Surface Water Problems

It is difficult to estimate the cost of damage caused by pollutants moving from agricultural land. Researchers suggest that off-farm damage caused by erosion and poor water quality far exceeds the on-farm losses in crop yields and farming operations. All citizens want to have high quality, Ontario-grown food, but not at the expense of surface and groundwater quality.

Plant nutrients move with eroded soil particles into waterways stimulating weed and algae growth. When the algae dies and decays, oxygen in the water is used up. This threatens fish and aquatic life.

Surface runoff from unprotected farmland will deposit sediments and nutrients into embankment ponds - making them unfit for irrigation, livestock watering, recreation or wildlife.

Excessive sediment in streams can destroy fish and wildlife habitat and pollute water supplies.

Pollution from rural and urban sources may limit the use of Ontario waters for swimming fishing and boating.

Refer to the following BMPs for more information:

• Field Crop Production
• Managing Crop Nutrients
• Horticultural Crops
• Fish and Wildlife Habitat
• Water Management

Best Management Practices: A First Look