The Upper Cuyahoga River Watershed TMDL
Background
The Upper Cuyahoga River Total Maximum Daily Load report (TMDL) was approved by U.S. EPA on September 27, 2004. It is the twelfth TMDL report approved by U.S. EPA Region 5 under Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act. TMDLs identify and evaluate water quality problems in impaired water bodies and propose solutions to bring those waters into attainment.
The upper Cuyahoga River basin is located in Geauga and Portage counties. The Upper Cuyahoga River study area includes the mainstem and major tributaries from the headwaters to the Lake Rockwell Dam. Three reservoirs dominate the land use in the region. The Cuyahoga River was also designated an American Heritage River in 1998, and a National Heritage Corridor in 1996. Several NPDES permitted municipal and industrial facilities are also within the TMDL area.
The Upper Cuyahoga River TMDL Report addresses water quality problems that were identified on the 2002 303(d) list. Organic and nutrient enrichment, siltation, low dissolved oxygen, habitat and flow alteration related issues have been identified as the primary causes of impairment. Total phosphorus and habitat TMDLs have been calculated. Some of the recommended solutions include reduction of nutrient contributions from both point and nonpoint sources, a public education component, septic system improvements, and habitat protection and restoration. Attainment of the appropriate aquatic life use (the Warmwater Habitat biocriteria for the majority of the basin) will be the measure used to determine success.
The TMDL in Brief
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The TMDL Report
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:
Dave Stroud
Ohio EPA
Northeast District Office
2110 East Aurora Road
Twinsburg, Ohio 44087
e-mail: dave.stroud@epa.state.oh.us
telephone: (330) 963-1177