Wicomico Creekwatchers: Five-Year Water-Quality Monitoring Results (2005-2009)

Wicomico Creekwatchers monitors 25 sites throughout the Wicomico River system, collecting samples from the following Wicomico tributaries and ponds (technically known as “impoundments”): Wicomico Creek, Johnson Pond, , Schumaker Pond, the East Prong, Mitchell Pond, Coulbourne Mill Pond, Tony Tank Lake, Allen Pond, Shiles Creek, and Rockawalkin Creek.

Photo by Emily Seldomridge Each year since it began, Summary of Results Wicomico Creekwatchers has This report analyzes Wicomico published a detailed report of Creekwatchers’ data for four indicators its annual monitoring results. of river health. Water clarity (also known as “turbidity”) and chlorophyll a Creekwatchers has shared those were analyzed for the last five years. reports with citizens, local and Analysis of total nitrogen (TN) and State elected leaders, total phosphorus (TP) began in 2006. Department of the Environment, Average monthly values were compared Maryland Department of Natural against scientifically acceptable levels (“thresholds”) to make judgments about Resources, and other agencies the health of the river and its tributaries. and organizations. This report Water-quality monitoring throughout the presents four or five years of report time period (2005-2009) demonstrates ongoing unhealthy conditions within the Wicomico River system. selected data and analysis from • Water clarity was consistently poor, as evidenced by monthly average measurements that almost always fell this monitoring program of the below the healthy level of 36 inches. Clarity was poorest in the lower sections of the Wicomico River and in Wicomico River. (Prior annual Wicomico Creek. reports are available by request • Chlorophyll a levels were elevated throughout each of the years sampled, indicating an over abundance of algae or online at cbf.org/hotc on the growth in the river system. Resources page). • Total nitrogen (TN) levels were elevated over the four-year period and, while TN is an essential nutrient for both plants and animals, high levels can generate increased algal blooms followed by low dissolved oxygen levels, 1 The Wicomico River watershed making life challenging for fish and other aquatic species. TN levels were higher in the Ponds and upper reaches drains 182 square miles of of the Wicomico River. land in Wicomico and Somerset • Total phosphorus (TP) was averaged over all four years in which it was measured. TP was most variable in the Counties in Maryland and Sussex pond systems, and consistently higher in the Upper Wicomico. This may relate to the point source2 inputs from County in Delaware. Much of the the Salisbury Waste Water Treatment Plant or to higher nonpoint source3 inputs upstream, or both. land use in this watershed is Overall, data collected in the Wicomico River watershed between 2005 and 2009 agricultural but the river water indicate that this system is continuously overloaded with nitrogen and phosphorus pollution. In general, upriver sites within the Ponds and Upper Wicomico areas exhibited poorer water quality is also greatly influenced quality than downriver sites within the Lower Wicomico and Wicomico Creek. This suggests that human land use, by developed areas, including the stormwater, and wastewater impact water quality more in the upper portions of the watershed than in the lower, city of Salisbury (approximate less-developed areas. Additionally, the proximity of the lower river regions to the Bay may dilute nutrient pollution population 24,000) which lies while increasing turbidity, likely caused by increased wave action that churns up sediment. near the headwaters. Ultimately, Sources of nitrogen and phosphorus in the watershed, including human inputs from developed lands, fertilizers, all rain water that flows into the and treated wastewater, contribute to poor Wicomico River water quality. Unless those pressures can be river makes its way into Tangier adequately remedied, water quality in the Wicomico River watershed is not likely to improve. Sound and the . 1 The term “watershed” describes the entire area of land that drains into a particular body of water. 2 An example of a “point source” would be a pipe or other specific outfall that collects and then directs wastewater or stormwater into a water body. 3 An example of a “nonpoint source” would be a piece of land that drains its rainwater into a water body, taking sediment and other pollutants along with it. Average monthly clarity measurements for each year by river section.

