WATERSHED RESEARCH PROJECTS & REPORTS
. Summary Reports
. Watershed Insight Reports
. State of the Watershed
. Summary of Major
Reports and Studies
. Saving Lake Greenwood
. In-Depth Research & Reports
. Data

In-Depth Research & Reports

Trends in Water Quality
Impacts of Sediment and Dams
Management of Septic Systems
Land Cover Change
Natural Resources Policy
Flooding and Wetlands
Stormwater Management and Erosion Control
Riparian Resources and Management
Tree Cover
Low-Impact Development
General Watershed Outreach
Miscellaneous

Trends in Water Quality

Water Quality Data-Mining, Data Analysis, and Trends Assessment	Pinnacle Consulting Group	July 27, 2005	This report presents the results of an initial review of key indicator data assessed to determine the status and trends with respect to water quality in the SRW. The key parameters reviewed in this report are metrics related to oxygen levels, and critical primary nutrients, nitrogen and phosphorus.
Final Report on Characterization of Hydrologic Input into Lake Greenwood	Stephen J. Klaine, Ph.D., John A. Smink Clemson University	July, 2005	The goal of this research was to characterize the loadings of key contaminants into Lake Greenwood from the two major basins in the watershed: Reedy River and Saluda River. With the exception of Total Suspended Solids (TSS), constituent loadings into Lake Greenwood were approximately equal between the Reedy and Saluda River basins. TSS loading was significantly higher in the Saluda River Basin.
Peak Flow Sampling and Analysis of Sediment Release	Stephen J. Klaine, Ph.D. and John Smink, MS	Fall 2007	This report summarizes 3 years of loading data collected on the Reedy and Saluda Rivers, 2 years of contaminant export data collected at the dam on Lake Greenwood, and 3 years of sediment-phosphorus release data collected at different sites in Lake Greenwood. Results are given in graph form and suggest that Lake Greenwood retains significant amounts of contaminants and sediments from the Reedy and Saluda Rivers.
National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Inventory and Analysis Summary Report for the Saluda Reedy Watershed	Katherine Sciera, Stephen J. Klaine, Dave Hargett	06/01/07	This report provides an inventory of permitted NPDES discharges in the Saluda-Reedy watershed using monitoring data from January 1989 to July 2004 and violations data from January 1989 to December 2005. There are 44 total permits and the top 9 dischargers by volume were analyzed further. Six of those permits held more than 95% of violations, having over 90 each. Seasonality did not influence violations, but large climactic variations, such as drought, resulted in fewer violations. The database provides an opportunity for future analysis.
Determination of Limiting Nutrient(s) in Lake Greenwood	M. Lynn Deanhardt, Lander University	03/25/05	The objective of this project was to identify the limiting nutrient(s) by Algal Biostimulation Assay at three locations in Lake Greenwood. In all cases, the average chlorophyll level in samples spiked with phosphorus and nitrogen was always greater than those spiked with only one nutrient. This indicates that both phosphorous and nitrogen are simultaneously limiting or co-limiting nutrients in Lake Greenwood. A series of graphs gives full results.
Model Calibration Data for Dynamic Water Quality Simulations of a Eutrophic Reservoir	McKellar and Bulak, SC Dept. of Natural Resources	07/01/05	One year of intense sampling of Lake Greenwood helped to quantify key interactions among nutrient distributions, algal productivity and oxygen depletion in the lake. The data was then used to calibrate a dynamic water quality model for Lake Greenwood relating magnitude and timing of nutrient loads to overall water quality and habitat quality in the lake.
A Dynamic Water Quality Model of Lake Greenwood, SC	Hank McKellar, Jim Bulak, and Barbara Taylor, SC Dept. Natural Resources	3/14/08	This study developed a database and simulation model of Lake Greenwood to help predict implications of changing phosphorus loading. The model was used to test the consequences of changes in the phosphorus load to water quality and habitat patterns in the lake. While reductions of phosphorus load in the Reedy River alone would lead to some improvement in water quality, the model indicated that a substantial reduction of loading in both rivers would be required for lake-wide improvement in water quality
Assessing Effect of Watershed Change on Phosphorus Loading to Lake Greenwood, South Carolina.	Barbara Taylor, Jim Bulak, Hank McKellar, SC Dept. of Natural Resources	6/10/08	This study considers inputs of phosphorus from the watershed and responses of Lake Greenwood. Major domestic wastewater treatment plants are changing patterns of point source loading and have made the Saluda and Reedy Rivers the major sources of phosphorus into the lake. This model predicts that a 50% reduction in the combined annual phosphorus load from the Saluda and Reedy Rivers would reduce total phosphorus concentrations in surface waters throughout the lake and diminish the extent of oxygen depletion.
Watershed Water Quality and Source Water Vulnerability Assessment	Pinnacle Consulting Group	7/27/05	This project consists of developing a GIS based inventory of sites, activities, infrastructure, and resources that may pose a threat to water quality and to potable water sources in the watershed. The GIS database will be made available to water resources managers in Greenwood County.
Water Quality and Housing Value on Lake Greenwood: A Hedonic Study on Chlorophyll-a Levels and the 1999 Algal Bloom	Robert Carey and Wayne Leftwich, The Strom Thurmond Institute and Clemson University	6/1/07	Attributes of houses and land located on the Greenwood County shore of Lake Greenwood in South Carolina are examined for indicators of the effects of visible and invisible environmental factors on sale price. Properties sold between 1980 and 2006 are used in two hedonic models that measure the impact of the algal bloom of 1999 (visible) and chlorophyll-a levels (invisible) at time of sale. The model found that neither of these factors significantly correlated with sale price.

