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 23

The impact of on-site wastewater treatment systems on the nitrogen load and baseflow in urbanizing watersheds of Metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2013-04) Oliver, C. ; Risse, L. Mark ; Radcliffe, David E. ; Habteselassie, M. ; Clarke, John S.

On-site wastewater treatment systems (OWTSs) are widely used in the Southeastern United States for municipal wastewater treatment. As urban and suburban populations increase, the use of OWTSs is expected to further increase. This region heavily depends on surface waters for its water supply, therefore, the impact of OWTSs on surface water quality and quantity must be investigated. Conventional OWTSs can be potential sources of N pollution for groundwater and streams that can cause human health concerns and stimulate algal growth resulting in eutrophication. The overall goal of this project is to determine the impact of OWTSs on the N load and baseflow in urbanizing watersheds of Ocmulgee and Oconee River basins in Georgia. This paper presents preliminary results of the differences in the N load and baseflow as well as other water quality indicators such as electrical conductivity (EC) and chloride (Cl-) in streams of watersheds impacted by high (HD) and low density (LD) OWTSs. Synoptic samples and discharge measurements of 24 watersheds were taken 3 times per year in fall, spring, and summer under baseflow conditions. EC and Cl- concentrations were significantly higher in HD OWTS watersheds for all three sampling events. N concentrations were not statistically different between HD and LD watersheds for all three sampling events. Baseflow measurements in the fall and spring were not statistically different between HD and LD watersheds, but summer measurements were significantly higher in the HD watersheds. The results indicate the presence of OWTS effluent in streams of watersheds with HD OWTSs, while N analysis indicates a reduction in concentration through dilution and denitrification. However, increased baseflow in watersheds impacted by HD OWTSs results in an increase in total N load. Further analysis is needed to accurately determine and quantify the impact of OWTSs on water quality and quantity at the watershed-scale.
Linking Onsite and Distance Education Efforts to Improve Regional Watershed Education Efforts

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2011-04) Henning, Frank ; Risse, L. Mark ; Brantley, Eve ; Calabria, Jon

The Southern Regional Water Program’s Watershed Education and Restoration Team, which is composed of Extension faculty from Land Grant Universities in the southeast partnered to offer multiple regional workshops focused on practices that improve ecological function in developing watersheds. Partners included USDA NIFA Southern Regional Water Program, University of Georgia, NC State University, Auburn University, University of Kentucky, Texas A&M, Clemson University, and University of Florida. Soil Scientists, engineers, hydrologists, horticulturalists, and landscape architects combined their skills to develop a series of webinars and workshops that were designed to improve water quality and ecological function of streams by advancing education on stormwater management and stream restoration. One focus of this effort was advancing stormwater management. In 2009, a web-based train-thetrainer effort that featured regional stormwater experts was initiated to introduce innovations in wetland, stormpond, rain garden, and rainwater harvesting techniques. Archives of the training, presentations, activities, relevant publications and evaluation resources were compiled into an online learning center to support county-based training efforts. http://www.caes.uga.edu/extension/water/lc/rwh.html Over 200 people were trained, survey respondents indicated that rainwater harvesting knowledge increased by 25.2%, rain garden knowledge increased by 32.4%, 94.7% of participants found the learning center useful, and 86.5% of attendees reported that they either already conducted a training, or plan to conduct a training in the future. A second focus of this regional effort was stream restoration. In 2010, a webinar workshop was broadcast from Al, NC and GA, combined regional expertise in order to train Extension Agents and Watershed Coordinators. Over 150 participants from 17 states were trained were trained on vegetative stream restoration techniques. A web-based learning center was developed to enhance the success of this training effort: http://www.caes.uga.edu/extension/water/lc/StreamVeg.ht ml This training resulted in a 16.8% increase in knowledge on vegetation for ecosystem restoration, knowledge of soil considerations for restoration increased by 15.2%, and 91.2% of respondents indicated that they plan to use information from either the workshop or learning center in future training events. Keys to success in this education effort included: cooperative partners, good communication, and dedication to developing practical workshops that are fun for trainers and participants. Webinar training and online Learning centers were developed by the Southern Regional Water Program's Watershed Education and Restoration Team successfully increased knowledge on water resource management and ecosystem restoration.
Impacts of Organic Soil Amendments on Runoff and Soil Erosion under Natural Rainfall Conditions, Preliminary Results

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2011-04) Risse, L. Mark ; Zhu, X. ; Eason, J. ; Leonard, T.

Organic amendments such as composts and mulches have been shown to improve soil quality and reduce the impacts of stormwater runoff and soil erosion Previous studies using rainfall simulators have documented that runoff volumes and soil erosion can be significantly reduced when organic materials are added to the soil profile. The objectives of this study are to measure the changes in runoff and soil erosion under natural rainfall conditions in Georgia over a five year period and to determine the changes in soil carbon levels over time. Results from such measurements could be used to improve prediction technologies such as the curve number method and RUSLE type erosion models that engineers and designers use to account for soil erosion during construction as well as long term stormwater management.
A Survey of Georgia Citizens on Their Attitudes and Beliefs Associated with Water

