[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]
ADEM
TECHNICAL REPORT
A SURVEY OF
THE BON SECOUR RIVER
WATERSHED



An Overview of Land-Use Practices and Examination of the
Effects of Development on the Aquatic Resources of the Basin



Coastal Program
July 1996





ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
1751 CONG. W. L. DICKINSON DRIVE ï¿½ MONTGOMERY, AL 36130


US Department of Cotwerce
OAA Coastal Services Center Library
2234 South Hobson Avenue
Charleston, SC 29405-2413


U   D~~1-1g      0-    Uw                        -    U        - U
JULY, 1996






Prepared by:


Alabama Department of Environmental Management
Mobile Branch
2204 Perimeter Road
Mobile, Alabama 36615

..,4DE=C4

Plnning And Economic
Diopmnent OMalon
This report was funded in part by the Alabama
Department of Economic and Community Affairs,
Office of the Governor, State of Alabama,
and in part by a grant from the Office of Ocean and Coastal
Research Management, National Atmospheric and Oceanic
Administration, United States Department of Commerce.
A  ATMosn,-.
ja%-  S
DISCLAIMER
The mention of trade names or brand names in this document is for illustrative
purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement by the Alabama Department of
Environmental Management, the Alabama Department of Economic and Community
Affairs or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
List of Tables and Figures                                                 II
Executive Summary I
Introduction	2
Physical Characteristics of the Watershed	6
General Description	6
Climate	9
Ground Water	9
Soil Associations	10
Economic Development and Land-use in the Watershed	13
Historical Overview	13
Industrial Facilities	14
Land-use Survey	15
Stream and Shoreline Surveys	17
Sediment Chemistry of the Watershed	25
Introduction	25
Sediment Survey	25
Objective	25
Materials and Methods	26
Results and Discussion	27
Benthic Biology	34
Introduction	34
Objective	34
Benthic Invertebrate Survey	35
Materials and Methods	35
Results and Discussion	37
Review and Conclusions	39
Bibliography	40
I

LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES


Soil Associations of the Bon Secour River Watershed
Stations Monitored for Water Quality
Parameters Measured for Stream Water Samples
Results of Sediment Metal Analyses
Summary Statistics for Benthic Invertebrate Communities
List of Benthic Invertebrate Species Collected
Benthic Invertebrate Species Collected Listed by Station
TABLES
Table 1:
Table 2:
Table 3:
Table 4:
Table 5:
Table 6:
Table 7:


FIGURES
12
18
19
29
37
38
38
Figure 1: Map of the Bon Secour River Watershed
Figure 2: Map of the Bon Secour River Watershed w/ Towns
and Roads Shown
Figure 3: Soil Associations of the Bon Secour River Watershed
Figure 4: Stations Monitored for Water Quality
Figure 5: Locations of Sites Sampled for Sediments
and Benthic Infauna
Figures 6a-6h: Sediment Metal Plots
Figure 6a: Arsenic
Figure 6b: Barium
Figure 6c: Cadmium
Figure 6d: Chromium
Figure 6e: Copper
Figure 6f:  Lead
Figure 6g: Nickel
Figure 6h: Zinc
6
7


11
18


27
30
30
30
31
31
32
32
33
33
II

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY __
The Bon Secour River Watershed, a basin located in a mostly rural but rapidly
developing area of South Baldwin County, was surveyed for characterization of the land-
use practices, soil types, topography, habitat and biological resources of the watershed.
Some of the impacts of construction, real estate development and urban non-point
sources on habitat and biological resources are described. Although the basin
possesses a minimal amount of industrial development, the effects of storm water
runoff, erosion, siltation and other problems related to non-point sources were observed
to have significant impacts on the aquatic habitats of the basin. The impacts were
typical of non-point related problems, i.e. turbidity and siltation from erosion, nutrient
enrichment and enteric bacteria contamination.
The watershed also has experienced a significant amount of waterfront
development and shoreline alteration. Many of the waterfront residences along the river
have shoreline bulkheads, excavated boat slips and piers.
From the findings of this study it would appear that the most benificial course of
action for diminishing harmnful imnpacts to the watershed is for local developers, utility
crews, builders and those in the general construction trades to follow the methods of
Best Management Practices (BMPs) developed for the control of erosion and stormwater
runoff.
I

INTRODUCTION
The economic development and growth of the Alabama coastal zone during the
past decade has been characterized by the transformation of woodlands and pasture
into subdivisions, condominiums, shopping centers and boat marinas. Recent years
also have witnessed a remarkable population increase, especially in south Baldwin
County. These changes have placed the pressures of urban development on
waterbodies which, until recently, have been somewhat removed from the direct
consequences of high population density and large expanses of commercial
development.
The more conspicuous effects of 'urbanization" on our aquatic resources
include, but are not limited to: trash and litter washed from parldng lots and streets by
storm runoff, loss of natural shoreline due to bulkhead and fill development, sewage
and pathogenic bacteria from aging and/or overloaded sanitary systems, surface oil
sheens and oily sediments resulting from run-off contaminated with petroleum by-
products. But perhaps the more serious and widespread of these effects have been
decreased water clarity, increased rates of stream siltation and losses of aquatic habitat
caused by erosion from land disturbance activities. (Alabama Department of
Environmental Management 1989, 1994 and 1995; National Research Council 1990;
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1991 and 1992, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1990).
Over the last quarter century significant progress has been achieved in the
prevention and reversal of water quality degradation both in the state of Alabama and
across the United States. The majority of this improvement has been realized through
increasingly stringent standards imposed on industrial and municipal point source
discharges. Although these measures have been effective in controllng the waste water
discharged from industrial facilities and municipal sanitary treatment plants, the
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program which provided the
regulatory mechanism for this has, until lately, failed to address the impacts from
urban runoff and other non-point sources (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1991).
Increased oCcurrence and severity of these problems have resulted in a need for
updated programs for monitoring surface waters. Furthermore, the losses of aquatic
habitats and imnpairment of water quality have necessitated that erosion from cleared
land, runoff of urban stormwater and other non-point sources of pollution be effectively
controlled, especially in areas experiencing intensive real estate development (National
Research Council 1990; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1990).
2

In the pursuit of more effectual protection of the state's aquatic resources, the
Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM)Ihas established a multi-
year agenda of watershed surveys as a component of the Departmnent's Coastal Resource
Monitoring Strategy (Alabama Department of Envirornmental Management 1993). The
initial guidance for the development of a methodology for watershed surveys was
provided by the watershed protection approach (WPA) instituted by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1991 and
1992).
Monitoring and management of aquatic systems traditionally has been
approached from the perspective of studying the characteristics of a waterbody and the
influences of municipal and industrial development immediately proximate to the
waters of interest. The majority of monitoring programs fall into three basic categories:
short-term intensive sur-veys, monitoring of emergency episodes and long-termn, routine
monitoring of fixed stations (trends tracking) (National Research Council 1990).
Customarily, stream and lake surveys have focused on specific point source
discharges and their receiving waters for. the purpose of lessening the environmental
effects of wastewater effluents (i.e., waste-load allocation studies). Although this
concept has been beneficial in achieving the improvements in water quality realized over
the past quarter century it does not always account for the imnpacts of urban
development and construction. Short-term monitoring related to episodic events (i.e.,
oil spills, raw sewage discharges and chemical releases) has provided valuable
information on acute effects of certain pollutants but has not allowed study of more
subtle long-term changes (Alabama Department of Environmental Management 11993;
National Research Council 1990; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1991 and
1992).
The strategy of regularly and periodically monitoring a network of fixed stations
has been valuable for tracling long-term trends in water quality. However, routine
trends monitoring is not, as a rnule, designed for sampling in conjunction with storm
events. Indeed, routine monitoring trips often are conducted on days of fair weather as
would be the choice of most field personnel! Therefore, trends monitoring frequently
fails to detect the ephemeral but significant changes in water quality that are the result
of stormwater runoff from urban areas. Envirornmental agencies also -have a tendency
to conduct trends monitoring primarily for evaluating waters with regard to wastewater
discharges. Consequently, short term and/or localized but serious degradation to
surface water quality from non-point sources has been overlookecl, if not altogether
ignored. (National Research Council 1990; U.S. Envirornmental Protection Agency 199 1).
3

The WPA however, emphasizes a multi-discipline approach for more effective
protection of aquatic resources. This strategy includes, but is not-limited to, the
incorporation of land-use informnation, census data and municipal development plans.
The WPA also makes use of a wider scope of field investigations which includes;
examination of impairments to recreational uses of water and their potential as risks to
human health, investigation of stormwater runoff, analyses of sediment chemistry,
assessment of aquatic habitats and evaluation of shoreline alterations, the extent of
stream channelization and similar modifications of waterways. Field surveys also
should take into account the effects of natural forces such as storms, climatological
extremes, topography and soil characteristics which have the potential for significantly
influencing water quality (National Research Council 1990; U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency 199 1).
The WPA also emphasizes involvement of local government, businesses and,
most importantly, the citizens of the watershed. Regulation by a municipal or county
agency often is viewed more favorably by local residents than control at the state or
federal level. Education of the business community, local officials and citizens as to the
property damage (both public and private) caused by uncontrolled stormwater runoff
provides a better appreciation on both sides as to the need for control of erosion and
urban runoff. Finally, the results of the study should be developed into a plan for
remediating existing degradation, reducing the sources of contamination and avoiding
additional deterioration from future development (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
199 1; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 199 1).
A demonstration study of the Dog River Watershed (DRW) in Mobile County was
conducted in 1993 through 1995 by the ADEM Mobile Field Branch. Findings and
recommendations of the study, along with the methods utilized for stream surveillance,
field investigations and sampling are detailed in two published reports (ADEM 1994 and
1995). Experience obtained from the Dog River Watershed survey has allowed ADEM to
refine the basic WPA strategy and develop a watershed protection approach pertinent to
the drainage basins in the coastal plains of Alabama.
Valuable lessons learned from the study of the DRW include:
ï¿½  Erosion from land clearing operations, construction sites, excavation, and
road ffi were the most significant contributors to water Cluality degradation
(turbidity) and recent losses of aquatic habitat (siltation) in the basin.
*  Trash and litter washed from parling lots and city streets create extremely
unappealing esthetics and constitute a potentially severe marine debris
problem.
4

