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Contributing further to the impairment of Goose Creek is the lack of forest coverage . Only 44.3 % of areas within 300 feet of the water have tree cover . The forest canopy surrounding streams is crucial because it acts as a filter to protect water quality for local wildlife , insures habitats for these animals and facilitates their movement . Tree , shrub and grass buffers of 32 to 125 feet can reduce nitrogen in the water by 61-78 %. Nitrogen washes into the water through runoff of excess fertilizers and animal waste from farms or lawns ; too much nitrogen in the water can cause algae blooms , which in turn prevent sunlight from reaching vegetation in the water . Algae can also produce toxic chemicals and increase water treatment costs . Sediment also washes into the water from unprotected stream banks , suffocating aquatic animals and vegetation . Fencing livestock out of the water and planting riparian buffers creates a healthy environment for animals and the water .
For over twenty years , Goose Creek Association ( GCA ) has conducted benthic and chemical stream monitoring to gauge the health of the water . Today , professionals test the water monthly for pH , dissolved oxygen , e-coli , nitrogen and phosphorus . These measurements show changes in the water at different locations and times . For example , an increase in a specific nutrient in one area could point to the source of pollution . Measurements taken for bacteria , such as E . coli , test if the water could make people ill . It is important to the Goose Creek , Potomac and Chesapeake
GCA ’ s strategic vision is to restore the water quality of Goose Creek to a recreational level from its currently impaired status as defined by the VDEQ . GCA recently hired a River Steward , added professionally tested chemical water monitoring stations , added an online mapping program to share data from all monitoring stations , and created a dedicated fund to support these programs and encourage local landowners to implement best management practices ( BMPs ). GCA ’ s River Steward , Matt Frost , will educate the public on environmental issues such as the results of monitoring the water , as well as resources for residents to help implement BMPs . The public can view the data from all monitoring stations in Loudoun and Fauquier Counties on Goose Creek Watch , an online , interactive map on GCA ’ s website that shows each monitoring station ’ s location , testing data , safe thresholds and photographs of the sites .
Bay watersheds that nutrients and sediment be controlled .
Another way that Goose Creek is monitored is with volunteers like us who collect and count macro-invertebrates , i . e ., small spineless bugs . Twice a year , volunteer monitors sift through the stream water and count the bugs . They do a real-time assessment of the water ’ s health by following a prescribed protocol , while enjoying the beauty of the Goose Creek . Certain organisms , such as aquatic worms , can thrive in almost any environment . In contrast , others , like stoneflies , are considered very intolerant of impairment and do not survive even small changes in their environment . A large population of organisms considered very intolerant to impairment indicate that the stream is a clean and stable ecosystem .
Matt Frost , GCA ’ s River Steward , told us that , “ the most
Stream monitors inspect findings .
important thing to share with the public is how they can get involved with supporting GCA and Goose Creek because every bit of support truly helps make a difference .” Everyone can make a few easy changes , such as not littering , limiting fertilizer usage , recycling , and planting trees , shrubs and grasses along waterways . For landowners with running surface water , plant-
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