WATEi QUALETY ASSESSMENT OF ENTflSTATE STTEA1WS EN THE OHEO T,EVEP. .i:ASEN
OHIO RIVER VALLEY WATER SANITATION COMMISSION
CINCINNATI, OHIO
January 1997
INTRODUCTION River Valley portion of the Ohio River basin, and therefore outside of the The Ohio River Valley Water Compact district, is not included in this Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) is report. The purpose of this document is an interstate agency whose major charge to bring any problems existing in these is the control and abatement of water streams to the forefront so that the pollution in the Ohio River Valley. appropriate pollution control agencies ORSANCO was created and draws its and organizations in the neighboring authority from the Ohio River Valley states can address the problems in a Water Sanitation Compact, which was cooperative and more effective manner. approved by the United States Congress in 1936 and signed by the governors of This report provides detailed the states of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, water quality information on a stream by New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia stream basis. A report providing a and West Virginia in 1948. broader perspective of water quality in the Ohio River Basin was developed by Although the concept of nonpoint ORSANCO and the Tennessee Valley source pollution did not exist when the Authority. This can be found in U.S. Compact was signed, the document EPA's The Quality of Our Nation's provides a mechanism by which Water:J 994 (see Section II, "Basinwide ORSANCO can address the issue from a Survey: Ohio and Tennessee River basin-wide perspective. Article I of the Valley". Compact states "Each of the signatory states pledges.. faithful cooperation in RATING WATER QUALITY the control of future pollution in and CONDITIONS IN THE BASIN abatement of existing pollution from the rivers, streams and water in the Ohio In their 305(b) reports, the states River basin which flows through, into or rate water quality conditions by border upon any of such signatory comparing water quality data and States..." The guiding principle of the narrative information with water quality compact, as stated in Article VI, is that criteria established by the states. Water pollution originating within a signatory quality criteria define conditions that State shall not injuriously affect the must be met to support designated various uses of the interstate waters in beneficial uses. Each state is responsible the basin. for assigning uses to each of the waterbodies within its borders. At a The following report identifies minimum, the Clean Water Act requires the quality of water and aquatic life of that the states designate their waters for all interstate streams located within the uses that protect aquatic life and contact Compact district. The data used for this recreation (i.e., swimming). assessment were taken from the basin states' 1994 305(b) water quality The U.S. Environmental assessment reports.' A discussion of Protection Agency encourages the states those streams located in the Tennessee to use the following use support categories for rating water quality
/ Water quality data for West Virginia was gathered front the states 1992 Waterbody System database.
1 conditions in their rivers, streams and ALLEGHENY RIVER BASIN (New lakes: York - Pennsylvania Border)
• Fully supporting - water All streams, rivers and lakes quality meets the criteria for which cross the New York-Pennsylvania designated uses state border are located within the • Threatened - water quality Allegheny River basin. This report currently meets designated addresses those border streams which are use criteria, but may not in included in the U.S Geological Survey's the future Reach File 1 stream database. Figure 1 • Partially supporting - water illustrates the basin's border streams quality occasionally fails to listed below: meet designated use criteria • not supporting - water quality 1. Allegheny River frequently fails to meet 2. Brokenstraw Creek designated use criteria. 3. Conewango Creek 4. French Creek It is important to keep the above 5. French Creek, West Branch definitions in mind when reading this 6. Honeoye Creek document. Throughout this report there 7. Little Brokenstraw Creek are several references to streams either 8. Little Gennessee Creek fully, partially or not supporting a 9. Oswayo Creek particular designated use, such as aquatic 10. Stillwater Creek life or contact recreation. If a stream 11. Tunungwant Creek "does not support aquatic life," for example, this means that the criteria for The Allegheny River itself originates in aquatic life are frequently exceeded in north-central Potter County, the stream. It does not mean that the Pennsylvania, flows northwest into New stream in question is devoid of aquatic York, turns southwest and re-enters life. Pennsylvania. From its headwaters, the Allegheny flows 325 miles to its mouth It is also important to note that in Pittsburgh, where it joins the the assessment procedures used differ Monongahela River to form the Ohio from state to state. For example, while River. Pennsylvania reported no water one state may base use support quality problems on the upper Allegheny assessments primarily on biological data, River in its 1994 305(b) report. The a neighboring state may rely more only problems reported by the state were heavily on physical and chemical data. well downstream of the state border, As a result, inconsistencies do exist in including 1.5 stream miles in Perry use assessments from one state to the Township impaired due to mining next. activities and a fish consumption advisory on the lower 14.5 miles of the Allegheny. The advisory lists carp and catfish as unsafe to eat because of contamination from PCBs and chlordane. Information was also
2 FIGURE 1: OHIO RIVE 1" tASIN INTE ]' STATE STREAMS Allegheny I'iver I;asin
New York Lake Erie
Pennsylvania
See text for key to numbered streams
'V provided for the Allegheny Reservoir the watershed. Dairy farms, sand and (also called Kinzua Lake), which is gravel extraction, streambank erosion located on the New York-Pennsylvania and channelization in the watershed border. The majority of the lake (12,100 result in sedimentation of the spawning acres) is located in Pennsylvania. This areas of Conewango main stem. portion has been classified as mesotrophie (borderline eutrophic) using Both states identify problems in Carlson's Trophic Status Index, which is Tunungwant Creek, which begins in based on mean values calculated for Bradford, PA and enters the Allegheny phosphorus, chlorophyll and Secchi disk River upstream of Salamanca, NY. readings. The lake has not been Aquatic life use of the 6.5 stream miles classified as impaired or threatened. No located in New York is listed as data for the Allegheny Reservoir were "impaired," meaning that the use may be available from New York. supported, but at a level significantly less than is possible. The 2.5 miles in New York conducted an Pennsylvania are listed as not supporting intensive survey in the Allegheny River due to pollutants from industrial point basin in 1989-90 as part of its Rotating sources. Oil sheens and occasional fish Intensive Basin Studies. Three sampling kills resulting from oil field discharges sites were located on interstate streams, and chemical spills reportedly impair including the Allegheny River at fish survival in the creek. Salamanca and at Mill Grove, and Conewango Creek at Kennedy. Of the remaining interstate Upstream of the Allegheny Reservoir at streams, use support assessment data Salamanca, the river's water was good. were available for Brokenstraw Creek, Further upstream, just across the state French Creek, Little Genessee Creek and line at Mill Grove, the river is rated as the Stillwater River. French Creek data fair. Identified problems at this site are were available from both states, while the presence of PCBs in macro- information for the remaining streams invertebrate tissue and several pollutants were presented in New York's 1994 in the water column. 305(b) report only. Information was not presented in either states' 305(b) report Aquatic life in the lower 45 miles for the West Branch of French Creek, of Conewango Creek were listed as Honeoye Creek or Oswayo Creek. "stressed" in the New York's 1994 305(b) report. As defined by the New The Brokenstraw Creek York Department of Environmental watershed is primarily agricultural. Conservation (NY DEC), a water body is Typical water quality problems found stressed when a water quality problem is here include sedimentation from row evident, but impairment is not clearly crops and streambank erosion from demonstrated. The entire Conewango disturbed stream banks. Manure Creek corridor and associated tributaries spreading contributes to the problem are located in a highly intensive when manure spread in the winter agricultural area. Excessive siltation and months is washed from the fields with algal accumulation is often evident, the spring snow melt. The stream has indicating erosion and nutrient runoff in been classified as stressed by NY DEC.
