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News and Views
Nebraska Watersheds News and Views Summer 2005 Issue 5 Hello, and welcome to the quarterly electronic Nebraska Watersheds News and Views newsletter. I hope this issue and the ones to follow will provide useful information that will increase both your knowledge and interest of water resource issues. The purpose of the electronic newsletter is to provide information on watershed topics and issues, share ideas, programs and publicize events to watershed council members, watershed project coordinators, Extension educators and specialists, agency personnel, watershed management professionals and natural resources professionals. The newsletter is intended for educational purposes only. Newsletter information may be reprinted or reproduced. If you intend to use this material, please acknowledge the authors and the source of information. Interested persons are invited to contribute articles, news items, photographs or other materials for publication. Please, feel free to ask questions, share ideas, or provide feedback. Steve Tonn-University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension Educator in Douglas/Sarpy Counties/Omaha Lakes Extension Coordinator In This Issue
Conservation Security Program – A Watershed Based Program for
Crop and Livestock Producers Parts of 15 counties in Southeast Nebraska and two counties in Western Nebraska were eligible for the Natural Resources Conservation Service 2005 Conservation Security Program sign up. This voluntary program financially rewards farmers who meet high standards of conservation and environmental management in their farming and ranching operations. Cropland, pasture and rangelands were eligible to receive payments. Public meetings were held in the 15-county eligibility area in Southeast Nebraska to inform operators about the program, the payment levels and the eligibility requirements. Interest was high in the program, with over 1,500 applications submitted, because this may be the one chance in eight years for producers in the eligible watersheds to apply for the program. Enrollment is limited to producers with a majority of their farming operation in one of the eligible watersheds. It is expected that the program will be offered in other watersheds in Nebraska in coming years as the program is rolled out over the next eight years. The announcement of the 2006 sign-up and eligible watersheds will come by the fall of 2005. Farmers may receive maximum annual payments of $20,000 at the program’s entry level, and up to $35,000 or $45,000 annual maximum payments at higher eligibility levels. Farmers may enroll their entire agricultural operation, if it qualifies, or as little as one qualifying field or pasture, as a way to “get your foot in the door” of the program. Once a producer has a contract they may bring their other land into the contract as that land meets minimum qualifications for soil and water quality management. Enrollment requires completion of a self-assessment workbook, designed to help producers determine which fields in their operation are qualified for the program. Application also includes describing tillage, nutrient, pesticide and irrigation management on eligible acres, as well as grazing management practices on eligible range and pasture lands. If you were not in the eligible watersheds in 2005 you should do what you can to learn how to qualify for the program when it does come to your watershed. Conservation tillage, such as no-till, soil testing for nutrient management, pest scouting, and controlled grazing management practices all helped farmers qualify for this program. Protect your soil and water resources and protect your watershed. For more information check out the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension website http://cspinfo.unl.edu or the NRCS website at http://www.ne.nrcs.usda.gov/. Thomas G. Franti Extension Surface Water Management Specialist 402-472-9872 New Watershed Neb Fact Sheets Available The University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension has published two new fact sheets pertaining to watersheds. The two fact sheets – Understanding Watersheds NF05-631 and Protecting Your Watershed NF05-632- are available from county University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension Offices. The fact sheet Understanding Watersheds is intended for use by the general public to increase their knowledge about what is a watershed, watershed functions, watershed management and the impact of human activities on watershed functions. Protecting Your Watershed discusses the threat of runoff pollution to watersheds, common runoff pollutants, and best management practices for agriculture, acreage owners, construction/urban development, households, and recreation to reduce the negative impacts of runoff pollution. The fact sheets were developed in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Region VII and the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality Nonpoint Source Pollution Management Program. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension Ready With Algae
