Surface Water - Alabama Department of Environmental Management

Mulberry Fork (0316-0109)
Fish community assessments were conducted at 4 locations on Lost Creek during
GSA’s Assessment of Mulberry Fork (Appendix G, Shepard et al. 2001, Shepard et al.
2002). The fish community was assessed as poor at GSAMF-2, GSAMF-4, and GSAMF-
5 and fair at GSAMF-3. Embeddedness and sedimentation were noted as problems
throughout the sub-watershed (Shepard et al. 2001, Shepard et al. 2002).
Intensive water quality monitoring was conducted at 5 sites on Lost Creek during
ADEM’s 2002 §303(d) Monitoring Program (Appendix P-3). Results indicated high
conductivities and elevated hardness concentrations at all 5 sampling reaches. Nutrient
concentrations (TP, DRP, NH 3 -N, TKN) were also periodically elevated.
The Lost Creek embayment was intensively monitored from April through October of
2002 to estimate nutrient and sediment loading rates to Bankhead Reservoir (ADEM
2004b). Mean concentrations of total nitrogen and phosphorus were similar to other
tributaries sampled during ADEM’s Intensive Water Quality Survey of Black Warrior
River Reservoirs (ADEM 2004b). However, comparison to 1998 data suggest that total
phosphorus concentrations have increased. Mean chlorophyll a concentrations in the Lost
Creek embayment were the third highest of the 14 tributary embayments sampled in the
Black Warrior Basin. Total suspended solids were also higher in 2002 than in 1998.
Sub-watershed status: Impaired biological conditions were detected on Cane and Lost
Creek during assessments conducted in 2001 and 2002. Sedimentation was a problem
throughout the sub-watershed, with gullies and mined areas contributing 72% of the annual
sediment load (12.6 tons/ac/yr). Fecal coliform counts and nutrient concentrations were
elevated at one location on Lost Creek. Intensive water quality data suggest that
phosphorus and sediment loading from Lost Creek has increased in recent years. Cane
Creek, Black Creek, and two segments of Lost Creek are on ADEM’s 2002 §303(d) list for
impairments caused by abandoned surface mines.
106