4 The New York portion of the Also identified by NY DEC as French Creek watershed is also stressed are Little Genessee Creek and primarily agricultural, and has the largest the lower Stillwater River. Oil and cattle population in Chautauqua County. grease from numerous oil field Fish propagation and survival in all 50 discharges are the principal pollutants of miles of French Creek within the state concern in Little Genessee Creek, while have been classified as stressed by NY thermal changes and sedimentation from DEC. Siltation and thermal changes agricultural activities impact the caused by agriculture are listed as the Stillwater River from the Pennsylvania primary problems in the main stem of state line to its confluence with the creek. Conewango Creek.
Table 1: Water Quality of Interstate Streams - Allegheny River Basin Stream State Miles Aquatic. Life Primary Concern Assessed Use Support Allegheny River PAINY --- Full Support No impairment upstream of Perry Twp. (PA) Kinzua Lake PA 12,100 acres Full Support Brokenstraw Cr. NY 10 Stressed* Siltation Conewango Cr. NY 45 Stressed* Siltation/Algae Tunungwant Cr. NY 6.5 Impaired* Oil and Grease PA 2.5 Non-support Industrial Sources French Cr. NY SO Stressed* Siltation/Thermal L. Genessee Cr. NY 5.4 Stressed* Oil and Grease Stillwater Cr. NY 20 Stressed* Siltation/Thermal * - For NY assessments, "stressed" is approx. equivalent to "partial/minor" impairment; "impaired is equivalent to 'partial/moderate" impairment.
While Little Beaver Creek is BEAVER/OHIO RIVER BASINS technically an interstate stream, the vast (Pennsylvania - Ohio Border) majority of the creek is located in Ohio. Its confluence with the Ohio River is Although only two streams and located in Pennsylvania just upstream of two lakes cross the border of Ohio and the state line and East Liverpool, OH. Pennsylvania, the majority of the water Two smaller tributaries, BrushRun and bodies are significant in size. Those the North Fork of Little Beaver Creek, border streams and lakes listed by USGS are primarily located in Pennsylvania. in its RFI Stream database include Little Pennsylvania reports six miles of the Beaver Creek, the Mahoning River, North Fork as not supporting aquatic life Pymatuning Reservoir and Shenango due to natural causes. Approximately River Lake (Figure 2). eight miles of Brush Run are classified as not supporting due to resource extraction activities. No data are
5 FIGURE 2: OHIO RIVER iIASIN INTERSTATE STREAMS 1I,) I) eaver/Ohio River tasins
PENNSYL VA NIA
Lake m atuning Erie servoiT
eaver iver OHIO
S available for the short stretch of Little Two reservoirs are located Beaver Creek located in Pennsylvania. directly on the Ohio-Pennsylvania Ohio EPA classifies the creek as fully border - Pymatuning Reservoir and supporting along its 16 miles from Shenango River Lake. Little Middle Fork to the Pennsylvania state information on lake water quality was line; however, there is a fish available from Ohio EPA's 305(b) consumption advisory on the Middle report, since the majority of both lakes Fork for all fish. Contaminants of are in Pennsylvania. Water supply, concern are chlordane and Mirex. recreation and flood control are the uses listed for Pymatuning Reservoir in Lake Milton represents the Ohio. Based on 1972 data, the lake is headwaters of the Mahoning River. assessed as eutrophic. No data regarding From here, the river flows north for a Shenango River Lake was available short distance, then turns southeast and from Ohio. flows through the cities of Warren and Youngstown, OH before crossing the Trophic analysis reports for the state line. The Mahoning joins the Shenango River and Pymatuning Shenango River south of New Castle, Reservoirs were completed by PA, forming the Beaver River. Ohio Pennsylvania DEP in 1989 and 1990, EPA classifies the lower 34 miles of the respectively. Both watersheds are river as not supporting aquatic life, while located in primarily agricultural or Pennsylvania DEP also rates 11 miles as undeveloped areas and are sparsely not supporting. Pollutants of primary populated. The upper end of the concern in the lower reaches are metals, Pymatuning Reservoir contains a large other inorganic compounds and organic wildlife sanctuary and is noted for its enrichment (resulting in low dissolved recreational opportunities. Recreational oxygen levels). Municipal and industrial activities are also popular in and around point sources are listed as major the Shenango Reservoir. High nutrient pollutant contributors in both states. loadings and the shallowness of Combined sewer overflows and urban Pymatuning Reservoir have caused the runoff are also listed as problems in lake to suffer from excessive growth of Ohio. A fish consumption advisory is in algae and rooted plants. Aquatic effect for all species from the Northwest herbicides have been used to control Bridge Street in Newton Falls, OH to the nuisance plants for many years. There Pennsylvania line, a distance of 29.2 are no reports of such problems in the stream miles. Contaminants of concern Shenango Reservoir. The reports rate are listed as PCBs, polyaromatic both lakes as eutrophic with the potential hydrocarbons, phthalate esters and for becoming hyper-eutrophic if point Mirex. There is no advisory for the source controls are not implemented. Mahoning River in Pennsylvania, Both reports also recommend although consumption advisory for carp implementing first level best and channel catfish is in effect for the management practices throughout the Beaver River as a result from PCBs and basins to control nonpoint nutrient chlordane contamination. runoff from agricultural lands.