ï¿½ Surveys of land characteristics such as topography and soil types provide
valuable information regarding the severity of some problems; especially
those related to erosion and siltation.
* Monitor water quality under a wide variety of conditions paying special
attention to sampling stormn runoff.
ï¿½ Urban non-point sources have the potential to enrich sedimnents with heavy
metals to a degree equal to, if not greater than, industrial wastewater
discharges.
* Species composition and diversity of biological communities is adversely
affected by non-point pollution, sometimes to a level as severe as those
impacts observed near waste effluent outfalls.
Also realized through the study of the DRW is the importance of public
information and involvement. Release of the study reports generated considerable
public interest in the control of non-point sources and has led to the formation of a
citizens' action group. Members of this group have been actively conferring with local,
state and federal officials imnportuning a more protective approach towards local streams
and the effects of development. Citizens' interaction with developers and local officials
show substantial promise for improving the control of non-point source pollution.
The response by the residents of the basin has illustrated another benefit of the
watershed protection approach not realized by traditional water quality studies. The
WPA reduces some environmental issues to a 'lowest common denominator' for niany
citizens. Explanation of the causes and effects attributable to various nearby everyday
activities fostering the degradation of 'the stream r-unning through my neighborhood"
often better communicates to the average person the significance of the effects of
development than would a study performned on an industrialized stretch of river 30
miles away.
5

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE
WATERSHED                      -


GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Alabama Department of Environrnental Management Coastal Programs' staff
selected the drainage basin of the Bon Secour River as the watershed for applying the
experience gained from the Dog River Watershed project. Located in Baldwin County
(Figure 1), the Bon Secour River is a tidally influenced stream some eight miles in
length (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 1976 and 1990; South Alabama Regional
Planning Commission 1993). The Bon Secour River Watershed (BRW) encompasses an
area of approximately 30 square miles and receives drainage from numerous small
tributaries (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 1976 and 1990). Of these only Boggy
Branch, Bright's Creek, Shutt Creek and Miller's Bayou are truly navigable by small
watercraft for substantial portions of their lengths.
FIGURE I
BON SECOUR RIVER WATERSHED
6

The Bon Secour River originates in the City of Foley and discharges to Bon
Secour Bay in the southeastemn corner of Mobile Bay (Figuire 2). The- river is
approximately 2000 feet wide at its mouth, decreases to a width of 150 feet 5.5 miles
upstream at the bridge crossing of Baldwin County Road 10 and then narrows to less
than 50 feet in width some 0.75 miles upstrearm of the County Road 10 bridge (U.S.
Army COE 1990).
FIGURE 2
BON SECOUR RIVER WATERSHED
SHOWING TOWNS AND ROADS
The periodic tidal range at the mouth of the Bon Secour River averages 0.5
meters (1.6 ft) under normal conditions and provides this system with the largest tidal
amplitude in coastal Alabama (O'Neil and Mettee 1982). This greater amount of tidal
variation allows for flooding of a greater area of land than would occur with a lower tidal
range. This quality together with the flat terrain is conducive to establishing more
extensive tidal marsh acreage than would occur with a lesser tidal range such as that at
Perdido Bay (0.2 meters/0.66 ft) or with the steeper shoreline relief such as along the
upper eastern shore of Mobile Bay near Daphne.
7

A federally authorized navigation channel is maintained in the Bon Secour River
by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This project provides for a channel 10 feet deep
and 80 feet wide from the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) in Bon Secour Bay up the
Bon Secour River to river mile 3 near Swift's Landing and continuing as a channel six
feet deep and eighty feet wide to river mile 4.7 immediately above Oak landing (U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers 1976 and 1989).
The South Fork of the Bon Secour River, an inlet connecting Oyster Bay and the
Alabama Canal of the GIWW with the river, also is a federally maintained navigation
project. The South Fork is part of the original Perdido Bay to Mobile Bay portion of the
GIWW but was eliminated as a route for commercial traffic around 1942 with the
completion of the land cut between Oyster Bay and Bon Secour Bay (U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers 1990; D. Imsand, personal communication 1995). The South Fork is still
officially a Federally authorized part of the GIWW and a navigation channel 10 feet deep
and 80 feet wide is maintained between the river channel and the bridge crossing at
Baldwin County Road 4.
The majority of the watershed is designated as suitable for swimming and water
based recreation according to the state's water use classifications. The Bon Secour
River is assigned a state water use classification of swimming and other whole body
water-contact sports/fish and wildlife (S/F&W) for its entire length from Bo to its
source. The South Fork of the Bon Secour River, Bon Secour River west of the South
Fork and Oyster Bay to the south are classified as suitable for shellfish harvesting.
.The Department has assigned a water use classification of S/ F&W to the
tributary Boggy Branch for the entirety of its length from the Bon Secour River to its
source located east of Alabama State Route 59. Other streams within the watershed
Bright's Creek, Shutt Creek, Miller's Bayou and several unnamed tributaries have not
been assigned a specific use classification; however, those segments are considered as
fish and wildlife waters pursuant to ADEM Administrative Code (335-6-11-.01(5)). For a
summary of the water quality criteria applicable to these classifications please refer to
Table A- I in the appendix.

GEOGRAPHY

The majority of the Bon Secour River Watershed lies within thie Coastal
Lowlands subdivision of the East Gulf Coastal Plain. The uppermost portion of the
watershed reaches into the Southemn Pine Hills subdivision around the City of Foley.
The topography of the basin is generaly flat with gently undulating plains and little
8

relative surface relief. Surface elevations are less than 30 meters (100 ft) throughout
the BRW.

CLIMATE

The climate of the BRW is essentially subtropical with long humid summers and
short mild winters. The area is strongly influenced by the Gulf of Mexico which tends to
moderate temperatures throughout the year (ONeil and Mettee 1982). The summer
months are especially affected by the Bermuda High, a seasonal high-pressure system
that spreads over much of the eastern gulf and south Atlantic coast from May through
September (ONeil and Mettee 1982; SARPC 1993). The prevailing southerly winds
produced by the Bermuda High are high in moisture content which keeps summer
temperatures along the coast lower than those inland. The average afternoon high in
July, the hottest month, is 320C (90ï¿½F) and rarely reaches 38ï¿½C (100ï¿½F) which is in
contrast to inland Alabama where afternoon highs regularly approach and often break
the latter figure (U.S. Department of Agriculture 1964; ONeil and Mettee 1982).
Winters are typified by prevailing northerly winds, strong frontal systems and
cold, continental air masses. The oceanic nature of the climate tends to "cushion" the
effects of such weather complexes and leads to mild winter temperatures ranging from
average daily lows of 6ï¿½C (43ï¿½F) to average daily highs of 15ï¿½C (60ï¿½F) in January, the
coldest month for the area (O'Neil and Mettee 1982).
The brevity and mildness of the winters contributes to a growing season of 300
days in the Bon Secour River Watershed. The first killing frost occurs around December
5th and the last killing frost is around February 18-h (O'Neil and Mettee 1982).

GROUND WATER

Ground water resources of the watershed are abundant and of high quality
(O'Neil and Mettee 1982). The permeable sands of the Pliocene-Miocene Series
undifferentiated are utilized as the source of ground water for the majority of the wells
in the BRW. Wells drilled into this formation usually produce adequate supplies for
domestic, small business and agricultural requirements within 150 feet of the surface
(ibid.). The sand beds of the Pliocene-Miocene aquifer are capable of yielding up to 2650
liters/min. (700 gallons/min.) and may produce significantly more in some instances
(ibid.).
Water yielded from wells in the Pliocene-Miocene aquifer is generally of good
quality, available data indicates low hardness (15-60 mg/l as CaCO3), low chloride (5-15
mg/l) and low iron (less than 0.3 mg/1). However some of the shallow wells near the
9

river and bay have the potential to produce waters containing noticeable and possibly
objectionable iron discoloration and chloride taste (saltiness) during-.dry periods.
Although salt water intr-usion has become a problem for the Gulf Shores area
immediately south of the BRW, this is not a problem in the BRW.
Residents of the BRW living west and north of the Bon Secour River are
dependent on individual water wells. Those residents of the basin living east and south
of the river are served by the Oyster Bay water distribution system, an affiliate of the
Foley-Riveria Utilities water system (public water supply permit number AL-0000036).

SOIL ASSOCIATIONS OF THE WATERSHED

Aerial photographs from the Soil Survey of Baldwin County published by the the
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), formailly known as the U.S. Soil
Conservation Service, (U.S. Department of Agriculture 1964) were examined by ADEM
coastal program staff for determining soil types within the watershed. Soils in the
upland portions of the watershed are primarily sandy loam type soils; the lowland areas
of the basin are distinguished either by hydric soils (muck) that drain poorly or sandy
soils that drain excessively fast. More specifically the NRCS classifies the soils in the
lower lying areas of the watershed as the Lakewood-St. Lucie-Leon Association The
soils of the higher, upland areas of the watershed are designated as Marlboro-Faceville-
Greenville Association and Norfolk-Klej-Goldsboro Association. Distribution of the soil
types in the BSW is illustrated in Figure 3 and descriptions of soil characteristics are
provided in Table 1.
The Lakewood-St. Lucie-Leon Association is found along the lower Bon Secour
River south of County Road 10 and extends landward one-half to a mile in from the
river. This association is found over approximately 20-25 percent of the lands of the
BRW. This soil association has poor drainage qualities maling it unsuitable for
agricultural activities and extensive construction.
The Marlboro-Faceville-Greenville Association makes-up approximately 15-20
percent of the watershed area. This soil association is found in the upper northwest
part of the watershed. The majority of the development in this area is agricultural and
includes several large row crop operations. Soil scientists consider this unit to be well
drained and to have few, if any, limitations on its suitability for agrictilture (U.S.
Department of Agriculture 1980).
The Norfolk-KleJ-GoIdsboro Association covers approximately 60-65 percent of
the land within the basin. These soils are found throughout the eastern half of the
watershed and extend southwesterly across the river near Baldwin County Road 12 to
10

just north of the town of Bon Secour. Soil scientists also classify this association as
being very appropriate for agriculture.                              --
Figure 3
Soil Asociations of the Bon Secour River Watershed
Legend  Lakewood-St. Lucie-Leon


