Agricultural Runoff in Selected Vermont Watersheds: Main Report

This report provides evaluations of the existing and future condition of agricultural and forest land runoff in nineteen Vermont watersheds. These heavily agricultural watersheds drain to lakes and ponds of primary concern to Vermonters for control of accelerated eutrophication. The report briefly examines the existing and projected land, water, social, and economic resources of the study area. It reviews the aging process, or eutrophication, of all or portions of the receiving lakes and ponds. It covers particular problems and concerns within each of these water quality management areas. Total phosphorus is the limiting nutrient to eutrophication and is summarized by major point and nonpoint sources to each of the water quality management areas. The significance of agricultural and forest land contributions is readily apparent. The major agricultural nonpoint sources of phosphorus are cropland soil erosion, inadequate manure storage and utilization, and barnyard and milkhouse runoff. The major forest land source is excessively eroding harvest roads. In finding solutions to agricultural runoff problems, an array of alternatives are compared. These are evaluated in terms of their effectiveness in: (1) reducing phosphorus losses; (2) controlling erosion and sediment; (3) minimizing overall cost of runoff control; and (4) minimizing farm costs in the control process. A suggested plan and its effects are provided. The watersheds are also ordered in a suggested ranking for implementation of nonpoint source control measures.