7 Table 2: Water Quality of Interstate Streams - Beaver River/Ohio Tributaries Stream State Miles Aquatic Life Primary Use Support Concerns L. Beaver Cr. OH 16 Full Support Mahoning River* OH 34 Non-support Metals, low PA 11 Non-support DO, inorganics Pymatuning Reservoir PA 14,500 acres Full/Threatened Nutrients Shenango Lake PA 3,560 acres Full/Threatened Nutrients * Fish consumption advisory for Ohio portion of stream
MONONGAHELA RIVER BASIN Virginia. One direct tributary to the (Pennsylvania - West Virginia - Monongahela - Dunkard Creek - is said Maryland Borders) to fully support aquatic life in West Virginia; however, across the state line, The Monongahela River basin Pennsylvania classifies the stream as not drains over 7,300 square miles of the supporting this designated use. Ohio River Basin in the states of Pennsylvania, West Virginia and The Casselman River begins in Maryland. The main stem of the the Savage River State Forest in Garret Monongahela River originates south of County, Maryland and flows northeast Fairmont, WV at the confluence of the through the mountains into West Fork and the Tygart Valley Rivers. Pennsylvania, where it turns back and From this point, the river flows north flows southwest to the Youghiogheny into Pennsylvania until it joins the River. The Maryland Department of the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh to form Environment (MIDE) reports that a little the Ohio River. Major tributaries to the more than 33 miles of the river fully Monongahela River, as shown in Figure support contact recreation and aquatic 3, include the Casselman, Youghiogheny life, while approximately 13 miles and Cheat Rivers. partially support these uses. In addition, over 20 miles of the river fully support The entire stretch of natural trout populations. Just over eight Monongahela River in West Virginia stream miles are designated as a public (37.5 miles) was classified as partially drinking water supply and are fully supporting, primarily due to elevated supported. Problems noted on the lower concentrations of metals from acid mine river near the Maryland-Pennsylvania drainage. Just across the border in border include low pH due to acid mine Pennsylvania, near the Point Marion drainage and natural wetland conditions. Lock and Dam, a fish consumption High bacteria and low oxygen levels advisory is in effect for white bass as a resulting from agricultural runoff were result of chlordane contamination. No also reported by MDE. further problems on the river have been noted, with the exception of the last In 1988, Pennsylvania DEP eleven stream miles near Pittsburgh, conducted a Casselman River watershed where a second consumption advisory study which included water chemistry, has been posted. No consumption macroinvertebrate and fish sampling. In advisories for the river exist in West general, it was found that watershed
8 FIGU !I E 3: OHIO 'fl[VE.' tASIN INTERSTATE ST F EAMS Monongahela/Ohio River I asins
PENNSYLVANIA
LAND
heny ver
WEST VIRGINIA
Monongahela River Basin Ohio River Tributaries streams either had exceptional water Youghiogheny River is designated as a quality and aquatic communities or were state scenic river. The water quality in severely degraded due to acid mine the upper portion of the river was rated drainage. Two interstate streams as fair. Problems noted include low pH represent both categories. Whites from abandoned coal mines. The water Creek was found to have excellent water quality improved downstream near the quality and supports a trout fishery. Pennsylvania border, although low pH Piney Creek had low pH as a result of and dissolved oxygen concentrations mine drainage; however, metals were reported as concerns. At the concentrations in the stream were low. border, IvIIDE classified over 590 acres of The main stem of the Casselman River Youghiogheny Reservoir as fully reportedly had good water quality supporting aquatic life and rated the lake entering the state. Numerous and as meso-eutrophic. Pennsylvania DEP diverse macroinvertebrates were found also classified its portion of the and sensitive species dominated the reservoir, more than 2800 acres, as fully community. Resident trout species were supporting and eutrophic (borderline also found. The high quality extends for mesotrophic). Only 1.5 miles of the six miles into Pennsylvania until Coal river's main stem in Pennsylvania did Run enters the river. Coal Run is not support aquatic life. severely affected by acid mine drainage from the Shaw Mines Complex. No All but approximately one mile aquatic life exists in the stream. Impacts of the 80-mile long Cheat River is of Coal Run on the river are easily seen. located in West Virginia; however, it is important to note that Pennsylvania has The Youghiogheny River is the issued a fish consumption advisory for only water body to be located in portions the one stream mile in the state. The of all three states. The river originates in public is advised against consuming any West Virginia near Aurora - only six white bass caught from the river due to miles of the main stem are located in the contamination from chlordane. As state. The river then enters Maryland mentioned above, a similar advisory is in where it flows northward through effect for the Monongahela, downstream primarily forested land until it reaches of its confluence with the Cheat River. the Youghiogheny River Reservoir at the No consumption advisories for either Pennsylvania border. Once in river exist in West Virginia. West Pennsylvania, the river flows northwest, Virginia does report that metals and pH initially through forests and state parks problems exist throughout the Cheat and, once downstream of Connellsville, River resulting from mine drainage. PA, through agricultural and urban areas. The river empties into the Monongahela Three tributaries to the Cheat River at McKeesport, PA. River cross the West-Virginia- Pennsylvania state line - Big Sandy Of the six miles located in the Creek, Little Sandy Creek and Laurel state of West Virginia, 4.5 miles were Run. Two of the 14 miles of Little rated as fully supporting aquatic life, Sandy Creek have significant mine while 1.5 miles were classified as drainage problems. Laurel Run is partially supporting. In Maryland, the reported as fully supporting both aquatic
10 life and contact recreation; however, the Sandy Creek, which receives the two public water supply use is not supported. streams just mentioned, fully supports its Inorganic pollutants and siltation are aquatic life use, despite problems of acid listed as the primary concerns. Big mine drainage in the area.
Table 3: Water Quality of Interstate Streams - Monongahela River Basin Stream State Miles Aquatic Life Primary Concerns Use Support Monongahela River* PA 1.0 Partial Chlordane WV 37.5 Partial Metals Dunkard Creek PA 8.5 Non-support Metals, pH WV 22 Full Youghiogheny River WV 4.5/1.5 Full/Partial MD 217/32 FulL1Partial pH, low DO Yough. Reservoir MD 593 acres Full PA 2800 acres Full Casselman River MD 33/13 Full/Partial pH PA 6 Full Whites Creek PA --- Full Piney Creek PA --- Non-support pH Cheat River* WV 12/66 Partial/Non Metals, pH, bacteria PA --- Partial Chlordane Big Sandy Creek PA 14 Non-support Metals, pH WV 19 . Full Little Sandy Creek WV 12/2 Full/Partial pH Laurel Run WV 8.6 Full Miles assessed are undetermined. * - Consumption advisories in place for white bass near state border.
