State of the Streams Loudoun County: 2005 Loudoun Strategic Watershed Management Planning Conference February 23, 2006 Presented by: Darrell Schwalm Loudoun Watershed Watch Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy

Loudoun Watershed Watch formed in 2001 as an alliance of citizen groups and county authorities concerned about stream quality –Goal #1 – provide a forum for collaboration among citizen and county stakeholders –Goal #2 – Compile water quality and stream health data and make it available to the public –Goal #3 – Provide stream quality educational materials and stream stewardship projects

LWW – Accomplishments LWW distributed the first Loudoun watershed map and activity guide for Loudoun's 37,000 public school students.LWW distributed the first Loudoun watershed map and activity guide for Loudoun's 37,000 public school students. LWW distributed a summary report on stream health in Loudoun CountyLWW distributed a summary report on stream health in Loudoun County LWW organized the Catoctin Watershed Project to support TMDL implementationLWW organized the Catoctin Watershed Project to support TMDL implementation

Compiled countywide stream monitoring data and published, State of Loudoun Streams: 2002 Report.Compiled countywide stream monitoring data and published, State of Loudoun Streams: 2002 Report. Prepared “Comprehensive Stream Monitoring Strategy for Loudoun County”Prepared “Comprehensive Stream Monitoring Strategy for Loudoun County” Maintains a website with stream monitoring data and educational materials a website with stream monitoring data and educational materials

Catoctin Watershed Project Catoctin Riparian Buffer Restoration Projects in 2005 and 2006Catoctin Riparian Buffer Restoration Projects in 2005 and 2006 Catoctin Creek Canoe Clean-up with Boy Scouts in 2005 and 2006Catoctin Creek Canoe Clean-up with Boy Scouts in 2005 and 2006 Bacteriological monitoring since June 2005 to presentBacteriological monitoring since June 2005 to present

Loudoun Family Stream Day 2002 – Rust Sanctuary, Leesburg2002 – Rust Sanctuary, Leesburg 2003 – Ashburn Park and Library2003 – Ashburn Park and Library 2004 & 2005 – Broadlands Community Center2004 & 2005 – Broadlands Community Center

Watershed Planning – Key Components 1 Establish Watershed Management FrameworkEstablish Watershed Management Framework Identify Key StakeholdersIdentify Key Stakeholders Evaluate Current State of the WatershedEvaluate Current State of the Watershed Establish a Collective VisionEstablish a Collective Vision Set a Clear StrategySet a Clear Strategy Establish a Process for Applying the Watershed PlansEstablish a Process for Applying the Watershed Plans 1 “Local Watershed Management Planning in Virginia,” VA DCR

State of Streams: 2005 An updated water quality assessment of Loudoun County streamsAn updated water quality assessment of Loudoun County streams Measures impacts on streams from land usesMeasures impacts on streams from land uses Characteristics assesses:Characteristics assesses: –Physical and biological water quality parameters –Aquatic biota, stream habitat, and riparian buffers Characteristics not assessed:Characteristics not assessed: –Channel stabilization and erosion potential –Water flow and storage –Threatened and endangered wildlife species

DEQ’s Water Pollution Studies DEQ conducted four bacteria and one benthic TMDL studies in Loudoun CountyDEQ conducted four bacteria and one benthic TMDL studies in Loudoun County Studies identified pollution sources and calculated steps needed to restore water quality.Studies identified pollution sources and calculated steps needed to restore water quality. Provides the type of data needed to take action to clean up Loudoun waters.Provides the type of data needed to take action to clean up Loudoun waters.

State of Streams: 2005 Table of Contents Executive Summary Chapters: IntroductionIntroduction Assessing Stream HealthAssessing Stream Health Impaired Stream WaterImpaired Stream Water Countywide MonitoringCountywide Monitoring RecommendationsRecommendations Watershed Profiles: Beaverdam CreekBeaverdam Creek Catoctin CreekCatoctin Creek Limestone BranchLimestone Branch Lower Goose CreekLower Goose Creek NF Goose CreekNF Goose Creek Piney RunPiney Run

Findings: Impaired Waters Impaired Waters – Loudoun streams are impaired – they don’t meet state water quality standards and they are often not safe for recreational use: Sugarland Run Broad Run Goose CreekSycolin Creek Tuscarora CreekLittle River NF Goose CreekBeaverdam Creek Catoctin CreekNF Catoctin Creek SF Catoctin CreekPiney Run Limestone Branch

Fecal pollution from livestock with access to streams is the #1 cause of impairments Findings: Sources of Nonpoint Pollution

Streambank erosion is filling our streams with sediments that destroy habitat for aquatic life and pollute the Chesapeake Bay Findings: Impact of Agricultural Land Uses

Development is destroying riparian buffers, increasing stream flows, and eroding stream banks Findings: Impact of Impervious Surfaces

High volume stormwater flows in urban areas are polluting our streams and erode stream banks Findings: Impact of Stormwater Flows

Findings: Impact of Inadequate BMPs BMPs do not protecting against down- stream erosion and property damage

Findings: Stream Habitats Flooding, erosion and sediments are creating poor habitat conditions for aquatic life in many streams

Recommendations

Watershed Management Planning! Loudoun County must develop plans to implement the Federal Clean Water Act, the Chesapeake Bay Act, and Virginia Water Quality Standards

Loudoun Water Management Authority! Loudoun County should create a water management authority to develop watershed management plans for each watershed, and oversee initiatives to restore the quality of Loudoun streams

Loudoun County needs a countywide stream monitoring program to provide data to develop watershed plans, and to assess impacts of new BMPs on water quality and stream health. Countywide Stream Monitoring Program!

Collaboration between State, County, and Citizens! –DEQ –DCR –Loudoun Soil and Water Conservation District –Loudoun County Health Department –Loudoun County Building and Development –Loudoun County General Services, Public Works –Loudoun County Planning –Loudoun County Sanitation Authority –Citizen Groups We need to combine resources to tackle water pollution:

Government--Citizen partnerships are the best way to solve problems like these...

... and to help educate riparian property owners.

Where to Find Information About Water Quality and Stream Health Websites: ch.orgwww.LoudounWatershedWat ch.org Sites Include: Educational MaterialsEducational Materials Water Quality DataWater Quality Data LWW State of Loudoun Streams ReportsLWW State of Loudoun Streams Reports Catoctin Watershed Project ActivitiesCatoctin Watershed Project Activities