PondsPondsPondsPondsPonds Water Water Water Water Clarity Clarity Clarity Clarity UpperUpperUpperUpperUpper Wicomico Wicomico Wicomico Wicomico Wicomico Water Water Water Water Clarity Clarity Clarity Clarity

40 404040 2005 404040 2005200520052005 40 200520052005 Healthy Level = >36” Healthy Level = >36” 2006 200620062006 35353535 200620062006 35353535 2006 2007 2007200720072007 200720072007 30 30303030 303030 2008 2008200820082008 200820082008 25 25 2009 252525 2009200920092009 252525 200920092009 20202020 20202020 inches inches inches inches inches inches inches inches 15151515 15151515

10101010 10101010

5555 5555

0000 0000 MarMarMarMar AprAprAprAprMayMayMayMayJunJunJunJun JulJulJulJul AugAugAugAugSeptSeptSeptSeptOctOctOctOct NovNovNovNov MarMarMarMar AprAprAprApr MayMayMayMay JunJunJunJun JulJulJulJul AugAugAugAug SeptSeptSeptSept OctOctOctOct NovNovNovNov

Lower Wicomico Water Clarity LowerLowerLower Wicomico Wicomico Wicomico Wicomico Water Water Water Clarity Clarity Clarity WicomicoWicomicoWicomicoWicomicoWicomico Creek Creek Creek Creek Creek Water Water Water Water Clarity Clarity Clarity Clarity 4040 4040 2005200520052005 40404040 20052005 Healthy Level = >36” Healthy Level = >36” 20052005 35 20062006 2006 353535 20062006 3535 200620062006 2007 3535 200720072007 2007200720072007 30303030 30 200820082008 303030 2008 2008 200820082008 2525 20092009 25 2009 2525 20092009 252525 200920092009 2020 20 2020 202020 inches inches inches inches inches inches inches 15 inches 15 151515 151515 10 10 101010 101010 5 5 5 55 5 55 0 0 0 00 0 00 Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov MarMarMar AprAprApr MayMayMay JunJunJun JulJulJul AugAugAugSeptSeptSept OctOctOct NovNovNov MarMarMar AprAprApr MayMayMay JunJunJun JulJulJul AugAugAug SeptSeptSept OctOctOct NovNovNov

Turbidity/Water Clarity: Light is critical for plant growth. Turbidity measurements refer to the ability of light to penetrate through water. Poor water clarity indicates water is too clouded with suspended sediment and algae to support the growth of underwater grasses. Turbidity levels above 36 inches are considered healthy.

Average monthly chlorophyll a measurements for each year by river section.

PondsPonds Chl aChl Chl a a UpperUpperUpper Wicomico Wicomico Chl Chl aChl a a

70 70 70 70 70 200520052005 70 7070 200520052005 200620062006 20062006 60 2006 2006 2006 60 6060 6060 6060 Unhealthy Range = >50 µg/L 200720072007 Unhealthy Range = >50 µg/L 200720072007 50 2008 50 5050 2008 2008 5050 5050 200820082008 Moderate Range = 10–50 µg/L 200920092009 200920092009 40 40 4040 4040 4040

µ g/L

µ g/L µ g/L µ g/L

30 µ g/L µ g/L µ g/L 30 30 30 3030 µ g/L 3030

20 20 20 20 2020 2020 Moderate Range = 10–50 µg/L 10 10 10 10 1010 1010 Healthy Range = <10 µg/L Healthy Range = <10 µg/L 00 0 0 00 00 Mar MarApr AprMay MayJunJun JunJulJul JulAug AugSept SeptOct OctNov Nov Mar MarAprApr AprMay MayJunJun JunJulJul JulAugAug AugSeptSept SeptOct OctNov Nov

LowerLowerLower WicomicoWicomico WicomicoWicomico Chl aChl Chl a a WicomicoWicomicoWicomico CreekCreek Creek Chl Chl aChl a a

7070 7070 20052005 7070 70 2005 2005 70 200520052005 2006 2006 2006 200620062006 6060 6060 60 60 2006 2007 60 60 2007 2007 200720072007 Unhealthy Range = >50 µg/L Unhealthy Range = >50 µg/L 2007 5050 50 200820082008 50 2008 5050 5050 200820082008 Moderate Range = 10–50 µg/L 20092009 2009 2009 Moderate Range = 10–50 µg/L 200920092009 40 40 40 40 4040 4040 µ g/L µ g/L µ g/L 30 µ g/L µ g/L µ g/L 30 30 µ g/L 30 3030 µ g/L 3030

