A GIS Approach to Identifying and Quantifying Non-Point Source Pollution in an Agricultural Watershed. (5523)
Authors:
F.R. Walker* - University of Tennessee
Abstract:
In 2002, the Pond Creek watershed (TN06010202013) in east Tennessee was listed on the 303(d) list of impaired waters for sedimentation, pathogens and nutrients.
Pond Creek is a small, agricultural watershed where the dominant land use is pasture-based beef and dairy systems. Prior to implementing a watershed-scale water quality improvement project the GIS-based Integrated Pollutant Source Identification (IPSI) system was used to estimate potential sources of non-point source (NPS) pollution and identify potential best management practices (BMPs) to improve water quality. Major land use classes (urban, agriculture, forestland, barren land, disturbed areas and water) were identified and quantified from infrared aerial photographs. Agricultural land use was delineated into cropland (with no, low or medium residue) and pasture (good, fair, over-grazed, and poor). Potential soil erosion losses from each land use class were estimated by assigning different values to factors in the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE). The results suggest that overgrazed, poor and fair pastures, and crops with low residue cover were significant contributors to the NPS pollution. The results were shared with
stakeholder groups in the watershed. Improved pasture management is now one of several BMPs being promoted in the watershed for water quality improvement.
Speaker Information: Forbes Walker, University of Tennessee, Biosystems Eng. &
Environmental Science, 2506 E J Chapman Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996; Phone: 865 974 6402; E-mail: [email protected]
Session Information: Tuesday, November 2, 2004, 4:00 PM-6:00 PM Presentation Start: 4:00 PM (Poster Board Number: 2251)
Keywords: GIS; Watershed; Pollution; Non-point