Monitoring Data

There is very little data available on the water quality of the Honey Creek Watershed.  The Ohio EPA's water quality attainment data was collected long ago (1995), and we have one of the few watersheds in the state that has not yet been evaluated for the establishment of TMDLs (Total Maximum Daily Loads).

What is the Honey Creek Watershed Association Doing?

Since it is impossible to protect or improve water quality without a strong knowledge of the current condition, the HCWA has begun a pilot program to assess ten (10) sites throughout the watershed.  We've also established the Stream Team, which includes volunteers that monitor the biological health of streams near their property.

Preliminary data suggests the biggest problem plaguing our watershed is elevated levels of E. coli, fecal coliform, and Nitrate+Nitrite. 

E.coli and fecal coliform are the result of human and animal waste in the streams.  Since much of the northern part of the watershed is rural, most homes operate on home septic treatment systems (HSTS).  Some HSTS are so old they were designed without adequate leach fields, the system may be damaged, or improperly installed, and the owners are not aware.  Livestock also contribute significant amounts of bacteria to our water, especially if they're are allowed full access to the stream.  Your county Health Division is a great resource for all your HSTS questions. 

The data in the above graph shows E. coli levels in Honey Creek over the course of 6 months.  The horizontal black line indicates the OEPA's maximum allowable concentration of E. coli for Honey Creek.  As you can see, this level was exceeded on multiple occasions.

Nitrate+Nitrite contamination can also come from human and animal waste.  It is also one of the active ingredients in fertilizers.  Nitrogen is normally a limiting nutrient in nature, so people apply excessive amounts to their lawns, crops, etc, to increase plant growth.  If not applied in the correct quality or at the correct time, these nutrients are carried with rain into our streams.  Excessive amounts of nutrients (mainly Nitrogen and Phosphorus) is call "eutrophication."  Eutrophication is easy to identify because it results in large algae blooms, which can be detrimental to aquatic life. 

The OEPA does not have a maximum allowable concentration of Nitrate+Nitrite unless the water is being used as drinking water.  However, pictures such as the one above attest to the fact many of our streams are eutrophic.

What Can I Do?

1.  Maintain your septic system.

2.  Limit the use of fertilizers on your land.

3.  If you raise livestock, fence them out of any streams.

4.  Encourage your representatives to fund water quality monitoring programs, such as the program HCWA is trying to develop.

5.  Join the Stream Team to keep tabs on the health of the streams near you.

Water Quality Resources for Honey Creek Watershed:

View the OEPA's Integrated Assessment Report for the surface water of the Honey Creek Watershed.

Fish Consumption Advisory for the Great Miami River

USGS Real Time Stream Flow data