Carlson Pond: Sedimentation Analysis

Jessie Balbiani, Shell Howard, Bret Lytle, Chris Pike Charlie Haley-Withers

Purpose

• Provide an overall assessment of the pond • Health• Behavior• Potential

Goal

1. Estimate how much sediment has accumulated since the pond’s formation about 20 years ago

2. Determine the water content and organic content of accumulated sediments

3. Evaluate the ponds potential for fish stocking

Influencing Factors

Influencing Factors

Influencing Factors

Influencing Factors

Hypothesis

• Expected high rates of accumulation– High erosion from fields– Increased organic accumulation from tree

• Believe rapid rate of shallowing would not make pond a viable location to stock fish

Sampling Locations

In The Field

• Water level was much lower than expected

• Sediment depths did not follow anticipated linear pattern

• Modified sampling sites

Field Methods: Taking Core Samples

o Mechanics of KB Core Deviceo Acts as a Strawo Remote Closingo Intact Cores

Field Methods:Taking Core Samples

Core Sample Extraction

Field Methods:Taking Core Samples

o Samples as Evidence

o Layers are Distincto Measured full deptho Measured organic layer

o Separation of Organic and Clay

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Methods Lab analysis of Sediment Cores

• Equipment used • Drying oven • Muffle Furnace • Scale in micrograms

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MethodsLab Analysis of Sediment Cores

• Core preparation • Water siphoned off top of core• Sediment pushed up in core from bottom until

1cm was exposed • First 10cm of each core removed 1cm at a

time and placed in labeled sample cups.• Samples weighed wet, dry, post furnace.

Methods Lab Analysis of Sediment Cores

• Reducing samples • 1cm layers weighed individually wet• Placed in drying oven at 60C for 72hr• Weighed individually after drying • Placed in Muffle Furnace at 600C for 3hr• Cooled in desiccant box before final

individual weighing

Methods Field Analysis of Sediment Cores

RESULTS

• Highest sediment by dam, ~ 7cm total– Clay layer

• total estimated sediment accumulation 6.42 m3 (bath. Group)

• Not much sediment build up

RESULTS

0.400 0.600 0.800 1.000 1.200 1.400 1.600 1.8000

2

4

6

8

10

12

Organic Content

Core 1Core 2Core 3

Organic Weight (g)

Sedi

men

t dep

th (c

m)

8.000 10.000 12.000 14.000 16.000 18.000 20.000 22.000 24.0000

2

4

6

8

10

12

Water Content

Core 1Core 2Core 3

Water Weight (g)

Sedi

men

t dep

th (c

m)

DISCUSSION

Organic content• Multiple sources of organic content

–Willow tree, grasses, crops in farmfield• Organisms (zooplankton etc.) depend on

organic content• High organic content could potentially

help support a small fishery.

Sediment Accumulation

• 7 cm, Not significant amount of sediment accumulation– Shallowing not a concern

• Wind blown deposition– Trees

• Runoff not issue– Buffer zones

Management Recommendations

Riparian Buffer Systems• Separate water body from

agricultural activity• Remove nutrients,

sediments, and pollutants from surface runoff

• Provide wildlife habitat

Includes:• Forest Riparian Buffer• Grass Riparian Buffer

Forest Buffers• Studies show sediment can be

reduced up to 86% within 6.6 meters of the buffer

• Fast growth (Cottonwood, Oak)• Slow growth (Pine)

Grass Buffers• Studies show 99% of total

suspended solids from runoff events can be removed in 9 meters of grass

• A majority of pollutants have found to be reduced in 10-15 meters of buffers

• Cool and Warm Season Grasses

Feasible Fish Introduction

Recommended SpeciesLargemouth Bass and Yellow Perch/Bluegill

Main Goal• Production of large perch/bluegill

and quality largemouth bass for recreational fishing

After Introduction• Limit harvest of the bass• Sufficient bass density is needed to

control recruitment of bluegill or perch

• Successful reproduction and recruitment of bass is vital, by having good water quality and habitat

• Perch and Bluegill eat algae, plankton, insects, fish eggs, crayfish, snails, leeches, and worms

• Largemouth bass eat perch/bluegill, insects, and worms

References• Boyd, Claude. Bottom Soils, Sediment, and Pond. New York: Chapman

&Hall, 1995. Print

• Guy, Christopher S., et al. 1991. Evaluation of Largemouth Bass-Yellow Perch Communities in Small South Dakota Impoundments. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. 11:43-49

• Mankin, Kyle R., et al. 2007. Grass Shrub Riparian Buffer Removal of Sediment, Phosphorus, and Nitrogen from Simulated Runoff.

Journal of the American Water Resources Association. 43:1108-1114

• Schoonover, Jon E., et al. 2006. Agricultural Sediment Reduction by Giant Cane and Forest Riparian Buffers. Department of Forestry.

Water, Air, and Soil Pollution. 169:303-315.