Biological and Water Quality Study of Southern Ohio River Tributaries Adams, Brown, and Scioto Counties Mackletree Run RM 0.4, in Shawnee State Forest Ohio EPA Technical Report AMS/2016‐EAGLE‐2 Division of Surface Water Assessment and Modeling Section August 2020 (Revised April 2021) TMDL DEVELOPMENT | AMS/2016‐EAGLE‐2 Biological and Water Quality Study of the Southern Ohio River Tributaries August 2020 Biological and Water Quality Study of the Southern Ohio River Tributaries Adams, Brown, and Scioto Counties, Ohio (Sample Years 2013‐2017) August 2020 Ohio EPA Report DSW/AMS 2016‐EAGLE‐2 Prepared by: State of Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Division of Surface Water Lazarus Government Center 50 West Town Street, Suite 700 P.O. Box 1049 Columbus, Ohio 43216‐1049 Division of Surface Water Southwest District Office 401 E. Fifth St. Dayton, Ohio 45402 Ecological Assessment Section Groveport Field Office 4675 Homer Ohio Lane Groveport, Ohio 43125 Mike DeWine, Governor State of Ohio Laurie A. Stevenson, Director Ohio Environmental Protection Agency AMS/2016‐EAGLE‐2 Biological and Water Quality Study of the Southern Ohio River Tributaries August 2020 Table of Contents List of Acronyms ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... iii Executive Summary ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Overview: Southern Ohio River Tributaries (Straight, Eagle and Turkey Creeks) .............................................................................. 9 Study Area Description ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 15 Land Use........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 16 Census Data ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 16 Wastewater Discharge Overview ...................................................................................................................................................................... 16 Aquatic Life Use Results and Discussion ............................................................................................................................................................. 20 Water Chemistry Results ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 20 Nutrients ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 26 Organics ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 31 2013/2015 Supplemental Project Field Chemistry Data .................................................................................................................. 33 2017 Sampling ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 33 Sediment Chemistry Results ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 34 Physical Habitat Results ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 38 Fish Community Results ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 48 Macroinvertebrate Community Results ......................................................................................................................................................... 56 Aquatic Life Use Discussion ................................................................................................................................................................................. 65 White Oak Basin ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 73 Straight Creek Basin ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 74 Eagle Creek Basin ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 76 Miscellaneous Ohio River Tributaries in the Interior Plateau Ecoregion .................................................................................. 77 Miscellaneous Ohio River Tributaries in the Western Allegheny Plateau Ecoregion ........................................................... 77 Aquatic Life Trends .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 77 Recreation Use Results and Discussion ................................................................................................................................................................ 79 Public Water Supply Results and Discussion ..................................................................................................................................................... 81 Waynoka Regional Water and Sewer District .............................................................................................................................................. 82 Beneficial Use Designations and Recommendations ..................................................................................................................................... 84 Beneficial Use Designations ................................................................................................................................................................................. 84 Recommendations ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 85 Organic Enrichment and Bacteria ..................................................................................................................................................................... 85 Eagle Creek Basin - Honey Creek ....................................................................................................................................................................... 86 Straight Creek Basin - Sycamore Run .............................................................................................................................................................. 86 Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 90 References ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 91 AMS/2016‐EAGLE‐2 Biological and Water Quality Study of the Southern Ohio River Tributaries August 2020 Tables Table 1 — Aquatic life use (ALU) attainment status for sampling locations in the SORT study area, 2013-2017. Recommended ALU status is noted with (R). The Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI), Modified Index of well- being (MIwb), and Invertebrate Community Index (ICI) and macroinvertebrate narrative scores are based on the performance of the biological community. The Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) is based on the ability of the stream habitat to support a biological community. The table is organized by assessment unit (12-digit hydrologic unit code (HUC-12)). Sites with ALU changes recommended are evaluated using the biocriteria for the recommended use, not the current use. For an explanation regarding recommended Aquatic Life Use designations, refer to Beneficial Use Designations and Recommendations within this report. ............................................................................................................................................ 3 Table 2 — Sampling stations for the SORT study area, 2013-2017. ......................................................................................................