Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2009DE166B

A Comprehensive Management Plan to Reduce Nonpoint Pollution of the Cool Run Watershed on the University of Delaware Campus

Institute: Delaware
Year Established: 2009 Start Date: 2009-03-01 End Date: 2010-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $1,750 Total Non-Federal Funds: $3,500

Principal Investigators: Anastasia Chirnside, Nicole Dobbs

Project Summary: Cool Run is a tributary within the White Clay Creek Wild and Scenic watershed. The waters in this watershed have been listed by the EPA as impaired because of levels of nutrients, dissolved oxygen, bacteria, and sediments. The head waters of Cool Run are located on the University of Delaware campus where there exist nonpoint sources of pollution from agricultural, industrial, residential and urban areas. This watershed management project will contribute to the Universitys initiative to promote a healthier environment and sustainability. Depending on management practices, our agricultural activities on campus could have a negative impact on the water quality of the stream. Living in the Chesapeake region my entire life, I have a deep appreciation for its resources and have a desire to improve the ecological conditions, thereby improving the quality of life for both aquatic and land organisms. Ecological restoration will also positively impact local economies including the fishing and oyster harvesting industries. The focus of this project relates to my field of study, Environmental Engineering, and will allow me to apply valuable technical skills to actual field work. The ultimate goal of this project is to finalize a comprehensive watershed plan for the Cool Run watershed. The plan will include an expansion of Best Management Practices, specifically ways to reduce runoff and better manage stormwater. My objectives in this project are to calculate current pollutant loads to the tributary and provide an estimation of the costs for the implementation of the Best Management Practices to reduce pollutant loading, a schedule for implementation, a description of measurable milestones, continue an ongoing stream monitoring effort, and a plan for public education on the watershed and our restoration plan