Marlboro-Faceville-Greenville


Norfolk-Klej-Goldsboro we
11

Table 1
Soil Associations of the Bon Secour River WatergiEe_d

Lakewood-St. Lucie-Leon
This association is commonly found along lakes, rivers and bays. These soils tend to
either drain too fast because of a high content of sand or they drain very poorly due to a
cemented sand layer and muck. Muck may be more than a meter deep in some locations
of the watershed; these areas may be of such poor drainage that standing water is
present much of the year.
Land composed of this association is suitable for recreation and light residential
development although some drainage modifications might be necessary. Typical
vegetation found on these soils include slash pine, loblolly pine, gallberry and myrtle.
Prickly pear cactus and palmetto mnay be found on the drier, more sandy locations;
pitcher plants, sundew and butterworts occur on the wetter muck areas.
Marlboro-Faceville-Greenville
This association is found on the level and gently sloping uplands in the northwestern
corner of the basin. Soils of this association are grayish-brown fine to very fine sandy
loam intermixed with dark red and brown loam. These soils are well drained and
suitable for agriculture.
Agricultural operations on these soils are highly productive if properly mnanaged.
Corn, soybeans and potatoes are the crops cormmonly grown on these soils. This
association also is well suited for use as pasture.
Norfolk-Klei-Goldsboro
The level and gently sloping uplands of the eastern half of the basin are covered with
this association. These soils are dark grayish-brown fine sandy loam mixed with dark
grayish-brown loamy sand. Overall, these soils are well drained but depressions in level
areas and bottom lands along small streams may drain poorly.
These soils are highly suitable for crops such as corn, soybeans, wheat and pecans.
This soil association also is well adapted for flower nurseries, bulb farmns and other
horticultural operations. Numerous poultry and beef cattle farms are located on these
lands.
12

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND LAND USE
IN THE WATERSHED

HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

The commnunity of Bon Secour was named by Jacques Cook, a Frenchman from
Montreal, in honor of Cathedral Notre Dame de Ban Secour, the oldest cathedral in
Montreal. A hunting and fishing lodge was built in 1702 by Iberville Bienville and
Serigney Le Moyne, the founders of the city of Mobile (Fairhope Courier 1996).
Historic development within the BRW initially occurred along the lower reaches
of the river in and around the community of Bon Secour. The early settlers were
attracted by the abundant fisheries resources of Bon Secour Bay, safe harborage offered
by the river and suitability of the area. for agriculture. Homesteaders of the mnore inland
portion of the watershed also made the Town of Foley a center of business and
commerce in the early years of colonizing the basin. As agricultural development
progressed Foley became the center of population, commerce and finance in the
immediate area. Nowadays, Foley continues as the most active area of commercial
development and business activity in the watershed.
Initially, development of the watershed was either agricultural, low density
residential or somehow related to commercial fishing. Development in recent years has
been more directed towards light commercial businesses (i.e. retail merchants,
restaurants, etc.), shopping malls and subdivisions (SARPC 1980 and 1993). More
recently, development within the BRW has spread along the eastern side of the basin to
the south of Foley. New constru.ction is a widely diverse nixture of residential
subdivisions, retail trade businesses and golf courses. This trend towards non-
agricultural development is certain to continue and accelerate in the near future (Friend
et al 1982; SARPC 1993).
Commercial fishing was the basis of the economy of the watershed during the
19th century and early 20th century. Today, fishing and seafood processing in Bon
Secour has developed into a considerable industry ranling among the top twenty U.S.
ports with the annual value of landings exceeding $10 million (Friend et al 1982).
Shrimp catches regLilarly comprise approximately one-half of the annual commercial
landings and 80 percent of the dockside value. Exceptionally good harvests may
account for as much as 70 percent of the poundage and over 90 percent of the value of
commercial fisheries landed (ibid.). Oysters and blue crabs are the second and third
most economically valuable species, respectively, landed at commercial docks in the
basin (Friend et al 1982; SARPC 1993).
13

Agriculture has been the historic cornerstone of the economy in Baldwin County
and has played a vital role in the development of the BRW. Th~e mnil climate and
suitability of soils present favorable conditions for a variety of agricultural operations in
the watershed (U.S. Department of Agriculture 1964; Friend et al 1982; SARPC 1993).
Agriculture in the BRW began in the 19th century with small farms primarily producing
potatoes, corn, beans, wheat and melons for local markets (U.S. Department of
Agriculture 1964).
Agricultural development of the watershed began a rapid progression towards
larger operations in the years immediately following World War I. The advancement of
mechanized cultivation, imnproved packidng and preservation methods and more
expeditious distribution combined with the immigration of large numbers of people to
Baldwin County from the midwestern states contributed to the growth of farming in the
basin (U.S. Department of Agriculture 1964; Friend et al 1982). Accompanying this
increased agricultural activity was a shift towards crops well suited to large scale
mechanized operations. For the past half-centuiry corn, wheat, potatoes and soybeans
have been the most extensively cultivated row crops in the basin and surrounding area.
The most common orchard crop grown in the basin are pecans (Friend et al 1982;
SARPC 1993).

INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES

The BSW contains no major industrial facilities or municipal wastewater
treatment plants. However, there are several businesses engaged in the processing and
packaging of fish, shrimp, oysters and other seafood resources. Six of these are sizable
facilities collectively processing six to eight maillon pounds of product annually (SARPC
1980; Friend et al. 1982). These operations produce significant volumes of process
wastewater from peeling and deveining shrimp, shucling and washing oysters, cooling
crabs and freezing fish. The treated wastewater from these processors is discharged to
the Bon Secour River under the conditions and limitations of NPDES permits issued to
each facility by the Department. Names, locations and permit conditions of these
facilities are listed in Appendix A.
Historically, several gravel and sand mining operations have been operated
within the watershed; however, these operations appear to be converting to golf courses
and driving ranges as the non-farming population increases.
There are three boat repair yards in the basin, one located on the river just
above the mouth of Bright's Creek, one on the east bank above the South Fork and the
other on the South Fork. Although these are relatively small operations compared to
14

those in Bayou La Batre and Mobile, they are important to the local economy. These
facilities provide convenient repair and overhaul services to the commercial fishing fleet
of Bon Secour without the need to cross Mobile Bay, an undertaking which not only
adds to the cost of boat maintenance but also to vessel downtimne (U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers 1990).
As was the case with the Departmnent's survey of the Dog River Watershed, the
absence of heavy industrial development, increasing residential population and
intensely active real-estate development make this watershed a good example for
studying water quality degradation as primarily mediated by non-point sources.


LAND-USE SURVEY

Having reviewed the available information regarding land-use and development,
soil characteristics, water quality and biological resources of the BSW the next step was
to conduct initial surveys of the watershed and examine current land-use practices
within and their potential for degrading water quality and causing losses of aquatic
habitat. Land reconnaissance of the watershed by motor vehicle was begun in January
1995 and continued through September 11995. The findings of these efforts were
compared to the aerial photographic information from the NRCS Soil Survey, land use-
data from the Water Quality Management Plan for Mobile and Baldwin Counties (South
Alabama Regional Planning Commission 1980) and current land-use maps supplied by
the South Alabama Regional Planning Commission.
The findings of these reconnaissance inspections indicate that the watershed
has changed considerably in the thirty years since the NRCS report and that
development, for the most part, is following along the course indicated by information
supplied by the South Alabama Regional Planning Commission (i.e., retail businesses,
light commercial, residential subdivisions and multiple unit housing). The most
conspicuous change to the landscape relative to the aerial photos of the NRCS survey is
the appearance of significant acreage of parling lots, large commercial structures,
residential construction and other impervious cover.
Such developments were completely absent in the aerial photos of the NRCS soil
survey of 1964. The land-use maps in Water Quality Management Plan for Mobile and
Baldwin Counties (South Alabama Planning Commission 1979) indicate a trend towards
increased residential and conmmercial development in the basin 20 years ago; in
particular the eastern half. However, such construction then was single unit
residential, small retail stores and service type businesses such as garages. More
recent construction has predominantly been large retail sales enterprises, dining
is

establishments, lodging facilities and multiple unit housing. The more extensive
commercial developments are presently concentrated near Foley irn4he northeastern
corner of the watershed and extend south towards Boggy Branch. Especially notable
are the expansive developments of retail sales businesses along Alabama State Highway
59.
Another visible contrast with past land-use is that the numerous developments
in the eastern side of the basin along Highway 59 have displaced large areas of forest
and farm lands. The increasing demand for commercial property in the area has made
it more profitable for owners of agricultuiral and timber operations to sell land to
builders than to grow crops. Accompanying this shift of land-use is an increased
amount of parldng lots, paved roads and other impervious cover. Changes which result
in reduced storm water detention and increased urban run-off.
Also evident during the land reconnaissance was the proliferation of recreational
facilities (golf courses) in the eastern portions of the basin. In more than one case,
courses and driving ranges have been constructed on old abandoned borrow pits.
Those lands along Boggy Branch and Co-unty Road 10 east of the river and the
property in the immnediate vicinity of the river above the County Road 10 bridge have
undergone a considerable amount of development, prixnarily subdivisions and
waterfront residences. Land-use in this area, as determined from the 1941 USGS
topographic map (15 minuite series) and aerial photos of the 1964 soil survey, was
either agricultural or forest until the 1970's. The few residents of the area were
primarily farmers, commnercial fishermnen or worked in businesses supporting
agriculture and fisheries. However, the majority of the development of the past two
decades has been non-farming/non-fishing residential construction. A significant
amount of this development is waterfront residential, whereas in the past, only those
families engaged in fishing and boat repair lived along the water.
The developmental trends in the eastern part of the BRW are not foliowed in
those lands west of the Bon Secour River. The area immediately around the Bon Secour
Community and to the north along Baldwin County Road 65 is still predominantly
agricultural and low density residential. The emphasis for the residential developers
though, has been to build on waterfront property due to the inclination of homebuyers
to pay a premium for such land. This has resulted in a considerable &lteration of the
shoreline due to the tendency of waterfront residents to install protective bul'kheads,
excavate boat slips and construct piers. In constrast to the eastern half of the BRW,
there appears to have been little increase in the amount of iimpervious cover in the
16

western half when referencing present land-use to the conditions existing 20 more years
ago.
The majority of the commercial development in the western half of the BRW is
centered around the community of Bon Secour. Most of these enterprises are involved
with the fishing trades (i.e., processing and selling catches, boat maintenance, fuel
sales, etc.); however, there are a few general merchandise establishments, machine
shops and automobile garages located in Bon Secour and along Baldwin County Road
12 in the vicinity of County Road 65.
Current agricultural land-use in the western half of the watershed primnarily is
dedicated to row crops (soybeans, comn and wheat), pecan orchards and pasture land.
Land-use determnined by way of reconnaissance of the area estirnated that
approximately 10 square miles of the western basin are under cultivation. Much of the
acreage under cultivation is quite productive, 2 crops per year is common, and appears
to be well managed relative to tillage practices and erosion control as evidenced by the
miinimal amount of siltation in streams adjacent to crop land.


