DOCSLIB.ORG

Biological and Water Quality Study of Mill Creek and Tributaries 2011

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Biological and Water Quality Study of Mill Creek and Tributaries 2011 Biological and Water Quality Study of Mill Creek and Tributaries 2011 Mill Creek downstream from Hopple Street MSD Agreement 15x11039 Project Number 10180900 MBI/2012‐6‐10 Mill Creek Bioassessment 2011 September 15, 2012 2011 Biological and Water Quality Study of Mill Creek and Tributaries Hamilton County, Ohio Technical Report MBI/2012‐6‐10 MSD Project Number 10180900 September 15, 2012 Prepared for: Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati 1081 Woodrow Street Cincinnati, OH 45204 Submitted by: Midwest Biodiversity Institute P.O. Box 21561 Columbus, Ohio 43221‐0561 Chris O. Yoder, Research Director [email protected] i MBI/2012‐6‐10 Mill Creek Bioassessment 2011 September 15, 2012 Table of Contents List of Tables ................................................................................................................................... iii List of Figures .................................................................................................................................. iv Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................... vii Glossary of Terms ......................................................................................................................... viii List of Acronyms ........................................................................................................................... xvi FOREWORD .................................................................................................................................. xvii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................... 1 Scope and Purpose ...................................................................................................................... 2 Highlighted Findings .................................................................................................................... 2 General Conditions in the Mill Creek Watershed .................................................................... 2 Aquatic Life Use Attainment Status ......................................................................................... 3 Recreational Use Status ........................................................................................................... 4 Causes and Sources of Non‐attainment .................................................................................. 4 Trajectories in Key Indicators ..................................................................................................... 4 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................... 8 Mill Creek Watershed Aquatic Life Use Attainment Status ....................................................... 8 Aquatic Life Use Recommendations ........................................................................................ 8 Aquatic Life Use Attainment Status ....................................................................................... 15 Recreational Use Recommendations ..................................................................................... 15 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................ 26 Principles of Watershed Bioassessment .................................................................................. 26 MSDGC Watershed Bioassessment Scope and Purposes ........................................................ 27 2011 Mill Creek Watershed Assessment Scope and Purpose ................................................. 28 METHODS ..................................................................................................................................... 31 Watershed Assessment Design ................................................................................................. 31 Biological and Water Quality Surveys ................................................................................... 31 Monitoring Networks and Design ......................................................................................... 38 Measuring Incremental Changes ........................................................................................... 41 Biological Methods .................................................................................................................... 42 Fish Assemblage Methods ..................................................................................................... 42 Macroinvertebrate Assemblage Methods ............................................................................ 43 Area of Degradation and Attainment Values ....................................................................... 44 Primary Headwater Methods ................................................................................................ 45 Habitat Assessment ................................................................................................................... 45 Chemical/Physical Methods ..................................................................................................... 46 Water Column Chemical Quality ........................................................................................... 46 Sediment Chemical Quality .................................................................................................... 47 Determining Use Attainment Status ........................................................................................ 47 Aquatic Life ............................................................................................................................. 47 Recreation ............................................................................................................................... 49 Determining Use Attainability .................................................................................................. 50 Determining Causal Associations ............................................................................................. 56 ii MBI/2012‐6‐10 Mill Creek Bioassessment 2011 September 15, 2012 STUDY AREA DESCRIPTION .......................................................................................................... 59 General Setting .......................................................................................................................... 59 Subecoregion Characteristics .................................................................................................... 