OHIO RIVER TRIBUTARIES 1. Buffalo Creek (Pennsylvania - West Virginia Border) 2. Wheeling Creek 3. Middle Wheeling Creek As the Ohio River exits 4. Dunkard Fork Pennsylvania, it begins to flow south, 5. Grave Creek bordered by Ohio on the west and the 6. Fish Creek West Virginia panhandle on the east. Since the panhandle is less than 20 miles Buffalo Creek is the most across at its widest point, many upstream of the interstate tributaries in tributaries entering the Ohio River from the West Virginia panhandle. Its the east flow through both Pennsylvania headwaters are located southeast of and West Virginia. Interstate creeks in Washington, PA. The creek flows into the area addressed in this report are West Virginia just north of the Brooke shown in Figure 3 and include: County/Ohio County Border and joins the Ohio River at mile point 74.7. Only West Virginia reported on the water
11 quality of Buffalo Creek, classifying the miles of Middle 'Wheeling Creek as 18 miles of creek which flowed through fully supporting aquatic life and contact the state as fully supporting aquatic life recreation; however, several pollutants and contact recreation. are listed as concerns, including metals, oil and grease, nutrients, pH and Downstream of Buffalo Creek is siltation. Pollutant sources include the Wheeling Creek watershed. CSOs, urban runoff, septic tanks, Interstate tributaries in this watershed agriculture and resource extraction. include Middle Wheeling Creek and Water quality in Wheeling Creek is Dunkard Fork of Wheeling Creek. reported in a similar fashion. Nearly 28 Middle Wheeling Creek originates in miles of the creek is classified as fully Pennsylvania approximately three miles supporting aquatic life and contact east of the West Virginia border. The recreation; however, the same pollutants majority of Dunkard Fork is located in identified as concerns on Middle Pennsylvania, joining Wheeling Creek Wheeling Creek are listed as having a just across the state border. Wheeling high impact on Wheeling Creek. No data Creek begins near the border on the for either Wheeling Creek or Middle Pennsylvania side at the confluence of Wheeling Creek were available from Enlow and Robinson Forks and enters Pennsylvania. the Ohio River at mile point 90.8. Grave Creek and Fish Creek No water quality information is both originate in the southwestern corner available from either state for Dunkard of Pennsylvania and enter the Ohio Fork; however, a fish consumption River at mile points 102.9 and 113.9, advisory is in effect for the North Fork respectively. Pennsylvania does not of Dunkard Fork in Pennsylvania. The report on the water quality data for either advisory states that smailmouth bass of these streams. West Virginia should not be consumed due to classifies entire stretches of both streams contamination from PCBs and as partially supporting aquatic life. No chlordane. West Virginia classifies 11 pollutants or sources are provided.
Table 4: Water Quality of Interstate Streams - PA/WV Ohio River Tributaries Stream State Miles Aquatic Life Primary Concerns Use Support Buffalo Creek WV 18 Full Wheeling Creek WV 28 Full Metals, pH, oil and grease, nutrients, siltation Middle Wheeling Creek WV 11 Full Metals, pH, oil and grease, nutrients, siltation Dunkard Fork* WV 1.3 Full Grave Creek WV 22 Partial Fish Creek WV 26.5 Partial * - Fish consumption advisory for N. Fork of Dun/card Fork in Pennsylvania
12 NEW RIVER BASIN (North Carolina one occasion. Six samples were - Virginia - West Virginia Borders) collected from Laurel Fork, a tributary of the Bluestone River. Water quality The New River flows through standards exceedences were seen twice portions of three states, beginning in for fecal coliform and once for dissolved Watauga County, North Carolina, oxygen. Samples for organic entering Virginia near the City of compounds were also collected - no Radcliff, then exiting into West Virginia, violations were recorded. On the West near Glen Lyn. From here it flows to the Virginia side, the entire river is classified confluence of the Gauley River forming as fully supporting aquatic life and the Kanawha River, a tributary of the contact recreation uses. Pollutants of Ohio River. The basin is sparsely concern listed by West Virginia include populated. The higher elevations have nutrients, siltation and low dissolved steep slopes and are thickly forested, oxygen concentrations. Only one mile of while the mountain bases are mostly Laurel Fork is located in West Virginia, used for agriculture. Less than three which was classified as fully supporting percent of the basin is considered urban both uses. in Virginia. No information regarding Rich Figure 4 illustrates the interstate Creek or Brush Creek was available streams along the Virginia-West from Virginia DEQ. West Virginia DEP Virginia border, including the New classified ten miles of each stream as River, Bluestone River, Laurel Fork, fully supporting both aquatic life and Brush Creek and Rich Creek. Data contact recreation. collected by Virginia from the New River site closest to the West Virginia Of the streams included in the state line revealed no water quality USGS RF1 database, only the New standards violations for field-measurable River, Little River and Helton Creek parameters (temperature, dissolved cross the Virginia-North Carolina state oxygen and pH) or fecal coliform line. Near Amelia, NC, ten miles of the bacteria. West Virginia classified 87 New River are classified as fully miles of the New River as fully supporting aquatic life and secondary supporting aquatic life and partially contact recreation. North Carolina supporting contact recreation activities. Department of Environment, Health and No pollutants of concern were Natural Resources rated the biological mentioned. conditions of the river as excellent from 1989 to 1991 (the last year the rating Data from two Virginia was given). In Virginia, only one fecal monitoring stations on the Bluestone coliform sample out of 16 taken for field River were available for field measurable parameters, bacteria and measurable parameters and fecal organics exceeded state water quality coliform bacteria. Of the sixteen criteria. samples taken for each parameter, fecal coliform levels exceeded water quality Approximately 34 miles of the samples three times while dissolved Little River is located in North oxygen standards were not met on only Carolina, 28 of which has been classified
13 F1[GUIE 4: OHIO IVER tASIN INTERSTATE S T fl' EAMS New River asin
West Virginia
th F/c. North ew River Carolina
S as filly supporting aquatic life and mouth. No violations were seen for field contact recreation uses. Nearly 11 miles measurable parameters, bacteria or of this stretch was rated as having an organic compounds at this site. excellent biological community from 1988 to 1990. Six were listed as Only North Carolina reported partially supporting in North Carolina's water quality information for Helton 1994 305(b) report. No problem Creek. Approximately seven miles of parameters were mentioned - only the creek was classified as supporting nonpoint source activities were listed as aquatic life and recreation uses; a concern. One monitoring station is however, contaminated sediments were located in Virginia near the river's listed as a concern.
Table 5: Water Quality of Interstate Streams - New River Basin Stream State Miles Aquatic Life Primary Concerns Use Support New River WV 87 Full VA --- Full NC 10 Full Bluestone River WV Full VA Full Laurel Fork WV 1.0 Full VA Full Rich Creek WV 10 Full Brush Creek WV 10 Full Little River VA -- Full NC 28/6 Full/Partial Helton Creek NC 7 Full Contaminated sediments Miles assessed are undetermined.