Impacts of Sediment and Dams

Review of Major Dams and an Examination of Watershed Fragmentation	Pinnacle Consulting Group	7/27/05	This study looked at the role and effects of dams in the Saluda-Reedy Watershed on water resources. Approximately 2,500 to 3,200 dams are estimated to exist in the watershed, with only 164 being regulated by state or federal agencies. A GIS database of impoundments was produced and several dams were tagged as candidates for removal or modification.
Sedimentation in Major Saluda-Reedy Watershed Impoundments	Pinnacle Consulting Group	7/27/05	This research studied the rate of sedimentation on nine major impoundments in the Saluda-Reedy Watershed. Analysis concluded that the rates of sediment yield in the SRW have been significantly accelerated compared to natural conditions and has several negative effects on impoundments.
Prediction and Modeling of Sediment Sources, Loading Rates, and Deposition in the Saluda-Reedy Watershed	North Wind, Inc.	1/18/08	The Long-Term Hydrologic Impact Assessment (L-THIA) model was used to more fully understand sediment sources and relative contributions to the Saluda-Reedy Watershed. Sediment modeling showed significant increases in sediment loading over time, particularly for highly developed and rapidly developing areas.
Economic Valuation for the Saluda-Reedy Watershed	Jeffery Allen, Robert Carey, Brian Hock, and Robert Becker, The Strom Thurmond Institute	7/1/07	This study describes water as an economic resource and puts a monetary value on water quality. The researchers use data collected by DHEC from monitoring stations along the Reedy River from Travelers Rest to Lake Greenwood to run a regression model on water quality and propose several economic incentive regimes. The data indicate a trend of decreasing nutrient loads as water moves downstream from the higher-use Greenville area.
Animation of Lake Conestee Sediment Accumulation 1892-2003 (flash file - 6MB)	John Tynan and Steve Springs	05/08	An analysis and visualization of the location and rate of accumulation of sediment in Lake Conestee from 1892 to 2003

Management of Septic Systems

Lake Greenwood Sanitary Survey	Pinnacle Consulting Group	7/27/05	The objective of this project was to capture data related to OSWS facilities near Lake Greenwood and the wastewater systems serving theses facilities and deposit it into a data warehouse that can then be used for analysis.
Lake Greenwood On-Site Wastewater System GIS Inventory and Performance Analysis	North Wind, Inc.	5/18/05	This project expanded on a previous GIS database of On-site Wastewater Systems (OSWS) to include the area up to 2000 ft from Lake Greenwood and conducted a performance assessment of these OSWS to recommend program improvements and highlight areas warranting rehabilitation or management action.
Effect of Failing On-site Wastewater Treatment Systems on Lake Greenwood Water Quality	Daniel Pardieck, Lander University	8/20/05	There are more than 4000 housing structures within a few hundred feet of the shore of Lake Greenwood, most using on-site wastewater treatment systems. This study considers the potential for and the impact of failing wastewater treatments systems on water quality. Results suggest that there is currently no water quality impact on Lake Greenwood that can be associated with failing on-site wastewater systems.

Land Cover Change

Land Cover Classification in the Upstate South Carolina and the Saluda-Reedy Watershed	Allen, Sperry, Pasula, Patki, and Lu, Strom Thurmond Institute, Clemson University	8/1/06	Using satellite multispectral imagery, this research classified types of land cover in the Upstate in order to analyze change in land cover over a 15 year period. Maps and statistics are presented by year and counties.
Modeling Growth and Predicting Future Developed Land in the Upstate of South Carolina	Craig E. Campbell, Jeffery Allen, and Kang Shou Lu	11/1/07	A GIS model was developed to predict where growth is most likely to occur through the year 2030 for eight counties in the Upstate. It was found that development is currently growing 5 times faster than the population. Prediction maps were produced and can help decision-makers implement good growth policy for the future.
Impervious Cover Analysis for the Saluda-Reedy Watershed in Upstate South Carolina	Jeffery Allen, Vrunda Patki and Arvind Pasula	11/1/07	The amount of impervious surface cover within a watershed can be a strong indicator of water quality. Using a GIS and satellite remote sensing techniques, the amount of impervious surface is estimated and statistically compared to corresponding time periods of water quality data in the Saluda-Reedy Watershed.
Assessment of Trends in Forest Cover Change in the Saluda-Reedy Watershed and Impacts on Water Quality and Streamflow	North Wind, Inc.	8/7/07	The purpose of this study was to document forest cover change between 1985 and 2000 across the Saluda-Reedy Watershed, identify water quality and streamflow data that are influenced by changes in forest cover, and identify trends and relationships between forest cover, water quality, and streamflow over time. The study showed that deforestation and urbanization has altered water quality and streamflow.