Test Kits This summer likely will see more toxic blue-green algae blooms on Nebraska’s lakes and ponds, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) water experts warn. The algae blooms, which can be a serious health threat to humans and animals, were prevalent on ponds and lakes across Nebraska last spring and summer, particularly in eastern Nebraska where recreational use of these water bodies is very high. Skin irritations and gastrointestinal problems are the main risks to people from algal toxins, but in rare cases, extremely high toxin levels can be fatal. Last year’s blooms resulted in only a few reported cases of human illness and skin irritation, but some livestock and pets died after drinking lake water during an algae bloom, said UNL water quality specialist John Holz. “There was an unusually high number of complaints about blooms last summer, particularly in May and June, but persisting through the summer months,” said UNL water resources specialist Tadd Barrow. The normal season for algae bloom complaints is June through September. Last year the toxins and blooms began appearing in May and persisted through September. Some lakes still had blooms and high toxin levels as late as December, Barrow said. With forecasts calling for similar weather patterns this summer, he said, “Blooms will be just as prevalent as last year. Higher public awareness of the problem could also result in more of the blooms being reported.” University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension’s lake management program is continuing a volunteer monitoring program to check lakes for blue-green algae. Free test kits are again available from Barrow’s office so lake owners, users and managers can check their lake for potential toxin-producing algae, Barrow said. Last year, more than 400 of the free kits were sent to testers all across Nebraska, Barrow said. About 40 percent of those returned to the University for testing were positive for the presence of potential toxin-producing blue-green algae. Fifty-five water samples the University received tested positive for blue-green algae, 20 of which were above the 2 parts per billion limit set by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality. All 55 of those samples were sent to the NDEQ, which tests for blue-green algae toxin and tracks blooms across the state, Barrow said. Kits contain instructions on sample collection, a sheet for recording measurements, a questionnaire about the lake, and sample bottles for water and algae. Samples are returned to Barrow for processing and those who submit samples are notified of results. For more information or a test kit call Hilary Hansen at (402) 472-8190 or visit the UNL Water Center Web site at http://watercenter.unl.edu/. Knowing what an algae bloom looks like and avoiding water contact during blooms is important, the two School of Natural Resources experts said. People should avoid swimming, water skiing, riding personal watercraft or similar activities involving physical contact or swallowing water from lakes with blue-green algae blooms, Holz said. During a bloom, lake water becomes cloudy with a green or blue-green cast and blue-green streaks may be visible on the water’s surface, said Kyle Hoagland, a lake ecologist who heads UNL’s Water Center. “At this stage, the lake looks like pea soup or as if someone dumped a light colored green paint in the water. It often develops a strong musty or fishy odor as the algae accumulates and begins to decompose," he said. Winds can increase the danger of a toxic bloom by blowing algae to the leeward side of a lake where it concentrates in coves or along shorelines. Blue-green algae, which are cyanobacteria, are microscopic organisms commonly found in lakes and ponds worldwide. Special characteristics of blue-green algae often allow them to multiply faster than other types of algae, Holz said. Rapid algal growth is called an algae bloom. Blooms can appear and linger anywhere from days to weeks and can persist until the first hard frost in the fall, Hoagland said. Some types of blue-green algae produce chemical toxins that harm people and animals. “These colorless and odorless toxins may linger in the water for as long as two weeks after the bloom has disappeared.” Robots Help with Sample Preparation and Analysis at
University of Nebraska–Lincoln Water Sciences Lab Two new automated sample extraction injection systems have been installed at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Water Science Laboratory (WSL) this spring to speed sample analysis and improve sensitivity of our detection methods for volatiles, agrichemicals, algal toxins, and other “emerging” contaminants. A Agilent 5973 GC/MS has been outfitted with a CTC Analytics Combi PAL sample injection system that combines liquid, large volume, headspace and solid phase microextraction (SPME) injection in a single instrument. The Combi PAL is permits switching from one application to another on the same GC workstation. SPME is a powerful extraction and injection method for a wide range of volatile organics, but applications using this method have been limited due to labor intensiveness. The Combi PAL automates this process and permits unattended extraction and analysis of a wide range of contaminants. It can easily switch from SPME to headspace to liquid injection. Paired with the new inert source Agilent 5973, with both electron impact (EI) and negative/positive chemical ionization (CI), will allow for ultra low (trace) analysis of a wide variety of compounds. The other robotic system recently installed is a Spark Holland Symbiosys Environ coupled to the Lab’s Quattro Micro triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The Symbiosys Enviro is an automated system for simultaneously pre-concentrating and injecting samples for environmental analysis of polar (water soluble) compounds. This system will be extremely useful for developing methods for analysis of pharmaceuticals and endocrine disruptors in environmental samples. Clearly, the WSL is positioned to provide improved methods for analysis of these compounds and others such as algal toxins that may negatively impact Nebraska’s water quality and environment. “Optimizer” Computer Tool Helps With Crop Production Under Limited Irrigation
