Location
The Black Creek Watershed covers approximately 132 square miles in southwestern Indiana and is in Greene, Sullivan, and Knox counties. The five subwatersheds included in the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) report are Singer Ditch, Calico Slash Ditches, Brewer Ditch, Buck Creek, and Headwaters Black Creek.
History
Past surveys of the Black Creek Watershed were conducted in 1992,1996, 2001, 2006, 2016, 2019, and 2020 which may have included monitoring for fish communities, fish tissue, macroinvertebrate communities, E. coli, and/or water chemistry through several IDEM monitoring programs. In addition, numerous lake sampling surveys have occurred in the northwestern region of the watershed in 1990, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2016, 2017, and 2018. Impairments currently identified in the watershed include E. coli and impaired biotic communities (IBC). Potential pollution sources contributing to these impairments include nonpoint sources from agricultural lands and pastures, rural run-off, wildlife, as well as point sources from straight pipe discharges and home sewage treatment systems.
Parameters Addressed
IDEM completed a comprehensive sampling program in the watershed that was based on the current impairments. A total of 23 sites were assessed for general chemistry, nutrients, habitat, and fish and macroinvertebrate communities. A comprehensive list of all parameters was referenced in the approved work plan.
Timeline
A public kickoff meeting was held to introduce the project and solicit input on September 14, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. at the Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area Visitor Center. The Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area Visitor Center is located at 13540 W County Road 400 S, Linton, Indiana 47441.
IDEM and Greene County SWCD hosted a water monitoring demonstration on September 8, 2022. The demonstration was held at the Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area Visitor Center in Linton, IN. IDEM Staff were onsite to demonstrate their processes for collecting water chemistry samples, fish (through electrofishing techniques), and macroinvertebrate collection. Staff biologists and the TMDL project manager discussed the results of the 2022-2023 sampling of the Black Creek Watershed. The details of the partnership between IDEM and Greene County SWCD were discussed, as well as ways for the public to become involved in future planning efforts.
On April 10, 2023, a notice was posted to the Indiana Register to inform stakeholders of new impairments discovered during the 2021-2022 watershed characterization study in the Black Creek watershed. The notice outlined the findings of the study and listed proposed additions/deletions to the 2024 303(d) List of Impaired Waters. Public comments were solicited through May 20, 2023. IDEM received no comments regarding the notice.
A draft TMDL public meeting was held in the watershed at Linton Public Library at 95 S.E. 1st Street, Linton, IN, 47441 on November 14, 2023, at 6:00 PM. The draft findings of the TMDL were presented at the meeting and the public had the opportunity to ask questions and provide information to be included in the final TMDL report. A representative from the Greene County SWCD was in attendance and presented information on the progress of the watershed management plan.
The 30-day public comment period on the final draft lasted from January 2, 2024 to February 2, 2024.
The final TMDL report was approved by U.S. EPA on February 29, 2024.
The TMDL Report
Watershed Characterization Monitoring 2021-2022
- Sampling and Analysis Work Plan for the Monitoring Project [PDF]
- Map of IDEM Monitoring Sites [PDF]
- Photos of IDEM Monitoring Sites [PDF]
- IDEM Surface Water Results Summary (Nov 2021 - Jan 2022) [PDF]
- IDEM Surface Water Results Summary (Feb 2022 - Apr 2022) [PDF]
- IDEM Surface Water Results Summary (May 2022 - July 2022) [PDF]
- IDEM Surface Water Results Summary (Aug 2022 - Oct 2022) [PDF]