SEDIMENT AND PHOSPHORUS FLUX OF OAK ORCHARD WATERSHED

A study of sediment and phosphorous flux was conducted in Oak Orchard Watershed to determine the impact that the Mucklands, a heavily farmed portion of the watershed that was artificially drained at the turn of the century, have on Oak Orchard Harbor. Previous studies demonstrate very high concentrations of TSS and Phosphorous in water draining the Mucklands; however, these waters are forced to flow through 10 miles of natural wetlands sequestering these high concentrations coming from the Mucklands. This study was conducted to determine how much TSS and P will be sequestered in the wetland part of the watershed. Measurements of discharge, TSS and P before and after the wetland were combined with surveys of stream gradient and channel characteristics to answer this question. This poster presents some preliminary results which suggest that TSS and P concentrations decrease with distance from the Muckland and that the conveyance characteristics of the wetlands could sequester some of this load. The study also shows that a water control structure at the downstream end of the wetland corridor may be an important control of flux of Phosphorous and sediment coming from the Muckland.