pollutants and problems
water quality
rain events
Water quality of the Papillion Creek system is considerably diminished during rain events. The Papio’s streams throughout the metropolitan area are receptacles for stormwater runoff from parking lots, commercial lots, industrial sites, streets, driveways, roofs, alleys, stores, and finely manicured lawns. This water flows along gutters into storm drains and eventually spills from stormwater outfalls installed at regular intervals in the Papio stream banks. This water carries with it: a) sand and salt compounds from winter street treatments, b) oil, antifreeze, and gas drippings from thousands of vehicles, c) excess fertilizers and lawn chemicals from urban lawns, parks, golf courses, commercial grounds, schools, colleges, and other grassed areas, d) industrial chemicals and petroleum products as a result of spillage and leaks at work sites, e) pet wastes, f) sediment from construction sites, and g) garbage and trash. There are no enforceable controls on stormwater water quality.
The extensive growth in western Douglas and Sarpy Counties involves considerable earth-moving at construction sites. While some sites display a good use of Best Management Practices in the controlling of sediment loss, equally as many other sites can be found lacking the appropriate catch basins, silt fences, and seeding or biodegradable erosion control netting. There is also excessive construction within the flood plains of the Papio streams. Extensive construction in flood plains results in easy transfer by surface flow of sediment and other pollutants into the near-by stream.
The combined sewer overflow (CSO) outfalls in the Papillion system add to the mixture of pollutants in heavy rainstorms by adding raw sewage to the streams which significantly increases the (total fecal coliform) bacteria in the water. An unpleasant odor has been noted at several locations around the metropolitan area near outfalls (even near outfalls that are not CSOs). Traditional thought has held that bacteria has a life of only several days, however, studies have found that bacteria can remain in streambed sediments for extended periods and with proper conditions, reproduce and multiply. At the least, bacteria levels are known to skyrocket during rain events and remain at elevated levels for about another week. Fishermen, boaters, or anyone wading in the stream and accidentally splashes water in his or her mouth or into an open sore, might experience gastrointestinal problems, skin irritations, or other difficulties.
Water clarity is poor during wet weather with such high turbidity that the water is brown without any transparency. Significant amounts of plastic bottles and bags, aluminum cans, styrofoam, woody debris, and numerous other types of garbage and trash float down the Papillion Creek during rain storms. This trash is swept from lawns, yards, streets, sidewalks, and store lots into the storm drain and carried to the streams. Trash that had been dumped down streambanks adds to it. Undesirable liquids or other substances may accompany these bottles and cans, adding to the introduction of other pollutants to the water.
Fish kills have occurred after rain events. Fish are found dead along the banks, likely due to reduced oxygen and increased sediment in the water. Sediment collects in gills and reduces the fish’s ability to exchange oxygen from the water. However, since few in-depth investigations for the causes of these fish kills takes place, it is difficult to know exactly what is responsible for the fish losses. High levels of ammonia and other acidic or toxic compounds are found to cause fish kills in Iowa and other states. Also, water temperature of downstream reaches rises and pH levels drop (becomes more acidic) during rain events, also contributing to the stressful conditions for fish.
dry weather
Many of the water quality problems associated with wet weather are reduced in severity during dry weather. However, water quality continues to be below acceptable levels. Streams still carry excessive suspended sediment even when there has not been a rain, especially true of the South Papillion Creek. A clouded appearance is often seen in many of the urban streams, attributable perhaps to illicit hook-ups and dumping. Bacteria levels exceed Nebraska State Water Quality Standards in the Big Papillion Creek, even when there hasn’t been a rain. PCBs and Dieldrin levels have been found by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to exceed state standards in both the Big Papillion and West Papillion Creeks. These pollutants are not healthy and significantly reduce the quality of these streams.
dumping and illicit hook-ups
Dumping and illicit hook-ups are two other problems for the Papillion Creeks. The dumping of tires, cans, old appliances, junk metal, styrofoam, building materials, concrete, rebar, lumber, and yard wastes contribute to the pollution of the streams. Leakage and degradation of some of these products increases acidity and puts toxins into the water. Even worse is the dumping of old or leftover paints and varnishes, oils, antifreeze, insecticides, pesticides, herbicides, house chemicals, cleaning fluids, and other commercial or industrial waste liquids. These greatly damage water quality and create toxic, fatal conditions for fish and macroinvertebrates. Dumping occurs along many of the streams in or near the urbanized area. Illicit hook-ups are direct connections from a pollutant source to the stream, rather than to the municipal sewage system. This allows direct entry of waste water into the stream and degrades water quality.
impacted aquatic communities
During storm events in urban areas, the water runs off very quickly and soon swells the Papio Creeks. The NRD has straightened, deepened and channelized the streams to enable them to handle the water quickly and with less chance of flooding. But as a result of this, habitat for aquatic communities, such as small bays, protective rocks, and fallen trees, are not present in these channels. Smaller fish species, both mature and juvenile, are unable to find refuge from the high velocity of the water in these channelized reaches and are swept away. Macroinvertebrates meet the same fate.