A University of Nebraska computer program is helping farmers make better-informed cropping decisions under limited water supplies. The Water Optimizer, a decision support tool for producers with limited water, was developed by an Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources team. "The computer tool will help farmers decide if they should grow different crops, irrigate fewer acres or apply less water to existing crops," said Ray Supalla, agricultural economist. The tool was developed in response to several years of drought across the state and for farmers facing water restrictions in the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District and Republican River Basin. Republican River Basin water restrictions stem from the 2002 settlement involving Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado over the 1943 Republican River Compact. This settlement found groundwater pumping was covered by the compact, which will limit future groundwater irrigation development in the basin. "It's really an aid that will help the irrigators make decisions on how to use the limited water supplies they will have," said DeLynn Hay, Nebraska Cooperative Extension program leader. The Upper Republican Natural Resources District has had specific water allocations for a number of years, but this is the first time that they will be applied in a broader area that also includes Middle and Lower Republican NRDs. The tool evaluates single fields for several crop options. Irrigated crops include corn, soybeans, sorghum, wheat, alfalfa, edible beans and sunflowers. Dryland crops include corn, soybeans, sorghum, sunflowers, alfalfa and wheat in continuous, summer fallow and eco-fallow rotations. It allows users to input information into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, including soil type and irrigation system options. Irrigation options include center pivot or gravity irrigation systems, well or canal delivery, and systems powered by electricity, diesel or natural gas. After entering this basic information, producers enter their production costs, irrigation costs, crop prices, crop type and available water. After these parameters have been set, the program calculates what crops will be most profitable with the given costs and available water. By running the model a couple times, a producer can find out if it would be better to produce one type of crop with so many acres than producing another type of crop. The program also helps a producer decide when it is time to go to dryland. Other potential uses of the program include comparing management strategies such as profit maximizing deficit irrigation, fixed crop rotations, single-year and multi-year full irrigation strategies, or Environmental Quality Incentives Program or Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program leasing. The program does not include insurance and farm programs and a whole-farm model. The Water Optimizer tool is available online at http://extension-water.unl.edu/. A DVD/CD set is available for $7 by calling (800) 755-7765 or faxing (402) 472-9724. The DVD includes a program tutorial and the CD has the Water Optimizer tool. The tool only is compatible for PC users with Microsoft Office XP or Microsoft Office 2003. For more information about using the program, contact Steve Melvin, extension educator in Frontier County, at (308) 367-4424, e-mail smelvin@unl.edu; Chuck Burr, extension educator in Phelps County, at (308) 995-4222, e-mail cburr@unl.edu; Dave Stenberg, extension educator in Dawson County, at (308) 324-5501, e-mail dstenberg1@unl.edu; or Roger Wilson, research analyst at the university's West Central Research and Extension Center at North Platte, at (308) 532-3611, e-mail rwilson6@unl.edu. Derrel Martin, IANR biological systems engineer, also was a part of the development team. Watershed Activities Views Events Successes Powder Creek Reservoir Benefits From Watershed Protection
