Innovative Biofilters as Best Management Practices, Eastern Shore of Maryland, USA
Aerial view of the Fair Hill Farm in Chestertown, MD
Project Summary
Working with local farmers, Ridge to Reefs has built the first wood chip bioreactor in Maryland. Untreated agricultural runoff adds harmful levels of nitrates to the waterways. These nitrates can be converted to harmless nitrogen gas by being exposed over time to certain bacteria (denitrifying bacteria). A wood chip bioreactor is a way to mimic the way this process occurs in natural systems. By digging a trench, adding a pond liner, and using pipes to control the water flow, untreated water from the production area of the farm and fields drain into the wood chip trench. The wood chips host the denitrifying bacteria, which convert the nitrates into harmless nitrogen gas. Given sufficient time, nearly 100% of the excess nitrates can be removed from the system.
Problem
Fertilizer runoff from farms is a major issue affecting water quality of downstream aquatic ecosystems in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Solution
Ridge to Reefs has installed nine innovative wood chip bioreactors as agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) on four Eastern Shore farms. The wood chip bioreactors host natural denitrifying bacteria, which convert nitrates into harmless nitrogen gas. Given sufficient time, nearly 100% of the excess nitrates can be removed from the system.
Implementation
The project will construct two wood chip bioreactors, two multi-celled treatment wetlands, two wood chip infiltrators, one phosphorus filter, a forebay and bioretention cell to treat barnyard runoff, and one enhanced grass swale for nutrient removal. Our wood chip bioreactors include a design element placed downstream of ponds to maximize treatment area and reduce dissolved nutrients.
Outcomes
Ridge to Reefs has completed the first two projects under our Innovative Filters Grant from the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays 2016 Trust Fund. We are proud to work with Ed Fry and Matthew Fry of Fair Hill Farm in Chestertown, MD. The Frys are in the process of converting their large dairy to an organic grazing operation.
Funders and Partners Innovative Filters Grant from the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays 2016 Trust Fund, Ed Fry and Matthew Fry of Fair Hill Farm in Chestertown, MD, and the Maryland Department of Agriculture
Watch a video featuring Drew Koslow, one of Ridge to Reefs' staff members, discussing improving water quality using wood chip bioreactors.