BIG SANDY RIVER BASIN (Virginia Virginia border; Tug Fork, which forms - West Virginia - Kentucky Borders) the southern border; and Levisa Fork, which originates in Virginia, flows The headwaters of the Big Sandy through Kentucky, and eventually joins River basin are located in Virginia and Tug Fork to form the Big Sandy River. extend into both Kentucky and West Other interstate streams which will be Virginia. For the most part, the basin is covered in this section are Dry Fork, forested, particularly in the southern Jacob Fork, Russell Fork, Hunts Creek, parts. Urban land use and industrial Knox Creek and Pawpaw Creek. A map activities are prevalent in the northern of the interstate streams in the basin is section, where the Big Sandy River joins provided in Figure 5. the Ohio River. There are three major interstate rivers in this basin, including: Both Kentucky and West the Big Sandy River, which forms the Virginia classified all 27 miles of the northern portion of the Kentucky-West Big Sandy River as filly supporting
15 FIGURE 5: OHI[t RIVE ASIN INTERSTATE STREAMS ig Sandy River tasiln
West Virginia
Virginia aquatic life; however, only West station approximately 14 miles upstream Virginia classified the river as fully of Kentucky, the biological community supporting recreational uses. The river was determined to be moderately does not support recreation according to impaired. In Kentucky, Russell Fork Kentucky's 1994 305(b) assessment. fully supports its aquatic life use but Differences between the two state does not support recreational activities. assessments are also apparent in the No water quality or biological assessments conducted for Tug Fork. information was available from either West Virginia DEP lists the entire state for Hunts Creek, a small tributary stream as partially supporting both of Russell Fork which crosses the state aquatic life and recreational uses. The line near Breaks (Va.) Interstate Park. lower 58 miles of Tug Fork were assessed by Kentucky DOW - 22 miles Only West Virginia DEP had as fully supporting, 26 miles as partially information on the water quality of Dry supporting and 10 miles as not Fork and one of its tributaries, Jacob supporting aquatic life. All 58 miles Fork, both of which cross the Virginia- were rated as not supporting contact West Virginia Border. The entire reach recreation due to pathogens from septic of both streams within West Virginia tanks and package treatment plants. The was classified as fully supporting aquatic primary cause of less than full aquatic life. Water quality assessments of two life use support was reported as siltation additional streams in the Tug Fork from surface and subsurface mining watershed - Knox Creek and Pawpaw activities. Creek - were provided by Virginia. Based on the results of biological Virginia DEQ has monitoring studies, Pawpaw Creek, a tributary of stations on Levisa Fork near the Knox Creek, is said to be severely Kentucky border for which biological impaired as a result of mining activity in data are available. Both sites have been the area. Mining activities also impact reported as having biological Knox Creek, although the biological communities moderately impacted by community is only moderately impaired, mining activities. In Kentucky, the according to Virginia DEQ. Kentucky stream is rated as fully supporting reported that the eight miles of Knox aquatic life for nearly 12 miles above the Creek within the state did not support confluence with Russell Fork. Use swimming uses; aquatic life uses were support gradually shifts to partial and not assessed. finally non-support at its confluence with the Big Sandy River near Louisa, GREAT MIAMI RIVER BASIN KY, primarily due to mining impacts. (Ohio - Indiana Border) Contact recreation is not supported in 65 miles of the stream. On Russell Fork, The Great Miami River there were no criteria exceedences for watershed, shown in Figure 6, drains dissolved oxygen or pH and only one approximately 5,400 square miles of fecal coliform violation out of 38 primarily agricultural land in Ohio and samples collected from three Virginia Indiana. Indian Lake in Logan County, monitoring stations within 15 miles of Ohio form the headwaters of the river, the state line. However, at a monitoring which flows southwest, entering the
17 FIGU E 6: OHIO 9 1 lYE tASI[N INTE P' STATE STREAMS Ohio-Indiana I; order
Wabash River Basin Great Miami River Basi Table 6: Water Quail of Interstate Streams - Big Sandy River Basin Stream State Miles Aquatic Life Primary Concerns Use Support Big Sandy River WV 27 Full KY 27 Full Tug Fork WV 58 Partial Siltation KY 22/26/10 Full/Part/Non Siltation Levisa Fork VA --- Non-support Siltation KY 12/61/34 Full/Part/Non Siltation, low DO Russell Fork VA --- Full KY 16 Full Dry Fork WV --- Full Jacob Fork WV --- Full Pawpaw Creek VA --- Non-support Mining activities Knox Creek VA --- Partial Mining activities Miles assessed are undetermined.
Ohio River just west of Cincinnati. The Ohio, with only 1 V2 miles near the mouth vast majority of the river is located in crossing into Indiana. Greenville Creek, Little Fourmile Creek and Indian Creek all cross from Indiana to Ohio before Greenville Creek is actually a joining the main stem of the Great tributary of the Stillwater River, which Miami. The Great Miami River's major enters the Great Miami River about half tributary, the Whitewater River, way between the headwaters and the primarily flows through Indiana, mouth. No water quality information crossing the state line as it approaches about the creek was available through the Great Miami. Interstate tributaries to Indiana's 305(b) report. The nine miles the Whitewater River include the East, downstream of the state line are partially Middle and Dry Forks, and Elkhorn impaired. Low dissolved oxygen Creek. concentrations and habitat alterations are listed as the causes of impairment; For the lower stretches of the sources include municipal discharges Great Miami River, from Taylor Creek and dam construction. Bacteria levels in to the Ohio River, eight miles are said to Greenville Creek were also shown to be partially support aquatic life while nearly elevated during a 1990 survey by Ohio seven miles are non-supporting, EPA. according to Ohio EPA data. The I Va miles in Indiana are classified as not Downstream of Dayton. Ohio, supporting due to a fish consumption Little Fourmile Creek and Indian advisory for channel catfish. An Creek enter the Great Miami River. advisory also exists in Ohio for carp and Neither state reported on the water suckers as well as catfish from the quality of Little Fourmile Creek; Lowhead Dam to the Ohio River, a however, Fourmilé Creek below its stretch of 80 miles. PCBs are listed in confluence with Little Fourmile Creek both advisories as the contaminant of fully supports aquatic life. Problems concern. with low dissolved oxygen and fecal
19 coliform bacteria on Indian Creek have classified as not supporting. Flow been documented by Ohio EPA. alteration/modification is listed as the Municipal discharges to Indian Creek are major impairment in Ohio; no causes of suspected to be the largest pollutant impairment are listed for the Indiana contributors. stream segment. Only Indiana DEM reported on the quality of one interstate For sixteen miles below the tributary to the Whitewater River. confluence of East and West Forks, the Approximately 50 miles of the East Whitewater River is rated by Indiana as Fork partially support aquatic life and partially supporting aquatic life and not do not support recreational activities. supporting the recreational use of the No data from either state were available river. Six of eight miles below the state for the Middle and Dry Forks or Elkhorn line are also partially supporting of Creek. aquatic life, while two miles are
