the lake allegan/kalamazoo river total maximum daily load (tmdl) plan implementation by jeff...

The Lake Allegan/Kalamazoo RiverTotal Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)

Plan Implementationby

Jeff Spoelstra, Coordinator, Kalamazoo RiverWatershed Council – www.kalamazooriver.org

12/9/09 – MWEA Phase I&II SW Permitting

The Lake Allegan/Kalamazoo RiverTotal Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)

Plan Implementationby

Jeff Spoelstra, Coordinator, Kalamazoo RiverWatershed Council – www.kalamazooriver.org

12/9/09 – MWEA Phase I&II SW Permitting

What is a TMDL?

Total Maximum Daily Load is an estimate of the maximum amount of a pollutant that a water body can receive and still meet water quality standards and an allocation of that amount to the pollutant’s sources.

In our watershed area this affects point sources and nonpoint sources.

TMDL“ The primary purpose of the TMDL program is to

protect public health and the health of impaired aquatic ecosystems by ensuring attainment of water quality standards, including beneficial uses.”

US EPA, 1998

Background

1,587 acre reservoir1972 EPA classified as hypereutrophic due to

total phosphorusAssessment kicked off in 1998. A unique

“cooperative agreement” kicked off later to organize the sources.

Point sources participate to maintain flexibility.Stormwater is considered a nonpoint source in

this TMDL.

Lake AlleganLake Allegan

Structure – last 10 years

TMDL Implementation Committee (meets quarterly)

Agriculture subcommittee Urban subcommittee

Point Source Committee (meets 2-3 times per year)

Technical Committee (as needed)Strategy/Leadership Committee (as needed)Phase II resulted in more independent

stormwater/municipal groups, processes, and paperwork load

Battle Creek – Clean Water Partners Kalamazoo Area – Stormwater Work Group

TMDL Lake Goals – during the “growing season”

Water Quality

Indicators

1998 Conditions

Goals*By 2012

Total phosphorus

96 ug/L 60 ug/L*

Chlorophyll a 67 ug/L 30 ug/L

Dissolved oxygen

3.1 mg/L 5 mg/L

Water Clarity 30 inches 42 inches

Carp & catfish as % of fish community

87% 30%

65% of the phosphorus from nonpoint sources; remaining 35% from point sources.

Goal 1998 Goal 1998

Waste Load Allocation

8,700 8,700 6,700 8,700

Load Allocation

9,800 17,218 4,088 8,135

Margin of Safety

100 50

Total pounds per month

18,600 25,918 10,838 16,835

April - June July - September

Load Goals

StatusThe PS have met their WLA.PS P loading reported online, year round.PS have provided educational, monetary,

analytical, sampling and staffing resources.PS technical advisor maintains a website,

provides statistical analysis, advises the group on BMPs and TMDL trends.

NPS load tracking and methodology not consistent.

Point Source WLA Status 2001-2009:

data summaries by Kieser & Associates, LLC

Nonpoint Source Phosphorus Distribution

Stormwater!

Nonpoint Source LA 1998-2007:

What have we tried?Subcommittees refined to focus on ag and urban.Monitoring and trackingUniversity research and sustainability efforts – internal

loading, dissolved fractions of phosphorus. Implementation Plan refined to focus on a three year

strategy (handout).Kanoe the Kazoo, Super Soils Test Saturday, Carp Derby,

built “watershed communication center”.Support BMP projects and planning – AWEP, HWRP.Supported regional or state efforts to reduce phosphorus

(e.g., lawn ordinances, Farm Bill funding).More recently, exploring low impact development

ordinances, stormwater ordinances and practices, wellhead protection ordinances.

Local leadership – sharing the phosphorus message.

Future:Sign a new TMDL Cooperative Agreement?State of Michigan nutrient limits?New stormwater permit process – cooperative

TMDL monitoring?Encouraging non-Phase I&II communities to

tackle stormwaterUmbrella organization and Partnership

AgreementNew overall watershed management plan in

development Buildout analysis Loading

Watershed Nutrient Load, Sediment Load and Runoff Volume Comparisons (2001 – 2030)

Change in Total Phosphorus Load per Land Use in the Kalamazoo River Watershed

TP L

oad

(lb

s)

Comparison of Monthly TP Load in 2001 and 2003 with Phosphorus TMDL Load Allocation

14,022 lbs/mo

16,961 lbs/mo

TP L

oad (

lbs)

Stormwater Control Costs* to Treat Increasing TP Loads from 2001 to 2030

Scenario 1: Only required to reduce 50% of 2001 load because SW ordinance was adopted

Scenario 2: No ordinance adopted; required to reduce new 2030 load by 50%Scenario 3: No ordinance adopted; required to reduce 2030 load to 50% of 2001 loading level

*Assumes an average estimated cost of $10,000/lb of TP reduction (which will vary depending on available land, land costs, design and inflation).

Thank YouTMDL information – www.kalamazooriver.netMunicipal outreach programs – stormwater,

groundwater, and educationwww.bcwater.orgwww.protectyourwater.net

www.kalamazooriver.orgkrwc@kalamazooriver.org to e-mail Jeff