Riverwatch 2015 Water Quality Report This report summarizes our testing results in two different ways: 1. Water Quality Standards 2. Water Quality Index Comparison to State Water Quality Standards created by the Giving each point a numerical and letter grade using a Riverwatch 2015 NYSDEC under the Clean Water Act (CWA)1 Water Qulity Index (WQI). Water Quality Report The CWA establishes the basic structure for regulating A Water Quality Index provides a single number (like a discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United grade) that expresses overall water quality at a certain Dear Citizen, States and regulating quality standards for surface location and time period based on multiple water waters. quality parameters. The objective of an index is to turn complex water quality data into information that is Thank you for reading the 2015 Riverwatch Water Quality Report! With drinking Our State Environmental Agency, the NYSDEC, is autho- understandable and useable by the public. Riverkeeper water issues making news headlines across the country our attention should now, rized by the CWA to create these standards and does this developed a WQI based on the parameters collected and more than ever, be focused on one of our most vital natural resources—our water. by: adaptation from the National Sanitation Foundation’s Our hope is that you can use this report, containing insightful information about (NSF) WQI. 1. Designating Best Uses for each waterway based on an the water quality in our region, as an educational tool. evaluation called the Waterbody Inventory every two 1. Each parameter was given a weight based on how years.2 influential they are on determining water quality. This year’s report includes information from two distinct Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper programs. First, our Riverwatch volunteer program consists of teams Parameter Weight A Source of Drinking Water that monitor numerous sites on the Niagara River and all its major tributaries once Dissolved Oxygen .24 a month from April through November. Our volunteer pool has grown, allowing Conductivity (TDS) .20 Chris Murawski Swimming (Primary Contact Recreation) for more sampling locations. Volunteers collect general water quality parameters Turbidity .20 Director of Citizen Engagment Wading and Paddling such as Dissolved Oxygen, pH, Conductivity, and Turbidity. The report displays pH .18 (Secondary Contact Recreation) the results of their efforts by comparing data to NYSDEC State Water Quality ΔT .18 Standards, giving each site a letter grade and comparing with data collected from Table of Contents Fishing Total 1.0 previous seasons. Second, our Young Environmental Leaders Program mentorship Letter...... 1 conducted a study of five public access sites. This study was conducted by two 2. The average seasonal value for each parameter was Water Quality Standards...... 2 2. Evaluating the “Best Uses” for each stream and desig- paid Buffalo Public High School interns and their teachers. The study focused on nating a stream class to support these uses. calculated for each site and plugged into equations Water Quality Index...... 2 E.coli bacteria, which is an indicator of sewage pollution and is used to determine created by the NSF5 which yielded a number known as a Stream Descriptions...... 3,4 if water is safe for human contact. Details of their findings are discussed and Stream Classes and Their Best Uses Q value. : Special. A source of water supply Table...... 5 displayed. for drinking, culinary or food 3. Q values for each parameter were multiplied by the A processing purposes; primary and Map...... 6 secondary contact recreation; and weighting factor and added together to get the WQI fishing. The waters shall be suit- number grade out of 100 for each site. YELP E. coli Report...... 7,8 Riverkeeper needs your help and support to continue protecting the quality and able for fish, shellfish, and wildlife propagation and survival. Pollution & Solutions...... 9 quantity of water in our local communities. In this report, we have included direct Example: Reservoir Park Related Projects...... 10 actions you can take to become a steward of water quality. They include both : Primary and secondary contact (97 *0.24) + (64*0.20) + (84*0.20) + (78*0.18) + (88*0.18) = 83 opportunities to directly engage with Riverkeeper as well as steps you can take at recreation and fishing. These B waters shall be suitable for fish, DO Cond. Turb pH Δ T Total home. shellfish, and wildlife propagation and survival. For more information: : Fishing. These waters shall be 4. WQI values were then given a grade A through F based We are happy to announce that in 2016 we have increased our staff capacity and suitable for fish, shellfish, and wild- bnriverkeeper.org/riverwatch on the following scale: C life propagation and survival. The A = 90-100 B =80-89 C =70-79 D =60-69 F = 59 and below have hired Elizabeth Robbe as Water Quality Specialist and Wendy Patterson as water quality shall be suitable for primary and secondary contact rec- Contact about data: Community Liaison. They will both be working on the Riverwatch Program going reation, although other factors may Elizabeth Robbe forward. limit the use for these purposes. Reservoir Park Total = 83 Water Quality Specialist 3. Setting standards for each waterway to support the Reservoir Park would get a B grade [email protected] I hope that this report can expand your knowledge of our wonderful Niagara River uses for each class. (716) 852-7483 ext 23 Here are the standards for the parameters we test3: Watershed. If you have any questions on any of the information in the report, Dissolved Oxygen, Conductivity, Temerature, and pH Parameter Standard Contact about volunteering: please feel free to contact me directly. were sampled using a YSI Pro Plus equipped with a 6 Wendy Paterson Dissolved No less than 6.0 mg/L for Niagara River quarto cable. Community Liaison Sincerely, Oxygen No less than 4.0 mg/L for all other streams Turbidity was sampled using a HACH 2100 Q [email protected] 4 Conductivity Between 150 and 500 ùs/cm Turbidimeter.7 (716) 852-7483 ext 26 pH Between 6.5 and 8.5 Turbidity No more than 5.0 NTU Chris Murawski 1 33 U.S.C. §1251 et seq. (1972) Front Cover Image: Director of Citizen Engagement 2 Part 701: Classifications-Surface Waters and Groundwaters (Statutory authority: Environmental Conservation Law, §§ 1-0101, 3-0301 [2][m],15-0313, 17-0101, 17-0301, 17-0303, Katrina Cosgrove Photography 17-0809) 721 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14203 3 Part 703: Surface Water and Groundwater Quality Standards and Groundwater Effluent Limitations (Statutory authority: Environmental Conservation Law, §§ 3-0301[2][m], 15- http://katrinacosgrove.weebly.com/ 0313, 17-0301, 17-0809) [email protected] 4 US Environmental Protection Agency’s Water: Monitoring and Assessment 5.9 Conductivity Back Cover Image: (716)852-7483 ext 39 5 Oram, Brian B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc. (2013 January 20). Monitoring the Quality of Surfacewaters. Retrieved from http:// http://www.water-research.net/watrqual- Chloe Wasteneys ityindex/waterqualityindex.htm 6 www.ysi.com/productsdetail.php?Professional-Plus-18 7 www.hach.com/2100Q 1 Riverwatch 2015 Water Quality Report Riverwatch 2015 Water Quality Report 2 Water Quality Testing Results Buffalo Creek Niagara River Cayuga Creek (Erie County) Stream Class: B Stream Class: A (Special - Drinking Water) Stream Class: C Stream Length: 63.5 miles Stretch Monitored: Upper and Lower Main Stem, Lake Erie - Lake Ontario Stream Length: 13.5 miles Percentage of samples inside the standard range: A bar Water Quality Issues: Aquatic life and recreation are stessed by known silt/ Water Quality Issues: The Niagara is a source of drinking water for much Water Quality Issues: Aquatic life and fish consumption are stressed by graph is given for each parameter indicating the total per- sediment pollution and suspected nutrient and pathogen pollution. Known of the region. The NYSDEC considers this use to be threatened by known suspected nutrient, silt/sediment, metals, Priority Organics (PAHs) and centage of all samples taken for that site which fell inside the sources of pollution are stream bank erosion and urban stormwater runoff; contamination from toxic sediment and suspected contamination from Pathogens. Suspected sources are stream bank erosion and urban/storm sustpected source is agriculture and possible sources are on-site septic combined sewer overflows and urban stormwater runoff. runoff. Possible source is agriculture. standard range for that parameter. systems and road bank eroision. Sample Chart Conductivity 81% Conductivity 100% Conductivity 67% Conductivity 9% Dissolved Oxygen 96% Dissolved Oxygen 91% Dissolved Oxygen 100% Dissolved Oxygen 100% pH 96% pH 98% pH 90% pH 94% Turbidity 27% Turbidity 66% Turbidity 33% Turbidity 36%

