Raccoon Creek and Symmes Creek Watersheds

Raccoon Creek watershedThe Raccoon Creek and Symmes Creek watersheds are located in southeastern Ohio. They drain a total of 1,237 square miles and flow through all or part of six counties. Major municipalities partially or fully in the watersheds include Wellston and Gallipolis.

The watersheds are predominantly comprised of forest with some areas of agricultural lands in the central region of the watersheds. Some urban development is located along the southern edge of the watersheds.

 

 

 

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Raccoon Creek (lower) Watershed

Raccoon Creek (lower) watershedThe Raccoon Creek (lower) watershed is located in southeastern Ohio and drains 575 square miles. Raccoon Creek flows into the Ohio River. Municipalities include Gallipolis, Wellston and Vinton. Land use in the northern and southern portions of the watershed is predominantly forested; the central portion is a mixture of forest, pasture and hay and cultivated crops.

Monitoring

This watershed was monitored in 2016.

TMDL Report

There is no TMDL information available at this time.

Supplemental Information

Biological and Water Quality Study of the Raccoon Creek Watershed, 2016. Athens, Gallia, Hocking, Jackson, Meigs, and Vinton Counties.

Implementation

There is no implementation information available at this time.

Raccoon Creek (upper) Watershed

Raccoon Creek (upper) watershedThe Raccoon Creek (upper) watershed is located in Hocking, Athens, Vinton, Meigs and Gallia counties. The approximately 291 square mile study area is characterized by forested hilly terrain and the impacts of coal mining. Municipalities include McArthur and Zaleski.

Monitoring

This watershed was monitored in 2016.

TMDL Report

The Upper Raccoon Creek Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) report was the sixth TMDL report approved by U.S. EPA Region 5 under Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act.  It was approved on March 20, 2003.  TMDL reports identify and evaluate water quality problems in impaired water bodies and propose solutions to bring those waters into attainment.

The TMDL report addresses pH and metals, the primary causes of impairment.  The source of these impairments is unreclaimed mine lands that produce Acid Mine Drainage, a toxic solution of sulfuric acid and metals.

In-stream metal concentrations are directly related to pH.  If pH can be corrected then the metal concentrations will be reduced.  Unfortunately, pH cannot be modeled effectively.  As a surrogate, net alkalinity (alkalinity-acidity) was modeled and a net alkalinity target of 20 mg/L was developed.

The Ohio EPA TMDL team relied heavily on the Acid Mine Drainage Abatement and Treatment Plan for the Headwaters of the Raccoon Creek Watershed developed by Ohio University and Ohio DNR, Division of Mineral Resources Management.  It is recommended that the restoration treatments described in that document be implemented.

Final Report

  • Appendix A – Model Development for the Upper Raccoon Creek
  • Appendix B – Maps and Tables - Chapter 2
  • Appendix C – Target Development for Acid Mine Drainage Parameters of Concern
  • Appendix D – Restoration & Monitoring of Aquatic Quality in a Coal-Mined Watershed, Swatara Creek at Ravine, Pennsylvania
  • Appendix E – Model Used to Calculate the Existing Conditions in the Raccoon Creek and its Tributaries
  • Appendix F – Model Used to Calculate the Post Remediation Conditions in the Raccoon Creek and its Tributaries
  • Appendix G – Raccoon Creek Partners Data Site Index by Descending River Mile
  • Appendix H – Ohio EPA Data Site Index by Descending River Mile
  • Appendix I – Data Summary for the Upper Raccoon Creek TMDL
  • Appendix J – Acid Mine Drainage Abatement and Treatment (AMDAT) Plan for the Headwaters of the Raccoon Creek Watershed

Supplemental Information

Implementation

The following implementation projects have been completed in the watershed.

Symmes Creek Watershed

Symmes Creek watershedThe Symmes Creek watershed is located in southeastern Ohio and drains 371 square miles.  Symmes Creek is a direct tributary to the Ohio River. Municipalities include Oak Hill, Burlington, South Point and Chesapeake. Land use in the watershed is primarily comprised of forest, with a larger concentration of pasture and hay lands in the northern portion of the watershed.

 

 

 

 

 

Monitoring

This watershed was monitored in 2016.

TMDL Report

There is no TMDL information available at this time.

Supplemental Information

Biological and Water Quality Study of the Symmes Creek, Indian Guyan Creek and Direct Ohio River Tributaries, 2016. Jackson, Gallia, and Lawrence Counties.

Implementation

There is no implementation information available at this time.