59 Description of Pollution Sources and Other Stressors ............................................................. 59 Point Sources .......................................................................................................................... 60 Wet Weather Sources ............................................................................................................ 61 Riparian and Stream Habitat .................................................................................................... 64 RESULTS and DISCUSSION ............................................................................................................ 65 Chemical/Physical Water Quality ............................................................................................. 65 Flow Regime ........................................................................................................................... 65 Water Column Chemistry ....................................................................................................... 65 Sediment Chemistry ............................................................................................................... 80 Stream Habitat .......................................................................................................................... 93 Biological Assemblages ........................................................................................................... 102 Fish Assemblage Results 2011 ............................................................................................... 102 Macroinvertebrate Assemblage Results 2011 ...................................................................... 107 Comparing 2011 to 1992 Results ......................................................................................... 109 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................ 114 APPENDIX A: Sampling Locations .............................................................................................. A‐1 APPENDIX B: Fish Assemblage Data 2011 ................................................................................. B‐1 APPENDIX C: Macroinvertebrate Assemblage Data 2011 ........................................................ C‐1 APPENDIX D: Primary Headwaters Data 2011 .......................................................................... D‐1 APPENDIX E: Habitat Data 2011 ................................................................................................. E‐1 List of Tables Table 1. Assessment of existing aquatic life use (ALU) designations in the 2011 Mill Creek study area. The respective biological assemblage and habitat assessment results are summarized along with the existing ALU. The recommended ALU is also listed and represents a change if different from the existing ALU. ....................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • MILL CREEK WATERSHED GREENWAY MASTER PLAN the Mill Creek Greenway Signage the Mill Creek by Holthaus Or Shall Be Fabricated Approved Equal
    M I L L C R E E K W A T E R S H E D G R E E N W A Y master PlaN Prepared For: Mill Creek Watershed Council Mill Creek Restoration Project Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati Ohio Department of Natural Resources Prepared By: Fuller, Mossbarger, Scott and May Greenways Incorporated Biohabitats, Inc. Rhinoworks March 1999 MILL CREEK SIGNAGE PROGRAM 77 78 MILL CREEK WATERSHED GREENWAY MASTER PLAN GREENWAY WATERSHED MILL CREEK Mill Creek Greenway Signage System The Mill Creek Greenway Signage The Mill Creek Greenway Signage shall be designed by Rhinoworks or shall be fabricated by Holthaus or approved equal. approved equal. Rhinoworks Holthaus 42 Calhoun Street 817 Ridgeway Ave. Entry Cincinnati, Ohio 45219 Cincinnati, Ohio 45229 513.861.7966 513.861.0060 fax - 513.861.7900 fax - 513.559.0975 PMS 286 Blue - Background email - [email protected] 8' 20" 6" PMS 583 Green - MCG Logo MILL CREEK GREENWAY MILL CREEK 9" PMS White 4' 40" PMS 583 GREENWAY 9" PMS White Green - Water icon from MCG Logo A MCRP Project of the Ohio Environmental Agency for Rivers 2" PMS White 44" Font usage - Myriad Bold by Adobe (Title, Headline, and body copy) Title and Headline (Initial Caps with upper case at 75% vertical scale) Body copy (upper and lower case) - Utopia Regular by Adobe (Mill Creek Greenway logo type and support text) MCG logo type (upper case) Support type (upper and lower case) Graphic Elements - Mill Creek Greenway logo (varing scale) Colors - Pantone Matching System (PMS 286-Blue, PMS 583-Green, PMS White) Notes: The name of the Greenway on the entry sign will change from community to community.
    [Show full text]
  • Mill Creek Watershed Scenario Project Report
    Comprehensive Planning Workshop Spring 2010 Niehoff Urban Studio 2008-2010 Mill Creek Watershed Scenario Project Spring 2010 Executive Summary This report is a collective presentation of the studio process undertaken by the University of Cincinnati’s School of Planning 2010 Spring Comprehensive Workshop. The focus of the workshop was the Mill Creek Watershed, a 166 square mile area in southwestern Ohio. The Watershed has reached a critical state due to a multitude of both internal and external factors including industrial flight, environmental degradation, building vacancies, unemployment, auto dependence, and a worsening national economy. While numerous organizations construct and implement plans for the future of the Watershed, a lack of regional collaboration often results in little progress. Over the past century, the Mill Creek brought industry and increased population to the Watershed area. Today, the Mill Creek still remains a valuable natural asset. Urbanization has taken its toll, however, and both water quality and riparian corridor health have suffered. Another area of concern is the loss of population in the City of Cincinnati, and corresponding redistribution to the suburbs. Limited transportation options have worsened this outmigration by encouraging auto dependence. Social and environmental justice issues coincide with declining economic and environmental conditions in the Mill Creek Watershed. Due to its uncertain future, planning in the Mill Creek Watershed requires the consideration of multiple possibilities for how the area will transform. This Workshop used the scenario planning approach to establish four plausible outcomes for the Watershed. Scenario planning seeks to open discussions about how things may unfold, providing the opportunity for individuals and organizations to look beyond their individual plans and concerns for the future.