Inside standard range Outside standard range Cazenovia Creek Scajaquada Creek Tonawanda Creek (Lower Main Stem) Stream Class: B Stream Class: B Stream Class: C Note: Percentage shown indicates percentage inside range Stream Length: 51.7 miles Stream Length: Lower: 3.0 miles (from mouth to Main St, Buffalo), Upper: 15.1 Stream Length: 11.9 miles (from mouth to NYS Barge Canal) Water Quality Issues: No known impact* miles (above Cheektowaga) Water Quality Issues: Aquatic life and recreation are stressed by pollution Water Quality Issues are referenced from NYSDEC’s “The *2010 NYSDEC Waterbody Inventory lists no known impact. Based on Water Quality Issues: Aquatic life is precluded by low dissolved oxygen, excess from known sources of PCBs, toxic contaminated sediment, urban stormwater Niagara River/ Waterbody Inventory and Priority Riverkeeper testing results and observations, recreational use may be nutrients, silt, and sediment. Public bathing is precludeded and recreation runoff, and suspected nutrient and silt pollution from sanitary discharge and Waterbodies List” (2010). impacted and more monitoring is planned for this stream in 2016. is impaired by odor, floatables, and pathogens. The point sources of these erosion. pollutants are from combined sewer outfalls and urban stormwater runoff.

