Surface Water - Alabama Department of Environmental Management

Lower Black Warrior River (0316-0113)
limited water quality data, water quality data older than 5 years, or estimated impacts from
observed or suspected activities.
Results of monitored assessments were used in this report to assess habitat, biological,
and chemical conditions within a sub-watershed. Monitored assessments were conducted
during 6 projects and programs. Evaluated assessments were conducted in conjunction
with ADEM’s ALAMAP Program (Appendix T). A summary of each project, including
lead agency, project objectives, data collected, and applicable quality assurance manuals, is
provided in the appendices.
Projects that have generated monitored assessment information.
Project
Appendix
ADEM’s Ecoregional Reference Reach Program O
ADEM’s §303(d) Waterbody Monitoring Program P
ADEM’s Reservoir Monitoring Program
ADEM
2004b
ADEM’s Ambient Monitoring Program
R
USGS’s Surface Water Monitoring Program USGS
2003b
University Tributary Loading Study
S
2002 NPS Screening Assessment: Eight sub-watersheds were targeted for assessment
during the 2002 NPS Screening Assessment because they were recommended as NPS
priority sub-watersheds in 1997, had a moderate potential for impairment from nonpoint
sources, or recent data were unavailable. Appendix F lists the 14 stations assessed.
Sub-watershed assessments: Current and historical monitoring data were combined to
provide a comprehensive assessment. Habitat, chemical/physical, and biological indicators
of water quality were monitored in 8 sub-watersheds (Appendix G). Habitat quality was
assessed as excellent or good at 8 stations and fair at 4 stations. Macroinvertebrate
assessments indicated the macroinvertebrate community to be in excellent or good
condition at 6 stations (50%) and fair or poor at 6 stations (50%). Fish communities were
assessed as good or good/fair at 2 stations, fair at 2 stations, and poor at one station.
Overall condition for each station was rated as the lowest assessment result obtained
(Appendix G). Five stations (36%) were assessed as good or good/fair. Five (36%)
stations were assessed as fair. Four (28%) stations were assessed as poor.
Sub-watershed status: Biological conditions were impaired in 7 sub-watersheds (Table 6).
A summary of the information available for each of these sub-watersheds is provided in the
following section. Each summary discusses landuse, nonpoint source impairment
potential, assessments conducted within the sub-watershed, and nonpoint source priority
status based on available data. Appendices referenced in the summaries are located at the
end of the report.
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