STREAM AND SHORELINE SURVEYS
Having initiated land reconnaissance of the watershed and cursory examination
of potential impacts to its waters, the next step was to survey the basin from the water
for the purpose of determining the categories and extent of shoreline development and
further identifying the nature of possible degradation in water quality.
ADEM personnel inspected each stream of the BSW. The Bon Secour River,
Boggy Branch, Shutt Creek and the South Fork were surveyed to the upper limits of
their navigable waters. The shallow upper stream reaches and otherwise non-navigable
waters were examined at bridge crossings and, in some cases, by walkng the stream
course. During these surveys the types of development along the stream bank were
noted, vegetation communities were categorized, gross characteristics of the strearn
were observed, in situ parameters were measured and water samples were collected.
As was done during the Dog River Watershed Survey, special effort was made to
sample streams of the basin during times of base flow and following storm events. The
stream/shoreline surveys and storm water sampling cormmenced on January 18, 1995
and continued through September 28, 1995. The locations of the sampling stations are
shown in Figure 4. Descriptions of the stations are given in Table 2 and a list of
parameters for wvhich water samples were analyzed is in Table 3.
17

FIGURE 4
Water Quality Monitoring Stations
TABLE 2
Locations of Stations Monitored for Water Quality
BSO1	Bon Secour River at Baldwin County Road 12 Bridge
BS02	Bon Secour River at Baldwin County Road 10 Bridge
UTNW	Unnamed Tributary to Bon Secour River at Baldwin County
Road 65 Bridge
UTF         Unnamed Tributary to Bon Secour River at
South Cedar Street in Foley
NEBSO 1	Unnamed Tributary to Bon Secour River at Riverwood Drive
NEBS02	Unnamed Tributary to Bon Secour River at Baldwin
County Road 20
BBO 1	Boggy Branch at Alabama State Highway 59
BB02	Boggy Branch approximately 0.5 miles upstream of mouth
SC	Shutt Creek at Baldwin County Road 10
SHC	Schoolhouse Creek at Baldwin County Road 10
near Swift School
18

Table 3
Parameters Measured for Stream Samples__


Field Measuremnents                     Laboratorv Analvses
Water Temperature	Turbidity
Dissolved Oxygen	Ammonia
pH	Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN)
Conductivity	Nitrate
Salinity	Phosphate
Fecal coliforms



FINDINGS OF THE STREAM SURVEYS



For the purpose of describing the conditions found during the stream surveys,
the stretch of the Bon Secour River begirniing at Baldwin County Road 12, extending
upstream (northward) to Foley and including the unnamed tributaries draining to the
Bon Secour River shall be referred to as the upper basin of the BRW. These tributaries
to the river are, for the most part, intermittent streams with flow only during periods of
significant rainfall. The unnamed tributary draining the northwestemn part of the
watershed (UTNW) is an exception flowing during all seasons, albeit sluggish in the late
summer.
The upper reaches of the Bon Secour River are surrounded by fields under
cultivation in row crops, pecan orchards, pasture lands or woods. In most cases, the
lands immrediately along the streambanks are still somewhat natural with significant
stands of trees and natuiral vegetation. These characteristics appear to have benefited
the river in that little of the effects of siltation. or other non-point source pollutants were
obser-ved as was the case with Dog River.
The upper basin receives substantial volumes of urban stormwater runoff from
the neighborhoods in southwest Foley and the numerous commercial developments
along Highway 59. Station UTF was monitored for determining the effects of drainage
fromn large areas of imnpervious cover and high density of motor vehicl7e traffic. Trash,
floating debris and other visible imtpacts of urban runoff were minimal following storm
events and practically non-existent the majority of the time.
Marked increases of stream turbidity were observed in the river at County Road
12 (station BS01) and in the northwest unnamed tributary at County Road 65 (station
UTNW) following heavy rainfalls. These losses of water clarity were more noticeable
19

during the winter and spring than they were for the summer and fall. This appeared to
be associated with the greater amount of exposed cropland existing-during the times of
field preparation and crop planting versus the coverage and soil stabilization provided
by crops during the growing season. The observed increases of turbidity in the upper
watershed were short lived; significant improvements in water clarity being evident
within 48 hours of a storm event.
Although significant increases of turbidity from clay fines are noticeable during
timnes of high flow, the upper portion of the Bon Secour River Watershed appears not to
be plagued by the predicament of high loads of suspended solids and accelerated
siltation. Land reconnaissance of the basin indicates this evidently is attributable to
the effective erosion control measures practiced by local farmers contrasted to the
efforts of real-estate developers and construction contractors. However, the situation in
the middle and lower reaches of the river is somewhat different as will be discussed
later in this report.
The bacterial quality of the waters in the upper part of the basin also changes in
response to weather events and streamflow. As is the case with many waterbodies, fecal
coliform counts were observed to increase at stations UTNW and BSO1I and station UTF
following a significant rainfall (greater than one-half inch).
The fecal coliform counts at station UTNW are indicative of the potential for
bacterial contributions from pasture land drainage. This is a characteristic of runoff
from cattle pastures and has been documented in other studies of non-point source
pollution (South Alabama Regional Planning Commission 1979; US Environmental
Protection Agency 1991 and 1992). Although the flow from these streams, such as the
unnamed tributary at County Road 65, might be perceived as inconsequential compared
to the flow of the main channel, such inputs are capable of significantly affecting the
quality of a larger stream.
The variability observed for fecal coliform counts at station UTF, sharp rapid
increases followed by a swift decline is more characteristic of non-point source
contributions (droppings from birds and domestic animals) than flows from broken
sewer mains (National Research Council 1990; South Alabamna Regional Planning
Commission 1979; US Environmental Protection Agency 1991 and 1992; US Fish and
Wildlife Service 1991).
The data for station UTF and UTNW indicate that both urban runoff and pasture
drainage represent consequential sources of enteric bacteria to the watershed. It was
observed throughout this study that the Bon Secour River at County Road 12
experienced difficulty acheiving its state water use classification due to fecal coliform
20

counts exceeding the standard for swimming and other whole body water-contact
sports. Only in the late summer when rainfall was minimal and stream flow at a low
level did the upper reach of the Bon Secour River meet all standards for its use
classification.
Concentrations of nutrients (nitrate and phosphate) also showed a relationship
to rainfall and seasons. Nutrients in the streams of the upper basin were observed to
be present in higher concentrations at times following heavy rains relative to
concentrations during base flow; furthermore, such concentrations were higher during
the winter and spring, the times of tilling, fertilizing and planting, than during the
summer and fall, the seasons of growing and harvest when fertilizers are actively
removed by growing crops or are simply not applied.

MIb-LNBksIPE
The middle portion of the watershed, as discussed here, is that segment of the
BRW south of Baldwin County Road 12 extending south to, and including, Boggy
Branch. The streams in this area flow throughout the year and are influenced by the
periodic tide relative to variations of water level and salinity.
Extensive waterfront residential development has occurred along Boggy Branch
and on the Bon Secour River from the mouth of Boggy Branch to approximately one-half
mile upstream of the County Road 10 bridge. Consequently, much of this section of the
BRW has undergone a considerable amount of shoreline alteration. As is typical with
waterfront residences, many of the homes have, at the least, a pier built out from the
streambank. Boat houses, gazebos and mooring slips also are common along lower
Boggy Branch and the river.
Although development has become increasingly dense in recent years, the area
is afforded excellent vegetation coverage from a diverse assortment of native trees and
shrubs. The banks along the river, Boggy Branch and an unnamed tributary (NEBS)
north of County Road 10 have healthy stands of swamp tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica), red
maple (Acer rubrum), sweet gum (Liquidamber styraciflua) and bald cypress (Taxodium
distichum). Dominant shrub species are wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera), yaupon (Rex
vomitoria) and pepper bush (Clethra ainifolia). On the slightly higher ground longleaf
pine (Pinus palustrus) becomes the dominant overstory species with an understory of
groundsel trees (Baccharis halimifolia), marsh elder (Ivafrutescens), St. John's wort
(Hypericumfasciculatum) and saw palmetto (Serenoa repens).
This part of the basin has seen rapid commercial growth along Alabama
Highway 59. The numerous and varied business operations have resulted in noticeable
21

modifications to the tributaries draining to the river, primarily in the form of numerous
culverts and paved drainage courses. These changes have been accompanied by a
significant increase of the amount of impervious cover and, consequently increased
stormwater runoff to nearby streams. At the present, these alterations have been
concentrated along the upper reaches of Boggy Branch and an unnamed tributary
(NEBS) draining commercial developments in the vicinity of County Road 12 and
Highway 59.
The most apparent modification to these streams and the stretch of the Bon
Secour River between them is accelerated rate of silt accumulation compared to the
upper basin. Although work on the commercial facilities was largely completed by the
time the BRW study commenced, the effects of clearing extensive acreage, the
associated site preparations and general construiction activities were clearly evident.
Boggy Branch, the Bon Secour River above County Road 10 and the unnamed tributary
north of County Road 10 have been the recipients of bountiful subsidies of sand and
silt. The increased sedimnent bedload has resulted in a somewhat dynamic and
continually shifting bar and shoal formations in some locations; especially in the river
above County Road 10 and in the unnamed tributary (NEBS) draining lands to the
northeast of the river.
The bacterial quality of the waters in the middle segment of the basin was
moderately better than the streams of the upper basin; changes in response to rainfall,
runoff and streamflow were apparent. The pattemn of increasing counts of fecal
coliforms following rainstorms, then declining to a lower 'backround" number as stream
levels fell, was observed throughout the study at the monitoring sites on the unnamed
northeastern tributary to the Bon Secour River (station NEBSOlI) and on Boggy Branch
(stations BBOlI and BB02). On the average, the bacterial numbers at each site
increased by a factor of approximately 10 immediately after storm events and then
returned to nominal values within 48 hours. This pattern, observed in studies of
stormwater runoff and other non-point sources, is representative of drainage from
pastures, fields and woodlands (National Research Council 1990; South Alabama
Regional Planning Conmmission 1979; US Environmental Protection Agency 1991 and
1992; US Fish and Wildlife Service 1991).
Although the counts were enhanced for shor-t periods after raiiistorms, the
bacterial criteria for the designated use-classification of each stream (swimming for
Boggy Branch and the river; fish & wildlife for the unnamed tributary) were met 80
percent of the time sampled. Sampling conducted at times of base flow or at least 72
22

hours after a rainstonrm indicated that these waters achieved their designated use-
classification 100 percent of the time.
Data for inorganic nutrients (ammonia, TKN, nitrate and phosphate) in the
waters of the middle basin were not particularly remarkable. Concentrations did not
appear to be greater than average values expected for coastal lowland streams and there
was no observed relationship to rainfall and seasons.