Conductivity 60% Conductivity 6% Conductivity 79% Dissolved Oxygen 100% Dissolved Oxygen 94% Dissolved Oxygen 100% pH 100% pH 94% pH 87% Turbidity 67% Turbidity 45% Turbidity 17%

Buffalo River Grand Island Cayuga Creek (Niagara Falls) Stream Class: C Stream Class: All are class B Stream Class: C Stream Length: 8.6 miles (from mouth to Cayuga Creek) Stream Length: 53.7 miles Stream Length: 21.6 miles Water Quality Issues: Impaired water quality, contaminated sediments, Water Quality Issues: Natural resources (fishery) habitat and aquatic life in the Water Quality Issues: Aquatic life and recreation are impaired by toxic inactive hazardous waste sites, point and nonpoint source pollution, tributaries of Grand Island are thought to be threatened by elevated stream contaminated sediment and urban stormwater runoff. combined sewer overflows, and fish and wildlife habitat loss and degradation. tempertatures, silt, sediment, and urban stormwater runoff. The main stem of the river is designated as a Great Lakes Area of Concern (AOC) by the EPA. Conductivity Conductivity 80% 24% Conductivity 32% 100%

Dissolved Oxygen 97% Dissolved Oxygen 67% Dissolved Oxygen 77% pH 100% pH 100% pH 100%

Turbidity 10% Turbidity 2% Turbidity (Japenese Gardens at Mirror Lake. Photo by Chloe Wasteneys.) 16%

Inner & Outer Harbor Ellicott Creek Gill Creek Stream Class: C Stream Class: B Stream Class: C Did you know...? Stream Length: 5.25 miles Stream Length: 112.0 miles Stream Length: 12.3 miles Water Quality Issues: Impaired water quality, contaminated sediments, inac- Water Quality Issues: Aquatic life is impaired and recreation is stressed by Water Quality Issues: Aquatic life and recreation are impaired by stormwater The Niagara River Watershed tive hazardous waste sites, point and nonpoint source pollution, combined suspected silt and sediment, caused by agricultural runoff. runoff and suspected toxic contaminated sediment. sewer overflows, and fish and wildlife habitat loss and degradation. Encompasses: The Outer Harbor is included in the AOC. 903,305 Acres of Land Conductivity 3,193 Miles of Watercourses 100% Conductivity 11% Conductivity 62% 11 Sub-watersheds Dissolved Oxygen 100% Dissolved Oxygen Dissolved Oxygen 96% 71 Municipalities 96% pH 1,079,380 People 100% pH 100% pH 100% Turbidity 64% Turbidity 45% Turbidity 21%