    [Show full text]
  • Upper Mill Creek Watershed Management Plan
    Mill Creek Watershed Action Plan Final Draft UPPER MILL CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN Submitted to: OHIO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Submitted by: MILL CREEK WATERSHED COUNCIL OF COMMUNITIES DECEMBER 2005 i Upper Mill Creek Watershed Management Plan Project Contact: Nancy Ellwood Executive Director Mill Creek Watershed Council of Communities One North Commerce Park Drive, Suite 124 Cincinnati OH 45215 Phone: 513.563.8800 Fax: 513.563.8810 Email: [email protected] Website: www.millcreekwatershed.org ii Upper Mill Creek Watershed Management Plan ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This document results from the collaborative effort among the many communities and stakeholders in the Upper Mill Creek sub-basin. The following individuals have participated in its development: MaryLynn Lodor Butler County Department of Environmental Services Mary Moore Butler County Department of Environmental Services Adam Sackenheim Butler County Department of Environmental Services Jon West Butler County Department of Development: Planning Mike Juengling Butler County Department of Development Bob Lentz Butler County Storm Water District Eric Pottenger Butler County Engineers Office Mike Muska Butler County MetroParks Dave Carter Butler County Soil and Water Conservation District Brian Prunty Butler County Soil and Water Conservation District Jennifer Deaton Butler County Soil and Water Conservation District Jim Turner City of Fairfield Dave Buesking City of Forest Park Darla Crum City of Hamilton Allison Haskins City of Hamilton Chris Gilbert City of Forest
    [Show full text]
  • Revive Cincinnati: Lower Mill Creek Valley
    revive cincinnati: neighborhoods of the lower mill creek valley Cincinnati, Ohio urban design associates february 2011 STEERING COMMITTEE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE Revive Cincinnati: Charles Graves, III Tim Jeckering Michael Moore Emi Randall Co-Chair, City Planning and Northside Community Council Chair, Transportation and OKI Neighborhoods of the Lower Buildings, Director Engineering Dave Kress Tim Reynolds Cassandra Hillary Camp Washington Business Don Eckstein SORTA Mill Creek Valley Co-Chair, Metropolitan Sewer Association Duke Energy Cameron Ross District of Greater Cincinnati Mary Beth McGrew Patrick Ewing City Planning and Buildings James Beauchamp Uptown Consortium Economic Development PREPARED FOR Christine Russell Spring Grove Village Community Weston Munzel Larry Falkin Cincinnati Port Authority City of Cincinnati Council Uptown Consortium Office of Environmental Quality urban design associates 2011 Department of City Planning David Russell Matt Bourgeois © and Buildings Rob Neel Mark Ginty Metropolitan Sewer District of CHCURC In cooperation with CUF Community Council Greater Cincinnati Waterworks Greater Cincinnati Metropolitan Sewer District of Robin Corathers Pat O’Callaghan Andrew Glenn Steve Schuckman Greater Cincinnati Mill Creek Restoration Project Queensgate Business Alliance Public Services Cincinnati Park Board Bruce Demske Roxanne Qualls Charles Graves Joe Schwind Northside Business Association CONSULTANT TEAM City Council, Vice Mayor City Planning and Buildings, Director Cincinnati Recreation Commission Urban Design Associates Barbara Druffel Walter Reinhaus LiAnne Howard Stefan Spinosa Design Workshop Clifton Business and Professional Over-the-Rhine Community Council Health ODOT Wallace Futures Association Elliot Ruther Lt. Robert Hungler Sam Stephens Robert Charles Lesser & Co. Jenny Edwards Cincinnati State Police Community Development RL Record West End Community Council DNK Architects Sandy Shipley Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • H:\TMDL\Program Development\Projects\Mill Creek
    Appendices Total Maximum Daily Loads for Mill Creek in Butler and Hamilton Counties prepared by Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Division of Surface Water with contributions by Butler County Department of Environmental Services Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati Mill Creek Restoration Project Mill Creek Watershed Council Office of Environmental Management, City of Cincinnati Ohio Kentucky Indiana Regional Council of Governments September 2004 Appendix Mill Creek TMDL report TABLE OF CONTENTS Appendix A. Modeling ........................................................1 A.1 GWLF Model Inputs .................................................2 A.1.2 Rainfall and Runoff Input Data and Parameters .....................5 A.2 Development of CSO and SSO Nutrient Loads for the Mill Creek Basin TMDL . 