Surface Water - Alabama Department of Environmental Management

Mulberry Fork (0316-0109)
Assessment stations located within the sub-watershed. Descriptions are provided in Appendix E-1.
Station Assessment Type Date Location Area
(mi 2 )
GSAMF-33 a
GSAMF-50 b
GSAMF-33 c
MRTC-1
Chemical,
Habitat,
Biological
Chemical,
Habitat,
Biological
2001
2002
Classification
Marriott Cr. nr. I 65 24 F&W
2001 Marriott Cr. at unnamed rd. S of
Cullman CR 18
9 F&W
BW04U2-37 Habitat, Chemical 1998 Mulberry Fork approx. 3.8 mi. us 417 F&W
of confluence with Marriott Cr.
a. GSA Fish IBI assessment location as reported in Shepard et al. (2001); b. GSA Fish IBI assessment location as
reported in Shepard et al. (2002); c. ADEM macroinvertebrate assessment location
quality data collected at this station from March through December of 2002 are provided in
Appendix O-3.
At GSAMF-33, the habitat quality of Marriott Creek had been impacted by the
construction of I-65. The substrate was a mixture of cobble, gravel, and sand (Appendix J,
Shepard et al. 2002). Six EPT families were collected, indicating the macroinvertebrate
community to be in fair condition (Appendix K). A fish assessment conducted by GSA in
May of 2001 showed the community to be in poor condition (Appendix G, Shepard et al.
2001, Shepard et al. 2002). Attached algae was abundant, suggesting impacts caused by
nutrient enrichment. Conductivity, hardness, and total dissolved solids were elevated at
GSAMF-33 during June of 2002 (Appendix M).
Mulberry Fork: Mulberry Fork was evaluated at BW04U2-37 during ADEM’s 1998
ALAMAP Program (Appendix E). Data are provided in Appendix T-1 and T-2.
Sub-watershed status: Approved TMDLs have been developed for ammonia, pathogens,
and organic enrichment/dissolved oxygen impacts on Thacker Creek. Two segments of
Mulberry Fork are on ADEM’s 2002 §303(d) list for impairments caused by nutrients,
siltation, and other habitat alteration. The sources listed as causing the impairment are
agricultural runoff and municipal and industrial discharges. Macroinvertebrate and fish
assessments conducted in 2001 and 2002 indicated impaired biological conditions at two
locations on Marriott Creek. Nutrient enrichment and sedimentation were suspected
causes of the impairment. Based on the 1998 SWCD sub-watershed assessment, poultry
production and forestry were the main NPS concerns within the sub-watershed.
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