DELAWARE
In the past several years, Delaware has become increasingly concerned about
having to close down beaches to swimming for extended periods because of
bacterial contamination. Lake water quality and designated uses, such as public
swimming, are threatened primarily by high levels of Enterococcus bacteria.
Saving a Recreational Treasure
Trap Pond is one of Delaware's most important freshwater recreational
resources. Located in the Nanticoke - watershed, a priority watershed that
drains into the Chesapeake Bay, Trap Pond is the recreational focus for Trap
Pond State Park. So Delaware officials were understandably concerned about the
lake's deteriorating water quality. Although the watershed has no point
discharges and little developmental pressure, erosion, pollution transport, and
increased nutrient influx were contributing to the lake's surface and
groundwater pollution. Increasing bacterial contamination and symptoms of
accelerated eutrophication such as sedimentation and algal blooms were becoming
increasingly obvious each season.
A comparative study found that Saunders Branch, the major tributary to Trap
Pond, had elevated bacteria and phosphorus levels. Sanitary surveys revealed
the two probable causes--a direct discharge from an underground septic system
and livestock with direct access to the stream. Property owners were notified
of the leaking septic systems and corrected the problem, and the affected areas
of Saunders Branch responded immediately with decreased bacteria levels.
Livestock accessibility, the second cause, was addressed with a one-year
section 319 grant of $84,419. This funded a conservation planner through the
Sussex Conservation District and Soil Conservation Service. The planner
provided technical assistance to implement animal waste management systems and
nutrient management plans on farms throughout the watershed. Some 98 percent of
the producers installed manure storage facilities, buffer strips, and other
best management practices. And all producers fenced livestock out of
streams.
Water quality sampling will continue throughout 1994 and 1995 to document
expected decreases in bacteria and phosphorus levels. Bacteria levels will
likely drop in the short term; phosphorus level decreases may take longer.
Strong support and collaboration among the public, livestock producers, and
multiple agencies have brought improvements. Swimming continues as the main
contact recreation for thousands of visitors to Trap Pond State Park.
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