2020 20 20 2020 2020

1010 10 10 1010 1010 Healthy Range = <10 µg/L Healthy Range = <10 µg/L 00 0 0 00 00 Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Mar MarApr AprMay MayJun JunJul JulAug AugSept SeptOct OctNov Nov Mar MarAprApr AprMay MayJunJun JunJulJul JulAugAug AugSeptSept SeptOct OctNov Nov

Chlorophyll a: Chlorophyll is the pigment that allows plants—including algae—to convert sunlight into organic compounds in the process of photosynthesis. Chlorophyll a is the predominant type found in algae and cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), and its abundance is a good indicator of the amount of algae present in the water. Chlorophyll a values below 10 micrograms/Liter (ug/L) are considered healthy. Values between 10 ug/L and 50ug/L suggest elevated levels of algae may be present, while values above 50 ug/L are considered unhealthy. Average monthly total nitrogen measurements for each year by river section.

Ponds TN Upper Wicomico TN Ponds TN Upper Wicomico TN Ponds TN Upper Wicomico TN PondsPonds TN TN UpperUpper Wicomico Wicomico TN TN 6 6 6 6 2006 2006 2006 2006 66 66 20062006 2007 200720062006 2007 2007 5 5 5 20072007 5 2008 200820072007 2008 55 55 2008 20082008 2009 200920082008 2009 2009 4 4 4 4 Unhealthy Range = >3 mg/L 20092009 Unhealthy Range = >3 mg/L 20092009 44 44

3 3 3 3 mg/L mg/L mg/L 33 33 mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L 2 2 mg/L 2 2 22 22 Moderate Range = 1–3 mg/L 1 1 1 Moderate Range = 1–3 mg/L 1 11 11 Healthy Range = <1 mg/L Healthy Range = <1 mg/L 0 0 0 0 00 00 Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov MarMar AprApr MayMay JunJun JulJul AugAug SeptSept OctOct NovNov MarMar AprApr MayMay JunJun JulJul AugAug SeptSept OctOct NovNov

Wicomico Creek TN LowerLower Wicomico Wicomico TN WicomicoWicomico Creek Creek TN Lower Wicomico TN WicomicoWicomico Creek Creek TN TN LowerLower Wicomico Wicomico TN TN 6 6 6 6 2006 66 2006 66 2006 2006 20062006 20062006 2007 2007 2007 2007 5 5 20072007 5 20072007 5 2008 55 2008 55 2008 2008 20082008 20082008 2009 2009 2009 2009 4 4 20092009 4 20092009 44 44 4 Unhealthy Range = >3 mg/L Unhealthy Range = >3 mg/L 3 333 333 3 mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L

mg/L Moderate Range = 1–3 mg/L Moderate Range = 1–3 mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L 2 222 222 2

1 111 111 1 Healthy Range = <1 mg/L Healthy Range = <1 mg/L 0 000 000 0 Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov MarMarMar AprAprApr MayMayMay JunJunJun JulJulJul AugAugAug SeptSeptSept OctOctOct NovNovNov MarMar AprAprApr MayMay JunJunJun JulJulJul AugAug SeptSept OctOct NovNov Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov

Total Nitrogen (TN): Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for both plants and animals, but an overabundance generates algal blooms and subsequent low dissolved-oxygen levels. Nitrogen can be found in aquatic systems in several chemical forms, in both dissolved form and attached to particles. One form of nitrogen, nitrate, is particularly important in aquatic systems because it is easily taken up by algae. Total nitrogen levels below 1 mg/L are considered healthy.

