Surface Water - Alabama Department of Environmental Management

Sipsey Fork (0316-0110)
Assessment stations located within the sub-watershed. Descriptions are provided in Appendix E-1.
Station
GSAMF-26 a
GSAMF-43 b
GSAMF-25 a
GSAMF-42 b
RYNC-1
GSAMF-24 a
GSAMF-41 b
RYNC-2
RYNC-3
ROCC-15
Assessment
Type
Habitat,
Biological,
Chemical
Habitat,
Biological,
Chemical
Habitat,
Biological,
Chemical
Habitat,
Chemical
Habitat,
Chemical
Habitat,
Biological,
Chemical
Date Location Area
(mi 2 )
Classification
2001 Ryan Cr. at Cullman CR 436 23 F&W
2001 Ryan Cr. at Cullman CR 438 49 F&W
2001
2002
Ryan Cr. approx. 0.3 mi S of Cullman CR
438
62 F&W
2002 Ryan Cr. at Cullman CR 36 43 F&W
2002 Ryan Cr. at US Hwy 278 18 F&W
2002 Rock Cr. at Cullman CR 436 16 F&W
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)
Ryan Creek: Ryan Creek is located within the Dissected Plateau (68e) subecoregion
(Appendix E). At RYNC-1, Ryan Creek was characterized by bedrock, boulder, and
cobble substrates (Appendix J). Habitat quality at the reach was affected by sedimentation
(Appendix J, Shepard et al. 2002). Eleven EPT families were collected, indicating the
macroinvertebrate community to be in good condition (Appendix K). The fish community
was assessed as poor by both ADEM and GSA (Appendix K, Appendix G).
GSA conducted fish bioassessments at two additional locations on Ryan Creek
(Appendix E, Shepard et al. 2001, Shepard et al. 2002). Habitat quality at these sites was
less affected by sedimentation. However, the fish community was assessed as poor at
GSAMF-42 and fair at GSAMF-43 (Appendix G).
Intensive water quality monitoring was conducted at 3 locations on Ryan Creek,
January through August of 2002 (Appendix P-3). Results showed elevated nutrient
concentrations. Turbidity and conductivity were also periodically higher than background
levels. On March 21, 2001, fecal coliform counts were >1200 colonies/100 mL at all 3
reaches. Fecal coliform counts were elevated at RYNC-1 and RYNC-2 during the June 26
sampling event. At RYNC-1, the geometric mean of fecal coliform counts was 221
colonies/100 mL, March 11-April 2, 2002.
Screening-level water quality sampling showed elevated concentrations of total
dissolved solids and nutrients (NH 3 -N, TOC) at Rock Creek (Appendix M).
Rock Creek: Rock Creek is located within the Dissected Plateau (68e) subecoregion
(Appendix E). At ROCC-15, Rock Creek was a riffle run stream characterized by boulder,
cobble, and sand substrates (Appendix J). Habitat quality at the reach was affected by
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