Sediment P Flux from Streams and Ditches Under Different Land Management Practices Draining into a Drinking Reservoir.

Excessive P levels in surface waters can cause algae blooms and increase water treatment costs in reservoirs used for potable water. Sediments can buffer soluble P concentrations in ditches and streams that feed into these reservoirs.  Our study area included ditches and streams that serve as the headwaters of the Eagle Creek reservoir, one of the primary sources of potable water for Indianapolis, IN.  Our objectives were to determine if surface water P concentrations were related to the P status of the underlying sediments and determine if differences in land use were related to ditch and stream water P concentrations.