Lack of suitable habitat prevents colonization and re-populating by both fish and macroinvertebrates during times of lower water levels. Streambed and stream-dwelling insects need rocks, snags, and vegetation upon which to deposit eggs and for larval attachment. These are not found in the channelized reaches of the Papillion streams to any great extent. Another problem is the sediment. Fish eggs and streambed insects are covered by suspended sediment that settles out after a rain event. Suffocation is the result. Excessive amounts of fertilizers, chemicals, pesticides and herbicides in the streams (during dry weather as well as wet weather), leaves the water with fewer fish and macroinvertebrates than it would naturally contain.
agricultural impacts
Present-day agriculture in Washington, Douglas, and Sarpy Counties is composed mostly of corn and soybeans. Terrain is rolling and hilly in Washington County where the majority of agriculture in the watershed is located. Soils are light and easily eroded by wind and rain. In pre-settlement days, the soil was held in place by the deep roots of tall-grass prairie grasses, such as big blue stem and Indian grass. Cultivation has removed the grasses, and leaves the soil vulnerable to erosion. However, proper farming techniques can control soil loss, keeping it in place or at least reducing the amount that is carried away by rainfall. Rainwater flows into the streams in the agricultural areas via water courses, small ditches, gullies, and through sheet-and-rill runoff from fields. It carries with it soil, fertilizers, herbicides, and bacteria, if there has been manure spread on the field.
Despite the documented value of conservation farming practices for the protection of water quality and aquatic communities, many methods are not practiced. The one exception is terracing. Many hillsides in Washington County have terraces. And some contour farming is done. But one or two practices alone will not do the job. It requires the combination of multiple practices to effectively reduce erosion. Most notable is the striking lack of buffer strips along the headwaters of the Papio creeks. Fields are farmed with corn or soybeans up to the edge of the stream banks. The suspended sediment that is so prevalent in the streams is a direct result of soil loss from these fields and from stream banks/channels. Algae contribute to turbidity as well, and the increased levels of algae in streams comes from the fertilizer that is swept along in the runoff. Lastly, livestock operations are expected to contain the runoff from their open feedlots, but if this is not done properly, bacteria will be washed via small ditches or surface runoff into receiving streams.
Livestock with access to streams adds considerable bacteria to the water. Bacteria counts in most all of the Papillion Creek streams are significantly above the water quality standards for Nebraska.
lack of accessibility to the streams
The Papillion Creek streams have limited usage by residents of the watershed. Except for bicyclists, joggers, and walkers on metro-area trails that parallel several of the Papio creeks, the streams themselves are seldom used. And even for the users of the trails, the creeks are out of view throughout the length of those trails except at street crossings or street overpasses when the trail moves over or closer to the stream bank. Picnicking, wading, recreating, or nature enjoyment near the streams does not occur.
The steep-banked streams themselves are not conducive to these activities. The deep channelized streams do not lend themselves for easy access by anyone and are particularly difficult for a family or a senior citizen. Attractive native plantings are not along the streams so the view while fishing is not scenic. Additionally, the species available are generally limited to carp, catfish and several of the river species that swim upstream from the Missouri River. Thus, despite the publicity placed on the trails along the creeks, there is actually very little interaction by trail users or the public with the streams, and little water quality awareness.
impoundments
Dams have been placed on streams in the Papillion Creek Watershed, and more are planned in the upper reaches of the streams. Dams and impoundments put “walls” into the streams, isolating and fragmenting the aquatic fish and macroinvertebrate communities. This threatens the genetic diversity because when populations are cut off from one another, inbreeding occurs. As inbreeding continues, the population begins to lack the natural genetic variations that ensure the species’ abilities to cope with stressful or changing conditions, and weaknesses are magnified. Eventually the population declines and dies out. This has happened repeatedly across the Midwest and Great Plains, resulting in the loss of native prairie fish species.
water quality impacts
When it rains try to imagine what is carried into the stream by runoff from the lands surrounding the Papillion Creek system. Soil particles that are unprotected (crop fields, construction sites, neglected sites) are pulled loose and carried by the flowing rainwater into the nearest stream. Attached to the soil particles can be phosphorus and bacteria. Dissolved in the runoff may be nitrates, herbicides, and chemicals. In the cities, rainwater flushes oil and gasoline from the streets and parking lots that has dripped to the cement by tens of thousands of automobiles. Petroleum products don’t mix with the water; instead, they form a film on the surface of the water. And just as in agricultural areas, fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides applied to urban lawns and grassed areas, as well as the leakage of other chemicals, are washed into the Papillion Creek as it makes its way through Omaha.
