the upper altamaha initiative:
spring 2008
carr's branch tmdl follow-up
Ken Bradshaw and Jeb Butler
In 1999, Carr's Branch in Clarke County, GA was listed on the State 303(d) list for not meeting its designated use of fishing due to bacteria, pH, and biota (sediment) impairments. Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) were developed for each contaminant in 2002 and called for a reduction of 76% and 87% for bacteria and sediment, respectively. The pH TMDL did not recommend a load but required that all future discharges to the stream meet the standard pH requirement of 6.0 to 8.5. An assessment of the stream concluded that there were no visible signs of a direct source of sediment. Water quality data collected using a Hydrolab also indicated that water quality conditions (i.e. dissolved oxygen, pH, and conductivity) were not adverse, however, biological observations for fish and macro-invertebrates indicate that the stream is not healthy. Bacterial counts for fecal coliforms were not taken during the initial assessment and will be assessed later. The purpose of this project is to conduct further assessments on the stream and attempt to pin-point potential sources of contamination. Several sites were previously identified as potential candidates for contamination and those sources will be further evaluated to determine how much, if any, pollution is a result of their land use. A memo will be constructed to report our scientific findings and to identify and describe the legal strategies for source reduction enforcement and to summarize the processes involved in developing TMDLs for the stream and listing/delisting protocols.
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