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 )
Classification
DUCC-69
GSAMF-43 a
GSAMF-60 b
BW05U3-5
BW1U4-5
BW1U1-5
BW1U6-5
Biological, Habitat,
Chemical
Biological, Habitat,
Chemical
Habitat, Chemical 1999
2000
2001
2002
2002 Duck R. at Cullman CR 51 30 F&W
2000 Duck R. at Cullman CR 38 57 F&W
Duck R. approx. 0.8 mi ds of AL
Hwy 69
17 F&W
BW05U2-5 Habitat, Chemical 1998 Smith Branch approx. 0.1 mi us of 1 F&W
confluence with Duck R.
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)
Duck River: At DUCC-69, Duck River was a low-gradient stream characterized by
bedrock and boulder substrates covered with sand and silt (Appendix J). Habitat quality
was slightly affected by sediment deposition and unstable banks. Sediment deposition was
also noted during a habitat assessment conducted during 2000 (Shepard et al. 2001,
Shepard et al. 2002). Five EPT families were collected at the site, indicating the
macroinvertebrate community to be in fair condition (Appendix K). The fish community
was also assessed as fair (Appendix K). A fish IBI assessment conducted downstream at
GSAMF-60 indicated the fish community to be in poor condition (Appendix G).
Screening level water quality data were collected at DUCC-69 during June of 2002
(Appendix M). Nutrient concentrations (NO 2 +NO 3 -N, TP, TOC) were elevated.
Habitat quality and water quality samples have been collected annually at BW05U3-5
since 1999 (Appendix T-1 and Appendix T-2). Habitat quality has been consistently
assessed as excellent (Appendix T-1). Dissolved oxygen concentrations have ranged from
4.2 mg/L in August of 2000 to 9.1 mg/L in August of 2001 (Appendix T-2). Five-day
carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand ranged from 0.5 mg/L in August of 2001 to 3.0
mg/L in August of 2000. The concentration of nitrate+nitrite-nitrogen was 2.4 mg/L in
August of 2001.
Smith Branch: Habitat quality and water quality samples were collected at BW05U2-5
during August of 1998 (Appendix T-1 and Appendix T-2).
Sub-watershed status: A 2.0 mile segment of Long Branch is impaired by ammonia,
organic enrichment/dissolved oxygen, and pathogens from pasture grazing and intensive
animal feeding operations. The entire length of Duck Creek, a tributary of Duck River, is
impaired by organic enrichment/low dissolved oxygen from pasture grazing and intensive
animal feeding operations. The TMDLs for these pollutants were approved in 2003.
Habitat and biological conditions were assessed as impaired on Duck River at DUCC-69.
The main NPS concerns within the sub-watershed were poultry production and runoff from
pasture, crop, and forestry lands.
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