Big Pine Big Pine WatershedWatershed

Past & PresentPast & PresentPresented to Warren County Natural Resources Presented to Warren County Natural Resources

Community Forum, September 21, 2004Community Forum, September 21, 2004

Brent LaddBrent LaddWater Quality SpecialistWater Quality Specialist

Purdue UniversityPurdue University

Big Pine Watershed Big Pine Watershed OverviewOverview

Historical water quality and habitat Historical water quality and habitat referencesreferences

Recent water quality and stream flow dataRecent water quality and stream flow data Permitted dischargersPermitted dischargers Endangered species and habitatsEndangered species and habitats Outstandingly remarkable values (ORV’s)Outstandingly remarkable values (ORV’s) Land use and storm water runoff changesLand use and storm water runoff changes Discussion: where from here?Discussion: where from here?

Historical InferencesHistorical Inferences

Written accounts of nearby river Written accounts of nearby river systemssystems

Father Louis Hennepin, 1679, Kankakee Father Louis Hennepin, 1679, Kankakee River: “The [Kankakee] is navigable for River: “The [Kankakee] is navigable for canoes to within a hundred paces of its canoes to within a hundred paces of its source…through vast marshes…as far source…through vast marshes…as far as the eye could reach...After passing as the eye could reach...After passing the marshes there was only great open the marshes there was only great open plains of tall grasses which the Miami plains of tall grasses which the Miami had burned while hunting buffalo…”had burned while hunting buffalo…”

Historical InferencesHistorical Inferences

Caleb Lowens, (1815), Caleb Lowens, (1815), Travel Accounts Travel Accounts of Indiana in 1815of Indiana in 1815: “The Wabash…is not : “The Wabash…is not subject to those sudden floods and rapid subject to those sudden floods and rapid streams, so prevalent on the Western streams, so prevalent on the Western Waters. Its rising is slow and regular, Waters. Its rising is slow and regular, taking several weeks to get to full beds – taking several weeks to get to full beds – and as long and slow in falling – in and as long and slow in falling – in common times it does not run more then common times it does not run more then 1 & ½ miles per hour and seldom if ever 1 & ½ miles per hour and seldom if ever exceeds 2 1/2…exceeds 2 1/2…

Historical InferencesHistorical Inferences

……It is a beautiful and valuable stream It is a beautiful and valuable stream – the water generally perfectly clear – the water generally perfectly clear & transparent – exhibiting a clean & transparent – exhibiting a clean gravelly bottom – It abounds with gravelly bottom – It abounds with Fish of various kinds – Bass Pickeral, Fish of various kinds – Bass Pickeral, Pike, Perch, Catfish.” Caleb Lownes, Pike, Perch, Catfish.” Caleb Lownes, 1815.1815.

Historical InferencesHistorical Inferences ““It was in the month of April (1825) when I It was in the month of April (1825) when I

first saw the Wabash River…Schools of fishes first saw the Wabash River…Schools of fishes - - salmon, bass, redhorse, and pike – swam - - salmon, bass, redhorse, and pike – swam close along the shore, catching at the close along the shore, catching at the blossoms of the re-bud and plum that floated blossoms of the re-bud and plum that floated on the surface of the water, on the surface of the water, which was so which was so clearclear that myriads of the finny tribe that myriads of the finny tribe could be could be seenseen darting hither and thither amidst the darting hither and thither amidst the lipid element, turning up their silvery sides as lipid element, turning up their silvery sides as they sped out into deeper water.” (Cox, 1860)they sped out into deeper water.” (Cox, 1860)

Cox, S.C. 1860. Recollections of the Early Cox, S.C. 1860. Recollections of the Early Settlement of the Wabash Valley. Courier Settlement of the Wabash Valley. Courier Steam Book & Job Print. House, Lafayette, Steam Book & Job Print. House, Lafayette, Ind. 160 pp.Ind. 160 pp.

Historical InferencesHistorical Inferences

Maximilian, Prince of Wied over wintered Maximilian, Prince of Wied over wintered from Oct. 19, 1832 to March 16, 1833 at from Oct. 19, 1832 to March 16, 1833 at New Harmony…On a trip with Le Sueur he New Harmony…On a trip with Le Sueur he commented that “The river is commented that “The river is clear clear and and dark green, and the bottom, which is dark green, and the bottom, which is plainly plainly seenseen, is covered with bivalve shells (, is covered with bivalve shells (UnioUnio), ), as well as with several kinds of snails.”as well as with several kinds of snails.”

