Land-basedClassification Standards-Function
4.4 Trail Creek Watershed
During this reporting period, ACCUG PUD elected to conduct stream walks in the Trail Creek Watershed because of historically high fecal coliform concentrations found during sampling completed by PUD and the TPWD. Additionally, sampling conducted by the TPWD in November 2015 and August 2016 showed low and trace concentrations of two human-associated Bacteroidetes biomarkers from samples collected in Trail Creek at Oak Street (Dudley Park). Therefore, PUD elected to conduct additional field investigations in the watershed via streamwalks in an effort to identify the source(s) of bacteria contamination.
The field team conducted stream walks on February 21, 22, 23, and 27, 2017. During the stream walks, water quality data were collected at a total of 63 sampling sites, including 18 from Trail Creek mainstem, 31 from West Fork Trail Creek, and 14 from East Fork Trail Creek. In situ water quality measurements were recorded and samples were analyzed for fecal coliform (Appendix C).
Based on samples collected during the Trail Creek stream walks, water quality parameters (temperature, DO, pH, and fecal coliform bacteria) were within State standards for the month of February; however, relatively high levels of conductivity and fecal coliform were measured at certain locations.
Fecal coliform concentrations varied throughout the Trail Creek Watershed, with the highest bacteria levels in East Fork Trail creek and the lowest levels in West Fork Trail Creek. In both the West Fork and
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East Fork Trail Creek Watersheds, there was evidence of livestock access to the streams. In West Fork Trail Creek, livestock waste was observed in the stream in the far upper reaches. In East Fork Trail Creek, evidence of livestock was noted from Olympic Drive to the headwaters.
Elevated conductivity levels were measured in the effluent from two mobile home communities in the West Fork Trail Creek Watershed, Pinewood Estates North and Country Corners Mobile Community.
Additionally, elevated fecal coliform bacteria concentrations were measured in the Country Corners Mobile Community discharge. Sewage odor was present at both outfalls, and discoloration of the effluent discharge was noted from the Pinewood Estates North outfall. PUD has communicated these concerns to the GAEPD Environmental Compliance Specialist in the Northeast District office.
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Conclusions
Recent water quality data indicate areas of ACC that have relatively favorable water quality and stream conditions and other areas that ACCUG should continue to closely monitor. Key observations made from data collected during this reporting period are summarized below.
x Watersheds with Degraded Conditions
Brooklyn, Trail, Cedar Creek, and Tanyard Creeks are affected by stormwater runoff, and have increased levels of nutrients, TSS, organic matter, and metals during wet-weather events. COD, in particular, was elevated during this reporting period’s wet weather event at Tanyard, Turkey, and Cedar Creeks.
Fecal coliform concentrations varied throughout the Trail Creek Watershed, with the highest bacteria levels in East Fork Trail creek and the lowest levels in West Fork Trail Creek. In both the West Fork and East Fork Trail Creek Watersheds, there was evidence of livestock access to the streams. In West Fork Trail Creek, livestock waste was observed in the stream in the far upper reaches. In East Fork Trail Creek, evidence of livestock was noted from Olympic Drive to the headwaters.
The highly developed Tanyard Creek Watershed continues to have relatively high levels of fecal coliform and conductivity.
Water quality in Carr Creek has been degraded by historical and existing pollutant sources in the watershed primarily associated with industrial land uses. During this reporting period, water quality concerns were observed, including elevated levels of conductivity, increased ammonia during wet-weather, and the exceeding of acute and chronic zinc criteria.
x Watersheds with Maintained or Improved Conditions
Water quality in Middle Oconee River (Site 3) and North Oconee River (Site 4) is generally within a normal range, and these sites are less affected by stormwater runoff than Brooklyn, Trail, Cedar, and Tanyard Creeks.
Water quality monitoring results suggest that this site is affected by stormwater runoff, with most parameters being elevated in wet weather. However, levels of most parameters are lower on average than other sites during wet-weather.
Wet- and dry-weather water quality in Shoal and Big Creeks is generally better than that in Brooklyn, Trail, Cedar, and Tanyard Creeks. Overall, these sites are less impacted by
development, and data patterns reflected relatively high water quality and stream conditions.
ACCUG is committed to maintaining and improving the quality of local waterways and has taken a collaborative approach to watershed protection activities. ACCUG has implemented various measures during this reporting period to mitigate the effects of development on water quality, including
protective ordinances, development reviews/inspections, enforcement efforts, staff trainings, public education and outreach, compliance with its Phase II MS4 permit, and long-term watershed
characterization studies. Additionally, ACCUG PUD has identified sanitary sewer capacity and condition issues in the Brooklyn and Tanyard Creek sewer basins and has recently initiated Sanitary Sewer Evaluation Surveys (SSES) in these sewersheds. The SSES includes manhole inspections, CCTV
inspections, smoke testing, dye testing, and acoustic testing. The results will be used to develop capital improvement projects in the watershed. All measures previously mentioned are expected to improve water quality conditions.
References
Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCUG) and the City of Winterville. 2008. Community Assessment Maps. http://athensclarkecounty.com/index.aspx?NID=855.
Athens-Clarke County Unified Government PUD. 2005. Athens-Clarke County Watershed Assessment.
Submitted by ACCUG PUD. Prepared by JJG.
Athens-Clarke County Unified Government PUD. 2009. Athens-Clarke County Watershed Protection Plan. Submitted by ACCUG PUD. Prepared by JJG.
Athens-Clarke County Unified Government TPWD. 2016. Athens-Clarke County Impaired Waters
Monitoring and Implementation Plan and Sampling and Quality Assurance Plan. 2016. Submitted by ACC Stormwater Management, TPWD. Prepared by ARCADIS and Tetra Tech. January 12, 2016.
Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GAEPD). 2003. Revised TMDL Implementation Plan.
HUC 0307010105 – Carr Creek. April, 2003.
Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GAEPD). 2007. Total Maximum Daily Load Evaluation for Seventy-Two Stream Segments in the Oconee River Basin for Fecal Coliform. Submitted to: The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4. January 2007.
Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GAEPD). 2011. Rules and Regulations for Water Quality Control.
Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GAEPD). 2016. 2016 305(b)/303(d) List of Waters.
https://epd.georgia.gov/georgia-305b303d-list-documents
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 1996. The metals translator: guidance for calculating a total recoverable permit limit from a dissolved criterion. Draft U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Exposure Assessment Branch, Standards and Applied Science Division (4305). Washington, DC.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 1997. Volunteer Stream Monitoring: A Methods Manual.
EPA 841-B-97-003. Office of Water; Washington D.C. Appendix A, Habitat Assessment Results.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Water: Monitoring and Assessment website.
http://water.epa.gov/type/rsl/monitoring/vms59.cfm.
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