Evaluating the Sediment Retention Functions of Salt Pond Systems In
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
EVALUATING THE SEDIMENT RETENTION FUNCTION OF SALT POND SYSTEMS IN THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS Prepared by: Denise S. Rennis Colin M. Finney Barry E. Devine February 16, 2006 Water Resources Research Institute University of the Virgin Islands St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Disclaimer The research on which this report is based was financed in part by the U. S. Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey, through the Virgin Islands Water Resources Research Institute. The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the U. S. Department of the Interior, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute their endorsement by the United States Government. i ABSTRACT Salt ponds and the specialized salt-tolerant vegetation communities that they support perform a variety of biological, hydrologic and water quality functions with benefits to both wildlife and humans. This study identified and evaluated the features of salt ponds and their watersheds (salt pond system) that are important in contributing to the effectiveness of the sediment retention function. The study focused on providing information upon which sound management policies could be formulated to protect valuable coastal resources. As part of this study, the use of remote sensing to aid monitoring of sedimentation in coastal waters was evaluated for its potential use as an additional management tool. Thirteen key parameters were identified as being important in the function of sediment retention in salt pond systems of the US Virgin Islands. Data were collected in the field or through GIS analysis of orthophotography for 17 salt pond systems on St. Thomas (8), St. John (7), St. Croix (1) and Water Island (1). Key parameters of wetland features comprised berm elevation, presence or absence of an outlet, pond depth, submerged aquatic vegetation, water/woody vegetation interspersion, wetland fringe vegetation density and wetland fringe width while watershed parameters comprised flood plain, presence or absence of guts, land use, slope, soil erosion potential and wetland to watershed area. Salt pond systems were found to be highly variable in their potential to retain sediment. Those with the least human-induced disturbance reflected the most natural environmental conditions but not necessarily the most effective functional performance for sediment retention. Using the data collected for each pond system as a guide to the variability of each parameter provides a valuable reference for assessing conditions of other pond systems or for monitoring changes to the pond systems studied in this investigation. Data analyses led to a number of conclusions of salt pond system functional effectiveness for sediment retention. Perseverance, Salt and Southgate pond systems were identified as functioning most effectively. Compass Point, Flamingo, Fortuna and Mandahl pond systems were noted as being ineffective for the most parameters. This can primarily be attributed to human-induced changes in these systems. A number of conclusions were also drawn with regard to potential risks to salt pond systems to effectively retain sediment, and recommendations were made to help guide sustainable management policies. In addition to the analysis of salt pond system features, the use of remote sensing was examined as a means of monitoring sediment plumes in the vicinity of the salt ponds as well as other locations around the US Virgin Islands. Thirteen sets of Landsat satellite imagery were obtained of St Thomas and St John and two of St Croix, and acquisition dates were matched to significant precipitation events. Different image processing techniques were applied to the satellite images to evaluate indications of sediment suspension in inshore waters, but no evidence of sediment suspension in the coastal waters of the USVI was found. Aerial photographs taken in 2004 of the USVI coastline shortly after Tropical Storm Jeanne were also examined for evidence of suspended sediment, but only two locations on St Thomas showed evidence of suspended sediment in nearshore waters. Using remote sensing through Landsat imagery to detect and monitor suspended sediment in the coastal waters of the USVI was found to be unfeasible. Recommendations were provided for courses of action that could be pursued in the future if remote sensing is to be considered as a management tool. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Disclaimer ............................................................................................................................ i ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................ ii INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 1 Background ..................................................................................................................... 1 Island Setting .................................................................................................................. 2 Salt Ponds in the US Virgin Islands ................................................................................ 2 Rainfall, Runoff and Sedimentation ............................................................................... 3 Overview of Functional Assessment Methodologies ..................................................... 4 Sediment Retention: Function Definition and Evaluation ............................................. 5 Goal and Objectives of the Study ................................................................................... 5 METHDOLOGY ................................................................................................................ 6 Rainfall ............................................................................................................................ 6 Parameter Identification .................................................................................................. 6 Pond Selection ................................................................................................................ 7 Historical Reviews .......................................................................................................... 7 Data Collection ............................................................................................................... 8 Remote Sensing of Sediment in Coastal Waters........................................................... 11 RESULTS ......................................................................................................................... 11 Rainfall .......................................................................................................................... 11 Salt Pond System Selection and Categories.................................................................. 14 Pond Histories ............................................................................................................... 16 Key Parameters ............................................................................................................. 19 1. Berm elevation .................................................................................................. 20 2. Outlet................................................................................................................. 22 3. Pond depth ........................................................................................................ 23 4. Submerged aquatic vegetation .......................................................................... 26 5. Water/woody vegetation interspersion ............................................................. 28 6. Wetland fringe vegetation density .................................................................... 30 7. Wetland fringe width ........................................................................................ 32 8. Flood plain ........................................................................................................ 33 9. Gut presence/absence ........................................................................................ 35 10. Land use ........................................................................................................ 36 11. Slope ............................................................................................................. 40 12. Soil erosion potential .................................................................................... 41 13. Wetland to watershed area ............................................................................ 42 REMOTE SENSING OF SEDIMENT IN COASTAL WATERS ................................... 45 Advantages of Using Satellite Imagery ........................................................................ 45 Disadvantages of Satellite Imagery .............................................................................. 46 Evaluation of Satellite Imagery .................................................................................... 47 Evaluation of Landsat for Coastal Monitoring ............................................................. 49 iii Successors to the Landsat Satellite Program ................................................................ 50 Aerial Photography ....................................................................................................... 51 DISCUSSION ..................................................................................................................