19 A.2.1 Approach for Developing CSO Nutrient Loadings ..................19 A.2.2 Approach for Developing SSO Nutrient Loading ...................23 Appendix A References......................................................25 Appendix B. Summary of Point Sources .........................................27 Appendix C. Summary of Non Point Source ......................................36 Appendix D. Public Notice Comments and Responses ...............................63 Appendix E. Notes from Public Meetings ........................................104 September 30, 2004 Appendix Mill Creek TMDL report List of Tables and Figures Table 1. Land uses in Mill Creek watershed, 1989-1994 ...............................2 Figure 1. Mill Creek
    [Show full text]
  • Interchange Concept Development for the I-75 Mill Creek Expressway Project Susan Swartz, P.E., AICP and Greg Parsons, P.E., Transystems Corporation
    Interchange Concept Development for the I-75 Mill Creek Expressway Project Susan Swartz, P.E., AICP and Greg Parsons, P.E., TranSystems Corporation Old, congested and accident prone are are being reconfigured. One such interchange DOT officials and stakeholders were able to three characteristics typical of many urban is I-75 at Hopple Street. review and evaluate a large array of options at interstates in Ohio, originally built to 1950’s The Hopple Street interchange contains a Hopple Street (along with the other five existing and 1960’s design standards which did not left-hand exit in the I-75 northbound direction. interchanges under study) to determine which anticipate the traffic volumes we experience It also has a substandard I-75 eastbound-to- concepts merited further today. These characteristics are consideration. particularly true of Interstate 75 in Based upon this early review, Cincinnati. The roadway, dubbed eight options were dismissed due the Mill Creek Expressway, is to poor operations, geometric heavily congested and burdened constraints, and excessive costs with accident rates two to three (compared to other functional times the statewide average for options), or other concerns. Three freeways. By 2030, the entire options were accepted for corridor is projected to operate at additional design development. Level of Service F based upon traffic These included the No-Build volumes alone, not considering the alternative plus the following two increases in traffic tie-ups resulting options: from accidents. Despite capacity needs, the Tight Urban Diamond Ohio DOT and the City of This alternative would involve Cincinnati have decided, due to reconstructing the Hopple Street public input, physical and fiscal interchange as a tight urban constraints, to add only one through diamond (TUDI).
    [Show full text]
  • Watershed Planning in Southwest Ohio
    Chapter 6 Watershed Planning in Southwest Ohio This product was financed through a grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Environmental Protection Agency with funds from Section 604B of the Clean Water Act. Page | 6-1 Chapter 6: Watershed Planning in Southwest Ohio Introduction and Purpose The purpose of this chapter is to explain watershed planning by watershed groups in Butler, Clermont, Hamilton and Warren counties. Particular attention is given to the role that Southwest Ohio‟s watershed groups fulfill in nonpoint source pollution management planning. Because nonpoint source pollution is diffuse, diverse and difficult to regulate, watershed groups are needed to help address this widespread problem. As defined by the U.S. EPA a watershed plan is “a strategy that provides assessment and management information for a geographically defined watershed, including the analyses, actions, participants, and resources related to developing and implementing the plan. The development of watershed plans requires a certain level of technical expertise and the participation of a variety of people with diverse skills and knowledge.” In Butler, Clermont, Hamilton and Warren counties, watershed groups are vital to providing “the participation of a variety of people with diverse skills and knowledge.” Southwest Ohio‟s watershed groups deal with an array of competing priorities but all share at least one underlying function: they help generate consensus among people and organizations with a stake in the health of their watersheds. In short, they are forums for watershed stakeholders. This makes watershed groups a key part of what the U.S. EPA calls the watershed approach.
