A goal of this project is to demonstrate the effectiveness of various agricultural management plans on steep-sloped highly erodable hydrologically sensitive farm lands to upstate farmers

Makarewicz, Joseph C.

English

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Articles and Newsletters Studies on Water Resources of New York State andthe Great Lakes
Winter 2006
Agricultural BMPs in the Conesus Lake Watershed:
Monitoring Impact
Joseph C. Makarewicz
The College at Brockport, jmakarew@brockport.edu
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Makarewicz, Joseph C., "Agricultural BMPs in the Conesus Lake Watershed: Monitoring Impact" (2006). Articles and Newsletters. 6.
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In the rolling hills of upstate New York lies Conesus 
Lake one of the smallest of the Finger Lakes.  Its 70 
square mile watershed contains seven municipalities 
and is a source of drinking water to 
about 15,000 residents inside and 
outside of the watershed. This 
picturesque lake is used recreation-
ally by many for swimming, boating, 
fishing and aesthetic enjoyment.  
About one-half of the land use 
within the Conesus Lake watershed 
is agricultural – mostly dairy farms 
and a mix of soybeans and corn. 
Runoff from agricultural lands 
containing soil and nutrients poses a 
potential threat to water quality of 
the Finger Lakes.  The environmental 
effects of agricultural runoff on 
surface water bodies, including 
eutrophication and sedimentation, 
are serious local, regional and 
national issues.  A dilemma for 
governmental leaders in agricultural 
areas is that their most important 
economic industry, agriculture, may 
also be the cause of environmental 
degradation. For farmers, difficulties 
are further exacerbated by the high 
profile increase of governmental 
regulation on agricultural opera-
tions.  A goal of this project is to 
demonstrate the effectiveness of 
various agricultural management 
plans on steep-sloped highly erod-
able hydrologically sensitive farm 
lands to upstate farmers.  
The Conesus Lake Watershed Group (CLWG) was 
formed in 1999, and includes members from different 
areas of the agricultural community, county health and 
planning departments, Cornell Cooperative Extension 
and the State Universities of New York at Brockport 
and Geneseo. In 2001 the CLWG worked together to 
develop a research plan that blends the needs 
of the agricultural community, the lake 
Applying Knowledge to Improve Water Quality
Your Name
Agricultural BMPs in the Conesus Lake 
Watershed:  Monitoring Impact
community, and managers to address non-point source pollu-
tion from agricultural land use. 
The project utilized the experimental watershed approach, 
where best management p actices (BMPs) and management 
plans were implemented in targeted sub-watersheds.  Soil 
and nutrient monitoring results from the targeted watersheds 
were then compared to results from 
watersheds where BMPs had not been 
implemented.  Total farm management 
planning and the implementation of at 
least one BMP has occurred in three 
targeted watersheds.  Types of BMPs 
included the elimination of winter 
manure practices and the use of gully 
plugs to decrease soil erosion.
Observable outcomes and impacts of this 
project to date include:
•  Significant decreases in particulate 
forms of nutrients and a 94% decrease in 
soil loss during the fall season.
•  Significant short-term decreases in 
phosphorus, nitrate and total Kjeldahl 
nitrogen losses to the watershed. 
•  Significant long-term reduction of 
nutrients in streams and retention of 
nutrients in the watersheds where nutri-
ent reduction BMPs were instituted. At 
the same time a cost savings of about 
$5000 from reduced fertilizer purchases 
while maintaining crop yields was 
realized (See  Northeast Dairy News, April 
2005).
•   Significant reductions in total coliform 
bacteria in streams where BMPs have 
been implemented in the wateshed.
•  Results from the project empower 
regional policy makers and managers to 
develop optimal strategies for improving land usage in water-
sheds while significantly improving water quality and 
decreasing the abundance of nuisance plant species in down-
stream ecosystems.
For more information on the Conesus Lake Watershed 
Manipulation and papers about project results, view the 
project web site http://www.envsci.brockport.edu/Conesus_ 
Project/.
Photo credit: Lynn Airel
About Conesus Lake (Livingston County, NY):
Serves as the public 
water supply for 
approx. 15,000 people 
A manure pit (best management practice) designed for a 
farm adjacent to a Conesus Lake tributary
(photo credit: http://www.envsci.brockport.edu)
Area: 3,420 acres
Shoreline: 18.4 miles
Max. width: 1 mile
Max. depth: 66 feet
http://rwqp.rutgers.edu
An additional objective of the Watershed Resto-
ration and Protection Planning Workshop was to 
utilize the capacity of the participating stake-
holder groups for future initiatives that will guide 
the watershed restoration effort in an effective and 
inclusive manner.  These initiatives will include the 
formation of a statewide working group that will 
meet regularly to, among other things, decide on 
topics for future, more area-specific technical work-
shops.  The working group will also provide perspec-
tives on lessons learned from past restoration efforts 
