve vegetative establishment on degraded soils such as those common to Georgia. In this study, four types of compost blankets, hydroseed, silt fence, and a bare soil (control) were applied in field test plots. Treatments were seeded with common bermuda grass. Simulated rainfall was applied at an average rate equivalent to a 50 yr one-hour storm event, and runoff samples were collected and analyzed for solids as well as runoff quantity. Three simulated rain events were conducted: immediately after treatment application, at vegetation establishment, and at vegetation maturity. In the short term, compost treatments produced significantly less runoff than the hydroseeded and bare soil plots. All treatments proved better than the control at reducing solids loss. Total solids loads were as much as 350% greater from the hydroseeded plots compared to the composts during the first storm and as much as 36 times greater during the second storm. Vegetative growth and nutrient loss data were also evaluated.
Using the Georgia P-Index to identify high risk management of poultry litter

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2005-04) Gaskin, Julia W. ; Harris, Keith ; Cabrera, Miguel L. ; Risse, L. Mark

The Georgia P Index was developed as a tool to evaluate the risk of bioavailable P loss in fields under various management practices. We compared the results of the P Index with four years of data from 1.5 m by 4.6 m bermudagrass plots fertilized with poultry litter at 8.9 Mg ha-1 (recommended rate); poultry litter at 17.9 Mg ha-1; composted poultry litter, poultry litter with alum, commercial fertilizer; and a control (no amendments). P Index ratings above 75 indicate high risk where management should be changed. The P Index indicated management changes would be needed for the 17.9 Mg ha-1 treatment during all 4 years, for composted PL during year 4, and for PL with alum during years 3 and 4. The P Index did not indicate management changes were necessary using the recommended rate of 8.9 Mg ha-1 after 4 years of application; however, volume-weighted P concentrations in the 8.9 Mg ha-1 treatment were double the control concentrations during years 3 and 4. The comparison indicates that the P Index does identify high risk management practices under the conditions of this study.
Watershed assessment through ecological research/farmers active in research

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2003-04) Franklin, Dorcas H. ; Cabrera, Miguel L. ; Steiner, Jean L. ; Risse, Larry A. ; Risse, L. Mark ; Hibbs, Henry E.

Producers in the Southern Piedmont graze and manage their lands in a variety of ways across watersheds and across individual farms. These land management practices may have an impact on the nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations in stream base flow and storm flow. A group of producers, researchers and educators (WATER/FAIR) pulled together to assess stream nutrient concentrations relative to land management practices in two typical Southern Piedmont watersheds. The objective of this paper is to increase awareness of participatory monitoring and of the spatial and temporal distribution of stream nutrients (N & P) at watershed and farm levels. Results showed that dissolved reactive P (DRP) concentrations were highly variable depending on the management system. Stream base flow nitrate concentrations were lower leaving farms than going into farms more than more than 75 percent of the time and were 16 percent lower in 2000 than in 1999. These lower concentrations coming out of farms could suggest that these management systems are not losing nutrients to aquatic systems but rather utilizing them on the farm.
Nutrient management planning in Georgia: an overview of regulations, education and technical assistance

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2003-04) Bass, T. M. ; Risse, L. Mark ; Worley, J. W.

In congruence with Federal strategies, Georgia has adopted the Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) as the method to address non-point source pollution from animal feeding operations. A certified planning specialist is required to write and/or review plans before they can be turned in to the state. It is the philosophy of the Georgia program that all permitted producers should have an understanding of nutrient management, as well as participate in the development of their plan. To achieve this, producers must also complete a 2-day nutrient management and environmental stewardship training course as well as pass a certification exam. In Georgia, multiple agencies and private and public entities are cooperatively addressing needs relating to NMP’s, such as development of regulations, enforcement, education and technical assistance. The bulk of nutrient management plan training, writing/development and technical assistance is currently being handled by the Cooperative Extension Service, both at the state and county level. To date, Georgia has certified approximately 400 operators, accounting for nearly all swine, dairy and poultry farms with liquid waste under the requirement. The Georgia program has been implemented with little cost to the farmer. A perceived strength of the program is the farmer and employee involvement in development of the plan. The lessons learned by Georgia and other states involved in regulated nutrient management can benefit the refinement of current systems as well as the development of new ones.
Use of composted waste materials in erosion control

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2003-04) Risse, L. Mark ; Faucette, L. B.

The objective of this series of studies was to investigate the use of compost and mulch materials in erosion control and stabilization projects. The first phase of the study looked primarily at the impacts of surface blankets of twelve different compost and mulch materials on solids loss and water quality and found that mulch blankets produced runoff with the lowest solids and nutrient contents. Compost blankets were significantly less erodible than bare soil, and compost maturity seemed to be an important factor as respiration rate was significantly correlated to solids loss. Raw poultry litter produced more runoff and erosion than bare soil and three different poultry litter composts. Effective erosion control strategies must both protect the soil surface and establish and sustain vegetation. The second part of this project looked at the impacts of these same materials on grass establishment and growth. The findings indicated that the compost treatments produced more vegetative biomass and cover than the mulch treatments. The final phase of this study compared four combinations of compost blankets and berms to both bare soil and conventional treatments such as hydroseeding and silt fences. Preliminary results indicate that the use of compost blankets and berms offer significant improvements in water quality through improved erosion control, reduction in nutrient loads and improved the establishment of vegetation. Further analysis is ongoing to document the long term changes in soil quality and vegetation using these treatments. This paper will only report on the first phase of the study due to space limitations.
Seeing is believing: hands-on tools for education on non-point source pollution

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2003-04) Gaskin, Julia W. ; Hawkins, Gary L. ; Pagan, Tina W. ; Risse, L. Mark

It is sometimes difficult for people to understand that they are contributing to non-point source pollution because it is by definition diffuse and it is difficult to visualize. Over the past several years, the Agricultural Pollution Prevention program of the University of Georgia, College of Agricultural and Environmental Science, Cooperative Extension Service has used hands-on educational tools to show people the connections between everyday activities and water quality problems. These tools include: groundwater models illustrating the connections between septic tanks, wells, lakes, and groundwater; a table-top rainfall simulator comparing erosion on soils with different amounts of cover; in-stream water quality monitoring with high school and community groups; and on-farm workshops demonstrating wholefarm management practices to reduce non-point source pollution. These tools have been effective in helping people identify sources of non-point source pollution and understand practices they can use to reduce impacts. A demonstration during the exhibits will showcase several of these tools as a companion to this paper. The Agricultural Pollution Prevention program has these tools available for people to use in educational programs.
Maximizing Returns from State Investments in Nutrient Management and Manure Utilization

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2001-03) Risse, L. Mark

Animal operations in Georgia have been placed under increasing regulatory pressure due to their impacts on water quality. This has created an interest at the State level in the development of assistance programs such as cost share to aid the producers in developing environmentally sound solutions. Many programs propose to fund Best Management Practices at the farm level which may offer short term improvements in water quality but may not solve the real problem which is nutrient imbalance. This paper shall propose programs to facilitate nutrient management planning and develop or improve manure markets. These programs could be in the form of grants or low interest loans to encourage composting operations, energy production, expanded markets, or new "crops" dependent on animal manures. Not only will these activities reduce the amount of manure being excessively land applied on the farm, but they should also create more market demand for manure. In addition, the industries these investments could potentially develop will stimulate economic growth in rural areas of Georgia.