3 Riverwatch 2015 Water Quality Report Riverwatch 2015 Water Quality Report 4 Niagara River Watershed and Subwatersheds Parameter Descriptions Dissolved Oxygen (DO) is simply the amount of oxygen dissolved in the water, and is essential for the survival of nearly all aquatic life. DO can be decreased by sewage discharges, storm water runoff and failing septic systems. Turbidity is a measure of the amount of suspended material in water which can include soil particles, algae, plankton, microbes, and other substances. Higher turbidity increases water temperatures, decreases DO, provides refuge for harmful microbes, and can clog gills of fish and crustaceans. Conductivity is a measure of the ability of water to pass an electrical current and is indicative of the presence of inorganic dissolved solids such as chloride, nitrate, sulfate, and phosphate ions. Elevated levels may be from the presence of sewage or storm water discharges. pH is a term used to indicate the alkalinity or acidity of a substance as ranked on a scale from 1.0 to 14.0. The majority of aquatic animals prefer a range of 6.5-8.0. pH outside this range reduces the diversity in the stream because it stresses the systems of most organisms and can reduce reproduction. Temperature affects the oxygen content of the water (as temperature increases, DO decreases); the rate of photosynthesis by aquatic plants; the metabolic rates of aquatic organisms; and the sensitivity of organisms to toxic wastes, parasites, and diseases. Site Scores

A B C D F

NOTE: No waterways received a grade A rating

* Site was not tested

5 Riverwatch 2015 Water Quality Report Riverwatch 2015 Water Quality Report 6 Young Environmental Leaders Program E. coli Report E. coli levels were compared to the USEPA 2012 Recreational Water Quality Criteria (RWQC) which has two sets of thresholds for comparing bacteriological data: Environmental The 2015 YELP water quality study focused on E. coli Justice (EJ) is the sampling at public access sites in the Buffalo River 1. Geometric Mean (GM): A GM is a way of averaging a set of values without allowing disproportionate concept that all Watershed during the summer months of June, July, influences from values that are extremely high or low. The RWQC requires GM calculations of at least 5 samples people regardless and August. For the past 4 seasons from 2011-2014, within a 30 day period. 5 samples were taken at each site during the months of June, July, and August. GM was of race, ethnicity, Riverkeeper has sampled for E. coli bacteria at 3 sites calculated for each site per monthly sample period. GM levels were compared to the threshold amount of 126 or income level in the upper to middle reaches of the Buffalo River cfu/100mL. The following chart displays the values. Any of the values above the red line are considered above the have the right to Watershed. The purpose of this sampling was to recommended level for protection of human health, according to the EPA. live in a healthy determine the level of bacterial inputs upstream from environment. the Buffalo River Area of Concern (AOC). Four years of data has presented a clear picture of the levels of Many communities in our area have been historically contaminants at these sites and their correspondence burdened with disproportional amounts of with wet weather events. For the 2015 season, a environmental harm. Riverkeeper, in partnership with decision was made to gather data at sites that were in Buffalo Public Schools and funding from NYSDEC and the lower Buffalo River Watershed but still upstream of First Niagara Bank, launched a pilot environmental the AOC. One site was selected in each major tributary; education program for eighteen students residing in Buffalo Creek, Cayuga Creek and Cazenovia Creek and these communities in 2014. The Young Environmental two sites were selected in the Main Stem of the Buffalo Leaders Program (YELP) provides a unique opportunity River. Sampling locations are not regulated swimming for students to learn about local environmental beaches but they are sites where Riverkeeper has issues that affect their neighborhoods. Students were commonly observed citizens recreating and making recruited by partner teachers Adam Hovey of South contact with the water. Below are the sites: Park High School, and John Bihr of Riverside Institute Site # Waterway Public Access Site Stream Class of Technology. 1 Cazenovia Creek West Seneca Soccer B Complex The program consists of two 2 Cayuga Creek Clinton Street Bridge C 3 Buffalo Creek West Seneca Oxbow B components. Wetland First, students 4 Buffalo River Harlem Road Fishing C attend a series of Access Site hands on learning 5 Buffalo River Seneca Bluffs C opportunies where they explore current 2. Statistical Threshold Values (STV): STV is a value Percentage of Sample Values environmental given by the RWQC that should not be exceeded exceeding STV of 410 cfu/100mL issues within a by more than 10% of individual samples in a 30 Site # June July August 2 day period. For this project, there are 5 samples per local context. They also gain 3 college credit hours 4 1 80% 40% 60% toward their schooling. Second, a mentorship sample period so if one or more exceeded the STV, 5 3 2 100% 60% 40% opportunity is presented for two students to then this sample period would be considered to participate in a research project alongside their be exceeding the standard. The table to the right 3 80% 40% 60% teachers and Riverkeeper staff. Babita Mainali of displays the results as compared to the STV of 410 4 80% 40% 100% cfu/100mL. Riverside Institute of Technology (pictured above, left) 5 80% 80% 20% and Nicole Blake of South Park High School (pictured above, right) were selected as the recipients of the YELP E. coli Report Summary 2015 mentorship. They helped carry out a study of When comparing the results to the GM threshold, all 15 sample periods exceeded the standard. When the water quality of five public access sites within comparing to the STV level, all 15 sample periods exceeded the standard. This indicates that these waters are the city of Buffalo from June through August. The not safe for human primary contact recreation. Regardless of which standard you look to, these bacterial levels students received a stipend and valuable experience in are unacceptable for protection of public health. environmental science. Two Riverkeeper interns, Hailie 1 Suk from University of Buffalo and Jason Meyers from The Young Environmental Leaders Program will begin its third year in 2016. A new set of student mentees will Rochester Institute of Technology volunteered their continue to investigate water quality in the Buffalo Niagara region. time to help with the project as well.