Total Phosphorus Four-Year Averages 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1

TPTP 4-Year5-Year Averages 0.12 Upper Unhealthy Range = <.1 mg/L Wic 0.1 Lower Wic Ponds 0.08 Wic Creek 0.06 mg/L Moderate Range = .05–.1 mg/L

0.04 Healthy Range = <.05 mg/L

0.02

0 Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov

Total Phosphorus (TP): Phosphorus is another key nutrient in aquatic systems with the same overabundance problems as nitrogen. Phosphorus can occur in dissolved organic and inorganic forms, often attached to particles of sediment. The dominant form of phosphorus in the Bay ecosystem is phosphate. Total phosphorus was averaged monthly by river section, rather than year, to explore possible annual trends in TP levels upstream and downstream. Averages over the last four years show that TP was most variable in the Pond systems and consistently higher in the Upper Wicomico. Levels below 0.05 mg/L are considered healthy.

Photo by Margaret Enloe Annual Wicomico Creekwatchers Water-Quality Monitoring results are available online at cbf.org/hotc on the Resources page. For more information on Wicomico Creekwatchers contact us at: [email protected] or 410/543-1999. Photo by Richard Prince Launched in 2002, Wicomico Creekwatchers Methods is a community partnership between the Trained Wicomico Creekwatchers’ Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) and volunteers collect water samples and Salisbury University (SU). Data collection data at regular two-week intervals and sample analysis are conducted by from March to November. No samples the Salisbury University Department of are collected in December, January, or February, since biological activity and Biological Sciences and University of its effects on water quality is lower Maryland’s Horn Point Environmental during the winter months. Laboratory. At each monitoring site, volunteers collect river water in standard BOD The mission of Wicomico Creekwatchers (biochemical oxygen demand) sampling bottles, measure turbidity with a Secchi disk, and record is to collect and develop objective, other valuable information (such as recent rainfall, tide, etc.). Samples are delivered to Salisbury scientifically credible water-quality data University the same day and frozen before going on to Horn Point Laboratory for further analysis. by recruiting and mobilizing a grassroots Analysis of total nitrogen and total phosphorus began in 2006. volunteer force that monitors the waters of For this and previous reports, monthly averages for each site were calculated and then grouped the Wicomico River and its tributaries on to provide averages for the four areas that make up the Wicomico system: the Ponds (areas Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore. Through upstream of manmade barriers and impoundments); the Upper Wicomico (the region that is its work, Creekwatchers advances efforts tidal but does not experience salinity intrusion); the Lower Wicomico (the region that is tidal and of citizens, businesses, and public officials subject to salinity intrusion); and the major tributary, Wicomico Creek. to ensure that public policies and other Results for TN, TP, and chlorophyll a are compared against guidelines developed for surface management tools adequately protect and waters by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, since Maryland does not currently have criteria for these parameters. The water clarity baseline of 36 preserve Wicomico River water quality. inches is within the range of water clarity criteria that are used by Delaware and Maryland for regulatory purposes. Since its inception, Wicomico Creekwatchers has established a set of Annual Wicomico Creekwatchers Water-Quality Monitoring results are available online baseline data for identifying water-quality at cbf.org/hotc on the Resources page. conditions and trends over time. For more information on Wicomico Creekwatchers contact us at: [email protected] or 410/543-1999.

What You Can Do In many Chesapeake Bay tributaries, excessive nitrogen and phosphorus pollution has decreased water quality and the health of aquatic habitats. Nitrogen and phosphorus pollution stimulates algae growth, diminishes water clarity, and ultimately reduces dissolved oxygen levels within the water. These changes reduce a water body’s aesthetic and recreational values, and impair its ability to support healthy populations of aquatic life.

You can help improve the health of your river and the Bay: • Get involved locally— your local organizations and government can’t do it alone; • Use lawn chemicals and fertilizers sparingly and only as directed; • Create “buffers”—areas that will soak up excess rain water—by planting native trees, shrubs, and grasses; • Use rain barrels to catch rain water from your roof and plant rain gardens to trap it on the ground; • Support your local and regional conservation groups; and, • Become a Creekwatcher!

Heart of the Chesapeake Project 212 West Main St., Suite 204B Salisbury, MD 21801 410/543-1999 Wicomico Creekwatchers is a joint project of Salisbury University and the Web site: cbf.org/hotc Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Heart E-mail: [email protected] of the Chesapeake Project.

T Printed on recycled paper, 02/10. Graphic design by Joanne Shipley.