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2011-04) Risse, L. Mark

To accurately determine the effectiveness of educational efforts related to water resources, it is important both to establish base-line information about public perceptions and literacy, and then to measure change in public attitudes and actions over time. Furthermore, to identify the best opportunities for successful regional programming, it is imperative to understand the similarities and differences that exist among the target audiences. As part of the NIFA national water program, a survey instrument was developed to provide base-line information on public attitudes regarding water resources in 2002 from which future Extension programming outcomes can be measured (Mahler, Simmons, Sorensen, & Miner, 2004). This initial regional survey documented public attitudes about water resources in over 40 states around the United States. In 2009 and 2010, this survey tool was used to measure responses from a statistically significant sampling of randomly selected Georgia citizens. The objectives of this article are to document baselines in the public's perception of water resource priorities, identify the information sources used by the public, and examine recent and future water resources learning opportunities most likely to be used by the public. Responses to the 50 question survey will be shares and compared to results of surveys conducted in other Southeastern States.
Georgia's water conservation efforts: Cooperative Extension's banner effort

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009-04) Risse, L. Mark ; Bowie, Marie ; Davis, Deron ; Navarro, Maria

Georgia has been gripped by drought for much of 2007 and 2008. UGA Cooperative Extension selected water conservation as a statewide priority in 2007 and developed educational materials for programming through county extension efforts. The project included components dealing with outdoor water use in conjunction with the Georgia DNR's WaterSmart program, with indoor water use in conjunction with the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, and a youth component in conjunction with the Georgia 4-H program. This presentation will include an overview of the materials developed as well as a discussion of some of the outputs and evaluations that have been conducted.
Phosphorus and Sediment in Headwater Streams Draining Poultry Operations in the Upper Etowah River Basin, Georgia

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2007-03) Romeis, Josh ; Jackson, C. Rhett ; Radcliffe, David E. ; Risse, L. Mark ; Bryant, J.

A 1.5-year monitoring program was initiated in January 2005 to support a University of Georgia study aimed at evaluating nutrient trading opportunities for phosphorus (P) in the upper Etowah River basin in Georgia. Twelve first-order streams were instrumented with hydrologic monitoring equipment and automated samplers. Nine streams drain agricultural (AG) watersheds predominated by poultry operations but different in terms of land use history, best management practices, soil test P (STP) concentrations, and other factors. Three streams drain forested (FORS) watersheds. The monitoring program consisted of biweekly grab sampling coupled with stormchasing. From preliminary results, median low-flow and stormflow concentrations of total P (TP) in astreams were 0-1 and 1-3 orders of magnitude greater, respectively, than in FORS streams. The 3 highest median stormflow TP concentrations in AG streams were observed where 3 of the 4 highest STP concentrations were observed. Median low-flow total suspended solids (TSS) concentrations in AG streams were 0-1 order of magnitude greater than in forested streams. Median stormflow concentrations of TSS between the two land use types were within the same order of magnitude. Streamflow, STP, event mean concentrations, and other variables may be important for estimating P loads from agricultural watersheds monitored for the study.
Modeling Phosphorus Loading to Lake Allatoona: Implications for Water Quality Trading

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2007-03) Radcliffe, David E. ; Lin, Z. ; Risse, L. Mark

Lake Allatoona, a large reservoir north of Atlanta Georgia that drains an area of about 2870 km2, is threatened by excessive algal growth and scheduled for a phosphorus (P) TMDL. In this paper, we use the Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) computer model to estimate the total P load to Lake Allatoona during the periods 1992-1996 and 2001-2004. We also use the model to estimate the contribution from different sources in the watershed. The total P load to Lake Allatoona increased by 20% between the two time periods. The contribution from point sources decreased from 30% to 13% of the total load due to permit restrictions on P for poultry processing plants. The largest nonpoint source of P was estimated to be forest land use in 1992-1996 accounting for 31% of the load and urban land use in 2001-2004 accounting for 50% of the load. Poultry/cattle land use accounted for 18% in 1992-1996 and 15% in 2001-2004. The implications for a program to trade P credits are: 1) point sources and poultry/cattle operations account for similar percentages of the current load, 2) urban development accounts for most of the current P load and should be brought into a trading program, 3) poultry processing plants that have not upgraded to better P removal technology might trade their current load to wastewater treatment facilities that accept their wastewater, 4) cattle in streams and row crops are not large sources according to our model, and 5) there is little net loss of P to streams during transport to Lake Allatoona so distance of a source from the lake may not be important in a trading scheme.
Belted Strand Retention Fabric: An Alternative to Silt Fences for Erosion and Sediment Control

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2007-03) Risse, L. Mark ; Thompson, Sidney ; Governo, Jason

In this study SiltSaver belted strand retention fence was compared with traditional type C silt fence with the goal of determining if it would be acceptable for use as a sediment barrier in Georgia. ASTM standard methods were used to evaluate flow through and sediment removal efficiency using three different site specific soils. For flow without sediment, there were no statistical differences, although the BSRF showed a slightly higher flow rate than the type C fence that was tested. Flow rates with sediment were generally 30% to 85% lower on the BSRF than the type C fence with the greater differences observed with the finer particle sizes and the double concentration runs. This indicates the influence of the soil particles on the flow rate and may suggest that the sediment trapped behind the fence is controlling the flow rate more than the fence itself. The results from the analysis of the effluent and sediment removal efficiency indicated that the BSRF was more effective at retaining the sediment behind the fence. Both the suspended solids content and the turbidity of the effluent was lower using the BSRF fence material than the Type C fence material for all test conditions. Sediment removal efficiencies for the BSRF were significantly higher for all three tested soils at both the single and double concentration. Additional tests were conducted using variations of the ASTM standard and these tests showed similar trends. Testing also indicated that the design of the supporting apparatus was sufficient for holding the materials. While no testing program can provide results to prove an application will function under all conditions that will be encountered in the field, our testing indicates that the SiltSaver BSRF should be an effective alternative to standard Type C silt fence.
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.