Table 7: Water Quality of Interstate Streams - Great Miami River Basin Stream State Miles Aquatic Life Primary Concerns Use Support Great Miami River* OH 8/7 Partial/Non Low DO, Fish consumption IN 1.5 Non-support Fish consumption Greenville Creek OH 9 Partial Low DO, habitat alterations Indian Creek OH 1/5/4 Full/Part/Non Low DO Whitewater River IN 16 Partial OH 6/2 Partial/Non Flow alteration East Fork Whitewater R. IN 50 Partial * - Fish consumption advisory in effect for both states
WABASH RIVER BASIN (Ohio - Lafayette and Terre Haute, IN until Indiana - Illinois Borders) joining the Ohio River at mile point 848. Along the way, approximately 180 miles The Wabash River Basin of the Wabash River form the border provides drainage for an extremely large between Indiana and Illinois (Figure 7). area - 33,000 square miles in portions of Indiana, Illinois and Ohio. The greatest Near the Ohio-Indiana state line, percentage of the basin lies within the primary concern on the Wabash Indiana, where it drains approximately River main stem is habitat alterations two-thirds of the state. The main stem resulting from channelization. Ohio of the Wabash River begins in Ohio rates the immediate three miles upstream along the border of Mercer and Darke of the border as not supporting due to counties, just south of Ft. Recovery. this problem. Sixteen miles downstream This portion of the basin is pictured in of the state line, the Wabash River is Figure 6. From its headwaters, the river classified as fully supporting by Indiana flows for 474 miles through primarily DEM. agricultural land and the cities of
20 FIGU I E 7: OHIO i' IVE I' tASIN INTE F' STATE STREAMS Wabash 'iver tasin
Brouillet C
111hz 0 is
Indiana In addition to the Wabash River, forming the border between the two the headwaters of the Mississinewa states - the Vermillion and Little River also cross the Ohio-Indiana state Vermillion Rivers, Brouillets Creek and line. No data are available from Ohio Sugar Creek. The headwaters of each of EPA. A fish consumption advisory is in these streams begin in Illinois and flow effect for nine miles of the Mississinewa east to the Wabash River. Two River from Union City, IN, which lies additional interstate streams to be on the border, to Ridgeville, IN. addressed are the North Fork of the Consumption of carp and catfish is Vermillion River and Jordan Creek, a advised against due to contamination tributary of the North Fork. from PCBs and chlordane. The reported source of the contamination is the The Vermilion River begins at Westinghouse facility, which discharged the confluence of the Middle and Salt to the Union City wastewater treatment Forks in Kickapoo State Park, just east plant. The treatment plant itself of Danville, IL and flows southeast discharges to the Little Mississinewa through the city and into Indiana. The River, which joins the Mississinewa North Fork, which begins in Indiana, Riverjust downstream of the state line. joins the main stem of the Vermillion Cleanup of the site began in 1986. River at Danville's west side. No water While contamination of the site is still quality information regarding the North suspected, the wastewater treatment Fork was available from Indiana's 1994 plant effluent was shown to be free of (305(b) report. Illinois reported the 31 PCBs. miles of the North Fork from the state line to Jordan Creek as fully supporting Southwest of Terre Haute, IN, aquatic life. Sixteen miles of Jordan the Wabash River forms the state line Creek was also rated as fully supporting. between Indiana and Illinois and flows The Vermillion River from the North southward for 180 miles until joining the Fork to the state line reportedly has Ohio River. Based on information minor problems due to siltation caused contained in Indiana's 1994 305(b) by agricultural runoff. Swimming and report, this reach of the Wabash River similar full contact activities are not fully supports aquatic life but does not supported on the same stretch of river. support recreational activities. Illinois Once in Indiana, the Vermillion River reports that impacts from municipal and fully supports aquatic life for eight miles industrial wastewater facilities, as well from the border to the Wabash River. as agricultural activities, have reduced aquatic life of the Wabash River to During 1992, Illinois conducted partial support/minor impairment from an intensive survey on the Little Terre Haute downstream to the Ohio Vermillion River, which enters the River. There are no fish consumption Wabash River approximately 15 miles advisories in effect for the Wabash downstream of the Vermillion River's River. point of entry. All 50 stream miles assessed in the Illinois portion of the Four major tributaries to the watershed fully supported aquatic life. Wabash River traverse the Indiana- The Little Vermillion River was found to Illinois state line prior to the main stem support two fish and two mussel species
22 considered threatened or endangered in miles. Over the same distance, the river Illinois. The River has been is moderately impaired in terms of characterized as a unique aquatic recreational uses. Only two creek miles resource in the State of Illinois. No were assessed in Indiana. These fully information was available for the short supported aquatic life; however, this use reach of river located in Indiana. was reported as threatened due to acid mine drainage. Similar assessments Further downstream, Brouillets were made for Sugar Creek. No Creek joins the Wabash River. Illinois problems are reported on the 28 creek EPA reports that the creek fully supports miles in Edgar County, Illinois, but nine aquatic life from its headwaters to the miles in Indiana are impaired, again due state line, a distance of approximately 47 to acid mine drainage.
Table 8: Water Quality of Interstate Streams - Wabash River Basin Stream State Miles Aquatic Life Primary Concerns Use Support Wabash River OH 3 Non-support Habitat alterations IN 16 Full Mississinewa River N 9 Non-support Fish consumption Wabash River IN 180 Full IL 180 Partial/Minor Siltation, nutrients North Fk. Vermillion R. IL 31 Full Jordan Creek IL 16 Full Vermillion River IL 25 Partial/Minor Siltation IN 8 Full Little Vermillion River IL 50 Full Brouillets Creek IL 47 Full IN 2 Threatened Mine drainage Sugar Creek IL 28 Full IN 9 Non-support Mine drainage
BARREN RIVER BASIN (Kentucky - Kentucky reported all of the Tennessee Border) above streams as fully supporting aquatic life in its 1994 305(b) report, The Barren River is not a true although a fish consumption advisory for interstate stream, beginning very close to all species has been in effect for the and flowing westward along the West Fork of Drakes Creek since Kentucky-Tennessee border; however, 1985. Fish in the West Fork have been several of its tributaries do cross the state contaminated with PCBs from an line. These streams include Line Creek, adhesive plant below the state line. Salt Lick Creek, Long Creek, Drakes Monitoring on the creek continues, and Creek and its tributaries, the West and PCB levels in fish appear to be Middle Forks of Drakes Creek and declining. Since the source is located Trammel Creek, all of which may be downstream of the state line, no advisory seen in Figure 8. exists in Tennessee.
