The Walnut Creek Watershed TMDL

The Walnut Creek Watershed Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) report was approved by U.S. EPA on May 4, 2010. 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 Walnut Creek watershed, located in central Ohio, drains 286 square miles. Land use in the watershed is predominantly cropland (58%) closely associated with pasture (13%) and forested (14%) areas. About 15% of the watershed is developed or urban land, mostly in the northern portion along the periphery of southeast Columbus. Current land development is most rapid in this part of the watershed, particularly in Violet Township in Fairfield County.

Ohio EPA conducted a comprehensive physical, chemical and biological survey of the Walnut Creek watershed in 2005, and several problems were identified. The survey results were published in 2006 (see below). Some areas of the watershed displayed exceptional quality, especially the lower several miles of Walnut Creek.

Primary causes of impairment are sediment and habitat degradation including altered stream hydrology, organic enrichment, and high concentrations of total dissolved solids. Sources are run-off from agricultural landscapes and urban areas, wastewater treatment plants, channel modification, failing septic systems, and cattle with direct access to streams. TMDLs are calculated for fecal coliform bacteria, habitat and sedimentation. TMDL recommendations include:

• Reduce home sewage treatment system failures
• Restrict livestock access to streams and improve manure management
• Manage stormwater quantity and quality in suburban areas
• Protect both floodplain and streamside areas and create effective buffer areas
• Improve erosion and sediment control in all areas, particularly crop fields.

The TMDL Report

• TMDL Report without appendices [PDF 3,794K]
  Note: On 8/25/10, page numbers and a header were added to the report.
  
  • Appendix A: NPDES Permitted Dischargers and Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems in the TMDL Project Area [PDF 381K]
  • Appendix B: Justification for the Use of Category 4b Alternative(s) Pickerington Waste Water Treatment Plant [PDF 20K]
  • Appendix C: Response Summary to Public Comments on the Draft Walnut Creek TMDL Report [PDF 27K]

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

The following document provides background information on the Walnut Creek watershed. Ohio EPA is not requesting comments on this document.

• Fact Sheet [PDF 304K]
• Biological and Water Quality Study of Walnut Creek and Tributaries, Hydrologic Units 05060001 180 and 05060001 170. Fairfield, Franklin, Licking and Pickaway Counties, Ohio. [PDF 2,951K] 

For more information contact:

Jan Rice
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
Central District Office
P.O. Box 1049
Columbus, Ohio 43216-1049
jan.rice@epa.state.oh.us

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