Maximilian, Prince of Wied. 1843. Travels in Maximilian, Prince of Wied. 1843. Travels in the interior of North America. Ackerman the interior of North America. Ackerman and Co., Strand. Pp. 74-92.and Co., Strand. Pp. 74-92.

Historical InferencesHistorical Inferences George Winter, recorded in 1841 at George Winter, recorded in 1841 at

Logansport: “The sprightly Wabash was low Logansport: “The sprightly Wabash was low (July) and its rocky bed was (July) and its rocky bed was occasionally visibleoccasionally visible, , yet it flowed wildly on. The river is a clear and yet it flowed wildly on. The river is a clear and rushing stream, dotted by small islands – which rushing stream, dotted by small islands – which threw their images upon the threw their images upon the glassy surfaceglassy surface.” .”

Just four years later in 1845 he writes. “we Just four years later in 1845 he writes. “we witness the effects of the partial clearing up of witness the effects of the partial clearing up of the country…has had a striking effect upon the the country…has had a striking effect upon the effluents of the Wabash – the islands and banks effluents of the Wabash – the islands and banks are are beginning to wash awaybeginning to wash away under the influence under the influence of the greater volume of water that fills the of the greater volume of water that fills the banks and increased rapidity of the current of banks and increased rapidity of the current of the river.”the river.”

Historical InferencesHistorical Inferences Elmore Barce referencing edition of The Elmore Barce referencing edition of The

Oxfordite, Jan. 10, 1863: [during this time Oxfordite, Jan. 10, 1863: [during this time around Oxford some areas were said to be around Oxford some areas were said to be so marshy that passengers would wade out so marshy that passengers would wade out and keep the exhausted horses from and keep the exhausted horses from drowning by holding up their heads.] drowning by holding up their heads.] “Some fears are entertained that “Some fears are entertained that Stonewall Jackson will make a descent on Stonewall Jackson will make a descent on our town. Be not alarmed friends – the our town. Be not alarmed friends – the foresight of our commissioners has foresight of our commissioners has prevented that. He can’t cross Big Pine prevented that. He can’t cross Big Pine (Creek).”(Creek).”

Historical InferencesHistorical Inferences Between 1875 and 1888 David Jordan and his students Between 1875 and 1888 David Jordan and his students

conducted studies on the Wabash (Jenkins, 1886, conducted studies on the Wabash (Jenkins, 1886, Evermann and Jenkins 1888). His assessment of the river Evermann and Jenkins 1888). His assessment of the river appearance during this period includes the following appearance during this period includes the following statements: statements:

““The Upper Wabash and most of its tributaries The Upper Wabash and most of its tributaries are clear are clear streamsstreams….” And “Towards its junction with the Ohio R. the ….” And “Towards its junction with the Ohio R. the Wabash becomes a large river with moderate current, the Wabash becomes a large river with moderate current, the water water not very clearnot very clear, and the bottom covered with gravel , and the bottom covered with gravel and sand in which grow many water plants. The tributary and sand in which grow many water plants. The tributary streams are streams are mostly sluggish and yellowmostly sluggish and yellow with clay and with clay and mud” Jordan (1890).mud” Jordan (1890).

Jordan, D.S. 1890. Report of explorations made during the Jordan, D.S. 1890. Report of explorations made during the summer and autumn of 1888, in the Alleghany region of summer and autumn of 1888, in the Alleghany region of Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee, and in Western Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee, and in Western Indiana, with an account of the fishes found in the river Indiana, with an account of the fishes found in the river basins of those regions. Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm. 1888, 8:97-basins of those regions. Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm. 1888, 8:97-173.173.

Recent Water QualityRecent Water Quality

USGS Big Pine Stream Flow 1956 - USGS Big Pine Stream Flow 1956 - 1987:1987:

Peak stream flow was highest during Peak stream flow was highest during the late 1950’s, came down during the late 1950’s, came down during the late sixties and seventies, then the late sixties and seventies, then increased up until 1984 and then increased up until 1984 and then again dropped through 1987.again dropped through 1987.

