Pansini 1

Paul Pansini
Environmental Issues (ENVL 4300)
Lake Fred Water Management Plan
Abstract:
Watershed Management Plans are very important when it comes
to keeping any body of water clean and safe for many years to come.
In this report, I will discuss a watershed management plan for Lake
Fred, a small Lake in the middle of Stockton University that is having a
problem with high levels of nitrates and phosphates. The objective
after implementing my watershed management plan is to decrease the
levels of both nitrates and phosphates in Lake Fred by 75%, which will
bring them to a safe level for both plant and animal life to thrive.
My watershed plan for Lake Fred consists of 9 key elements that
will ensure a cleaner lake. First is the identification of the sources,
which can be found all around the Lake. I have concluded that most of
the nitrate and phosphate contamination came from urban
development around the Lake (Stockton Universitys campus), urban
development along Morses Mill (the main waterway that feeds into
Lake Fred), and lastly agriculture along Morses Mill. Runoff from these
areas is the main concerns and is some of main areas that are resolved
in this management plan.
The first step is planting vegetation buffers, using native plants,
between any agricultural and urban areas. These vegetation buffers
will act as natural filters and filter out any water that runs through
them and eventually into the water. Another step would be to monitor
and regulate the usage of non-natural fertilizers on farms and in urban
areas. Education plans will be implemented showing people what
should and should not used also showing them different ways to make
their homes and farms more ecologically safe, and water friendly. The
last step is addressing Stocktons campus runoff by installing a

Pansini 2
Contech storm water treatment system that will treat all runoff before
it is discharged into the lake. This will directly impact the water quality
of Lake Fred and will effectively lower the nitrate and phosphate levels
in the waters.
Through my Lake Fred Watershed Management Plan, I plan on
reaching my goal of lowering the nitrate and phosphate levels in the
lake by 75% in 36 months. I feel as if this is a realistic time frame in
which my plan can be put forth, implemented, and used to fix Lake
Freds problems. Monitoring will continue after the main goal is reached
to ensure clean water, and to allow us to address any problems we
may see.
Introduction:
Currently, on our campus here at Stockton University, we are
seeing an increase of both nitrates and phosphates in Lake Fred that
are posing a threat to the quality of our water and also to the well
being of our watershed. Nitrates and phosphates alone are very
important to any body of water as they help maintain the growth and
sustain life for many plants and organisms. But when the levels of
nitrates and phosphates rise and become excess, they become very
harmful to the watershed. Since algae are at the bottom of the food
chain, and depend of both nitrates and phosphates to feed, having an
unlimited source of food causes their growth to proceed unchecked (Partnership
For Environmental Education and Rural Health, 2016). This proves to be
devastating to both plant and animal species because the levels of phosphates
and nitrates that are intolerable to local organisms deplete dissolved
oxygen levels by causing these algae blooms, which block out the sun
and bring photosynthesis to a halt (The Effect of Different Levels of
Nitrate and Phosphate, 2016). These effects are devastating to both
plant and animal species, as they cannot survive in such conditions.

Pansini 3
Unfortunately, the rise of nitrates and phosphates in water
bodies is not very uncommon and humans are to blame. Human
sources of nitrates that can eventually enter water include septic
systems, animal feed lots, agricultural fertilizers, manure, industrial
wastewaters, sanitary landfills, and garbage dumps (MCPA, 2008).
Phosphorous on the other hand is very scarce in water, under natural
conditions, but since the late 1960s, humans have been a major
contributor to the phosphate problem (MCPA, 2008). Human sources
include partially treated and untreated sewage, runoff from agricultural
sites, and application of some lawn fertilizers (Oram, 2014). Because of
the observed increase in both nitrates and phosphates in Lake Fred, I
have created a Watershed Management Plan, focusing on 9 key
elements, that will help decrease the levels of nitrates and phosphates,
as well as increase water quality and ensure a strong future for our
lake.
1) Identifying Sources
Below, is a map (Figure 1) showing Lake Fred and the relationship it
has with other streams flowing in and out of it, giving us some clues
about where these nitrates and phosphates may be coming from. Also
on the map, Stockton Universitys Campus, land uses for this area,
buildings, and lastly roads both dirt and paved.