to help guide future work.  
The first working group meeting 
was held on February 21st, 2007 
and was attended by representa-
tives from Rutgers University, the 
New Jersey Department of Environ-
mental Protection, Watershed Asso-
ciations, a water utility, local govern-
ment agencies, and other stake-
holder groups.
Several goals and objectives of the 
Working Group were identified in 
this first meeting.  One goal is to 
help watershed stakeholders 
produce better watershed restora-
tion and protection plans more quickly and at a lower 
cost.  But what makes a plan “better”?  Several Working 
Group members explained that a better plan will be one 
that is easiest to understand by the end user, such as a 
municipality or watershed association.  Additionally, a 
better plan might be one that is the most effective in 
improving water quality in the most practical way.  For 
example, a bioretention system placed in one part of a 
watershed might not be as effective in another part.  
Outputs from hydrologic models that make this distinc-
tion may be an important component of a plan.  Finally, a 
better plan is one that is the most “implementable”  (i.e., 
has the best chance is being approved, funded, and will 
lead to permits being granted for restoration projects).  
The Working Group will continue to address these and 
other important issues in addition to planning technical 
workshops that will help watershed stakeholders use 
the tools that they will need to be used to prepare and 
implement watershed restoration and protection plans.   
There is a wealth of watershed tools and technical 
information available.  The Working Group will attempt 
to hone in on the most appropriate tools for New 
Jersey and provide the necessary training.
- 2 -
“How do I Prepare Watershed Restoration 
and Protection Plans?”
The answer to this question was tackled at the Rutgers 
EcoComplex in Bordentown, New Jersey, where a statewide 
January 19th, 2007 workshop was conducted.  The objective 
of this workshop was to provide a comprehensive introduc-
tion to watershed restoration and protection planning to a 
diverse audience of stakeholders in New Jersey while inter-
jecting relevant examples and perspectives from invited 
guests.   The event was sponsored by the Regional Water 
Coordination Program, the Rutgers Cooperative Extension 
Water Resources Program, and the New Jersey Sea Grant 
Extension Program.
On October 2005 the United States Environmental Protection 
Agency (USEPA) published a draft of the 
Handbook for Developing Watershed 
Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters.  
The workshop segments followed the 
format of the Handbook while provid-
ing a New Jersey perspective.   Those 
providing the New Jersey perspective 
were watershed management experts 
from the New Jersey Department of 
Environmental Protection, Rutgers 
University, the New Jersey Water Supply 
Authority and the Delaware River Basin 
Commission.
Workshop participants were also lucky 
to have several out-of-state speakers be a part of the work-
shop, including Stuart Lehman (co-author of the Handbook) 
of the USEPA.  Additionally, Susan Cormier of the National 
Center of Environmental Assessment gave a presentation on 
the USEPA Stressor Identification Protocol, something that 
New Jersey’s watershed stakeholders and regulators have a 
tremendous interest in learning more about and using in the 
watershed restoration planning process.  Finally, Brian 
Benham, Director of the Center for TMDL and Watershed 
Studies at Virginia Tech share his experiences in Virginia. 
A variety of stakeholder groups were represented in the 
workshop audience of 90, including representatives from: 
federal government agencies, state government agencies, 
local government agencies, watershed volunteer organiza-
tions, consulting companies, and more.
Visit http://www.water.rutgers.edu for more information, 
including PowerPoint presentations from the workshop.
Photo: Brian Benham of Virginia Tech speaks to an audience of 90 
watershed volunteers and professionals at the Rutgers EcoComplex.
Statewide Watershed Restoration 
Working Group for New Jersey
This year’s Annual Conference for the USDA CSREES National Water 
Quality Program was held in Savannah, Georgia.  Region 2 had strong 
representation at the National Conference.  Dr. Tammo Steenhuis from 
Cornell University presented his work on distributed hydrologic modeling 
of runoff generation and total dissolved phosphorus transport.  Dr. Christo-
pher Obropta from Rutgers University presented his approach to restoring 
of the Robinsons Branch Watershed by integrating research, education and 
extension.  Ms. Sandra Goodrow from Rutgers University presented her work 
on watershed management through regional stormwater planning in a 
mixed land use watershed.  Dr. 
Gladis Zinati from Rutgers Univer-
sity presented her research on 
capturing and recycling runoff 
from nursery operations.  Mr. 
Jeffrey Potent, the EPA Liaison to 
the Land Grant Colleges in Region 
2, not only presented in the Water 
Quality Trading Symposium but 
also chaired as session on water-
shed monitoring.  Mr. Gregory 
Rusciano chaired a session on 
ecosystem restoration. 
The National Conference has always 
been an opportunity to meet with 
colleagues and share ideas.  This 
