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HighlightsA Study of Phosphorus Loading of Ballston Lake by Tributary Inflow

Presentation to BLIA Annual MeetingJune 16, 2014

Scott Miller, Bob Duncan, Dave Pierce

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Over Last 10 Years Average Phosphorous Levels Increased from 25 to 40 P.P.B

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Three suspected sources:

1. Reintroduction of natural sources through lake level changes and lake ecology changes

2. Septic and fertilizer from shoreline residential development

3. Inflow from the watershed. This Study

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Three different tributaries were sampled.

HeavilyDeveloped

Slated for Future Development

RelativelyUndeveloped

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7 Storms Were Sampled

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Buell Heights P was 4 to 6 times more concentrated and contributed more Total P than other two creeks

Pounds of Total P by Storm

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

Buel04/20

Saun04/20

Swee04/20

Buel05/09

Saun05/09

Swee05/09

Buel05/15

Saun05/15

Swee05/15

Buel06/01

Saun06/01

Swee06/01

Buel09/18

Saun09/18

Swee09/18

Buel09/28

Saun09/28

Swee09/28

Buel10/18

Saun10/18

Swee10/18

Sam

ple

-Tot

al P

hosp

ohor

us (P

PB)

Ballston Lake Creek Phosphorus Measurements by Storm During 2012

↑ 705Legend

Storm P Range

Storm Averages

Buell Heights Creek

Saunders Creek

Sweet Creek

EPA Criteria (33 ppm) forstreams into lakes.

Part. Part. Part. Part. Part. Part.

EPA Criteria for creeks into lakes in our region

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Ranges of Total P by Storm

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Weekly Lake Samples Show Seasonality of P Measurements

Total P increased while rainfall decreased.

Total P measurements correlate with lake temperature

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Conclusions

• Phosphorus enters the lake from creeks 3 times (80-140 PPB) more concentrated than it leaves the lake (40 PPB).

• Buell Heights Creek has a mean concentration of 140 PPB with spikes up to 250 (vs. EPA guidelines of 35 to 40 for creeks).

• Buell Heights Creek contribute 4 to 6 times more phosphorus per acre of watershed than the rural tributaries.

• There is a seasonal component for lake P observations, that correlate with temperature.

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Recommendations• In 2012, NYS DEC listed B.L. as an impaired water requiring a remediation plan.• Enhance practices to reduce flow, such as wooded stream buffers, storm

retention basins, and artificial wetlands.– Consider sedimentation basins for Sweet & Buell Heights.– Roadside ditch cleanouts should be immediately seeded.

• Encourage the development of a municipal sewer system in B.L. watershed• Further Study

– Measure Lake P to verify seasonality.– Study D.O. profiles to verify biological transport. In Process.– Measure contribution of P by lake residents.– Measure tributary temperatures to determine temperature stratification, impacting

measurements.– Bacteria tests for Buell Heights.– Follow up stream tests in 5 years to measure changes and impact from banned

phosphorus in lawn fertilizer.