The Hocking River Watershed TMDL

Background

The Hocking River Watershed Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) report was approved by U.S. EPA on September 25, 2009. TMDL reports identify and evaluate water quality problems in impaired water bodies and propose solutions to bring those waters into attainment with water quality standards.

The Hocking River is over 102 miles long and drains 1,197 square miles from central Ohio to the Ohio River. Land use in the watershed is predominantly forest (62%), with most agricultural lands (27% overall) concentrated in the flatter upper watershed. About 10% of the watershed is developed or urban land.

The TMDL project area encompasses the entire Hocking River watershed with the exception of the Monday and Sunday Creek watersheds, for which TMDLs were approved in 2005 and 2006, respectively.

Ohio EPA conducted a comprehensive physical, chemical and biological survey of the Hocking River watershed in 2003 and 2004, and several problems were identified. Primary causes of impairment are nutrients, sediment, organic enrichment, poor habitat quality. Sources are run-off from agricultural landscapes and urban areas, wastewater treatment plants, channel modification, failing septic systems and acid mine drainage. TMDLs are calculated for total phosphorus, fecal coliform bacteria, habitat and sedimentation. TMDL recommendations include:

• Include phosphorus effluent limits of 1.6 mg/l in permits issued to wastewater treatment plants
• Reduce home sewage treatment system failures
• Improve manure management at livestock operations
• Manage stormwater quantity and quality in suburban areas
• Improve erosion and sediment control in all areas.

The TMDL Report 

• Final TMDL Report without appendices [PDF 2,399K]
  • Appendix A: NPDES Facilities in the TMDL Project Area [PDF 99K]
  • Appendix B: Aquatic Life Use Attainment Tables [PDF 45K]
  • Appendix C: Aquatic Life Use Attainment Maps [PDF 1,007K]
  • Appendix D: Integrated Aquatic Life Use Evaluation Tables [PDF 282K]
  • Appendix E: Implementation and Reasonable Assurances [PDF 139K]
  • Appendix F: AMDAT for the Federal Creek Watershed [PDF 4,815K]
  • Appendix G: Habitat and Sediment Analyses Using the Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) [PDF 1,176K]
  • Appendix H: Lakes Analyses Using the BATHTUB Model [PDF 667K] 

Many of the documents referenced in the TMDL report can be found under Forms and Publications on the Ohio EPA Division of Surface Water Web page.

Supplemental Information

• Fact Sheet [PDF 222K]

For more information contact:

Gregg Sablak
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
Division of Surface Water
P.O. Box 1049
Columbus, Ohio 43216-1049
e-mail: gregg.sablak@epa.state.oh.us

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