Location
The First Creek Watershed is located in southwestern Indiana, draining approximately 58 square miles in Martin, Daviess and Green counties. Major streams included in the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) report are First Creek, Rocky Branch, Culpepper Branch and other unnamed tributaries.
History
A comprehensive survey of the First Creek Watershed was conducted by Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) between April 22, 2002 and May 20, 2002. 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 First Creek watershed are established for E. coli and will address six 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 24, 2004 at the Bloomfield-Eastern Green Public Library, 125 S. Franklin Street, Bloomfield, Indiana starting at 1:00 p.m.
A draft TMDL meeting was held on January 27, 2005 at the Bloomfield-Eastern Green Public Library, 125 S. Franklin Street, Bloomfield, Indiana starting at 1:00 p.m.
The 30-day public comment period for the draft First Creek Watershed TMDL began on January 18, 2005 and ended on February 17, 2005.
U.S. EPA under Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act approved the First Creek Watershed TMDL report on April 29, 2005 for six 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.