Location
The South Fork Wildcat Creek Watershed is located in central Indiana, draining approximately 250 square miles in Clinton, Tippecanoe and Tipton counties. Major streams included in the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) report are South Fork Wildcat Creek, Shanty Creek, Stump Ditch, Boyles Ditch and other tributaries.
History
A comprehensive survey of the South Fork Wildcat Creek Watershed was conducted by a variety of agencies including the Clinton County Soil Water and Conservation District, Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), United States Geological Survey and Hoosier Riverwatch volunteers. The primary impairment is impaired biotic community and Escherichia coli bacteria (E. coli). Parameters addressed for impaired biotic communities are total suspended solids, total phosphorous and total nitrogen. 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 South Fork Wildcat Creek Watershed are established for E. coli, total suspended solids, total phosphorous and total nitrogen, and will address 79 impairments. Some of the recommended solutions to address the impairments include storm water controls, point source controls, manure management and habitat improvements.
Timeline
Kickoff TMDL meetings were held on October 26, 2006 at the Tippecanoe County Cooperative Extension Office, 3150 Sagamore Parkway South, Lafayette, Indiana starting at 2:00 p.m., and the Frankfort Neighborhood Center, 259, S. Third St., Frankfort, Indiana starting at 6:00 p.m.
Draft TMDL meetings were held on February 13, 2008 at the Clinton County Cooperative Extension Office, 1111 S. Jackson St., Frankfort, Indiana at 2:00 p.m. and at the Tippecanoe County Cooperative Extension Office, 3150 Sagamore Parkway South, Lafayette, Indiana starting at 6:00 p.m.
The 30-day public comment period for the draft South Fork Wildcat Creek Watershed TMDL began on February 4, 2008 and ended on March 4, 2008.
U.S. EPA, under Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act, approved the South Fork Wildcat Creek Watershed TMDL report on July 31, 2008 for 79 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.