The Upper Auglaize River Watershed TMDL

Background

The Upper Auglaize River Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) report was approved by U.S. EPA on September 23, 2004. It is the eleventh TMDL report approved by U.S. EPA Region 5 under Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act. TMDL reports identify and evaluate water quality problems in impaired water bodies and propose solutions to bring those waters into attainment.

The Upper Auglaize River basin is a sub-watershed of the Maumee River basin (Lake Erie drainage) located in portions of Auglaize, Allen, Putnam, Van Wert and Paulding Counties. The TMDL area includes the Upper Auglaize River mainstem and tributaries from the headwaters to upstream of the Little Auglaize River. Agriculture, predominantly rowcrop, accounts for 89% of the land use in the Upper Auglaize River basin. Only 2.2% of the total land use is urban (residential and commercial/industrial combined), including the communities of Wapakoneta, Delphos, Spencerville, Uniopolis, Harrod, Fort Jennings, Oakwood, Westminster, Buckland, Cloverdale and Dupont.

The Upper Auglaize River TMDL report highlights the fact that the entire Upper Auglaize River mainstem is now in full attainment of its designated aquatic life uses, with the exception of a short segment in Wapakoneta. The improvement in the mainstem since 1991 stands out as an example of the positive impact that changes in agricultural management practices can have on water quality. The Upper Auglaize River TMDL report addresses water quality problems that still exist in the tributaries and were identified on the 2002 and 2004 303(d) lists. Organic and nutrient enrichment, sedimentation, habitat and flow alterations, and pathogens have been identified as the primary causes of impairment. TMDLs have been calculated for total phosphorus, dissolved oxygen, habitat (sedimentation and flow), ammonia and bacteria. Some of the recommended solutions include reduction of nutrient contributions from both point and nonpoint sources, public education about water quality issues, centralized treatment for unsewered communities, septic system improvements, and habitat protection and restoration. Attainment of the appropriate aquatic life use (Warmwater Habitat biocriteria for the majority of the basin) and the recreational use will be the measures used to determine success.

The TMDL in Brief

The TMDL Report

• Final Report without appendices [August 16, 2004, PDF 1,339K]
• Appendices [PDF 585K]

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.

For more information contact:

Janet Hageman
Ohio EPA
Northwest District Office
347 North Dunbridge Road
Bowling Green, Ohio 43402
e-mail: janet.hageman@epa.state.oh.us
telephone: (419) 373-3024 

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