WATER-QUALITY STATUS OF A USDA WATER-QUALITY DEMONSTRATION PROJECT INTHE EASTERN COASTAL-PLAIN

A 5-year research study was initiated in 1990 at the USDA Water Qualit y Demonstration Project in the Herrings Marsh Run (HMR) watershed in D uplin Country, North Carolina. The HMR watershed is representative of an eastern Coastal Plain watershed with intensive agricultural practic es (e.g., crop, swine, poultry, and cattle production). Stream water s ampling stations were established at four locations in the watershed t o evaluate the influences of the agricultural practices on stream wate r quality. Stream water at the HMR Tributary (Station 2) was consisten tly lower in quality than water from the HMR Main channel (Station 3). Nitrate-N levels normally exceeded 5 mg/L in stream water at the HMR Tributary. These data indicate that current and past agricultural mana gement practices have degraded stream water qual ity at specific locat ions. Implementation of improved management practices has the potentia l to produce measurable improvements in the quality of water in the de monstration watershed.