Conewago Creek Watershed
Monitoring Plan
This briefing synthesizes discussions and input from across the Conewago Initiative
partners and advisors (Chesapeake Bay Science and Technical Advisory Committee) on the
development of a shared monitoring plan and approach for the Conewago Creek and its
tributaries.
I.
Monitoring Goals:
A. BAY: Assess N, P, and sediment loads discharged by the Conewago basin
with goal of identifying changes in pollutant concentration in response to
practice implementation.
B. LOCAL: Assess changes in habitat/aquatic life to evaluate stream reach
health with goal of identifying response to practice implementation.
II.
Monitoring Locations:
A. Monitoring locations are based on existing/past monitoring conducted and
are also selected to be representative of land practices across the watershed
and best capture subwatershed information where new practices are
anticipated and will be concentrated.
1. 7 Mainstem Sampling Locations
2. 6 Tributary Sampling Locations
B. Intensive subwatershed monitoring using paired USGS gauges is desired but
not realistic at this time due to federal budget constraints. Subwatershed
candidates informed by best professional judgment of conservation districts
and farm survey results and discussed by the Monitoring Team include
Hoffer Creek, Lynch Run, and 1st Unnamed Tributary North. Further
discussion of the appropriate subwatershed for this paired monitoring
approach will be put on hold pending financial resources to establish paired
gauges in the subwatershed.
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Conewago Creek Initiative – Monitoring Team
III.
Monitoring Categories: The following monitoring categories were identified by
Conewago Initiative partners and are currently underway or are expected to be
added.
Category
Frequency
Parameters
Who1
Duration
Goal
(min)
2
Baseflow water
Bimonthly
pH
 DCCD
5 to 10 Y
quality
(6X/Y)
Conductivity
Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
Temperature
Total Nitrogen (TN)
Total Phosphorus (TP)
Turbidity
Monthly
Total Phosphorus (TP)
Dissolved Phosphorus (DP)
P, Ortho (DIP)
Nitrate (NO3)
Nitrate plus Nitrite (NO3+2)
Ammonia (NH4)
Total Nitrogen (TN)
Dissolved Nitrogen (DN)
pH
Conductivity
Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
Temperature
Alkalinity
Total Suspended Solids (TSS)
Turbidity
Chloride and Sulfate (for
denitrification)
Total Magnesium
Total Calcium
Total Organic Carbon
Macroinvertebrate
Assessment
Triennial
(1X/3Y)
Stream Habitat
Assessment (SHA)
Triennial
(1X/3Y)

USGS
gauges
(stations
3 and 11)
Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI)
referenced in ICES2 (Instream
Comprehensive Evaluation
Surveys) protocol – Biological
Sampling Methods, p. 17



DCCD
PA DEP
Etown
College
5 to 10 Y
DEP’s Water Quality Network
Habitat Assessment (ICE
protocol), p. 23



DCCD
PA DEP
Etown
College
5 to 10 Y
Based on entity currently monitoring and/or proposed entity(ies)
Dauphin County Conservation District (DCCD)
2ICE protocol:
http://files.dep.state.pa.us/Water/Drinking%20Water%20and%20Facility%20Regulation/WaterQualityPort
alFiles/ice2009.pdf
1
2
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Conewago Creek Initiative – Monitoring Team
Stormflow water
quality
2 storms per
quarter (8X/Y),
with 4-5 samples
per storm
(NOTE: USGS
limited to
submitting 10
samples per
year)
Stream stage
Discharge
measurements
Fish Community
Assessment
Page | 3
Total Phosphorus (TP)
Dissolved Phosphorus (DP)
P, Ortho (DIP)
Nitrate (NO3)
Nitrate plus Nitrite (NO3+2)
Ammonia (NH4)
Total Nitrogen (TN)
Dissolved Nitrogen (DN)
pH
Conductivity
Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
Temperature
Alkalinity
Total Suspended Solids (TSS)
Turbidity
Chloride and Sulfate (for
denitrification)
Total Magnesium
Total Calcium
Total Organic Carbon

USGS
gauges
(stations
3 and 11)
5 to 10 Y
Continuous
monitoring

5 to 10 Y
Flow
measurements
taken during
baseflow water
quality
monitoring
(bimonthly
6X/Y)

USGS
gauges
(stations
3 and 11)
DCCD
Continuous
monitoring using
transducers plus
frequent periodic
visits to establish
stable rating
Triennial
(1X/3Y)

USGS
(stations
3 and 11



LancCCD
TCCCA
PFBC
5 to 10 Y
10 Y
Conewago Creek Initiative – Monitoring Team
IV.
Monitoring Stations The following table describes the subwatershed stream
stations and the monitoring categories to be conducted at each. The stations are
listed chronologically – from upstream to downstream by subwatershed. The
second column “number on map” corresponds with the station locations shown
on the map. A summary of the sampling to be conducted is as follows:







