Phosphorus Loss from an Agricultural Watershed as a Function of Storm Size.

This article discusses the loss of phosphorus from agriculture in relation to storm size in the Susquehanna River Watershed, Pennsylvania. According to the authors, storm flow accounted for about a third of watershed discharge, but more than half of phosphorus exported. Two storms contributed nearly a quarter of the phosphorus exported in four years. They suggest that area of the watershed producing runoff and/or phosphorus release from soil increase with storm size. They recommend that Best Management Practice considers acceptable levels of risk management regarding phosphorus loss.