TMDLs on the Clearwater RiverFecal Coliform Impairment of the Trout Stream Portion of the Clearwater River

ByCorey Hanson

Water Quality CoordinatorRed Lake Watershed District

Explanation of Impairment• The trout stream reach of the Clearwater River is

listed as impaired for fecal coliform.

• 32% Forest• 27% Grass/Pasture• 19% Ag• 11% Water/Wetland• 8% Urban/Rural

Development• 3% Other

Land Use

Runoff Potential

Physical Characteristics• The gradient and velocity of the stream increase prior to the trout stream

reach. • Fecal coliform suitability decreases.

Upstream of the Trout Stream Reach Trout Stream Reach

Possible Sources of Fecal Coliform Bacteria

• High Probability– Overflows from Bagley

Wastewater Treatment Facility (Improved in 2000 to eliminate overflows)

– Stormwater from the City of Bagley (Stormwater ponds have been constructed to reduce amount of pollutants entering river)

– Wildlife

– Feedlots– Hydrologic Modification– Fecal Coliform deposited

in calcareous fens/bogs (under investigation)

– Sampling Techniques

Monitoring Conducted for use in the TMDL Study

• Clearwater Nonpoint Study – 1992-93• Clearwater Lake Water Quality Model Study

– 2002 - 6 stream sites, bi-weekly monitoring • RLWD Long Term District Monitoring

– Quarterly monitoring since mid-80’s– Data entry into STORET just recently completed, not in time for

2004 303(d) list• Clearwater Soil and Water Conservation District

– Intensive fecal coliform monitoring for this TMDL Project from August 2002 – October 2002

– Samples analyzed by Minnesota Department of Health, data is currently available in STORET

• 2004 Fecal Coliform Monitoring

Clearwater Lake Water Quality Model Monitoring Sites

RLWD Long-term Monitoring Sites in the Clearwater L. Watershed

SWCD/MDH Monitoring Sites

CR #25

Hwy #2

3-Mile Road

CR #22

CR #24 (inlet)

CR #2

Methods for Determination of Impairment

• From the MPCA Guidance Manual for Assessing the Quality of Minnesota Surface Waters for Determination of Impairment – 305(b) Report and 303(d) List.

• Section VIII. Assessment Based on Numeric Standard for Protection of Recreation

• Pollutant – Fecal Coliform– Affects swimming and other forms of recreation that involve contact

with the water– Standard of 200 col./100 ml

• Impairment: >10% of samples exceed standard,at least 1 month with an average > than the standard

Data used for original impairment

• Clearwater Nonpoint Study Data• Impairment found at Clearwater

Lake Inlet Monitoring Site– Samples taken April 1992-May 1993

• 36.84% of samples were >200col/ml– Geometric Means of 3 months were

> 200col/ml– Only 1 yr of sampling– Less than 5 samples per aggregate

month

Using Data Available for 2004 303(d) List

• Sampling data from October 1992 – September 2002• Recent SWCD data included, but no RLWD data• All of the sites within the trout stream reach

wouldn’t go beyond the first step of assessment (<10%)

• One site upstream of the trout stream reach would be considered impaired based upon MPCA guidelines – Country Road #2

Barriers to Delisting

• High spikes in fecal levels on August 28, 2002– CR#2, CR #22, and the Clearwater Lake Inlet– <10% of samples were >200 col./100 ml at sites

within the listed reach (30% @ CR #2)– Aggregate monthly averages for August were

>200 col./100ml for all 3 sites

August 28, 2002Clearwater Lake Inlet 15 Minute Flow August 28, 2002

40.0050.0060.0070.0080.0090.00

100.00110.00120.00

12:00AM

2:24AM

4:48AM

7:12AM

9:36AM

12:00PM

2:24PM

4:48PM

7:12PM

9:36PM

12:00AM

Date

Disc

harg

e (c

fs)

Flow

August 28, 2002 Fecal Coliform Results

0500

10001500

200025003000

35004000

45005000

CR 25 US Hw y 2 3-Mile Rd CR 2 CR 22 CR 24

Col./100 ml

Standard

2004 Fecal Coliform Sampling

2004 Fecal Coliform Sampling Results

2004 Fecal Coliform Monitoring

020406080

100120140160180200

1-Apr 1-May 1-Jun 1-Jul 1-Aug

Date

Col

./100

ml

CR 23CR 22

Next Steps

• Work with landowners to implement BMPs • Complete TMDL Report/Delisting of the

reach• Published TMDL

The End