Kansas Spring River Metal TMDLs Thomas Stiles, KDHE Watershed Planning April 14, 2005
303(d) Listings 1998 – Lower Spring River, Turkey Crk, Short Crk, Brush Crk, Little Shawnee Crk – Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu 1998 – Biological Impairment on Spring River 2002 – Shoal Crk – Pb & Zn - Shawnee Crk – Cu, Pb & Zn
Current Metal WQS
Hydrology is Major Factor
Hydrology and Loadings
Hydrology and Hardness
Aquatic Life Impairment
Higher Flows, Higher Exceedances
High Flows Impact Clean Sites
High Flows ~ Impact of Sediments
Some Sites Degraded at All Flows
TMDL Allocations WLA: Pt Sources – Initially Zero LA: Variable by Location & Flow Condition MOS: Statistical Characteristics of Metals and Hardness
Variable Load Reductions
Highest Priority Issues Short Creek: Zn, normal to high Q Turkey Creek: Zn, normal to high Q Center Creek: Zn, normal to high Q; normal Q Shawnee Creek: normal Q Shoal Creek: very high Q Baxter Springs: normal to high Q; high to very high Q
Load Reduction Strategy 1. Tributary Reductions for Self & Baxter Springs 2. Reductions on Other Tribs – e.g.; Willow Creek 3. Removal of In-Channel Sediments 4. Potential Dredging of Empire Lake
TMDL Timeline Next Week: Submission to EPA : Ongoing Remedial Actions 2008: Reopen TMDL – NRDA data; effluent monitoring; establish WLAs 2009: Begin targeted sediment removal 2013: Revisit TMDL; note progress