Natural Resources Policy

Decision Making for Natural Resources and Watershed Management: Current Thinking and Approaches

Vander Mey, and Pitts, Clemson University

6/1/06

The first part of this document is a literature review which captures the key issues and findings of natural resource and watershed management. The second part is annotated bibliography intended to give readers more resources on the subject. Finally, a third section is a report on content analysis of county council and municipal governments’ decisions in the area of natural resources, with a focus on the Saluda-Reedy Watershed.

Flooding and Wetlands

Factors Contributing to Flooding in the Upper Reedy River Watershed	North Wind, Inc.	1/12/07	The purpose of this study was to document historic development patterns and shifts in land cover in the Upper Reedy River Watershed, analyze long-term precipitation and streamflow patterns, and correlate these patterns to shifts in land cover. Analysis revealed increasing peak flows and decreasing base flows over time in the watershed, with no trend in precipitation patterns over the same period.
Assessment and Mapping of Current And Historical Wetlands in a Portion of the Saluda-Reedy Watershed LINK TO MAP	North Wind, Inc.	12/29/06	In this study, a GIS spatial data map was created to document the extent and condition of current and historic wetlands in Greenville County. Wetland acreage was reduced by 168 acres or 10.2 percent from 1975 soil survey data to 1999 infrared aerial photos. Major causes of loss were impoundment and development.

Stormwater Management and Erosion Control

Assessment of Erosion Control and Stormwater Regulatory Programs on the Saluda-Reedy Watershed: Greenville County and City of Greenville	Ruhlman and Hargett, North Wind, Inc.	4/1/07	This report is an overview of stormwater regulations affecting both municipal and unincorporated areas of Greenville County and their existing and proposed stormwater programs. Greenville County’s Stormwater Management Ordinance and Stormwater Program were reviewed and summarized and several recommendations were given.
Assessment of Erosion Control and Stromwater Management Practices for Development Sites in the Saluda-Reedy Watershed: Greenville County	Ruhlman and Hargett, North Wind, Inc.	4/1/07	The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of erosion control and stormwater management practices across two different types of development sites in Greenville County (actively developing and existing developed) and to identify barriers to effective implementation and functioning of control practices. Several recommendations to improve stormwater and erosion control are made.

Riparian Resources and Management

Identification of Priority Riparian Sites in the Reedy River Watershed Basin

North Wind, Inc.

4/12/07

This report highlights the importance and ecological function of riparian buffers. In the Saluda-Reedy Watershed, clearing and deforestation of the riparian zone and conversation to urban/suburban land uses are the most common types of riparian zone disturbance. Using a formula that includes the condition of the watershed, stream, and riparian buffer, this report documents specific reaches of the Reedy River and its tributaries that may be suitable for rehabilitation, improvement, or preservation.

Tree Cover

Building Awareness of the Awareness of the Importance of Tree Cover in the Upstate South Carolina:

Diane Eldridge

8/1/06

This document describes the establishment and activities of an 11-member committee charged with developing recommendations for the protection and preservation of Greenville County’s trees.

Low-Impact Development

Audit of Pavement Standards in the Upper Saluda-Reedy Watershed (print version) (web version)

SRWC, Upstate Forever, and The Lawrence Group

07/06

An audit of paving requirements in Greenville and Pickens counties and the municipalities therein was conducted to identify opportunities for introducing flexibility into the local regulations governing street width, parking ratios, sidewalk and driveway specifications, and other aspects of paving in the land development process. The goal of the project is to provide data that can be used to help reduce stormwater runoff and minimize infrastructure costs associated with development.

General Watershed Outreach

Discover Carolina Water Quality Program	Bill Marrell, SC State Parks Service	09/05	This objective of this project was to develop a water quality program for Lake Greenwood State Recreation Area’s classroom that addresses SC Department of Education Science Standards. A fourth grade level program was designed and includes a pre-visit, on-site, and post-visit activity. However, teacher interest was minimal and it was concluded that a new approach was needed to generate greater teacher interest in the project. A Lake Greenwood graduate teacher course was funded for June 2006 to help generate interest.
Public Opinion on the Saluda-Reedy Watershed: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors	Catherine Mobley, Ph.D., James Witte, Ph.D., Clemson University	2005	Using telephone and web survey techniques, researchers gauged the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of community stakeholders on watershed issues. The data provided insights about possible ways to communicate information to Upstate residents about watershed issues.

Miscellaneous

GIS Coordination and Standards Management	North Wind, Inc.	7/27/05	This report summarizes the types and sources of GIS data used for analysis for various projects under the Saluda-Reedy Watershed Consortium. A list of map products is also included.
Regulatory Oversight	North Wind, Inc.	7/27/05	This document describes the role of North Wind in providing a mechanism for the Saluda-Reedy Watershed Consortium to respond to activities, permits, applications, proposed projects, regulations, ordinances, policies, or other issues that could affect resources in the Saluda-Reedy Watershed.