3
Eleven (11) stations are recommended for baseflow water quality sampling.
Two (2) stations are recommended for intensive discharge measurements to
establish stable rates, eight (8) others for bimonthly flow measurements, one
one (1) other for biennial flow measurements.
Thirteen (12) stations are recommended for stream habitat assessment
(SHA).
Thirteen (12) stations are recommended for macroinvertebrate assessment.
Three (3) stations are recommended for fish assessment.
Two (2) stations are recommended for stormflow water quality sampling.
Two (2) USGS gauging stations (at which baseflow and stormflow water
quality sampling and intensive discharge measurements will be conducted).3
Link to real time data for USGS 01573710 (Site 11 on map):
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/pa/nwis/uv?site_no=01573710
Link to real time data for USGS 01573695 (Site 3 on map):
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/pa/nwis/uv?site_no=01573695
There have been discussions about the number of one or two additional USGS gauging stations to be situated in a
subwatershed for intensive subwatershed monitoring. Financial resources are not available for these
additional gauges at this time. If they do become available, integration of methodology for ungaged
stream locations is recommended, Archfield, S.A., Vogel, R.M., Steeves, P.A., Brandt, S.L., Weiskel,
P.K., and Garabedian, S.P., 2010, The Massachusetts Sustainable-Yield Estimator: A decision-support tool
to assess water availability at ungaged stream locations in Massachusetts: U.S. Geological Survey
Scientific Investigations Report 2009–5227, 41 p. plus CD-ROM.
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Conewago Creek Initiative – Monitoring Team
Conewago Monitoring Plan
Sub
No. on Station ID or
Watershed Map
location
description
Conewago
Creek
1
Game Lands 145
near Buckshot
Spring
Who
What Is currently
monitored
Proposed
additions/changes
Rationale
DCCD
DEP
NA (new station)
1.
Single station to capture Conewago
Creek in headwaters upstream of
major tributaries and prior to
significant land use influences. PA
DEP (Dan Bogar) conducted
sampling in spring 2010. One of
two stations proposed to become
permanent/ongoing sampling
locations in Lebanon County.
Protocol should mirror DCCD
sampling locations. Fish
assessment would assess
coldwater fisheries potential.
Captures downstream influence of
Little Conewago tributary on
mainstem.
2.
3.
4.
5.
3
CNWG 13.59
Wenger Farm
USGS 01573695
DCCD
DEP
1.
2.
3.
4.
5
Page | 5
Hershey Meadows
Etown
TCCCA
PFBC
1.
Baseflow water
quality, 6X/Y
Macroinvertebrate
assessment 1/5Y
SHA, 1/5Y
Discharge (flow)
measurement, 6X/Y
Baseflow water
quality, 2X/Y
Macroinvertebrate
assessment, 2X/Y
5.
Baseflow water
quality, 6X/Y
SHA, 1X/3Y
Macroinvertebrates,
, 1X/3Y
Discharge (flow)
measurement, 6X/Y
Fish assessment
USGS Stream Gauge
for baseflow,
discharge
measurements, and
storm sampling
Continue macros and
SHA, increase to
Triennial (1/3Y).
2. Discharge
measurement (flow
measurement)
3. SHA – conduct with
macros
4. Fish assessment
Conewago Creek Initiative – Monitoring Team
Monitoring underway with preand post instream restoration
conducted by TCCCA, USFWS, DEP
(319 project) makes this mainstem
location an important site for
inclusion in monitoring initiative.
Added benefit is the visibility and
accessibility of this site. Captures
downstream influence of Hoffer
Creek.. Fish assessment would
monitor fish habitat improvements
and track historic fish sampling.
7
CNWG 09.23
Aberdeen Mills
DCCD
1.
2.
10
CNWG 06.24
DCCD
11
USGS 01573710
near Hillsdale/
Sawmill Rd
intersection
USGS
DEP
13
CNWG 01.75
DCCD
Little
Conewago
Creek
2
LCON 00.00
DCCD
DEP
Hoffer
Creek
4
HOFR 00.02
DCCD
1.
Macroinvertebrate
assessment 1/5Y
2. SHA, 1/5Y
NA (new station)
1.
Baseflow water
quality, 6X/Y
2. Macro assessment
1/5Y
3. SHA, 1/5Y
4. Discharge (flow)
measurement,
6X/Y
NA (new station)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Page | 6
Macroinvertebrate
assessment 1/5Y
SHA, 1/5Y
Baseflow water
quality, 6X/Y
Macroinvertebrate
assessment 1/5Y
SHA, 1/5Y
Discharge (flow)
measurement, 6X/Y
Continue monitoring;
increase frequency of
macros and SHA to
Triennial (1X/3Y)
Continue monitoring;
increase macros and
SHA to Triennial (1/3Y)
1. Add USGS Stream
Gauge for baseflow
water quality,
discharge
measurements, and
storm sampling.
5. Continue all
current
monitoring;
increase macros
and SHA to
1/3Y
6. Add fish
assessment.
1. Baseflow water
quality, 6X/Y
2. Macroinvertebrate
assessment, 1/3Y
3. SHA, 1/3Y
4. Discharge
measurement (flow
measurement),
6X/Y
Existing DCCD site. Captures
downstream influence of Hershey
Meadows and other proposed
mainstem restoration projects.
Captures downstream influence of
Lynch and Brills Run.
Continue all current
monitoring; increase
macros and SHA to 1/3Y
