Surface Water - Alabama Department of Environmental Management

Locust Fork (0316-0111)
Longs Branch: Longs Branch at LONB-24a has been monitored duringADEM’s 1997 and
2002 NPS assessments of the Black Warrior River basin (Appendix F, Appendix E). At
LONB-24a, Longs Branch is a moderate-gradient stream in the Shale Hills (68f)
subecoregion (Appendix J). Percent sand and silt was lower at Longs Branch (LONB-24a)
in 2002 than in 1997, suggesting a decrease in embeddedness and sediment deposition at
the site (Appendix J, ADEM 1999a). The biological communities also appear to be
improving slightly (Appendix K). Seven EPT were collected in 1997, indicating the
community to be in fair (moderately impaired) condition (ADEM 1999a). In 2002, 12 EPT
families were collected, indicating the community to be in good condition (Appendix K).
A fish assessment conducted by GSA in 1997 indicating the fish community to be in poor
condition (Shepard et al. 1997, ADEM 1999a). In 2002, the fish community was assessed
as fair/poor (Appendix K).
Chemical impairment was indicated during 1997 and 2002 by elevated conductivity,
hardness, and total dissolved solids (ADEM 1999a, Appendix M). Chlorides and ammonia
concentrations were also elevated at the site.
Sugar Creek: The substrate composition of Sugar Creek at SUGB-13 was primarily
bedrock with some boulder, cobble, and sand (Appendix J). Habitat quality was assessed
as good despite marginal bank stability and a limited riparian buffer. Fourteen EPT were
collected, indicating the community to be in excellent condition (Appendix K). The fish
community was assessed as fair (Appendix K). Conductivity, alkalinity, and chlorides
were elevated during a one-time water quality assessment conducted in May of 2002
(Appendix M).
Whites Creek: The substrate composition of Whites Creek at WHTB-13 was a mixture of
bedrock, boulder, and cobble. Habitat quality was assessed as excellent due to diverse
stable substrate, good bank stability and a good riparian buffer (Appendix J). However,
very little sand and few leafpacks were present at the site, suggesting some scouring of the
substrates. A slight WWTP smell was noted in the leafpacks and snags. Eight EPT taxa
were collected, indicating the macroinvertebrate community to be in fair condition
(Appendix K). One-time water quality sampling conducted in May of 2002 did not detect
chemical impairment.
Sub-watershed status: Sugar Creek was identified as a NPS priority sub-watershed in 2002
due to impaired habitat quality and biological conditions at Locust Fork, Long Branch,
Sugar Creek, and Whites Creek. Sedimentation and nutrient enrichment were potential
causes of the impairments. The main NPS concerns in the Sugar Creek sub-watershed
were pasture grazing, crop runoff, mining, and some cattle production (Appendix D).
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