7 Riverwatch 2015 Water Quality Report Riverwatch 2015 Water Quality Report 8 Sources of Ongoing Pollution Related Riverkeeper Projects There are two forms of pollution in the watershed: legacy pollution, which was discharged to the water during our industrial past, and ongoing pollution which continues to be discharged into our waterways. The Riverwatch Program monitors for water quality River Academy Shoreline Sweeps River Tours parameters affected by ongoing sources of pollution.

Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) Stormwater Runoff Land Use

River Academy is a field-based Shoreline Sweeps engage River Tours provide citizens a college credit environmental 2,000 volunteers and remove 40 direct connection to the water science class also open to the tons of trash from 40 shoreline through paddling, hiking and public. Classes are instructed sites throughout the watershed biking tours led by expert by staff and local experts in annually. guides in and along waterways. Western . During rain events, water from streets, In rural areas or areas with separated Waterways in their natural state have roofs, and lawns runs off into storm sewer systems, rainwater runs directly areas of forest, shrub land or wetlands drains and combines with sewage off of buildings, roads, lawns, and along shorelines. This vegetation is in one system. When we get more farm fields into waterways, often with natural infrastructure that helps filter than a half inch of rain, the volume no type of filtration. This stormwater stormwater and control erosion. The Native Plant Guide Healthy Niagara Habitat Conservation Strategy of water overwhelms the system runoff carries nutrients and pesticides way we have developed the land in and overflows into local waterways from lawns and fields, toxins and our watershed has removed much by design. These overflows contain salts from roads, along with silt and of this natural resiliency resulting in not only stormwater, but untreated sediment from erosion. increased erosion and pollution from human waste, toxins, and debris. stormwater.

Sources for Ongoing Solutions You can help reduce stormwater and sewage pollution! Below are three different Green Infrastructure solutions you can apply at The Native Plant Guide is an Healthy Niagara is the Niagara River Habitat your own house to reduce the amount of stormwater from your property. educational tool to instruct first regional, community- Conservation Strategy is a local homeowners, nurseries, based initiative to develop a three-year long study which and organizations about Watershed Management Plan assesses and identifies critical Downspout Disconnection Rain Barrels Rain Gardens proper use of native plants in for the Niagara River Watershed. habitats for the entire Niagara landscaping. River Watershed.

Scajaquada Creek Initiative Living Shorelines Program Buffalo River Restoration

Disconnecting downspouts from Rains barrels are containers that A rain garden is a planted depression the sewer system allows roof water collect and store rain water for future that allows rainwater runoff from to drain to lawns and gardens. It’s a uses, such as watering landscaping, impervious urban areas like roofs, more natural way to manage roof while decreasing the amount of driveways, walkways, and compacted runoff as it allows water to soak into storm water runoff that leaves your lawn areas to be absorbed. This the ground as plants and soils filter property. A rain barrel is placed under reduces rain runoff by allowing storm Our Scjaquada Creek Initiative The Living Shorelines Program For the last 12 years, is dedicated to restoring the Riverkeeper has coordinated the pollutants. Downspouts on many the downspout to channel rainwater water to soak into the ground. Rain aims to restore both hardened water quality of Scajaquada and degraded shoreline areas to Buffalo River Remedial Action homes are connected directly the into the barrel for later use. gardens can reduce the amount of Creek and to transform this their natural, resilient, and self- Plan. Constuction is underway combined sewer system, contributing pollution reaching creeks and streams waterway into a vibrant, repairing form which will better on in-water and upland habitat to combined sewer overflows. by up to 30%. healthy, accessible ecosystem support a sustainable, higher- restoration along 8 sites on the for the entire community. functioning ecosystem. Buffalo River.