23 F1{GUE 8: OHIO VER IIASIN INTE •1STATE ST EAMS 1 arren River ash
Green River Kentucky
Drak
ong ick Creek Cr.
Ten n esssee N Data for three interstate Creek only partially supports its tributaries in the basin were available designated uses. Trammel Creek from the Tennessee Department of reportedly has severe impacts from Environment and Conservation. Fifteen municipal point source discharges, miles of Salt Lick Creek has reported which has led to high levels of problems of siltation due to construction pathogens, ammonia and low dissolved runoff. A current enforcement action is oxygen levels. The Tennessee DEC expected to alleviate some of these Division of Water Pollution Control is problems. Due to high concentrations of currently taking enforcement action inorganic compounds and taste and odor against the responsible parties. problems, the Middle Fork of Drakes
Table 9: Water Quality of Interstate Streams - Barren River Basin Stream State Miles Aquatic Life Primary Concerns Use Support Line Creek KY 7 Full Salt Lick Creek KY 4.6 Full TN 15 Partial Siltation Long Creek KY 14 Full Drakes Creek KY 24 Full West Fork Drakes Cr.* KY 33 Full Fish consumption - PCBs Middle Fork Drakes Cr. KY 22 Full TN 4.5 Partial Inorganics, taste and odor Trammel Creek KY 30 Full TN 7.3 Non-support Ammonia, low DO
CUMBERLAND RIVER BASIN interstate in nature. Those to be (Kentucky - Tennessee Border) addressed in this report include:
Almost 700 miles above its 1. Cumberland River mouth, the Cumberland River originates 2. Clear Fork in Harlan County, Kentucky at the 3. Jellico Creek confluence of Clover and Poor Forks. 4. Marsh Creek The River flows in a westerly direction 5. South Fork for over 300 miles before entering 6. Little South Fork Tennessee. From the state line, the river 7. Rock Creek continues southwest through steep 8. Roaring Paunch Creek terrain and highly forested land. Once 9. Bear Creek past Caney Fork, the Cumberland River 10. Beaver Creek flows west to Davidson County and the 11. Dale Hollow Lake City of Nashville, and then turns in a 12. McFarland Creek northwesterly direction to once again 13. Saline Creek cross into Kentucky at Lake Barkley. 14. Lake Barkley Numerous streams in the basin are
25 The interstate streams of the Upper Cumberland River at Williamsburg, KY. Cumberland River are presented in No problems were reported on the entire Figure 9, while those of the lower river stream reach in Tennessee, which is a are shown in Figure 10. In addition to change from the 1990 assessment, where the above, the Red River, which flows approximately five miles only partially through southern Kentucky and joins the supported the designated uses. The Cumberland River at Clarksville, Kentucky portion of the stream was not Tennessee will be discussed, along with assessed. five of its tributaries. Seven additional interstate It is important to note that in its streams flow into or through the Daniel 305(b) report, Tennessee DEC did not Boone National Forest. Between the specify streams which fully supported Clear and South Forks, two interstate their designated uses. Thus, streams tributaries join the main stem of the discussed in the following paragraphs for Cumberland River - Jellico Creek and which no information was available may Marsh Creek. Both streams flow hilly support healthy biological through the heart of the forest. Neither communities as well as various state presented use support data in their recreational activities. 1994 305(b) reports for Jellico Creek. Kentucky reported all 26 miles of The Cumberland River fully Marsh Creek as fully supporting supports aquatic life throughout aquatic life. Kentucky. The river is also fully supporting as it enters Tennessee, but is South Fork Basin classified as partially supporting before Mining activities are a major re-entering Kentucky. It must be concern in the South Fork drainage stressed that Tennessee DEC only basin. Flowing through and along the evaluates overall use support assessment. western edge of the Daniel Boone Pathogens are reported as the primary National Forest are the South Fork and pollutant responsible for the Cumberland Little South Fork of the Cumberland River not attaining full use support. River, respectively. In Kentucky, the Since pathogens generally affect the South Fork is presently threatened by contact recreation use designation, it can low pH levels resulting from acid mine be assumed that the river fully supports drainage. Low pH as well as salinity, aquatic life, except in the Nashville area, dissolved solids and chlorides also where siltation and low dissolved threaten 22 miles of the Little South oxygen concentrations impact the river. Fork, while an additional 22 miles are partially impaired by similar pollutants. Most of the interstate tributaries cross the Kentucky-Tennessee border Three tributaries of the South upstream of Lake Cumberland. The Fork are also impaired as a result of Clear Fork of the Cumberland River mining activities. Based on Tennessee originates near Indian Mountain State and Kentucky data, the first 30 miles of Park in Tennessee and flows northward Rock Creek are unimpaired, but the last along the eastern edge of the Daniel four miles before joining the South Fork Boone National Forest before joining the do not support aquatic life due to
26
FIGU}E 10: OHIO IVER tASIN INTERSTATE ST EAMS Lower Cumberland iver 11 asin
Ohio River
Kentucky
dRiver
edR.