Stations 4, 5, 8, 9, and 11 are all
currently monitored by DCCD and
should be continued with additions
noted.
Conewago Creek Initiative – Monitoring Team
Overall discharge information for
the basin that will include
continuous monitoring with water
quality measures for baseflow and
stormflow.
Existing DCCD site. Captures all
tributaries and represents most
downstream monitoring point.
Fish assessment will assess lower
watershed warmwater fishery.
Little Conewago Creek – water
quality and macroinvertebrate
upstream of confluence with
Conewago Creek. DEP has
conducted assessment in this reach
in the past. This is one of two
proposed stations within the
Lebanon County portion of the
watershed.
Gallagher
Run
6
GALG 00.45
DCCD
Brills Run
8
BRIL 00.19
DCCD
Lynch Run
9
LYNCH 00.20
DCCD
1st Unnamed
Tributary
North
12
UNTR 00.36
DCCD
Page | 7
1.
Baseflow water
quality, 6X/Y
2. Macroinvertebrate
assessment 1/2Y
3. SHA, 1/5Y
4. Discharge (flow)
measurement, 6X/Y
1. Baseflow water
quality, 6X/Y
2. Macroinvertebrate
assessment 1/2Y
3. SHA, 1/5Y
4. Discharge (flow)
measurement, 6X/Y
1. Baseflow water
quality, 6X/Y
2. Macroinvertebrate
assessment 1/2Y
3. SHA, 1/5Y
4. Discharge (flow)
measurement, 6X/Y
1. Baseflow water
quality, 6X/Y
2. Macroinvertebrate
assessment 1/2Y
3. SHA, 1/5Y
4. Discharge (flow)
measurement, 6X/Y
Continue all current
monitoring; increase
macros and SHA to 1/3Y
Continue all current
monitoring; increase
macros and SHA to 1/3Y
Continue all current
monitoring; increase
macros and SHA to 1/3Y
Continue all current
monitoring; increase
macros and SHA to 1/3Y
Conewago Creek Initiative – Monitoring Team
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Conewago Creek Initiative – Monitoring Team
V.
Data Management. The monitoring network for the Conewago Creek Initiative
will produce a substantial amount of data of varying types that will need to be
stored in a central location for easy use in the project. The output data will be
produced in a variety of formats both electronically and hard copy. As part of its
Conewago information technology (IT) platform, ZedX will acquire, assimilate,
and distribute this data in an efficient and user-friendly manner. The data will
be kept secure as required and will be used in spatial displays, overlays, and
inputs to and verification of models.
Data can be sent to or acquired by ZedX in a variety of methods. Some data, such
as USGS guage station data, can be downloaded automatically from the Web,
while other data, like stream assessments, will be acquired via hard copy in
person or through mail delivery. Where appropriate and possible, the IT
platform will allow for data upload directly to the central database. Other
methods, including email (zidek@zedxinc.com), fax (814-357-8499), and ftp
(ftp.zedxinc.com), will also be available for data sharing.
Contact information:
Jeremy Zidek
Senior Research Scientist
ZedX, Inc.
369 Rolling Ridge Drive
Bellefonte, PA 16823
phn: (814) 357-8490
fax: (814) 357-8499
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Conewago Creek Initiative – Monitoring Team
VI.
Costs. Costs of implementing this monitoring plan total approximately $56,000
to $62,500 annually. Funding for operation and maintenance of the two USGS
gages will be sought on an annual basis by USGS and should be available through
2014. Funding for all additional monitoring activities is available through April
30, 2013 through existing funding sources, including Section 604b, Section 319,
and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
For this monitoring plan to continue long term so that water quality impacts of
the Conewago Creek Initiative’s conservation work can be measured, additional
funding beyond 2013-14 will need to be secured.
The following represents a breakdown of monitoring costs:
Conewago Monitoring Plan Cost Estimates
Description
Includes annual gage costs ($14,500), water
quality sampling ($8,500), statistical related
interpretations ($2,000), and project
maintenance ($5,000)
USGA Gage #2 (Station 3) Includes all of the above, but second gage
results in overall costs savings
Macroinvertebrate
At 12 sites. $553.48 per site. Includes labor
sampling
for collection, subsampling, identification, and
entering data. Mileage included as well.
Water quality sampling
$115.75 per site. 8 sites @ 6X per year; 1 site
@ 2X per year. Includes labor for
collection/delivery and stream discharge
measurement, and data entry. Lab analysis
quote included (for TP, Orthophosphorus,
Nitrate, TKN, TN)
Fish sampling
Lancaster CCD, TCCCA in kind contribution
TOTAL ANNUAL COSTS (MACRO SAMPLING YEAR)
TOTAL ANNUAL COSTS (NON MACRO SAMPLING YEAR)
Monitoring Element
USGS Gage #1 (Station
11)
Page | 10
Annual Cost
$30,000
$20,000
$6,641.76
$5,787.50
$0
$62,430
$55,788
Conewago Creek Initiative – Monitoring Team