Pansini 4

(Figure 1)
To the left of Lake Fred is Morses Mill, the main stream that feeds
into the lake. To the right and off the map, is where water leaves the
Lake, eventually draining into the Ocean off the coast. Since Morses
Mill is the main waterway that leads into Lake Fred, what it carries and
where it travels before reaching the lake is essential in determining
where the increase of nitrates and phosphates are coming from. As
seen above, Morses Mill travels through a large section of land that is
used primarily for agriculture, which can be a problem as both nitrates,
and phosphates come from agricultural fertilizers and its runoff.
In addition to the agriculture, Morses Mill also flows past urban
development where further fertilizer runoff, sewage, and other sources
can lead to nitrates and phosphates entering the water. Because the
urban developed area had much more paved roads and parking lots,
runoff contamination becomes very easy because water simply cannot
infiltrate the pavement. Like Morses Mill, Lake Fred is also surrounded
by urban development being located in the middle of Stocktons
campus. This makes Lake Fred prone to runoff from the campus
buildings and facilities. Because of these aspects, both agriculture and
urban development should be considered the two main sources of the
problem.

Pansini 5
2) Load Reductions Required
For this Watershed Management Plan, lowering both the nitrate and
phosphate levels found in Lake Fred by 75%, will ensure a clean and
healthy Lake for years to come. Less algae blooms and a healthy plant
and fish population will be seen when the goal is reached.
3) NPS Management Plan
Fortunately for Lake Fred, a main way of lowering the nitrate and
phosphate levels by 75%, are by properly managing the waterways the
feed into the Lake upstream. Based on my information collected, I have
concluded that agricultural runoff is the main source of these
contaminants. To help lower the amount of fertilizer runoff in Morses
Mill, which then leads into Lake Fred, we must implement smart
farming. The first step in this process is to make sure that each farm
has some kind of vegetation buffer between the agricultural land and
the waterway. According to the USDA, Strategically placed buffer
strips in the agricultural landscape can effectively mitigate the
movement of sediment, nutrients, and pesticides within farm fields and
from farm fields (USDA, 2016). Simple plants can be used such as
native grasses and trees, that do not need as much water, and can
double by creating habitat for native animals as well.
Another way to help lower nitrate and phosphate levels is by
implementing restrictions and monitoring the use of agricultural
fertilizers. Farmers should not over fertilize their land, and should only
apply fertilizers during times of the year in which the fertilizer can be
absorbed. In the colder months, when the ground becomes more
impermeable, it becomes much easier for the fertilizer to runoff into
the waterways. By monitoring and restricting what and when farmers
should and should not fertilize, we can effectively lower the levels of
nitrates and phosphates that enter the waterways, including Lake Fred,
via runoff.

Pansini 6
For managing the Urban Areas some of the same concepts can be
used, but on a smaller scale. Banning the use of non-natural and
dangerous fertilizers is necessary to prevent unwanted fertilizer runoff
from entering the water. The planting of native plants that can be used
as buffer zones can be implemented in areas where urban areas
encroach on the stream banks can prove to be very important and
effective in filtering runoff from both commercial and residential areas.
According to the Natural Resource Defense Council, one of the most
important ways to prevent runoff of any kind is to limit the amount of
impermeable surfaces in an area (NRDC, 2012). This must be
implemented to any future builds or expansions of developmental
areas.
Lastly, on Stocktons campus, to help lower the amount of nitrates
and phosphates in Lake Fred we must limit the use of non-natural
fertilizers on campus. We are fortunate to have a high number of
native plants and sand soils to help filter out any runoff the Lake might
get, but unfortunately due to human needs, we have created a very
large area of pavement, buildings, and other highly impermeable
surfaces that make runoff very easy. Storm drains are great for
collecting that water but in order to ensure that the storms drains do
not simply make it easier for the contaminated water to enter Lake
Fred, storm water treatment systems will be added that will clean and
treat the water before it is discharged into Lake Fred. Below is a
diagram (Figure 2) showing how one works:

Pansini 7

(Figure 2)
4) Technical/Financial Assistance
For technical assistance this plan will first need contractors that will
build the storm water drainage system. New Jersey state contractors
with do to build the facility that will house the treatment machine, and
a private company, called Contech Engineering Solutions, will be used
to install one of their storm water treatment mechanisms. They have
engineered a system that uses a hydrodynamic separator that utilizes
swirl concentration and continuous deflective separation to screen,
separate and trap trash, debris, sediment, and hydrocarbons from
storm water runoff (Contech 2016). I think it would work great for our
needs to keep Lake Fred clean. Next we will need landscapers to plant
the native plants that will act as buffers in both the urban and
agricultural areas. Lastly, state employees will be needed to monitor
and collect data on these sites, reporting directly to the state. For this
Watershed Plan we will need an estimated $3M to cover costs.
5) Education Plan