Cumberland River Ten n esssee elevated concentrations of metals and Two major lakes in the high acidity. Both states report Roaring Cumberland River basin are partially Paunch Creek as not supporting located in both states. A dam designated uses for similar reasons. constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Kentucky also reports all three streams Engineers on the Obey River seven as not supporting recreational uses. miles upstream of the Cumberland River main stem creates Dale Hollow Lake. Bear Creek is perhaps the most The majority of this reservoir (22,000 severely impacted, as acid mine drainage acres) is located in Tennessee and fully from 600 acres of abandoned mines have supports all designated uses, as does the rendered the stream lifeless. The South Kentucky portion (4,300 acres). Both Fork River, as it flows through the Big states have classified the lake's trophic South Fork National River and status as oligotrophic. Lake Barkley Recreation Area, is designated as a was created with the construction of the Kentucky Wild and Scenic River. Three Barkley Dam at Cumberland River mile endangered and 19 other mussel species point 30.6. Over 45,000 acres of Lake are found in the South Fork upstream of Barkley were assessed by Kentucky and its confluence with Bear Creek. No Tennessee as eutrophic and fully mussels are found immediately supporting its designated uses; however, downstream of the confluence, even according to Kentucky Division of though suitable habitats exist. Heavy Water, the lake's secondary contact metals, sulfates and acidity are a large recreation use is threatened by part of the problem. Sediment and coal suspended solids from unidentified fines are found all along Bear Creek. A nonpornt sources. partnership made up of representatives of federal, state (KY and TN) and local Red River Basin governments, watershed residents, The Red River begins near the conservation groups and universities has Kentucky-Tennessee border, enters been created to address problems on Kentucky and continues to flow west Bear Creek. To date, three anoxic drains through Simpson and Logan Counties. and nine constructed wetland cells have The river turns southwest to re-enter been installed to treat acid mine Tennessee and joins the Cumberland drainage, a county soil survey has been River at mile point 125.4 in Clarksville. funded, and ground water mapping is Along the way, the South, Elk and West being conducted. Forks all cross the state line before joining the Red River. Other interstate Only one of the three remaining streams include Spring Creek and Little streams which cross from Tennessee to West Fork, tributaries of the West Fork, Kentucky before joining the Cumberland which enters the Red River just 1 '/z miles River (Beaver Creek, McFarland Creek upstream of the Cumberland River and Saline Creek) was assessed. Nearly confluence. The main stem of the Red three miles of McFarland Creek in River is reported as fully supporting Kentucky were evaluated as fully aquatic life in Kentucky, and partially supporting aquatic life. No assessment supporting the lower 23 miles in information was available for the Tennessee. Concerns here are runoff Tennessee segment of the stream.
29 from animal feedlots contributing low dissolved oxygen levels, result in pathogens and silt to the lower river. seven of the 30 miles not supporting aquatic life. The remainder of the The South Fork of the Red stream fully supports this use River flows for 35 miles through designation. The last interstate stream to Tennessee northeast into Kentucky join the Red River is the West Fork. before joining the Red River main stem. Nearly 30 miles of the West Fork in Because of problems with siltation from Kentucky fully support aquatic life, pasture lands and agricultural runoff, the while no problems were reported in Tennessee portion of the South Fork has Tennessee. However, the Tennessee been classified as partially impaired. segment of Little West Fork has There are no reported problems on the documented problems with organic eight stream miles in Kentucky. The enrichment, chlorine and overall Elk Fork flows south through Todd toxicity. Suspected sources of these County, Kentucky for 37 miles before problems are municipal discharges and crossing the state line. Organic urban runoff from the City of Portland, enrichment from municipal point sources TN and agricultural runoff. and agricultural runoff, which results in
00 Table 10: Water Quality of Interstate Streams - Cumberland River Basin Stream State Miles Aquatic Life Primary Concerns Use Support Cumberland River KY All Full TN 237/29/45 Full/Part/Non Pathogens-Contact Recreation Use Marsh Creek KY 26 Full South Fork Cumberland KY 15 Threatened Low pH Little South Fork KY 22/22 Threatened! Low pH, salinity, Partial dissolved solids, chlorides Rock Creek KY 18/4 Full/Non Metals, low pH TN 12 Full Roaring Paunch Creek KY 16 Non-support Metals, low pH TN 5 Non-support Metals, low pH, siltation Bear Creek KY 3.2 Non-support Metals, low pH, sulfates TN 5.4 Non-support Metals, low pH, sulfates McFarland Creek KY 3 Full Red River KY 30 Full TN 23 Partial Siltation, pathogens (contact recreation) South Fork Red River TN 35 Partial Siltation KY 8 Full Elk Fork Red River KY 23/7 Full/Non Low DO West Fork Red River KY 30 Full Little West Fork TN 55 Partial Low DO, chlorine, toxicity Dale Hollow Lake KY 4300 ac. Full TN 22,000 ac. Full Lake Barkley KY/TN 45,000 ac. Full
31 SUMMARY interstate streams, only six miles of the Little River attained less than full In examining the water quality of aquatic life use support. Others streams which cross state borders in the exhibiting good overall water quality Ohio River basin, some stand out more include the Barren and Wabash River than others as problem areas. In general, basins. siltation, low dissolved oxygen concentrations and impacts from mining No one interstate basin stood out activities (low pH, high metals as extremely impaired; however, several concentrations) appear to be the biggest individual streams did show significant concerns on the interstate rivers and problems. Both New York and streams. It is also evident that a good Pennsylvania identified significant amount of inconsistency exists among problems with oil sheens, chemical spills the state assessments. This is and fish kills on Tunungwant Creek, a particularly noticeable in streams that are tributary to the Allegheny River. The rated as not supporting on one side of the Mahoning River does not support its state line and fully supporting on the aquatic life use designation on either other. Examples include Dunkard Creek side of the Ohio-Pennsylvania border. and Sandy Creek in the Monongahela High concentrations of metals and River Basin, the Wabash River as it inorganic compounds and low dissolved crosses from Ohio to Indiana, Sugar oxygen are identified as primary Creek as it flows from Illinois to problems over 45 river miles. West Indiana, and Trammel Creek in the Virginia reports that mine drainage Barren River basin. Inconsistencies are problems exist throughout the Cheat also evident on border streams such as River, a tributary of the Monongahela the Tug Fork of the Big Sandy River and River. Surface and subsurface mining the Wabash River, each of which were activities are also concerns on the Tug assessed differently by their neighboring Fork of the Big Sandy River, particularly states. Perhaps the greatest on two of the smaller interstate streams - inconsistencies are seen when an Knox Creek and Pawpaw Creek. Along interstate stream has a fish consumption the Ohio-Indiana border, the two states advisory in effect in one state, but no have classified the majority of the advisory exists across the border. This is interstate streams as attaining less than the case on three streams, excluding the full aquatic life use support. Ohio river itself - the Mahoning River (OH-PA), the Monongahela River and Perhaps the most severely the Cheat River (WV-PA). impacted streams are located in the South Fork Cumberland river watershed, As is to be expected, some where mining activities have had interstate watersheds have better water devastating effects on Rock Creek, quality than others. The New River Roaring Paunch Creek and Bear Creek. basin, which occupies parts of North Bear Creek in particular has been Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia, rendered lifeless by acid mine drainage. appears to be the least impaired, based On the bright side, the Bear Creek on the states' 305(b) reports. Of the watershed also is the best example of
32 diverse partnerships being developed to seems to come about most often when address a single concern. The Bear problems are at their worst. Cooperative Grass Creek partnership is made up of efforts among the states and other parties members from federal, state and local need to be increased in order for government agencies, universities, inconsistencies in states' assessments to conservation groups, and local residents be minimized, and more importantly, so and land owners, each bringing different that pollution abatement in interstate perspectives and expertise to the group. streams may be carried out in the most Unfortunately, this type of cooperation effective and efficient manner.
33