conference was no exception with 
over 500 people in attendance and 
a wide collection of symposia, workshops, oral presentation and poster presen-
tations.  A Region 2 meeting was held at the conference, which provided a 
chance for research faculty, extension faculty, and county agents from New York, 
New Jersey and Puerto Rico to meet and discuss opportunities to partner on 
new integrated programming for the Region.
The highlight of the conference was a presentation from Dr. Gale Buchanan, the 
USDA Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics on the 2007 
Farm Bill Proposal.  To a packed room of over 120 people, Dr. Buchanan outlined 
the newly proposed Farm Bill and its implications on the Land Grant Universi-
ties.  Dr. Buchanan talk was very well received.
In the end, the underlying theme of the conference was that the National 
Water Quality Program is here to stay.  Through stakeholder-driven, 
extension-led integrated programming, the USDA CSREES National Water 
Quality Program is achieving real measurable impacts that are helping the 
taxpayers of America solve their water resources problems.
- 3 -
Report from the National Water Quality Conference
REGIONAL WATER QUALITY 
COORDINATION PROJECT PARTNERS
NEW JERSEY
Christopher C. Obropta
Project Director / Regional Coordinator / 
Watershed Management 
Working Group Team Leader
Rutgers Cooperative Extension
14 College Farm Road
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Tel: (732) 932-4917
Email: obropta@envsci.rutgers.edu
NEW YORK
Tammo Steenhuis and Larry Chase
Nutrient Management 
Working Group Team Leaders
Cornell University
206 Riley-Robb Hall / 272 Morrison Hall
Ithaca, New York 14853
Tel: (607) 255-2489 / (607) 255-2196
Email: tss1@cornell.edu / lec7@cornell.edu
PUERTO RICO
Rafael Davil-Lopez
Animal Waste Management 
Working Group Team Leader
University of Puerto Rico
PO Box 21120
San Juan, PR 00928
Tel: (787) 767-8281
Email: radavila@upr.edu
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
Kofi Boateng
Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems 
Working Goup Team Leader
University of the Virgin Islands
RR #2, Box 10,000
Kingshill, St. Croix
US Virgin Islands 00850
Tel: (340) 692-4066
Email: kboaten@uvi.edu
OTHER CONTACTS
Jeffrey Potent
USEPA Region 2 Liason
290 Broadway, 24th Floor
New York, NY 10007
Tel: (212) 637-3857
Email: potent.jeffrey@epa.gov
Gregory Rusciano
Regional Program Associate
Rutgers Cooperative Extension
14 College Farm Road
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Tel: (732) 932-2739
Email: greg.rusciano@rutgers.edu
Agricultural best management practices
Conservation and resource management
Human dimensions
Rural environmental protection
Watershed assessment and restoration
CONFERENCE THEMES
CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS
(http://www.usawaterquality.org/
conferences/2007/default.html)
PowerPoint presentations
Poster abstracts
Presenter contact information
Symposia proceedings
The Regional Water Coordination Program staff maintain 
a website (http://rwqp.rutgers.edu) that provides links to 
a variety of online technical resources from organiza-
tions such as USDA, USEPA, trade associations, and other 
organizations.  The USEPA manual entitled, “Guidelines 
for Water Reuse,” provides a good overview of regula-
tions, technical considerations and case studies for 
municipal, agricultural and other types of reuse 
programs.  Applications of reuse for agriculture are 
covered more in depth by USDA CSREES publications 
and the Water Conservation and Use in Agriculture 
infoNET, which is an online international community and 
repository for technical papers.  Additionally, the pub-
lishers of the Water Environment and Technology trade 
magazine dedicated the May 2006 issue to describing 
water reuse case studies, including one in Hawaii (which 
maybe be related to the similar climates of Puerto Rico 
and the U.S. Virgin Islands).
Making Use of Water Reuse 
Informational Resources
UDSA CSREES Regional Water Coordination Program for
New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Department of Environmental Sciences
14 College Farm Road
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
CALL FOR ARTICLES
If you are interested in submitting an article for a 
future issue of the Regional Newsletter please email 
a 250-500 word article in MS Word format to Gregory 
Rusciano (greg.rusciano@rutgers.edu).   Correspond-
ing photos should be of TIFF or EPS formats and 300 
dpi resolution or greater.  
The article should cover a research, education, exten-
sion, policy, regulatory or other technical topic in the 
area of nutrient management, watershed manage-
ment, water reuse, agricultural water management, 
onsite wastewater treatment system management, 
or animal waste management.
This material is based upon work supported by the Cooperative 
State Research, Education and Extension Service, United States 
Department of Agriculture, under agreement number 2005-
51130-03318.   Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommen-
dations expressed in this publication are those of the authors(s) 
and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States 
Department of Agriculture.


Agricultural BMPs in the Conesus Lake Watershed: Monitoring Impact

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