The Lewis and Clark Natural Resources District (LCNRD) is the sponsor of a new 107-acre flood control and recreational reservoir located in Dixon County, Nebraska. The dam and recreation area, which was completed in 2003, is located 4.5 miles south and 2.5 miles east of Newcastle, Nebraska. The reservoir and surrounding park area is the focal point for outdoor activities such as fishing, camping, and hiking. The Problems… The problems facing Powder Creek Reservoir were not unique for this area. Other area reservoirs have exhibited water quality degradation from sediment, nutrients, and pesticides carried in surface runoff from agricultural lands. Pre-project monitoring results identified sediment and nutrients to be the primary factors jeopardizing water quality. The Solutions… The design of the reservoir involved extensive input from a Technical Advisory Group established by the LCNRD. The advisory group consisted of representatives from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC), USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS), Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ), and the LCNRD. The final design incorporated several in-lake components that will protect the lake and enhance habitat. Included in the plan were islands, cove enhancements, scallops, shoals, vegetative barriers, fish spawning beds, selective deepening, and a sediment basin on the primary inflow to the lake. Watershed protection efforts were driven by issues and concerns identified by current and future watershed stakeholders representing urban, agricultural, and recreational interests. A series of facilitated public information meetings were conducted to determine water quality concerns and establish a local Watershed Advisory Council to assist a Technical Advisory Team in developing a plan of action to protect the reservoir. The watershed management plan addressed the implementation of management practices on agricultural lands, road ditch erosion, and information and education programs targeted at protecting water quality. Funding for project activities was provided by the Nebraska Environmental Trust, LCNRD, Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, NGPC, USDA-NRCS, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and NDEQ. The Results… The Powder Creek Watershed is comprised of 7,375 acres. Of these, approximately 3,276 acres are cropped, primarily in corn-bean rotation. Prior to the implementation of the Community Based Planning Project approximately 323 acres of the cropped ground were being farmed using no-till practices and about 1,456 acres were enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program. As a result of the project, an additional 2,105 acres were adopted into no-till farming, and an additional 640 acres of crop ground were converted to grass. This work provided protection to 92 percent of the ground that was cropped prior to the project. Other land treatment measures implemented include 4 dam rehabilitation projects, 2 new grade stabilization structures, 68 acres of filter strips and waterways, 6 acres of wildlife habitat seedings, and approximately 1 acre of streambank stabilization. The watershed and lake protection measures accomplished through this project resulted in reservoir loading reductions of 79 percent for sediment, 72 percent for phosphorus, and 67 percent for nitrogen. The water quality of Powder Creek Reservoir is reflective of improved watershed conditions. Total phosphorus has remained low, algae production is minimal, and water clarity continues to be outstanding (Table 1). Table 1. Water Quality Measurements For Powder Creek Reservoir
For Additional Information Contact: Land Treatment Fisheries Water Quality Nine Mile Creek Watershed Invasive Species Eradication Project Nine Mile Drain will soon be visible, instead of the clogged ecosystem laden with noxious weeds and invasive trees and shrubs. It has taken decades for Russian olive trees to choke this once flourishing fishing, wildlife and agriculture watershed, and area landowners are hoping to soon see results from an aggressive eradication effort. "When I moved here in 1975 I used to come down here and fly fish," said Mike Sarchet, area landowner and chairman of the Nine Mile Watershed Council. "You can't hardly even cast a line now and you'd be lucky to pull out anything larger than 18 inches." Recreation is not the only thing that has been hampered by the overgrowth of invasive trees. Beneficial native plants and grasses that propagate insect species have been choked out. Fish populations have noticeably declined. Even more alarming, however, is the amount of water that has been transpired through the thirsty trees. "One Russian olive uses about 150 gallons of water a day. There are now hundreds of those along Nine Mile, so simple math will tell you they're sucking it dry," said North Platte NRD watershed project coordinator Dennis Beyer. Sarchet estimates an additional 45,000 to 50,000 gallons of water a day just in a one-mile strip will be retained in the ground after the trees are removed. The entire project is 20 miles long and involves a large part of the total 80,000 acres in the Nine Mile watershed. "People just think we're taking out trees, and that might bother some people," Sarchet said. "But when they see the whole process they will have a better understanding of what we're trying to accomplish." The Nine Mile project is a pilot program funded through grants from the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality. The $40,000 tree removal portion of the project is funded through the Environmental Protection Agency and the $25,000 slash chipping portion has been funded by $15,000 from the DEQ and $10,000 from the NRD. The goals of the project are three-fold - to increase stream flow, re-establish wildlife habitat, and increase groundwater recharge. Sarchet said first priority is to remove the Russian olives in order to encourage the growth of native vegetation and trees such as cottonwoods, willows and cedars. "Russian olives, when they were first planted back in the 