PRESENTATION

Areas of Concern in the Hamilton Creek Watershed

• Road Crossings
• Erosion & sediment
• Changes in hydrology
• Runoff
• Oils, metals & salts
• Lake Region
• Erosion & sediment
• Septic systems
• Fertilizer use
• Yard & pet wastes
• Exotic species
• Loss of habitat
• Agricultural Areas
• Nutrient runoff
• Pesticide runoff
• Animal accesses
• Animal waste
• Timber Management Areas
• Road accesses/stand entries
• Harvesting riparian vegetation
• Sediment & erosion
• Recreational Activities
• Oil from watercraft
• Erosion of lakeshore/streambanks
• ORV/ATV/snowmobile trail erosion
• Historical Activities
• Mining sites
• Dump sites
• Old gas tanks

Sources of Pollution

• Point sources
• On-site sources
• Non-point source
  • Nutrients
  • Sediment
  • Bacteria
  • Pesticides
  • Temperature
  • Oils, grease & heavy metals
  • Changes in hydrologic flow

Sources of Nutrients Fertilizer runoff from fields & lawns Septic systems Animal wastes	Effects of Nutrients Cultural eutrophication Excess plant growth Decrease dissolved oxygen Changes in aquatic communities
Sources of Sediment Road Crossings Eroding streambanks Construction Livestock access	Effects of Sediment Decreased light Loss of breeding habitat for fish Loss of invertebrate habitat Increased erosion Decreased depth in lakes Increased amount of nutrients & heavy metals attached to soil
Sources of Bacteria Animal wastes Septic Systems Waste treatment plants Excess plant material	Effects of Bacteria Disease & illness Decreased oxygen levels Unpleasant odors Decreased diversity
Sources of Pesticides Runoff from agriculture & forestry Runoff from lawns & gardens	Effects of Pesticides Death or increased susceptibility to diseases Bioaccumulation Biomagnification
Sources of Temperature Changes Loss of riparian vegetation Impounding of water Factory cooling systems	Effects of Temperature Changes Decrease in dissolved oxygen Changes in aquatic communities Increased plant growth
Sources of Oils & Heavy Metals Street & parking lot runoff Motorized watercraft Improper disposal Industrial processes Atmosphereic deposition Natural sources	Effects of Oils & Heavy Metals Illness or death Biomagnification Fish advisiories
Sources of Changes in Hydraulic Flow Urbanization & development Forestry practices Impoundments Groundwater withdrawal	Effects of Changes in Hydraulic Flow Increased runoff Increased erosion Increased flooding Changes in water levels

How Does Non-Point Pollutioin Affect You?

• Decrease in aesthetics
• Decrease in recreational opportunities
• Loss of wildlife & habitat
• Increases erosion & loss of land
• Decrease in land value

What Can be Done?

• Limit use of fertilizers & pesticides
• Have your septic system checked often
• Provide a riparian buffer zone
• Have an on-site evaluation
• Become involved with the watershed project