The lower part of the watershed, as discussed here, is that segmnent of the BRW
south of Boggy Branch extending southwest to Bon Secour Bay and including Bright's
Creek, Shutt Creek, Schoolhouse Creek, Miller's Bayou and the South Fork of the Bon
Secour River. The water level and salinity of streams in the lower basin are markedly
influenced by the periodic tide and maintain a pronounced brackish or estuarine quality
throughout the year.
During the late summer/early fall dry season Shutt Creek and Schoolhouse
Creek become intermittant in nature with no flow except after rainstorms. However, for
the last one mile and one-half mile respectively, tidal influence maintains a depth of 3 to
5 feet of water in these streams. This changes their characteristics froma flowing tannic
water streams to mildly bracliash inlets with salinity of 3-5 parts per thousand.
The lower reaches of the Bon Secour River and its tributaries are bordered by
waterfront residences, a few smafl commercial lodging operations and the various
enterprises involved in the commercial fisheries industry. At the time of this survey
there were three boat repair and drydock facilities along the river and at least half a
dozen operations for the offloading and processing of catches.
Along the northwest bank of the river, between Schoolhouse Creek and Miller's
Bayou, is the center of local commrercial fisheries operations. This strech of river is the
'old'waterfront for the town of Bon Secour and has been developed as a residential and
business community many years longer than other towns and neighborhoods of the
watershed. Extensive pier and berthing accomodations have been constructed over the
years but no ongoing constr-uction of such structures were observed during the study.
Recent or active waterfront construction appears to be concentrated along the
southwest bank of the Bon Secour River between Bright's Creek and the mouth of the
South Fork. Most of the waterfront development within the lower basin is of the single
unit residential type, although there are several new multiple-unit structures on Plash
Island. Development of this property has, so far, proceeded with a minimnum of clearing
and timber cutting, thereby affording good vegetation coverage by native trees and
23

shrubs along the waterfront. Storm runoff from hard paved surfaces and other
impervious cover is considerably less along these streams compared-to the tributaries in
the upper two thirds of the BRW.
The lower BRW still possesses a sigrificant amount of wetlands. Large stands of
pine savannah interspersed with small bogs and tannic ponds are found along much of
the lower river and the South Fork. Especially notable is the area of pine woods behind
the southeast shoreline and extending to well inland past Baldwin County Road 6.
Other wetlands noted in the lower BRW are the stands of sawgrass (Cladium
jamaicense) and spike grass (Distichlis spicata) around the mouth of Bright's Creek and
along both banks of the river near the confluence of Bright's Creek. Immediately
downstream are several sizeable stands of giant cordgrass (Spartina cynosuroides) and
black needlerush (Juncus roemerianus) along the northwest bank of the river and
surrounding Shutt Creek. Farther downstream are numerous small but substantial
stands of Spartina and Juncus near Miller's Bayou and along the opposite bank.
The attribute of well vegetated streambanks and a somewhat more natural
drainage within the lower basin appears to be a benefit to aquatic habitats and water
quality in this area. Turbidity and siltation were far less noticeable than in the waters
of the upper two thirds of the watershed. Although runoff of stonuwater from tilled
fields caused distinct increases of turbidity in Shutt Creek and Schoolhouse Creek,
these increases were short lived and there was none of the severe sedimentation
observed in the middle section of the watershed.
Severe storm events were noted to cause considerable short-term increases of
fecal coliforms in Shutt Creek and Schoolhouse Creek. As with the streams in the
upper and middle basins the bacterial counts rose by a factor of 10 on the average.
However, Shutt Creek and Schoolhouse Creek were found to have counts of fecal
coliforms consistently high enough (greater than 1000 colonies per lOOmil) to constitute
a potential problem with meeting their state water use-classification of fish and wildlife.
On the other hand, this appears not to have impaired the suitability of the lower Bon
Secour River for swimming because fecal coliform counts in the river near Miller's
Bayou met the bacterial criterion despite the high numbers in the tributaries.
As with the waters of the middle basin, data for inorganic nutrients (ammonia,
TKN, nitrate and phosphate) in the waters of the lower basin were not particularly
remarkable. Concentrations did not appear to be greater than average values expected
for coastal lowland streams and there was no observed relationship to rainfall and
seasons.
A tabular summary of all water quality data is presented in the Appendix.
24

SEDIMENT CHEMISTRY OF' THE WATERSHED
Unlike the Dog River Watershed, there was a good record of sediment chemistry
data for this system. Historical data was supplied by the US Army Corps of Engineers
(1976) in their survey of the river prior to performing maintenance dredging. Review of
the Corps data indicated no evidence of contaminated sediments in the BRW at the
time. More recent sediment chemistry data was found in a survey conducted by ADEM
(199 1) of shipyards in coastal Alabama, including those on the Bon Secour River. This
survey revealed the presence of relatively clean sedimnents along the middle and lower
reaches of the river. It was decided to investigate the sedimnent chemistry of tributaries
and of sites on the river more proximate to residential areas.
The general characteristics of the sedimnents in the watershed include silica
sands and silts mixed with aluminum rich clays. Sediments in the tributaries and
along the open shoreline of the river are coarser sands mixed with silt. Those sediments
in the broader deeper waters of the main river channel are finer grained sands
combined with silts and clays. Near the mouth of the Bon Secour River sediments are

predominantly sand mixed with some silt.

SEDIMENT CHEMISTRY SURVEY

Examination of sedimnents can offer insight into past conditions as well as
indicating the present 'pollution climate" because sediments represent a temporally
integrated record of chemical conditions in a watershed. Many contaminants entering a
watershed become sequestered in the sediments. This particularly is the case with
estuarine watersheds as salt water promotes adsorption and precipitation of materials
dissolved in the fresh water entering the system.
The objective of the sediment sampling prograxm was to determine the
concentrations of metals and the presence of excessive metal enrichment. These results
were compared to a survey of natural estuarine sediments in the Alabama coastal zone
which established the existence of statistically significant relationships between
aluminum and eight trace metals: arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead,
nickel and zinc (Alabama Department of Environmental Management, 1991). These
relationships may be utilizd to identify unnatural concentrations of metals in estuiarine
sediments (Schropp and Windom, 1988 and ADEM, 199 1).
This method of interpretation is based on the naturally occurring relationships
between aluminum and other metallic elements. The basis for this method is that
aluminum occurs naturaly in all estuarine sediments and the concentrations of other
25

metals tend to vary proportionally with the concentration of aluminum. These naturally
occurring proportions of metals relative to aluminum have been repGrted by several
investigators, Turekian and Wedepohl (1961), Taylor (1964), Duce et al (1976) and
Schropp and Windom (1988) to be fairly constant. These relationships allow for the use
of aluminum as a reference element or "normalizing factor" for identification of
sediments enriched by anthro1ogenic activities. This concept has been used to examine
metal pollution in the Savannah River estuary (Goldberg, 1979), lead pollution in the
Mississippi River (Trefey et al., 1985) and metal pollution in Florida estuaries (Schropp
and Windom, 1988). Additional detail regarding this technique may be found in
Schropp and Windom (1988) and ADEM (1991 and 1992).



On September 28, 1995 sediment samples were collected from five sites in the
watershed, three locations on Bon Secour River and one each on Shutt Creek and Boggy
Branch (Figure 5). Stations were selected to be representative of overall stream
conditions and not localized or isolated problems such as boat slips, dredged channels
and storm drains. Station depth was between 1.0 and 1.5 meters at each site.
Sediment cores were retrieved with an Ogeechee Sand PounderTM core sampler
(Wildlife Supply Co., cat. no. 2427-A20) equipped with a cellulose-acetate-butyrate liner
tube. Sediment for metal analyses was taken from the upper five centimeters (2 inches)
of each core, placed in an acid-washed glass jar and capped with a Teflon lined lid.
Samples were collected in triplicate, two samples for immediate processing and the third
sample for "archiving" in a freezer for future analyses in case of widely varying results
between the first two.
Sample analyses began with oven-drying of sediments at 60 degrees Celsius.
Weighed portions (250 mg) of each sample were placed in Teflon bombs and subjected to
a total digestion process in a solution of nitric acid, hydrofluoric acid and perchloric
acid at 120 degrees Celsius. Analyses were perfonned with a Perkin-Elmer 3030-B
atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AA) equipped with a flame furnace for Al, Fe and
Zn and a graphite furnace for As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni and Sn. A Leeman Labs Model
PS-200 automated mercury analyzer was utilized for Hg analyses.
The mean values of the analyses of replicate samples were utilized as data for
statistical comparisons. Statistical procedures employed in this study are detailed in
Sokal and Rohlf (1969) and Filliben (1975).
26

FIGURE 5
Sedimnent and Benthic Invertebrate Sampling Sites




Results of sediment metal analyses are listed in Table 4. The concentrations of
eight trace metals were compared to the concentration of aluminum as described in
Schropp and Windom (1988) and ADEM (199 1) for determining whether sedimnents of
the watershed were enriched with trace metals. Graphical plots of these relationships
are illustrated in Figures 5a-h. Superimposed on the data plots are regression lines and
95% confidence bands for each metal/aluminum relationship as would be expected to
occur in uncontaminated sedimnents. The basis for determining these relationships are
described by Schropp and Windom (1988) and ADEM (1990).
27

As might be seen from examination of the graphical plots, the concentrations of
the metals from the sample sites are in ranges normally expected for coastal sediments.
These results, together with the facts of the shipyard survey of 199 1, indicate that,
overall, the sediments of the Bon Secour River Watershed are still relatively clean
compared to Dog River and Bayou LaBatre. The findings of the sediment chemistry
survey are not conclusive proof that the BRW is absolutely free of any sediment
contamination; rather, these results illustrate any such contamination is not
widespread and, if iiresent, would have to be very localized.
28


BON SECOUR RIVER WATERSHED SEDIMENTS


STATION	Al	As	Ba	Cd	Cr	Cu	Mn	Hg	Ni	Pb	Sn	Zn
BB	6,370	<1.0	45	<0.10	8	<5	23	0.06	1.5	6	1.3	5
BSR01	6,985	1.1	45	<0.10	6	8	19	0.06	1.5	6	1.3	10
BSR02	16,175	2.3	51	0.12	14	8	96	0.05	2.8	3	<1.0	31
BSR03	53,050	7.5	137	0.23	38	16	340	0.08	18.5	4	1.7	80
SC	18,800	2.9	52	0.12	16	7	97	0.07	5.5	10	1.3	32
AVG	20,276	3.4	66	0.13	16	9	115	0.06	6.0	6	1.3	31
MAX	53,050	7.5	137	0.23	38	16	340	0.08	18.5	10	1.7	80
MIN	6,370	< 1.0	45	<0.10	6	<5	19	0.05	1.5	3	<1.0	15

All values are expressed as ma/ka drv weiaht of samole.
All values are the averaae of duolicate samples
Those values creceeded by a less than sian '<" reoresent thr limit of detection for the method of analysis utilized.
29




BaJSEOOUR RNIERAAATERSHED)
SEDINENJ
2.0


 1.5----







0.