1930s, served their purpose. They provided quick shade and were used in windbreaks," Sarchet explained. "But they've become highly invasive. They do little to stabilize the ground surface, they're not as favorable for wildlife habitat and really they don't serve as a good conservation species." Once Russian olives are cleared from along creek banks, more grasses, which provide for more insect and wildlife cover, are encouraged to grow. An open bank and watershed area will also allow for easier access when spraying and controlling other noxious weeds and thistles. "We're wanting to get back to the native prairie," Sarchet said. The biggest benefit, though, is the protection of groundwater. "When you have area residents losing their wells, that's a problem," he said. "This will help with groundwater recharge." Since the project began three weeks ago, contractor Baker Timber Products of Rockerville, S.D., has removed and chipped hundreds of trees in a two-mile section. Already landowners are seeing the benefits of cleared land and a healthier looking watershed area. Beyer said area landowner support for the project has been key. "I had 52 landowners along Nine Mile that I needed permission from to go ahead with this project," he said. "I got a 100-percent response." (article originally published in Scottsbluff Star–Herald by Kay Grote, reporter) Dennis Beyer Cedar River Stabilization Project Erosion Site Tour and Recreational
Tanking Trip Held Twenty six individuals met in Cedar Rapids, Tuesday, June 14th to begin an Erosion Site Evaluation Tour. The tour included viewing two erosion sites south of Cedar Rapids which have installed Wooden Jetty Structures to control the streambank erosion. Lunch was then held in Primrose. The group then proceeded toward Spalding viewing three sites south of Spalding. These sites installed Rock Vanes, Wooden Jetties, and Stone Toe Protection. The group then traveled to a site upstream of the Spalding Lake where Spalding Academy students along with their teacher Polla Hartley presented a demonstration on site monitoring techniques including GPS, photography, and water testing. Special guests along on the tour were Senator Vickie McDonald, Nebraska Dept. of Environmental Quality Director Mike Linder, Nebraska Dept. of Environmental Quality 319 Nonpoint Source Program Manager Elbert Traylor, Congressman Osborne’s Staff Member Bob Bettger, Nebraska Environmental Trust Personnel Lisa Beethe and Tina Harris, and Carey Grell with the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission. Local landowners, Jim Vanderloop, Jr., Bob Leslie, and Galen Frenzen, along with Committee Chairperson Jim Kleffner, Jr. hosted the event coordinating meeting places and refreshments for the event. Mark Buettner, NRCS; and LeRoy Jons, Karen Wilson, and Vicki Bauer, Loup Basin RC&D; organized the tour. The group enjoyed a short tanking trip ending at the Spalding Lake which was followed by refreshments at the Spalding Golf Course Clubhouse. The purpose of the tour was to share the success and effectiveness of the erosion control structures installed at the erosion sites. Cost share to landowners funding the erosion sites is provided through grants from the Nebraska Dept. of Environmental Quality and the Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund.
Cunningham Lake Watershed Management Plan The community based watershed management planning process was used to develop a watershed management plan for the Cunningham Lake Watershed located north of Omaha, Nebraska in Douglas and Washington Counties. The watershed is undergoing a land transition from agriculture to residential acreages and residential housing developments. The Cunningham Lake Watershed Council in cooperation with the Technical Advisory Team (NRCS, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, City of Omaha Planning Dept., City of Omaha Public Works Dept. City of Omaha Parks, Recreation and Public Property Dept., U S Army Corps of Engineers, Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, Washington County, University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension in Douglas/Sarpy Counties, Nebraska Dept. of Environmental Quality, Olsson Associates) worked together to develop the plan. The Watershed Council took an aggressive approach to managing the watershed. The Watershed Management Plan calls for establishing an environmental overlay district with stricter guidelines for runoff control for residential developments, establishing a wetland, stabilizing streambanks and reducing gully erosion, reducing agricultural upland erosion, and developing informational and educational runoff pollution prevention programs for watershed residents. Efforts are underway to establish the environmental overlay district, initiate shoreline erosion controls, improve in-lake fisheries and inform and educate acreage owners and farm operators about best management practices for reducing runoff pollution. ===================================================================== Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln cooperating with Counties and the United States Department of Agriculture. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension educational programs abide with the non-discrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture. |
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