Poster Abstract Details

Author(s):
Joseph G. D'Angelo, Christopher J. Anderson, Ph.D.

Affiliation:
Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Science

Presentation Type:
Poster

Topic Area:
Monitoring and predicting human influences on landscapes and ecosystems

Abstract Text:
The Tallapoosa River watershed drains some of the most rapidly urbanizing counties in the nation. This study examines the transport of stream sediment an phosphorus from small perennial streams in to Saugahatchee Creek and eventually the Tallapoosa River. Sediment, and the phosphorus that is frequently transported with it, can severely degrade downstream water quality and negatively impact habitat for aquatic organisms. In order to efficiently manage for negative impacts on water quality, it is important to know the source of stream sediments. It is generally thought that the increase in impervious surface resulting from urban development and runoff has primarily impacted stream water quality. However, the possibility exists that a major portion of the sediments seen in streams were formerly legacy material deposited during the Cotton era, and are currently being dislodged from stream banks during periods of high stream flow. Sixteen sub-watersheds, ranging in size from 100 to 600 hectares have been chosen to represent four phases of development from forested reference to active construction. Study streams are being monitored for flow dynamics, channel erosion, nutrients, and suspended sediments. Land use is also being documented within each watershed in an effort to detect relationships between land cover characteristics and water quality. This project will determine the nutrient and sediment source(s) while building a detailed snapshot of conditions within the Saugahatchee Creek watershed to serve as a basis for future projections in the Tallapoosa River basin.