    [Show full text]
  • Urban Ecosystems in OTR and the Basin
    RECONNAISSANCE: ANALYSIS SYNTHESIS: SYNTHESIS: INTERPRETATION DEBATE CONSENSUS Fall 05: Urban Ecosystems in OTR and the Basin The subject of this quarter’s work was to document and understand the urban ecosystems that exist throughout the OTR, CBD, and Basin Area. Students conducted their research to complement work underway for the preservation of the lower Mill Creek waterway by the Mill Creek Restoration Project. Rarely documented and frequently underappreciated, the natural areas within the city’s central core can work to support improved quality of life for community residents. This studio illustrated the location of QDWXUDODVVHWVDQGKRZWKH\FRXOGEHXWLOL]HGWREHQH¿WUHVLGHQWVRIWKHEDVLQ3XEOLFSUHVHQWDWLRQVPDGH by students for this project help to educate the public about natural assets and promote the efforts of the Mill Creek Restoration Project, the Hillside Trust and other environmental groups. A special aspect of this studio was the participation of 16 visiting Italian architecture and planning students in an intense two week design charrette with the studio. Students of the Spring 06 studio later participated in a design exercise for furniture and landscape enhancements for the proposed Mill Creek greenway. SYNTHESIS: APPLICATIONS LOGISTICS TRANSLATIONS COORDINATED rethinking cincinnati basin RECONNAISSANCE ANALYSIS SYNTHESIS •Variety •Individual •Individual •Quantity •Random •Non-negotiated •Speed •Synthetic •Dynamic •Selective ON-LINE •Comprehensive •Coordinated •Group •Coordinated •Strategic •Negotiated •Strategic IN-SITU •Indivicual
    [Show full text]
  • State of the Environment in Hamilton County, Ohio
    Hamilton County Environmental Action Commission May 2017 State of the Environment in Hamilton County, Ohio Beginning with the first appearance of people in Hamilton County about 15,000 years ago, the growth of the county’s human population has caused significant modifications in the local ecosystem. This report presents the current state of the county’s environment. Stream Quality Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati (MSD) is recognized as a steward of the community, protecting public health and the environment and providing sustainable water reclamation and watershed management. MSD operates seven permitted wastewater treatment facilities located throughout the county that remove pollutants from the wastewater and return highly treated effluent to receiving streams. MSD reports on its operations to Ohio EPA and the public routinely. In recent years, MSD began conducting a multi-year environmental study to assess the quality of local waterways (msdgc.org/initiatives/water_quality/index.html). MSD has surveyed each of the major streams in Hamilton County: Mill Creek in 2011; Little Miami River in 2012; Great Miami River in 2013; and Ohio River in 2014. The Mill Creek was surveyed in 2016 and the resulting data will be reported in 2017. In Ohio, there are established metrics to determine the health of a stream by collecting biological, chemical and physical data and comparing it to water quality goals in the Ohio Water Quality Standards and to previous studies. 1) One assessment is the stream’s ability to sustain aquatic life. The key indicator of overall condition in terms of aquatic life is the status of the attainment of recommended and existing aquatic life use designations based on attainment of the Ohio biological criteria.