Silt and sediment reduces available sunlight that limits aquatic vegetation growth, covers fish and frog eggs on the streambed and makes it more difficult for aquatic organisms to feed and reproduce. Oil and petroleum products put a film on the surface which prevents oxygen from dissolving at the water-atmosphere interface. Chemicals, herbicides, and pesticides can change the acidity of the water and can contribute to toxic conditions that are foreign to the natural make-up of the stream water. Excessive use of fertilizers can contribute to a highly eutrophic condition in the streams which results in excessive algae and low oxygen conditions.
These conditions described above are a result of Nonpoint Source Pollution. This pollution, unlike Point Source Pollution, can not necessarily be traced to one particular pipe or outfall. This pollution comes from various land use practices, air pollutants, and sewer overflows – plus daily activities of people like you. The sources of pollutants come from many different sites. Individually, the different pollutants may not be a major concern, but taken as a whole they can result in widespread water quality problems that must be addressed.
papillion creek on 303(d) impaired waters list
We are doing this project because the Big Papillion Creek and the West Papillion Creek have been listed by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality on the state’s Clean Water Act Section 303(d) list of impaired waters. This is a listing of waterbodies in the state that do not meet state standards for water quality. (click here for map of water monitor sites)The Big Papillion is listed for fecal coliform bacteria from the confluence of Butter Flat Creek near the Douglas-Washington County line to the confluence of the Little Papillion, and for PCBs and Dieldrin for the length of the Big Papillion. The West Papillion Creek is listed for PCBs and Dieldrin from the North Branch of the West Papillion Creek to main stem Papillion Creek. The DEQ will have to complete Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for these impaired streams. TMDLs are plans for reducing the pollutants to bring the water quality back to acceptable state standards.
water quality monitoring in the papillion creeks
The Papillion Creek Watershed Project has up to 32 water quality monitoring sites in the watershed. (See map.) In situ (in-stream) monitoring is conducted with a multiparameter Hydrolab MS5 which measures temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, specific conductivity, and turbidity. These parameters and total fecal coliform bacteria are collected every two weeks over a two month period during summer, 2006. Selected sites have water samples collected for lab analyses for nutrients, pesticide/herbicide chemicals (including PCBs and Dieldrin) and petroleum products. Data will be collected during both dry and wet weather . Water quality data will be used to determine stream reaches with diminished water quality and compared to the adjoining land use to better identify sources of pollution.
The description and importance of the in-stream monitoring parameters are as follows:
Temperature – Measurement of intensity of heat “stored” in a volume of water. Streams classified as warmwater, such as the Papio, should not exceed 89 F. Warm water 1) reduces the water’s ability to hold dissolved gases, such as oxygen; 2) Affects solubility of chemical compounds and influences the effect of pollutants on aquatic life.
pH – A measure of the acid content of the water, measuring thr hydrogen-ion [H+] concentration. pH of less than 7 tends towards acidic, while pH of greater than 7 is alkaline or basic. River water in this area tends to be somewhat alkaline under normal conditions. Water containing a great deal of organic pollution will make the water more acidic. Most forms of aquatic life tend to be very sensitive to pH.
Dissolved oxygen (DO) – Measures the amount of oxygen dissolved in the water and its availability for fish and all other aquatic organisms. Concentration in surface water is usually less than 10 mg/liter. DO below 5 mg/l puts stress on aquatic life. Fish kills occur if the dissolved oxygen level drops below 1-2 mg/l for a few hours. DO is subject to diurnal and seasonal fluctuations. It is essential for respiration of aquatic life. It affects solubility and availability of nutrients (nitrogen, nitrates).
Specific conductivity – This is the measurement of the ability of the water to conduct electric current. The greater the concentration of ions (dissolved metals and other particles), the greater the current. Natural waters vary between 50-1500 uS/cm. This can be an alternative measure of dissolved solids.
Turbidity – The measurement of suspended particulate matter in the water column as measured by the interference of the passage of a beam of light through the water. It measures the dispersion of light in a column of river water due to various particles suspended in the water, including silt, clay, algae, organic material, and microorganisms. High levels of turbidity increases the total available surface area of solids in suspension upon which bacteria can grow. Also, high turbidity reduces light penetration, thus impairing photosynthesis of aquatic plants which reduces fish productivity. Lastly, high turbidity means that fish/amphibian eggs and macroinvertebrates are likely to be covered by settling of particles. Low dissolved oxygen accompanies highly turbid conditions.
Fecal coliform bacteria – While the total coliform bacteria group is widely spread in nature and can be found in the soil, fecal coliform bacteria is found in the feces of all warmblooded animals, including domestic livestock, waterfowl, wildlife, pets, and in sewage from humans. They are considered “indicator bacteria” because they indicate the possible presence of other more dangerous pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and protozoans. Ingestion or contact with fecal coliform bacteria can result in gastro-intestinal upset and skin rashes. Fecal coliform bacteria levels rise with increased runoff levels.
