Location
The Beanblossom Creek Watershed is located in south central Indiana, draining approximately 91.17 square miles in Brown and Monroe counties. Major streams included in the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) report are Beanblossom Creek, Lick Creek, North Bear Fork, Honey Creek, Indian Creek and Jacks Defeat Creek.
History
A comprehensive survey of the Beanblossom Creek Watershed was conducted by Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) from September 10, 2001 to October 9, 2001. The primary cause of impairment is Escherichia coli bacteria (E. coli). Pollution sources in the watershed include nonpoint sources from agriculture and pastures, land application of manure and urban and rural run-off, as well as point sources from straight pipe discharges, home sewage treatment system disposal and combined sewer overflow outlets.
Pollutants Addressed
TMDLs for the Beanblossom Creek Watershed are established for E. coli and will address 16 impairments. Some of the recommended solutions to address the impairments include storm water controls, point source controls, manure management and habitat improvements.
Timeline
A kickoff TMDL meeting was held on August 19, 2004 at the Brown County Public Library, 205 Locust Lane, Nashville, Indiana.
A draft TMDL meeting was held on September 1, 2005 at the Brown County Public Library, 205 Locust Lane, Nashville, Indiana.
The 30-day public comment period for the draft Beanblossom Creek TMDL began on August 25, 2005 and ended on September 26, 2005.
U.S. EPA under Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act approved the Beanblossom Creek Watershed TMDL report on April 02, 2006 for 16 impairments. 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.