-0.5--                                AJLulnumir(mglkg)
0o 80,000 90,000 100,00
Figure 6a



BON SEOOUR RNAERDESHESE D IVENT
co
-E
E
E-
2



















-


















- -
0 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000 80,000 90,000 100,000

AlJunmrnu (mgWkg)
Figure 6b
30

ALU NUMMCADPA

BON SECOUR RIVER WATERSHED SEDIMENTS




0  . ï¿½
0.5--




CD
E


0.0ï¿½




I 10,000  20,000  30,000  40,000  50,000  60,000  70,000  80,000  90,000 100,000

Aluminum (mgfkg)

Figure 6c




BMN SECOUR RNER'AATERSHED SMFNvtNS
2001*


xu 150--
E
E iao*.
D


SD -
,=    50..

0

0    '10,000 20,000 3000 40,000 50,000 60D000 70,000 80,000 90,000100,000
Alunimfm (mglkg)
Figure 6d
31





BON SECOUR RIVERMWTERSHED SEDINENTS
50-*

40*

30,     -
E

0.  20--
M
0



0    10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000 80,000 90,000 100,
AJurrnum (mrokg)
,00

Figure 6e



BON SECOLR RNIERMW8JERSHED SEDMlBENTS
100 -
90 -
80 -
-S' 70 -



(    40 -
3O..
20


0;
0    10,000 20,000 30O000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000 80,000 90,000 100,000
AJlunimm(rmglkg)

Figure 6f
32





BON SECOUR RiVER WATERSHED SNEDUNS
50*


40-

im	30-


.%	20.-
z


0	--
0    10,000	20,000  30,000  40,000  50,00  60,000  70,000
Alurmdnum (mg/kg)
80,000 90,000 I100,000
Figure 6g
IALU1WKNUM/ZINCI

BON SEOOUR RIVER VVATERSHED SEDIMENTS
200.-








0- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~~





0    10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 650,000 70,000 80,000 90,000 100,000
AJluminum (mg/kg)
Figuire 6h
33

BENTHIC BIOLOGY
INTRODUCTION

Plant and animnals inhabiting streambeds, living on bay bottoms and in the
ocean depths are referred to as benthic organisms. The word benthic originates from
the Greek word benthos, referring to the bottom of the sea or those organisms living on
the bottom. The collection of plants and animals living on the bottom and in the
.sediments of a body of water is referred to as a benthic community.
The str-ucture of a benthic community in streams and estuarine waters is
governed by numerous factors including dissolved oxygen, salinity, nutrient
concentrations, siltation and sediment characteristics. The study of benthic
communities has become a valuable component of monitoring strategies providing
information above and beyond that which is obtained through projects focusing only on
physical and chemical parameters (Hart and Fuller eds., 1974; Hynes, 1971 and 1972;
Mason et al., 1971; Mackenthun, 1969; Pennack, 1989; Pratt and Coler, 1976 and
Wilhm, 1972). Information about the benthic community of a watershed combined with
knowledge of the watershed's geology, hydrology, water quality and land-use practices
permits the development of more effective management plans affording a greater degree
of resource protection.
For monitoring the affects of urban development and runoff in the BRW it was
decided to concentrate resources on surveying the benthic mnacroinvertebrate
community. Benthic macroinvertebrates in tidally influenced watersheds are typified by
crustaceans (crabs, crawfish and shrimp), mollusks (clams and snails) and polychaetes
(bristleworms and clamworms). Benthic macroinvertebrates commnonly respond to
specific degradation in water quality and bottom habitats; therefore, they are good
'indicators' of environmnental quality (Hynes, 1971 and 1972; Wilhm and Dorris, 1968).

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the benthic biology portion of the survey was to characterize the
benthic mnacroinvertebrate community of the BRW relative to stream segments and
tributaries, and evaluate the water quality and sediment chemistry for chemical and
physical factors influencing the distribution of species and diversity of the community.
More specifically the effort sought to quantify abundance of individuals and species;
determine diversity and evenness at different sites in the basin and compare biological
data with water quality data, sediment chemistry data and land-use practices for
34

possible associations between dissolved oxygen, nutrients, siltation and enriched
concentrations of metals.
Considering the broad nature of the watershed study it was the intention of the
survey team to demonstrate benthic biology as a watershed assessment tool and not to
conduct an in-depth study of the taxonomy of the basin. Therefore it was decided to
limit the benthic biology program to one set of samples to be gathered in a brief period
of time (preferably one day) during moderate flow. Additional detail about the aquatic
biology of the BRW (i.e. submersed grassbeds, marshland acreage, fish stocks etc.) are
far beyond the scope of this study and would have to be provided through a
comprehensive biological sur-vey accounting for seasonal and other factors.


BENTHIC INVERTEBRATE SURVEY



Three sites in the Bon Secour River were visited on September 28,1995 for
collecting benthic invertebrate specimnens (Figure 4). These locations are the same as
those sampled for sediment metals. Sites of similar stream morphology, depth and
bottom habitat were selected so as to mininmize natural variability as much as was
practical.
At each station three replicate benthic samples were taken with a 0.02 3 m2 (6"x
6") stainless steel petite Ponar grab for a total area sampled of 0.069 m2 (0.75 ft2) at
each station. The contents of each sample were washed through a 0.5 mTm sieve (US
#35 mesh) and all material, debris and organisms, retained on the sieve was preserved
in a solution of 10% formaldehyde stained with rose bengal.
Each replicate was sieved a second time in the lab to further clean the sample of
sediment. The washed samples were then placed in a white enamel pan and the
organisms picked froni debris using needle-nose forceps and lighted magnifiers.
Organisms were then placed in labeled capped vials containing 95% ethanol for
temporary storage until they were identified.
Specimens were sorted and identified to the lowest possible identification level
(LPIL) using optical light microscopes. Identified and counted specimens were preserved
in 95% ethanol in vials labeled with the taxonomic name of the organism, location of
sample site and date collected. The following references were consulted when
identifying macroinvertebrate specimens: Abele and Kim (1986); Brigham, Brigham and
Gnilka (1982); Fauchald (1977); Heard (1982); Holsinger (1976); Pennack (1989);
Stimpson, Klemm and Hiltunen (1982); Hoplins, Valentine and Lutz (1989); Simpson
35

and Bode (1980); Uebelacker and Johnson (1984); Williams, A. (1984) and Williams, W.
(1976).                                                         --
Names and abundances of species coUected were entered into Microsoft ExcelTM
spreadsheets for calculation of population statistics. Population statistics employed for
the benthic biology survey included the indices of community diversity, species
evenness and species richness.
These population statistics provide numerical indices which, in conjunction with
information on the types and numbers of species collected and water quality data, allow
for determination of the health of aquatic environments (Shannon and Weaver, 1963;
Lloyd, et aL, 1968; Margelef, 1958 and 1968; Pielou, 1975; Wilhm and Dorris, 1968).
Community diversity was calculated using the Shannon-Wiener information
measure or the Shannon index of general diversity (HI (Shannon and Weaver, 1963;
Margelef, 1968 and Pielou, 1975). The Shannon index was utilized because it
incorporates both richness and evenness. The index is calculated by the equation:

H' = -Epi log pi

H'  the symbol for diversity in a community

pi = the proportion of the community made up by a particular species (i)

log pi = the logarithm of pi; it may be base 2, e or 10, in this study base
2 is utilized.

Species evenness was determined by Pielou's evenness index PJI (Pielou, 1966)
as calculated from:

J' H'/log s
where s = the number of species per site
H' = the Shannon-Wiener index.

Margelef's richness index (d) (Margelef 1958) was utilized as another measure of
health of the benthic community. This is determined by the formula:

d= s-1/log N
where s = the number of species
N = the number of individuals per site.
36



A total of 10 species representing 6 taxonomic classes were collected from the six
stations. The most abundant organisms were oligochaetes (Family Tubificidae), and
polychaetes (Families Capitellidae and Spionidae). Overall, the numbers of individuals
and species collected were surprisingly low considering the apparently clean sediments
at these sites and the apparent absence of hypoxia. The low number of individuals from
the Bon Secour River sites, given the accompanying conditions is considered by aquatic
biologists to be an indication of a disturbance, such as siltation, with broad effects to
the entire infaunal community (Hynes, 1971 and Pennack, 1989). For this study such
responses by the benthic community are best typified by the collection from station
BSRO 1. The river at this site was so severely affected by siltation that the bottom was
entirely covered with shifting and unconsolidated silty-sand; furthermore, no specimens
were collected at this site. A summary of benthic community statistics may be found in
Table 5, species collected are listed in Table 6 and site specific information may be
found in Table 7.



Table 5
Summary Statistics for Benthic Invertebrate
Communities of the Bon Secour River Watershed
Station   Number of	Number of	Density per	Shannon-Weiner	Margelefs	Pielou's
Specimens	Species	Square Meter	Diversity Index	Richness	Evenness


BSRO1	0	0	0	N/A	N/A	N/A

BSR02	40	2	571	0.17	0.62	0.56

BSR03	99	8	1414	1.16	3.51	1.28
37

Table 6
Species Collected from the Bon Secour River Watershed
NEMERTEA
Tubulanus sp (LPIL)
OLIGOCHAETA
Tubificidae (LPIL)
POLYCHAETA
Capitellidae
Mediomastus ambeseta
Spionidae
Streblospio benedicti
Pilargidae
Parandalia americana
Sigambra bassi
Goniadidae
Glycinde solitaria
CRUSTACEA
Mysidacea
Mysidopsis sp (LPIL)
Isopoda
Idoteidae
Edotea montosa
Decapoda
Portunidae
Callinectes sapidus


Table7
Benthic Invertebrates Collected Listed by Station
stationBOI
No specimens collected at this station
Station BSR02    Snecies                             Number Collected
Tubificidae (LPIL)	39
Polvchaeta-Parandalia americana	1
TOTAL 40

Station BSR03    Snecies                             Number Collected
Nemertea-Tubulanus sp. (LPIL)	6
Polychaeta-Mediomastus ambeseta	80
Streblospio benedicti	6
Glycinde solitaria	3
Sigambra bassi	1
Mysidacea-Mysidopsis sp (LPIL)	1
Isopoda-Edotea montosa	1
Decapoda-Callinectes savidus	1
TOTAL 99
38

REVIEW AND CONCLUSIONS

The results of this survey bring to light the distinctly evident imnpacts of land use
pattemns and associated non-point sources on the waters of the BI3W. This watershed
receives minimnal armounts of treated wastewater from point sources; however, turbidity
values and fecal coliform counts were observed to be considerably elevated at times.
The effects of erosion and siltation have become conspicuous as was indicated by the
severe bar and shoal formnation observed in the middle basin. This was further
indicated by the low numbers of benthic infaunal organismns collected, especially at
station BSR01.
These findings have shown, as was the case with the Dog River Watershed, a
clear need for controlling stonnwater runoff and erosion at construction sites.
Adherence to construction site Best Management Practices (BMPs) as standard.
operating proceedures needs to be emphasized to all contractors. The permit
requirements and BMP guidelines of the NPDES General Permit Program for
construction and other land clearing activities, if properly followed, should produce a
significant reduction in the suspended solids loads and turbidity of area streams. These
imnprovements will, in turn, provide a chance for restoration of more productive aquatic
habitats and better quality water.
These changes are not a matter of technical obstacles to be overcome; rather the
issue is one of implementation.

