    [Show full text]
  • President Vicki Hoppe Called the Public Hearing of February 26
    President Vicki Hoppe called the Public Hearing of February 26, 2019, regarding the Zone Change Classification for 11029 Sharon Meadows Drive (Hamilton County, Ohio Parcel ID #608-0015-0057-00) from Residential (R1-B) to General Business (GB) to order at 7:01 p.m. Community Development Director John Creech and City Planner Sarah Dircks began the public hearing by noting this was approved and recommended by the Planning Commission. City Planner Sarah Dircks made a presentation to the meeting which is attached to the Minutes. President Hoppe opened the floor for questions or comments by the public and none were raised. The floor was opened for questions or comments by Council and Councilmember Lippert asked if there were any objections at the public meeting held and the answer to that was no. After no more questions were raised, President Hoppe closed the Public Hearing at 7:04 p.m. President Vicki Hoppe called the regular Sharonville Council meeting of February 26, 2019 to order at 7:04 p.m. A moment of silence was held followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Kurt Irey. ROLL CALL ♦ In attendance for Roll Call were Council Members: Rob Tankersley, Mike Wilson, Charles Lippert, Shayok Dutta, Dave Koch, Sue Knight and Paul Schmidt. Also in attendance were Mayor Kevin Hardman, President Vicki Hoppe, Safety Service Director Jim Lukas, Auditor Ed Cunningham, Treasurer Kurt Irey, and Department Heads: Community Development Director John Creech and Police Chief Steve Vanover. Mark Piepmeier was absent with notice. MINUTES ♦ The Minutes from the regular council meeting of February 12, 2019 were approved as written and distributed.
    [Show full text]
  • Odot District 8 2021 Construction Program
    ODOT DISTRICT 8 2021 CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM SERVING BUTLER, CLERMONT, CLINTON, GREENE, HAMILTON, PREBLE AND WARREN COUNTIES MIKE DEWINE, OHIO GOVERNOR | JACK MARCHBANKS, PH.D., ODOT DIRECTOR | TAMMY CAMPBELL, P.E., DISTRICT DEPUTY DIRECTOR ODOT DISTRICT 8 2021 CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM ODOT DISTRICT 8 2021 CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM 2021 CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM hio’s highways are essential to keeping and creating new jobs. With a mission to provide easy movement of people and goods from place to place, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is responsible for maintaining one of the largest transportation networks in the nation. Guided by ethical principles and accountability, ODOT works to improve safety, enhance travel and advance economic development. O The following summary outlines those projects which are currently under construction or programmed for the 2021 construction season in ODOT District 8. With an estimated funding commitment of more than $760 million in construction costs, District 8’s construction program will consist of approximately 95 new and ongoing preservation, maintenance and safety improvement projects to be sold and/or constructed through FY2021 and the first quarter of FY2022. Due to production and planning variables, however, not all projects may be sold as proposed, and projects are subject to funding availability. Any cost estimates, sale dates or schedules cited in this document are subject to change, and estimated costs are the construction cost estimates established by District 8’s Planning & Design staff prior to bid letting; these do not include any preliminary engineering or right of way acquisition costs as applicable to the project. Projects listed as Local-Let are those which are being administered by the Department of Transportation; additional information about these and other local projects can be obtained from the respective sponsoring agency.
    [Show full text]
  • Congress Run – Mill Creek Huc-12
    NPS-IS PLAN FOR CONGRESS RUN – MILL CREEK HUC-12 Version 1.0 Nine-Element August 01, 2017 Nonpoint Source Implementation Strategic Plan (NPS-IS Plan) Congress Run – Mill Creek HUC-12 (05090203 01 04) Authors: Emma Clohessy, Mill Creek Watershed Council of Communities Chris Weidl, Mill Creek Watershed Council of Communities Jim Moyer, Mill Creek Watershed Council of Communities Adam Lehmann, Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District Bruce Koehler, Ohio*Kentucky*Indiana Regional Council of Governments Brian Wamsley, Hamilton County Planning + Development Page | 1 Version 1.1 Dr. Michael Miller, University of Cincinnati August 1, 2017 Kari Merrill, Ohio*Kentucky*Indiana Regional Council of Governments NPS-IS PLAN FOR CONGRESS RUN – MILL CREEK HUC-12 Table of Contents Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................................................. 4 Chapter 1: Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................... 5 1.1 Report Background........................................................................................................................................................ 5 1.2 Watershed Profile & History ......................................................................................................................................... 5 1.3 Public Participation and Involvement ..........................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]