Pansini 8
The education plan for this Watershed Management Plan is very
simple. First I will set up a collection of educational meetings with the
farmers from the agricultural areas, explaining the importance of
smart farming and the need to keep our waters clean. I will also use
this time to open them up to using native plants as vegetation buffers
that will allow any runoff going into the river to be naturally filtered by
these plants. Next I will focus on the urban areas both on and off
campus, teaching them how to minimize surface runoff in rural areas
by creating the least amount of impermeable surfaces as possible. I
will show the people that live in the area, as well as the residents of
Stockton different ways they can make their living spaces more
ecologically friendly without forfeiting their way of life. Planting native
plants, using non-toxic household products, and minimizing the amount
of non-natural fertilizers used are some of the ways to help keep
waters clean.
6) Implementing a Schedule
Below is a tentative timetable (Figure 3) of when I would like things
to be completed. The 3 stars seen in my table are my milestones,
which are very important to the completion of this management plan.
(Figure 3)
TASK
Planting vegetation buffers in
agricultural land areas / regulating
fertilizer usage
Planting vegetation buffers in
urban land areas/ begin
monitoring buffered areas (both
urban and agriculture)
Adding more permeable surfaces
to urban areas both on and off
Stockton campus
Installing the storm water
treatment system through
Contech

TIMELINE
4 months
8 months

11 months
14

months

Pansini 9
Monitoring areas upstream and on
campus for any changes in
contaminant levels
Lower nitrate and phosphate
levels in Lake Fred by 75%

16 months
36

months

7) Parameters Needed to Meet Milestones

The first milestone seen above can be considered a short-term goal,
but is very important to my plan. With the completion of all vegetation
buffers in both urban and agricultural areas, the plants can do what
they were put there to do, filter runoff and begin cleaning the
waterways. This is considered the first big leap in making Lake Fred
cleaner. My second milestone is mid-term goal, needing to be
completed about 14 months in. This is the installation of the Contech
storm water treatment mechanism that will treat all runoff collected on
Stocktons campus before it is discharged into the Lake. This is an
obvious goal as it will directly impact the water quality of Lake Fred.
Lastly is the long-term goal, 36 months down the road, when we hope
to lower the levels of nitrates and phosphates in Lake Fred by 75%.

8) A Set of Criteria Determining Whether Load Reductions Are

Being Achieved
In order to ensure that the Lake Fred management plan is indeed
working, the most obvious way to test that is by taking water samples
and testing for nitrates and phosphates to see if there is a decrease.
Another way is observe algae blooms in the lake, and in feeding
waterways. If there are less algae blooms occurring, then you could
use that as evidence that nitrate and phosphate levels have dropped. I
would also take sediment samples in the newly planted vegetation
buffers in order to see if the runoff is being adequately filter by these
buffers. All of these methods will allow me to ensure that my

Pansini 10
management plan is working, and will also allow me to address any
problem areas and deal with them accordingly.
9) Continued Monitoring
Even after my goal is reached continued monitoring is key to ensure
continued high water quality. Taking water samples throughout the
year would be the number one way to keep track of the nitrate and
phosphate level in Lake Fred. I would also continue to monitor all of the
newly planted vegetation buffers and maintain them when needed. Soil
samples from these buffers would be taken continuously to track the
effectiveness of the buffers. I would also regularly test the water
leaving Stocktons storm water treatment system to make sure it is
clean and ready to be safely discharged into the lake. With these
monitoring techniques, it will be simple to track the nitrate and
phosphate levels in Lake Fred, and will allow us to keep the data and
store it for future use.

Pansini 11

Work Cited

Studying the Effect of Different Levels of Nitrate and Phosphate

on the Macroinvertebrate Populations in Different Streams. (n.d.).
Retrieved February 22, 2016, from
https://www.tjhsst.edu/~ibet/0506/science/tbrobst.htm

Menu. (n.d.). Retrieved February 22, 2016, from

http://www.wheatleyriver.ca/current-projects/wrig-pilot-nitratestudy/nitrates-and-their-effect-on-water-quality-a-quick-study/

Nutrients: Phosphorus, Nitrogen Sources, Impact on Water

Quality - A General Overview. (2008, May). Retrieved February
23, 2016, from
https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/wq-iw3-22.pdf

How to Clean Up Our Water. (2012, August 22). Retrieved

February 23, 2016, from
http://www.nrdc.org/water/pollution/gsteps.asp

Natural Resources Conservation Service. (n.d.). Retrieved

February 23, 2016, from
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/home/?
cid=nrcs143_023568

CDS Stormwater Treatment. (n.d.). Retrieved February 23,

2016, from http://www.conteches.com/Products/StormwaterManagement/Treatment/CDS#1822140-description

Pansini 12