9 Riverwatch 2015 Water Quality Report Riverwatch 2015 Water Quality Report 10 The Riverwatch Team Volunteer Profiles Staff Ed Nickson Chirs Murawski - Director of Citizen Engagement Cayuga Creek (Niagara) and Gill Creek Liz Robbe - Water Quality Specialist Ed Nickson, a lifelong resident of Wendy Paterson - Community Liaison , has been a Jarrett Steffen - Community Engagement Manager dedicated Riverkeeper volunteer Interns for over 5 years. In addition to volunteering for Riverwatch and Jonathan Hughes – SUNY Buffalo Shoreline Sweeps, Ed provides handy- Hailie Suk – SUNY Buffalo man assistance at our office for many Jason Meyers – Rochester Institute of Technology projects. Ed enjoys giving back to his community. “I am very YELP Mentees happy to volunteer at BNR because I feel I can make a direct Babita Mainali– Riverside Institute of Technology contribution to improving the environment of WNY and admire Nicole Blake – South Park High School the great work the organization does,” expressed Ed. Riverkeeper Volunteers is thankful for all that you do! Buffalo Creek: Annabelle Wardzala, Lindsey Chadderdon, Holly Lower Tonawanda Creek Team Trombetto, Mariely Ortiz, Allysa Hessler, Emily Burch, Doug Riffel Jude Hammer, Valerie Macer, Mary McNeil Buffalo River: Jacob Peake, David Pfaff, Cynthia Kraft, Bob Adler Jude and Valerie have been part of Cayuga Creek (Erie County): Dana Havas, Jeremy Henning, the Riverwatch program since 2011. Haillie Suk Mary joined the team for the 2013 Cayuga Creek (Niagara County) and Gill Creek: Brian Barry, season and has been with the group Edward Nickson, Brian McGowan, Thomas Heyer ever since! Together, these ladies test Cazenovia Creek: Jim Nowak, Kimberley Klosko-Sorrentino, the Lower Tonawanda Creek and are Styphanie Torres some of our most reliable volunteers! Inner/Outer Harbor: Alex Desha, Patrick Colern, Kevin Knight Riverwatch has become a way for this Ellicott Creek: Mark Casper, Brian Foley group to give back to an area in their community that they Niagara River: Jim Galbo, Michelle Johnson, Sally Metzger, Kelsey enjoy so much. You may also find Val and Jude kayaking to hunt Burch, Katie Little, Joseph Nagle, Edward Beck and remove European water chestnut (Trapa natans), an aquatic Grand Island: Greg Madewjski, Diane Evans, Roy Tilghman invasive species. “I have passed my obsession on to friends who Scajaquada Creek: Elizabeth Oldfield, Glyn Holden, Jonathan also patrol Tonawanda Creek. How far the creek has come from Bona, Holly Graham, Julianna Crumlish the days when the water chestnuts were so thick that squirrels Tonawanda Creek Lower: Jude Hammer, Val Macer, Mary McNeil could cross from the shore to the island without getting their Additional Volunteers: Kristen Janson, Aneal Padmanabha, John feet wet!” Val recalled. Szalasny, Michelle Szalasny, Jay Kaplewicz

Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER® is a community-based organization dedicated to protecting the quality and quantity of water, while connecting people to water. We do this by cleaning up pollution from our waterways, restoring fish and wildlife habitat, and enhancing public access through greenways that expand parks and open space.

Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER® is a member of the global WATERKEEPER® ALLIANCE.

721 Main Street (716) 852-7483 bnriverkeeper.org @bnriverkeeper Buffalo, NY 14203

The 2015 Riverwatch Program and 2015 Riverwatch Water Quality Report was funded by: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Office of Environmental Justice and HSBC Water Programme