Recent Water QualityRecent Water Quality

USGS Big Pine Stream Flow 1956-USGS Big Pine Stream Flow 1956-1987:1987:

Daily mean stream flow appears Daily mean stream flow appears “flashy” and with erratic differences “flashy” and with erratic differences between seasons.between seasons.

Recent Water QualityRecent Water Quality IDEM 1998 Big Pine Listed as Impaired IDEM 1998 Big Pine Listed as Impaired

Stream.Stream.

Sections of Big Pine listed as impaired due to Sections of Big Pine listed as impaired due to Mercury and Polychlorinated biphenyls Mercury and Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB’s) leading to fish* consumption (PCB’s) leading to fish* consumption advisory.advisory.

One section near Pine Village (Brown ditch One section near Pine Village (Brown ditch section) is listed with high pathogens and section) is listed with high pathogens and not supporting safe human contact.not supporting safe human contact.

*For 2004 IDNR lists Smallmouth Bass size 11 in. + *For 2004 IDNR lists Smallmouth Bass size 11 in. + due to PCB toxicity level for human consumption. In due to PCB toxicity level for human consumption. In 1999 ISDH listed Black Redhorse (mercury), 1999 ISDH listed Black Redhorse (mercury), Channel Catfish (PCB), and Smallmouth Bass (PCB).Channel Catfish (PCB), and Smallmouth Bass (PCB).

Recent Water QualityRecent Water Quality

IDEM 2000IDEM 2000Some sections of Big Pine have been Some sections of Big Pine have been

found to fully support aquatic life found to fully support aquatic life and full contact recreation.and full contact recreation.

One Hoosier Riverwatch biological One Hoosier Riverwatch biological sampling point (October 3, 2002) sampling point (October 3, 2002) near Pine Creek camp show high near Pine Creek camp show high quality aquatic macro-invertebrates quality aquatic macro-invertebrates present (PTS score of 31, 23 or more present (PTS score of 31, 23 or more is considered excellent).is considered excellent).

Recent Water QualityRecent Water Quality

USGS sampling at Big Pine CreekUSGS sampling at Big Pine Creek

TemperatureTemperature: no change between 1970 : no change between 1970 and 1981and 1981

NitratesNitrates: 1970 – 1976 around 25-35 ppm : 1970 – 1976 around 25-35 ppm with spikes up to 60 ppm in early with spikes up to 60 ppm in early summer. High counts in winter months, summer. High counts in winter months, too. Samples taken until 1981 show early too. Samples taken until 1981 show early summer counts remain around 30 ppm, summer counts remain around 30 ppm, but other months much lower than but other months much lower than before.before.

Recent Water QualityRecent Water Quality

USGS samplingUSGS sampling

Sediment, suspendedSediment, suspended, load in tons , load in tons per day from 3 to 250 between 1979 per day from 3 to 250 between 1979 and 1981. sampling for sediment and 1981. sampling for sediment then ended.then ended.

Recent Water QualityRecent Water Quality IDEM samplingIDEM samplingE. Coli E. Coli (Indiana surface water standard is less than 125 (Indiana surface water standard is less than 125

cfu/100ml average for 10 grab samples)cfu/100ml average for 10 grab samples) August, 1999 August, 1999 SR 55 at Attica. Range from 17 coliforms up to SR 55 at Attica. Range from 17 coliforms up to 43. At CR 200N/100E 43. At CR 200N/100E (near Fall Creek)(near Fall Creek) range from range from 36 up to 270.36 up to 270.

Habitat Score (QHEI) at Twin Bridges September Habitat Score (QHEI) at Twin Bridges September 1991 was 67. At Mudlavia Springs in 1991 was 1991 was 67. At Mudlavia Springs in 1991 was 60, then in 1999 was 73. In headwaters (White 60, then in 1999 was 73. In headwaters (White County, Roudebush Ditch) the habitat score in County, Roudebush Ditch) the habitat score in 1999 was 41. 1999 was 41. (Fully supporting score is 64 +, not (Fully supporting score is 64 +, not supporting is below 51).supporting is below 51).

Permitted Dischargers in Permitted Dischargers in Big Pine WatershedBig Pine Watershed

IDEM lists permits per county.IDEM lists permits per county. For Warren (9) and Benton (14), all For Warren (9) and Benton (14), all

listed permitted dischargers are for listed permitted dischargers are for municipal and public schools municipal and public schools discharging waste water.discharging waste water.

