CHAPTER III-10

STORMWATER QUALITY AND
ASSESSMENT CHARACTERIZATION

INTRODUCTION

Stormwater quality is a growing concern nationwide for drinking water, manufacturing, agricultural production, economic development, recreation and tourism, and quality of life. 

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) maintains a list of waterways that do not or are not expected to meet water quality standards.  In the Maumee River Basin, several waterways have been listed for E.coli, Impaired Biotic Community, and nutrient impairments, as well as, a Fish Consumption Advisory for PCBs and mercury violations.

This Master Plan update provides an opportunity for MRBC to review existing water quality data; prioritize waterways for additional biological and/or chemical sampling; and identify best management practices to improve water quality. 

1995 MASTER PLAN REVISITED

Topic not addressed directly in the 1995 Master Plan.  However, several of the MRBC programs such as Wetland Preservation and Restoration, Ongoing Stream Maintenance and Obstruction Removal Program, and Voluntary Agricultural Land Use Conversion Program that were included in the 1995 Master Plan have a direct benefit on the quality of water within the Basin’s waterways.  In addition, the Model Ordinance for Storm Drainage and Erosion Control developed by the MRBC as part of its Master Plan included several provisions to help reduce soil erosion and the amount of sediment entering streams.

MRBC ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Through the promotion and implementation of several of its programs listed in the previous paragraph and also by its active participation and nurturing role in the greater Maumee Watershed, MRBC has helped reduce the amount of pollutants entering the Basin’s waterways.  However, no direct work was initiated to assess and characterize the Basin’s waterways for water quality.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF PARTICIPATING COMMUNITIES

In 2003, as part of the NPDES Phase II Program, Allen County, City of Auburn, City of Decatur, City of Fort Wayne, City of New Haven, Town of Huntertown, and Town of Leo Cedarville have completed a Stream Characterization Study.  The intent of this Study was to establish base line water quality information and to identify potential water quality problem areas based on land use, sensitive areas (erodible soils, natural heritage data, outstanding and exceptional waters, drinking water sources, etc.), and existing water quality monitoring data.

In 2007, the Buffalo District of the Corps received authorization and appropriation from Congress to conduct a Comprehensive Study of the Western Lake Erie Basin (WLEB).  Three of the 19 watersheds (St. Marys, St. Joseph, and Maumee River) in the WLEB make up the Maumee River Basin.  The purpose of this study is to characterize the health and existing conditions of each watershed in the WLEB and to identify actions needed to improve flood risk management, navigation, fish and wildlife habitat, recreation, and water quality.  The study is in progress but once complete (anticipate August 2008), these assessments will form the backbone of the Corps final report to Congress and will be provided as appendices for that report.

In 2007, the St. Joseph River Watershed Initiative (SJRWI) received a grant from IDEM that enables them to post water quality monitoring data collected by SJRWI, Fort Wayne City Utilities, and Fort Wayne-Allen County Health Department on the internet (www.sjrwi.org).  The intent is to make this data available to the public and increase positive stewardship activities across the watershed.

2008 MASTER PLAN ENHANCEMENTS

MRBC recognizes the importance of good baseline water quality data and has decided to wait until the Corp completes their Comprehensive Study of the Western Lake Erie Basin to determine if additional studies are needed in the St. Marys, St. Joseph, and/or Maumee River Watersheds.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The MRBC should:

  1. Review the completed Corps Western Lake Erie Basin Study (anticipated August 2008) to determine if there is a need to for more detailed water quality data collection and analysis in the St. Marys, St. Joseph, and Maumee River Watersheds.

  2. Continue being represented on the St. Joseph River Watershed Initiative’s (SJRWI’s) Board of Directors by its Executive Director. MRBC’s participation will ensure the promotion of programs / projects that have dual benefits that address water quality and water quantity issues.

  3. MRBC’s Executive Director should continue representing the Commission at St. Marys River Watershed Initiative meetings. When this group formalizes, MRBC should be represented on the Board of Directors as it is on the SJRWI.

  4. Actively engage in the formation of a watershed group on the Maumee River and be represented on such a Board of Directors when one is formed.

 

MRBC Master Plan - Stream Characterization Study