An Evaluation of Stream Flow Characteristics and Fecal Coliform Loads in Sayler\u27s Creek Watershed, South Central Virginia

The Sayler\u27s Creek watershed is located within Prince Edward County, Nottoway, and Amelia Counties of the south central region of Virginia. The Sayler\u27s Creek Watershed consists of two small creeks: Big Sayler\u27s Creek and Little Sayler\u27s Creek. The Environmental Protection Agency has Big Sayler\u27s Creek listed as impaired and not Little Sayler\u27s Creek. Based upon visual inspections of the Sayler\u27s Creek watershed throughout the year, Little Sayler\u27s Creek is inlpaired for fecal coliform instead of Big Sayler\u27s Creek. Another hypothesis of this study is that fecal coliform levels are directly related to runoff from cattle ranches in the immediate floodplain of this river basin. The objectives of this study was to attempt to prove or support that there is a positive relationship between discharge and fecal coliform concentration and to analyze hydrologic conditions and fecal coliform concentrations in order to assist in an accurate determination of fecal coliform loads in Sayler\u27s Creek. Five sites were chosen for the study due to their accessibility. Cross sectional profiles, depths, and current velocities were measured at each site. Hydrologic and Microbiological data was regressed and graphically analyzed to determine the significance of relationships. Within the watershed as a whole.the analyses show a statistically significant relationship between discharge and fecal coliform concentration (p-value = 0.004). Statistical analysis for each site was performed as well to examine the results obtained for the overall watershed. Fecal coliform loads are comparatively higher in Little Sayler\u27s Creek than in Big Sayler\u27s Creek. Within the watershed as a whole, there is evidence to support that fecal coliform concentration is related to stream discharge. Comparatively speaking, Big Sayler\u27s Creek has higher discharge values overall in the four flow stages. However, Little Sayler\u27s Creek has a higher fecal coliform load. The results from this study indicate that both Big Sayler\u27s Creek and Little Sayler\u27s Creek are impaired with respect to fecal coliform standards. More research is needed to accurately determine the level and potential causes of the fecal coliform impairment inthe Sayler\u27s Creek watershed. To determine the extent of impairment, hydrologic characteristics need to be determined. Loads of fecal coliform, instead of concentration, is a necessary determination to better assess the actual amounts of fecal coliform that is being delivered by the Sayler\u27s Creek System. This data can be used to set a priority ranking for the Sayler\u27s Creek Watershed. This method would incorporate hydrologic characteristics into the TMDL decision-making process