Watershed

Watershed Mission Statement:

Protecting the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of the water resources within the City of Auburn from all sources of degradation and pollution is the primary mission of the Watershed Division.The development, implementation, and continued refinement of a diverse and dynamic stormwater management program, by professional and dedicated staff, are the key to accomplishing this mission.

 

Staff

Dan Ballard, Watershed Division Manager
Dustin Kimbrow, Watershed Program Coordinator                 Ron McCurry, Stormwater Coordinator

 

Alabama’s abundant water resources are unarguably one of the States greatest assets, as is evident when one looks at The Great Seal of the State of Alabama. In addition to being home to some of the most richly diverse freshwater stream, river, lake, and wetland ecosystems in the world, Alabama’s waters support and sustain our economy, our environment, our culture, our health, and our very way of life. Needless to say, protecting the integrity of these resources is critical to livelihood of the State and the peoples who call it home. The City of Auburn recognizes its role as a user of these resources and embraces its responsibilities to contribute to the maintenance of the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of all waters within its jurisdictional limits. 

 

Regional Hydrologic Context:

There are two major watersheds to which all lands within the City of Auburn drain; Saugahatchee Creek serving the north side of the City and Chewacla Creek serving the south side of the City, with the railroad tracks and Opelika Road generally following the topographic divide. The named tributaries of these major watersheds in the City limits include Loblockee Creek, Little Loblockee Creek, Moore’s Mill Creek, Town Creek, Parkerson’s Mill Creek, and Choctafaula Creek.

 

Stormwater Management Program

Phase II NPDES Permit Information:The City of Auburn is designated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) as an owner/operator of a Phase II municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4). The USEPA's Phase II Stormwater Regulations, which were implemented in March 2003, require operators of regulated Phase II MS4s to obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit and to develop a stormwater management program designed to protect water quality and to prevent harmful pollutants in stormwater runoff from being washed into the MS4. The City received its initial Phase II Stormwater NPDES permit (ALR040003) on May 14, 2003. ADEM revised and reissued this permit on February 1, 2011. The current permit coverage will expire on January 31, 2016.The intent of the Phase II regulations is to reduce the adverse impacts to water quality and aquatic habitat by instituting the use of controls on the unregulated sources of stormwater discharges. In order to comply with these regulations the City of Auburn must satisfy six "minimum control measures," including:    Public Education and Outreach, Public Participation/Involvement, Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination, Construction Site Runoff Control, Post-Construction Stormwater Management, Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping.

Impaired Waters

Impaired water are those waters that are identified by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) as not meeting the State’s Water Quality Criteria and for which technology-based limits alone do not ensure attainment thereof. Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act requires the ADEM to identify and list these water bodies, and ultimately to establish total daily maximum loads (TMDL’s) that are necessary to meet water quality standards. TMDL’s are quite often, in essence, a “diet plan” for a water body for a specific pollutant that is identified as the cause of impairment. Impaired Waters in Auburn – Include Map with respective watersheds Moores Mill Creek, Parkerson Mill Creek, *Saugahatchee Creek Embayment.

Water Quality Monitoring Programs

The Watershed Division operates and manages a number of water quality monitoring programs. Water quality is monitored in local water bodies to determine compliance with State Water Quality Criteria, to identify potential sources of pollution and degradation, to assess ecosystem health and integrity, and to develop a better understanding of our water resources for improved management. These monitoring data aid the Water Resource Management Departments efforts to protect its drinking water sources, protect recreational uses, and to protect the ecological integrity of our water resources. Each monitoring program is structured to serve one or more of these purposes.

  • Turbidity Monitoring Program
  • Source water Monitoring Program
  • Continuous Water Quality Monitoring Program

 

Erosion and Sediment Control Inspection and Enforcement Program Frequently Asked Questions

 

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