For White County (40) most are as For White County (40) most are as above, but a few gas stations and above, but a few gas stations and several manufacturing businesses several manufacturing businesses listed.listed.

Species & HabitatsSpecies & Habitats

Endangered, Threatened, and Rare Endangered, Threatened, and Rare Species listed for Warren County Species listed for Warren County include 17 vascular plants, 15 Mussels include 17 vascular plants, 15 Mussels several of which are listed as both several of which are listed as both state and globally endangered, 3 fish state and globally endangered, 3 fish species, 5 birds, 3 mammals.species, 5 birds, 3 mammals.

There are six different habitats shown There are six different habitats shown as significant habitats that are rare.as significant habitats that are rare.

Species & HabitatsSpecies & Habitats

A very rare natural community A very rare natural community known to occur in Indiana only in known to occur in Indiana only in the Entrenched Valley Section is the the Entrenched Valley Section is the gravel hill prairie. Remnants of this gravel hill prairie. Remnants of this habitat community do occur in the habitat community do occur in the Big Pine watershed.Big Pine watershed.

Outstanding Outstanding Recreational ValueRecreational Value

National Park Service, Rivers & Trails National Park Service, Rivers & Trails ProgramProgram

Listed Big Pine Creek in 1982 on the National Listed Big Pine Creek in 1982 on the National Rivers Inventory with Outstandingly Rivers Inventory with Outstandingly Remarkable Values (ORV’s) for Scenery, Remarkable Values (ORV’s) for Scenery, Recreation, Geology.Recreation, Geology.

State has proposed a 10 mile section in State has proposed a 10 mile section in Natural and Scenic River System.Natural and Scenic River System.

IDNR lists it as one of the top white water IDNR lists it as one of the top white water rivers of Indiana. Rocky Ford often listed as rivers of Indiana. Rocky Ford often listed as the top spot for white water in the State. the top spot for white water in the State.

Prairie State (IL) Canoeists Records. Big Pine Prairie State (IL) Canoeists Records. Big Pine Trip reports from 1975-1995.Trip reports from 1975-1995.

Land Use and Storm Land Use and Storm WaterWater

Pre-settlement vegetation estimates Pre-settlement vegetation estimates show Big Pine watershed being show Big Pine watershed being comprised of approximately 40% tall comprised of approximately 40% tall grass prairie systems, 50% wetlands, grass prairie systems, 50% wetlands, 10% forested.10% forested.

Pre-settlement storm water runoff Pre-settlement storm water runoff estimates are 5,234 acre feet per estimates are 5,234 acre feet per year for the watershed.year for the watershed.

Land Use and Storm Land Use and Storm WaterWater

Agriculture row crops dominant land use Agriculture row crops dominant land use todaytoday

Relatively low human populationRelatively low human population Relatively low impervious area (about 2%)Relatively low impervious area (about 2%) Wetlands comprise about 1.5% of land useWetlands comprise about 1.5% of land use Tall grass prairie only remnants remain.Tall grass prairie only remnants remain. Current storm water runoff estimates are Current storm water runoff estimates are

42, 779 acre-feet per year.42, 779 acre-feet per year.

ConclusionConclusion Historical accounts and data infer that the Big Historical accounts and data infer that the Big

Pine was a full and slow moving stream, with Pine was a full and slow moving stream, with clarity of water, surrounded by wetlands and clarity of water, surrounded by wetlands and tall grass prairie that allowed scant storm water tall grass prairie that allowed scant storm water runoff.runoff.

Recent water quality data show mercury, PCB, Recent water quality data show mercury, PCB, pathogen, and sediment loading problems, yet pathogen, and sediment loading problems, yet some sampling showing good riparian and some sampling showing good riparian and stream habitat and excellent aquatic macro-stream habitat and excellent aquatic macro-invertebrate numbers.invertebrate numbers.

Storm water runoff estimates are eight times Storm water runoff estimates are eight times higher than during pre-settlement.higher than during pre-settlement.

Despite some water quality problems, scenic Despite some water quality problems, scenic and recreational value are very high, with rare and recreational value are very high, with rare and endangered species and habitats.and endangered species and habitats.