Draft Biological and Water Quality Report for the Little Muskingum
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Division of Surface Water April 2020 TMDL DEVELOPMENT | Draft Biological and Water Quality Report for the Little Muskingum River, 2015‐2016 In 2015‐2016, Ohio EPA conducted a biological and water quality survey in the Little Muskingum River watershed. This fact sheet summarizes the findings detailed in the biological and water quality report (BWQR). Report Highlights In 2015-2016, Ohio EPA evaluated a total of 72 sampling Stakeholder Input locations within the Little Muskingum River watershed in The comment period for the Little Muskingum River Monroe, Noble and Washington counties for aquatic life or watershed biological and water quality report ended on recreation use potential. Of note, all sites assessed for October 18, 2019. The BWQR is the second step in the TMDL aquatic life use (ALU) fully met their assigned or development process. The next step is the Loading Analysis recommended use. Of the 45 streams assessed, 41 streams Plan, which will additionally be available for review and or stream segments were recommended a more protective comment. ALU. Twenty-eight streams were verified or recommended the Exceptional Warmwater Habitat (EWH) ALU; 16 of these Stay Involved streams also harbored a strong coldwater fish and Subscribe to updates on TMDL projects at: macroinvertebrate assemblage and were designated the https://ohioepa.custhelp.com/app/utils/login_form/redir dual EWH and coldwater habitat (CWH) ALU. An additional ect/account%252Fprofile. 12 streams were recommended the CWH ALU. The Contact Information remaining four streams were verified warmwater habitat For more information, contact Rachel Taulbee at (WWH). [email protected] or (740) 380-5433. Other Beneficial Uses Human Health/Fish Consumption – Prior to 2015, the Little Muskingum River had consumption advisories in place for two species, both at the one meal per month level: freshwater drum for mercury and PCBs, and spotted bass for mercury. The only change in advisory resulting from the 2015 survey was for smallmouth bass, which had a one meal per month advisory posted due to mercury. The existing freshwater drum and spotted bass advisories remain in effect. Recreation – Evaluation of E. coli bacteria results revealed 18 locations did not meet applicable criteria (or water quality standards) for recreation use. No definitive link to direct sources of human origin were apparent; however, nearly the entire watershed is unsewered, so failing home septic systems could be a source of elevated bacteria counts. Concentrated farming in the narrow valleys is also a potential source as well as high concentrations of wildlife such as ducks, geese and mammals. Little Muskingum River Watershed Survey Specifics The Little Muskingum River Watershed drains approximately 315 square miles of southeast Ohio and drains Monroe, Noble and Table 1. Sampling types and locations from the 2015‐2016 survey Washington counties. The study area is largely rural and dominated by the Wayne Sample Type Number of Locations National Forest. Only one National Pollutant Biological samples (fish, macroinvertebrates, habitat) 72 Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Water chemistry grab samples 56 permitted facility discharges sanitary wastewater into the Little Muskingum River. Bacteria indicators (Escherichia coli) 18 Sampling types and number of locations can Sediment chemistry samples 7 be found in Table 1. Figure 1 depicts sampling Fish tissue samples 3 locations throughout the study area. epa.ohio.gov • 50 W. Town St., Ste. 700 • P.O. Box 1049 • Columbus, OH 43216‐1049 • (614) 644‐3020 • (614) 644‐2737 (fax) Figure 1. Sampling locations in the Little Muskingum River watershed, 2015 – 2016. Page|2 Biological and Water Quality Surveys A biological and water quality survey is a survey of the biological, chemical and physical properties of surface waters to determine the appropriate beneficial use designations (aquatic life, recreation, human health and water supply) assigned in Ohio Water Quality Standards, evaluate water quality trends and determine if the water body is meeting the goals of the federal Clean Water Act. Each year, Ohio EPA conducts surveys in selected watersheds around the state. The results from each survey are detailed in biological and water quality reports. These reports summarize major findings and provide results from individual sampling locations. The survey findings and conclusions may factor into regulatory actions taken by Ohio EPA. For example, adjustments to NPDES permits, mitigation requirements in Section 401 Water Quality Certifications and revisions to Ohio Water Quality Standards rules [Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 3745-1]. The findings are eventually incorporated into State Water Quality Management Plans, the biennial Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report (305[b] and 303[d]) and Total Maximum Daily Loads Figure 2. Witten Run, RM 2.2 (TMDLs). Beneficial Use Designations and Recommendations The EWH designation currently assigned to the Little Muskingum River mainstem is verified. Nine tributary streams are recommended EWH: Cranenest Fork, Wolfpen Run, Town Fork, Walnutcamp Run, Rias Run, Bear Run, Goss Fork, Eightmile Creek and Fifteenmile Creek. Witten Fork downstream from the confluence with Millers Fork at RM 7.12 is recommended EWH; upstream of the confluence with Millers Fork is recommended CWH. Archers Fork downstream from the Cady Run confluence at RM 4.94 is recommended EWH; upstream of the confluence with Cady Run is recommended CWH. Rich Fork upstream RM 1.36 is recommended as EWH and CWH. Rich Fork downstream of the confluence of Town Run (RM 1.36) experienced significant riparian loss and is verified WWH. The following 16 streams are recommended EWH and CWH: Straight Fork, Oldcamp Run, Wilson Run, Woods Run, Millers Fork, Dismal Creek, Wildcat Run, Dogskin Run, Trail Run, Little Trail Run, Biglick Run, Witten Run, Irish Run, Deans Fork, Mill Fork and Little Eightmile Creek. Twelve streams are recommended CWH: tributary to Cranenest Fork (entering at RM 7.27), Laurel Run, Willison Run, Left Prong of Rich Fork, Brister Fork, Wolfpen Run, Buhrs Run, Alum Run, Browns Run, Sycamore Fork, Little Indian Run and Hog Run. Verification of the WWH designation currently assigned to Clear Fork, Indian Run, Wingett Run and Moss Run. All streams or stream segments should retain or be assigned the Primary Contact Recreation (PCR), agricultural water supply (AWS) and industrial water supply (IWS) uses. Where can I learn more? The full study report is available at epa.ohio.gov/dsw/wq. More information is available at epa.ohio.gov/dsw/tmdl/OhioRiverTributariesEast#121186367‐supplemental‐ information For more information about biological, chemical and physical monitoring, please see the Water Quality Monitoring webpage at epa.ohio.gov/dsw/bioassess/ohstrat.aspx. Page|3 .