39

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45

APPENDIX



TABLE A- I STATE OF ALABAMA WATER QUALITY CRITERIA

TABLE A-2 MANUFACTURING AND PROCESSING FACILITIES
PERMITTED TO DISCHARGE WASTEWATER

TABLE A-3 A SUMMARY OF WATER QUALITY DATA

TABLE A I
STATE OF ALABAMA
SPECIFIC WATER QUALITY CRITERIA
APPLICABLE TO THE WATER USE CLASSIFICATIONS
OF THE BON SECOUR RIVER WATERSHED


Classification: Swimmrina and other whole bodv water contact s-ports..

Beat usage of waters: Swimmning and other whole body water contact sports

Conditions related to best usage: The waters under proper sanitary
supervision by the controlling health authorities, will meet accepted standards of water
quality for outdoor swimming places and will be considered satisfactory for swimming
and other whole body water contact spor-ts. The quality of waters wfi also be suitable for
the propagation of fish, wildlife and aquatic life. The quality of salt waters and estuarine
waters to which this classification is assinged will be suitable for the propagation and
harvesting of shrimps and crabs.
Specific criteria:
Sewaa~e. industrial wastes. or other wastes:
None which are not effectively treated or controlled in accordance with ADEM
Administrative Rule 335-6-10-.08

P-H .
Sewage, industrial wastes or other wastes shall not cause the pH to deviate more
than one unit from the normal or natuiral pH, nor be less than 6.0, nor greater than 8.5.
For estuarine waters and salt waters to which this classification is assinged, wastes as
described herein shall not cause the pH to deviate more than one unit from the normal
or natural pH, nor be less than 6.5, nor more than 8.5.
Temperature:
The maximum temperature in streams, lakes and reservoirs shall not exceed 90
degrees Fahrenheit.
The maximnum in-stream temperature rise above ambient water temperature due
to the addition of artifical heat by a discharger shall not exceed 4 degrees F in coastal or
estuarine waters waters during the period October through May, nor shall the rise
exceed 1.5 degrees F during the period June through September.
In lakes and reservoirs there shall be no withdrawal from, nor discharge of
heated waters to, the hypolimnion unless it can be shown that such discharge or
withdrawal will be beneficial to water quality.
In all waters the normal daily and seasonal temperature variations that were
present before the addition of artificial heat shall be maintained, and there shall be no
thermal block to the migration of aquatic organisms.
Thermnal permit limitations in NPDES permits may be less stringent than those
required above when a showing by the discharger has been made pursuant to Section
316 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA), 33 U.S.C. Section 1251 et seq.
or pursuant to a study of an equal or more stringent nature required by the State of
Alabama authorized by Title 22, Section 22-22-9(c), Code of Alabama 1975, that such
limitations will assure the protection and propogation of a balanced, indigenous
population of shellish, fish and wildlife, in and on the body of water to which the

discharge is made. Any such demonstration shal take into account the interaction of
the thermal discharge component with other pollutants discharged.

Dissolved Oxvaen:
For a diversified warm water biota, including game fish, daily dissolved oxygen
values shall not be less than 5 mg/i at all times; except under extreme conditions due
to natural causes, it may range between 5 mg/i1 and 4 mg/i1, provided that the water
quality is favorable in al other parameters. The normal seasonal and daily fluctuations
shall be maintained above these levels. In no event shall the dissolved oxygen level be
less than 4 mg/i due to discharges from existing hydroelectric generation
impoundments. All new hydroelectric generation impoundments, including addition of
new hydroelectric generation units to existing impoundments, shall be designed so that
the discharge will contain at least 5 mg/i dissolved oxygen where practicable and
technologically possible.
In coastal waters, surface dissolved oxygen concentrations shall not be less than
5 mg/I, except where natural phenomena cause the value to be depressed.
In estuaries and tidal tributaries, dissolved oxygen concentrations shall not be
less than 5 mg/i1, except in dystrophic waters or where natural conditions cause the
value to be depressed.
In the application of dissolved oxygen criteria referred to above, dissolved oxygen
oxygen shall be measured at a depth of 5 feet in waters 10 feet or greater in depth; and
for those waters less than 10 feet in depth, dissolved oxygen criteria will be applied at
nmid-depth.

Toxic substances. color -Droducing substances: odor Droducina substances: or
other deleterious substances attributable to sewaae. industrial wastes. or other wastes:
Only such amounts, whether alone or in combination with other substances,
and only such temperatures as will not render the waters unsafe or unsuitable as a
source of water supply for drinling and food-processing purposes, or exhibit acute
toxicity or chronic toxicity, as demonstrated by effluent toxicity testing or by application
of numeric criteria given in ADEM Administrative Rule 335-6- 10-.07, to fish,wildlife
and aquatic life, or where applicable, shrimp and crabs; impair the waters for any other
usage established for this classification or unreasonably affect the aesthetic value of
waters for any use under this classification.

Bacteria:
Waters in the immediate vicinity of discharges of sewage or other wastes likely to
contain bacteria harmful to humans, regardless of the degree of treatment afforded
these wastes, are not acceptable for swimming or other whole body water-contact
sports.
In all other areas, the bacterial quality of water is acceptable when a sanitary
survey by the controlling health authorities reveals no source of dangerous pollution
and when the geometric mean fecal coliform organism density does not exceed 100/ 100
ml in coastal waters and 200/ 100 ml in other waters. When the geomnetric mean fecal
coliformn organism density exceeds these levels, the bacterial water quality shall be
considered acceptable only if a second detailed sanitary survey and evaluation discloses
no significant public health risk in the use of the waters
The policy of nondegredation of high quality waters shall be stringently applied
to bacterial quality of recreational waters.

Radioactivity:
The concentrations of radioactive materials present shall not exceed the
requirements of the State Departmnent of Public Health.

I
TUrdt:
There shall be no turbidity of other than natural origin'rthat will cause
substantial visible contrast with the natural appearance of waters-- interfere with any
beneficial uses which they serve. Furthermore, in no case shal turbidity exceed 50
Nephelometric units above baclaound. Backround will be interpreted as the natural
condition of the receiving waters, without the influence of man-made or mnan-induced
causes. Turbidity levels caused by natuiral runoff will be included in establishing
backround levels.


Classification: Fish and Wildlife.
Best usage of waters. Fishing, propogation of fish, aquatic life and wildlife, and
any other usage except for swimming and water-contact sports or as a source of water
supply for drinking or food-processing purposes.

Conditions related to best usage: The waters will be suitable for fish, aquatic
life and wildlife propogation. The quality of salt and estuarine waters to which this
classification is assigned will also be suitable for the propogation of shrimp and crabs.

Other usage of waters: It is recognized that the waters may be used for
incidental water contact and recreation during June through September, except that
water contact is strongly discouraged in the vicinity of discharges or other conditions
beyond the control of the Department or the Alabama Department of Public Health.
Conditions related to other usage: The waters, under proper sanitary
supervision by the controlling health authorities, will meet accepted standards of water
quality for outdoor swimming places and will be considered satisfactory for swimming
and other whole body water-contact sports.

Specific Criteria:

Sewage. industrial wastes. or other wastes:
None which are not effectively treated or controlled in accordance with ADEM
Admninistrative Rule 335-6-10-.08

pH:
Sewage, industrial wastes or other wastes shall not cause the pH to deviate more
than one unit from the normal or natural pH, nor be less than 6.0, nor greater than 8.5.
For estuarine waters and salt waters to which this classification is assinged, wastes as
described herein shall not cause the pH to deviate more than one unit from the normal
or natural pH, nor be less than 6.5, nor more than 8.5.
Tem-perature:
The maximnum temperature in streams, lakes and reservoirs shall not exceed 90
degrees Fahrenheit.
The maximum in-stream temperature rise above ambient water ternperature due
to the addition of artfifical heat by a discharger shall not exceed 4 degrees F in coastal or
estuarine waters waters during the period October through May, nor shall the rise
exceed 1.5 degrees F during the period June through September.
In lakes and reservoirs there shall be no withdrawal from, nor discharge of
heated waters to, the hypolinnion unless it can be shown that such dischearge or
withdrawal will be beneficial to water quality.

In all waters the normal daily and seasonal temperature va-riations that were
present before the addition of artificial heat shall be maintained, and there shall be no
thermal block to the migration of aquatic organisms.
Thermal permit limitations in NPDES permits may be less stringent than those
required above when a showing by the discharger has been made pursuant to Section
316 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA), 33 U.S.C. Section 1251 et seq.
or pursuant to a study of an equal or more stringent nature required by the State of
Alabama authorized by Title 22, Section 22-22-9(c), Code of Alabama 1975, that such
limitations will assure the protection and propogation of a balanced, indigenous
population of shellfish, fish and vildlife, in and on the body of water to which the
discharge is made. Any such demonstration shall take into account the interaction of
the thermal discharge component with other pollutants discharged.

