Location
The Lower Salt Creek Watershed covers 203 square miles in South Central Indiana and is located primarily in Monroe, Lawrence, and Jackson counties. The primary bodies of water included in the Total maximum Daily Load (TMDL) report are Salt Creek, Goose Creek, May Creek, Little clear Creek, Wolf Creek, Jackson Creek, Knob Creek, and Hunter Creek.
History
A preliminary survey of Lower Salt Creek Watershed was conducted by Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) in 1992 with additional surveys in 1995, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2007, and 2012 through the probabilistic, targeted, and fish tissue sampling programs. Impairments in the watershed include E. coli, PCB, Mercury, and biological community impairments. Potential pollution sources in the watershed include nonpoint sources from agricultural lands and pastures, land application of manure and urban and rural run-off, as well as point sources from straight pipe discharges, and home sewage treatment system disposal.
Parameters Addressed
IDEM completed a comprehensive sampling program in the watershed in 2015-2016 that was based on the current impairments. A total of 28 sites were assessed for general chemistry, nutrients, habitat, and fish and macroinvertebrate communities. For a comprehensive list of all parameters please reference the approved work plan.
Timeline
Two Lower Salt Creek public kickoff meetings were held on November 17, 2015 to introduce the project and solicit public input. The meetings were held at 2:00 PM (EST) and 6:00 PM (EST) at the Monroe County USDA Service Center, 1931 Liberty Drive, Bloomington, IN. Both meetings covered the same topics. Additional meetings will be held as needed. Please check the IDEM calendar for updates
A draft TMDL public meeting was held on July 9, 2018, starting at 4:00 PM EDT at Purdue Extension Office: 924 16th Street, Bedford, IN 47421.
The 30-day public comment period was from July 2, 2018 to August 2nd, 2018.
The Lower Salt Creek Watershed TMDL was approved by U.S. EPA Region 5 on September 10, 2018 and addressed 43 E. coli impairments.
The TMDL Report
Watershed Characterization Monitoring 2015-2016
- Map of IDEM Monitoring Sites [PDF]
- IDEM Surface Water Results Summary (November 2015 - October 2016) [PDF]
- IDEM Fish Community Assessment Report [PDF]
- IDEM Macroinvertebrate Community Assessment Report [PDF]