Size: 284,447 ha

Major Rivers: Otter Creek

Lake Segment: Otter Creek

ANR Coordinator: Ethan Swift

Major Issues of Concern

•Phosphorus runoff

•Viability of family farms

Research Questions Related to Modeling

What are the mechanisms by which phosphorus is transported from a farm to rivers/lake?

How can total phosphorus export be reduced in the Missisquoi and Pike River watersheds?

How do recommended BMPs differ in terms of mass balance, attenuation, temporal and spatial effects? Classify BMPs into three categories: a. Temporal buffering; b. Total mass reduction (increase regional export or decrease regional import); c. Attenuation (soil saturation point)

Which BMPs are most appropriate for use in agricultural watersheds in Vermont both for short-term reduction of phosphorus and long-term reduction?

How can implementation of BMPs be optimized over a watershed area to minimize cost and maximize load reduction?

Stakeholders

•NRCS

•State Ag Department

•Ethan Swift (Watershed Coordinator)

Complimentary Projects/Funding

•Meals, Cassell, Parsons, Jokela project for Little Otter Creek

•Lewis Creek MMI project

Data Availability

•Less water quality data than Mississiquoi

•Already resistance to get animal unit data.

•GIS coverages good.