Dissolved Oxvgen-.
For a diversified warm water biota, including game fish, daily dissolved oxygen
values shall not be less than 5 mg/i at all times; except under extreme conditions due
to natural causes, it may range between 5 mg/i and 4 mg/I, provided that the water
quality is favorable in all other parameters. The normal seasonal and daily fluctuations
shal be maintained above these levels. In no event shall the dissolved oxygen level be
less than 4 mg/l due to discharges from existing hydroelectric generation
impoundments. All new hydroelectric generation impoundments, including addition of
new hydroelectric generation units to existing imnpoundments, shall be designed so that
the discharge will contain at least 5 mg/l1 dissolved oxygen where practicable and
technologically possible.
In coastal waters, surface dissolved oxygen concentrations shall not be less than
5 mg/I, except where natural phenomena cause the value to be depressed.
In estuaries and tidal tributaries, dissolved oxygen concentrations shall not be
less than 5 mg/I, except in dystrophic waters or where natural conditions cause the
value to be depressed.
In the application of dissolved oxygen criteria referred to above, dissolved oxygen
oxygen shall be measured at a depth of 5 feet in waters 10 feet or greater in depth; and
for those waters less than 10 feet in depth, dissolved oxygen criteria will be applied at
mid-depth.

Toxic substances attributable to sewage. industrial wastes. or other wastes:
Only such amounts, whether alone or in combination with other substances,
and only such temperatures as will not render the waters unsafe or unsuitable as a
source of water supply for drinling and food-processing purposes, or exhibit acute
toxicity or chronic toxicity, as demonstrated by effluent toxicity testing or by application
of numeric criteria given in ADEM Administrative Rule 335-6-l0-.07, to fish and aquatic
life, including shrimp and crabs in estuarine and salt waters or the propogation thereof.

Taste, odor and color-nroducing- substances attributable to sewage. industrial
wastes. or other wastes:
Only such amounts, whether alone or in combination with other substances,
and only s-uch temperatures as will not render the waters unsafe or unsuitable as a
source of water supply for drinling and food-processing purposes, or.exhibit acute
toxicity or chronic toxicity, as demonstrated by effluent toxicity testing or by application
of numeric criteria given in ADEM Administrative Rule 335-6-l0-.07, to fish and aquatic
life, including shrimp and crab5s in estuarine and salt waters or adversely affect the
propagation thereof; umpair the palatability or marketability of fish and wildlife or
shrimp and crabs in estuarine and salt waters; or unreasonably affect the aesthetic
value of waters for any use under this classification.

I
Bacteria:
Bacteria of the fecal coliform group shall not exceed a geometric mean of
1,000/ 100 ml on a monthly average value; nor exceed a maximnunTa5 2,000/ 100 ml in
any sarnple.                                                                                            '
For incidential water contact and recreation during June through September,
the bacterial quality of water is acceptable when a sanitary survey by the controlling
health authorities reveals no source of dangerous pollution and when the geometric
mean fecal coliformn organism density does not exceed 100/ 100 ml in coastal waters and
200/ 100 ml in other waters. When the geometric mean fecal coliform density exceeds
these levels, the bacterial water quality shall be considered acceptable only if a second
detailed sanitary survey and evaluation discloses no significant public health risk in the
use of the waters. Waters in t-he immediate vicinity of discharges of sewage or other
wastes likely to contain bacteria harmful to humans, regardless of the degree of the
treatment afforded these wastes, are not acceptable for swimming or other whole body
water-contact sports.

Radioactivity:
The concentrations of radioactive materials present shall not exceed the
requirements of the State Department of Public Health.

Turbidity:
There shall be no turbidity of other than natural origin that will cause
substantial visible contrast with the natural appearance of waters or interfere with any
beneficial uses which they serve. Purthermore, in no case shall turbidity exceed 50
Nephelometric units above baclround. Backround will be interpreted as the natural
condition of the receiving waters without the influence of man-made or man-induced
causes. Turbidity levels caused by natural runoff will be included in establishing
baclround levels.

TABLE A 2
MANUFACTURING &. PROCESSING FACILITIES IN THE WATERSHED
PERMI'ITED TO DISCHARGE TREATED WASTEWATER
Facility:	Aquila Seafood.
Locatior:	17309 River Road
Bon Secour, Alabama
NPDES Permit No.	AL 0002321
Receiving waters:	Bon Secour River
Nature of wastewater~ Screened washwater from seafood packing and freezing
operations. Cooler water and drainage from unloading and
loading areas.
Mo nitored parameters: Flow, pH, Total Suspended Solids, Settleable Solids, Oil&
Grease, 5-Day Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Residual Chlorine.


Facility:	Billy's Seafood.
Locatior:	16780 River Road
Bon Secour, Alabama
NPDES Permit No.	AL 0068497
Receiving waters:	Bon Secour River
Nature of wastewater. Screened washwater from seafood pacldng and freezing
operations. Cooler water and drainage from unloading and
loading areas.
Monitored parameters: Flow, pH, Total Suspended Solids, Settleable Solids, Oil &
Grease, 5-Day Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Residual Chlorine.
Facility:
Location:

NPDES Permit No.
Receiving waters:
Nature of wastewater~


Monitored parameters:
Bon Secour Fisheries.
16780 River Road
Bon Secour, Alabama
AL 0003298
Bon Secour River
Screened floor wash down water and process wastewater from
peeling and deveining shrimp, shucldng and washing oysters,
and preparing fish.
Flow, pH, Total Suspended Solids, Settleable Solids, Oil&
Grease, 5-Day Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Total Kjeldahl
Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus, Ammonia as Nitrogen, Dissolved
Oxygen of Effluent, Dissolved Oxygen of Receiving Waters-
upstream and dovwnstream of discharge.

Facility:
Location:

NPDES Permit No.
Receiving waters:
Nature of wastewater.


Monitored parameters:
Carson & Company.
County Road 10
Bon Secour, Alabama
AL 00
Bon Secour River
Screened wastewaters resulting from the handling and
processing of shrimp and stormwater runoff associated with
areas of industrial activity.
Flow, pH, Total Suspended Solids, Settleable Solids, Oil &
Grease, 5-Day Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Total Residual
Chlorine Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus, Ammonia
as Nitrogen, Dissolved Oxygen of Effluent, Dissolved Oxygen of
Receiving Waters-upstream and downstream of discharge.
Facility:	Plash's Seafood Inc.
Location:	16615 Floyd Plash Ln.
Gulf Shores, Alabama
NPDES Permit No.     AL 0000833
Receiving waters: Bon Secour River
Nature of wastewater. Screened washwater from crab processing operations.
Washdown water from packing and freezing operations. Cooler
water and drainage from unloading and loading areas.
Monitored parameters: Flow, pH, Total Suspended Solids, Settleable Solids, Oil &
Grease, 5-Day Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Residual Chlorine.


Facility:	Shutt's Safe Harbor Seafood.
Location:	5832 Heritage Circle.
Bon Secour, Alabama
NPDES Permit No.     AL 0049638
Receiving waters: Bon Secour River
Nature of wastewater. Screened washdown water from from packing and freezing
operations. Cooler water and drainage from unloading    and loading areas.
Monitored parameters: Flow, pH, Total Suspended Solids, Settleable Solids, Oil &
Grease, 5-Day Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Residual Chlorine.

TABLE A 3
SUMMARY OF SURFACE WATER ANALYSES

WATER	SPECIFIC	NITRATE	AMMONIA	TOTAL	3FECAL
LOCATION	TEMP.	pH	DO	CONDUCTIVI     TURBIDITY	NITROGEN	NITROGEN	KELDAHL	PHOSPHATE	COLIFORM

AVERAGE	21	6.1	6.6	79	55	1.861	0.060	0.48	0.142	473
STATION BS01        MAXIMUM	25	6.5	7.5	101	135	3.350	0.229	1.60	0.384	12,400
MINIMUM	17	5.7	5.5	49	2.2	0.021	<0.01	<0.01	0.036	5
AVERAGE	21	5.9	3.8	110	63	2.514	0.155	0.93	0.189	11,732
STATION UTNW        MAXIMUM	24	6.5	8.0	135	171	3.970	0.254	1.60	0.642	32,500
MINIMUM	18	5.5	0.9	80	12.4	0.769	0.105	0.1	0.051	2,000
AVERAGE	32	0.067	0.029	1.66	0.054	1,574
i STATION UTF       MAXIMUM	58	0.137	0.077	3.60	0.133	6,000
MINIMUM	18.4	0.013	<0.01	0.68	0.003	500
AVERAGE	20	6.4	7.7	51	35	0.947	0.039	0.50	0.044	586
STATION NEBS        MAXIMUM	26	8.7	9.3	68	78	1.810	0.073	1.60	0.212	5,600
MINIMUM	14	5.2	6.6	40	4.1	0.032	<0.01	0.09	0.003	156
AVERAGE	16	6.5	7.4	74	58	1.709	0.316	1.03	0.231	4,414
2 STATION SC        MAXIMUM	18	7.4	9.8	86	92	3.780	1.945	2.90	0.606	15,000
MINIMUM	14	6.0	5.3	66	11.5	0.209	<0.01	0.13	0.022	1,440
AVERAGE	18	6.0	6.9	112	22	1.530	0.046	0.60	0.092	4,687
2 STATION SHC       MAXIMUM	20	6.4	8.1	225	59	2.230	0.162	1.50	0.405	20,250
MINIMUM	14	5.8	5.2	58	6.4	0.472	<0.01	0.13	0.013	1,260
AVERAGE	21	6.1	5.9	73	9.3	1.210	0.017	0.51	0.033	90
STATION BB01        MAXIMUM	26	6.8	7.7	93	1.8 7.7	93	16.8	2.415	0.067	0.83	0.075    .272
MINIMUM	10	5.6	4.4	49	1.8	0.006	<0.01	0.09	0.003	32
AVERAGE	24	6.4	7.5	13,018	2.2	0.541	0.060	0.90	0.046	0
STATION BB02        MAXIMUM	27	7.1	9.5	17,900	2.3	1.240	0.163	1.60	0.084	0
MINIMUM	19	6.0	3.2	4,670	2	0.243	<0.01	0.22	0.01	0
AVERAGE	22	7.4	9.0	15,150	14.6	0.403	0.03	0.86	0.091	15
STATION BS02        MAXIMUM	33	8.3	11.4	24,280	36	2.150	0.14	2.20	0.306	88
MINIMUM	13	6.1	5.6	1,510	2.7	<0.005	<0.01	0.15	0.017	0
1: DUE TO ITS INTERMITTANT FLOW CHARACTERISTICS. STATION UTF WAS SAMPLED ONLY FOLLOWING STORM EVENTS. PREVAILING
CONDITIONS PREVENTED MEASUREMENT OF TEMP., DO, pH & COND.
2: STATIONS SC & SHC WERE NOT FLOWING JULY-SEPTEMBER. DATA REPRESENTS SAMPLES COLLECTED DURING TIMES OF FLOW, JANUARY-JUNE
3: AVERAGE VALUES GIVEN FOR FECAL COLIFORM REPRESENT THE GEOMETRIC MEAN GM XN = (Xi*X2..XN)1N