Ohio State University Logo Sugar Creek Method

  
Characteristics:

› Each Stream Is Unique

› Focus on Headwaters

› Encourage Local Participation

› Collaborate with Others

› Healthy Environment, Healthy Community

› A Holistic Approach

Related Information:

› Geography of the Sugar Creek Area

› Social Factors

› Water Quality & Testing

› Best Practices Implemented at Sugar Creek

› History of the Project

 Testing sites in the Sugar Creek

Water Quality and Testing Along the Sugar Creek

J. Results to date and plans:  (return to Water Quality page outline)

Our preliminary results suggest that specific landscape properties influence significantly the water quality of streams in agricultural watersheds of north-central Ohio. Specifically, increased forest cover, and to a lesser degree, pasture cover are correlated with lower concentrations of NO3 --N and NH4 +-N.

•  Additionally, our results suggest that total solids are associated with residential areas, rather than farmsteads or cropland. It is important to note that these relationships are correlative and do not necessarily imply causation.

•  In the future, we will continue our bi-monthly sampling and will develop predictive nutrient models that not only incorporate land use/land cover factors, but also more detailed geomorphic and soil factors, as well as social indicators.

With funds provided by an Ohio EPA 319 Non-Point Source Pollution Grant, we will continue to work with local farm owners (a vital part of our research team) to use the results of our monitoring and landscape modeling program to implement Best Management Practices.

 

Sugar Creek Method Overview | Each Stream Is Unique | Focus on Headwaters | Encourage Local Participation | Collaborate with Others | Healthy Environment, Healthy Community | A Holistic Approach

For more information about the Sugar Creek Method contact Richard H. Moore (moore.11@osu.edu),  Associate Professor, Human and Community Resource Development, The Ohio State University.