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- Rhode Island Assessment Summary
- Water Quality by Waterbody Type
- Causes of Impairment
- Probable Sources Contributing to Impairments
- TMDL Alternatives by Cause of Impairment
- Previously 303(d)-Listed Waters Now Attaining All Applicable Water Quality Standards
- Causes of Impairment for 303(d) Listed Waters
- Cumulative TMDLs by Pollutant
- Cumulative Number of TMDLs
Data are also available for these cycles:
2002
2004
2008
2010
2012
Waterbody Changes from Prior Cycle
For More Information:
Rhode Island Assessment Report
State Water Quality Program
Rhode Island Water Quality Assessment Report
Assessed Waters of Rhode Island by Watershed
Search for a waterbody within Rhode Island
NOTE: The data provided in this report differs slightly from the information provided in the original Rhode Island 2006 305(b) report. This is a result of differences between the Rhode Island State assessment database and the summary data provided in Rhode Island's 2006 305(b) report, which is available at http://www.dem.ri.gov/pubs/305b/ Rhode Island's Estimated Total Water Size is based on 1:24,000 scale NHD
NOTE: The data provided in this report differs slightly from the information provided in the original Rhode Island 2006 305(b) report. This is a result of differences between the Rhode Island State assessment database and the summary data provided in Rhode Island's 2006 305(b) report, which is available at http://www.dem.ri.gov/pubs/305b/ Rhode Island's Estimated Total Water Size is based on 1:24,000 scale NHD
Features
- About This Database (Integrated Report)
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- Integrated Reporting Guidance
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- Exchange Network
- Assessment Database
- Statewide Statistical Surveys
- How's My Waterway Local Search tool
- Pollution Categories Summary Document
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Summary Results
Rhode Island (2006)
Description of this table| Size of Water | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rivers and Streams (Miles) |
Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds (Acres) |
Bays and Estuaries (Square Miles) |
Coastal Shoreline (Miles) |
||||||||||||
| Good Waters | 384.2 | 11,649.8 | 108.6 | 78.6 | |||||||||||
| Previously impaired waters now attaining all uses |
3.1 | 14.7 | .0 | ||||||||||||
| Threatened Waters | 4.5 | ||||||||||||||
| TMDL completed | |||||||||||||||
| TMDL alternative | |||||||||||||||
| Non-pollutant impairment | |||||||||||||||
| TMDL needed | 4.5 | ||||||||||||||
| Impaired Waters | 244.4 | 5,362.6 | 47.7 | ||||||||||||
| TMDL completed | |||||||||||||||
| TMDL alternative | |||||||||||||||
| Non-pollutant impairment | |||||||||||||||
| TMDL needed | 244.4 | 5,362.6 | 47.7 | ||||||||||||
| New TMDLs completed | 18.6 | 2,835.5 | 3.1 | .0 | |||||||||||
| Remaining TMDLs needed | 225.8 | 2,527.1 | 44.6 | ||||||||||||
 |
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| Total Assessed Waters | 628.6 | 17,016.9 | 156.3 | 78.6 | |||||||||||
| Total Waters | 1,498.0 | 20,917.0 | 156.2 | 79.0 | |||||||||||
| Percent of Waters Assessed | 42.0 | 81.4 | 100.1 | 99.5 | |||||||||||
For the 2006 Integrated Report Cycle, the total assessed waters size is greater than the total waters size for the EPA Waterbody Type Bays and Estuaries in Rhode Island. This discrepancy was identified after the release of the data, and is likely due to the improvements in mapping state waters.
Summary of Water Quality Assessments for Each Waterbody Type
for Reporting Year 2006
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Rhode Island Rivers and Streams 2006
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Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Individual Designated Use Support
Rhode Island Rivers and Streams 2006
* Waters assessed for more than one designated use are included in multiple designated use groups below.
Description of this table| Designated Use | Miles Assessed | Percent Good | Percent Threatened | Percent Impaired |  % Good |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 % Threatened |
|||||
 % Impaired |
|||||
| Aquatic Life Support | 597.0 | 73.9 | .0 | 26.1 | |
| Fish Consumption | 50.0 | 44.8 | .0 | 55.2 | |
| Primary Recreation/Swimming | 514.4 | 65.4 | .0 | 34.6 | |
| Public Drinking Water Supply | 4.0 | 100.0 | .0 | .0 | |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Causes of Impairment
Rhode Island Rivers and Streams 2006
Description of this table
| Cause of Impairment | Cause of Impairment Group | Miles Threatened or Impaired |
|---|---|---|
| Pathogens | Pathogens | 173.6 |
| Metals | Metals (other than Mercury) | 132.1 |
| Biodiversity Impacts | Cause Unknown - Impaired Biota | 89.1 |
| Organic Enrichment/Low Dissolved Oxygen | Organic Enrichment/Oxygen Depletion | 39.2 |
| Nutrients | Nutrients | 29.2 |
| Ammonia, Un-ionized | Ammonia | 18.9 |
| Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) | Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) | 7.7 |
| Dioxin (Including 2,3,7,8-TCDD) | Dioxins | 7.7 |
| Unknown Toxicity | Total Toxics | 7.3 |
| Excess Algal Growth | Algal Growth | 4.2 |
| Non-Native Aquatic Plants | Nuisance Exotic Species | 1.6 |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Probable Sources
Rhode Island Rivers and Streams 2006
Description of this table
| Probable Source | Probable Source Group | Miles Threatened or Impaired |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Runoff/Storm Sewers | Urban-Related Runoff/Stormwater | 160.5 |
| Source Unknown | Unknown | 114.5 |
| Land Disposal | Land Application/Waste Sites/Tanks | 68.0 |
| Municipal Point Source Discharges | Municipal Discharges/Sewage | 40.8 |
| Natural Sources | Natural/Wildlife | 39.9 |
| Agriculture | Agriculture | 34.3 |
| Industrial Point Source Discharge | Industrial | 28.3 |
| Hydromodification | Hydromodification | 25.5 |
| Sediment Resuspension | Hydromodification | 16.6 |
| Groundwater Loadings | Groundwater Loadings/Withdrawals | 16.3 |
| Recreation And Tourism Activities (Other Than Boating. See 7900) | Recreation And Tourism (Non-Boating) | 12.4 |
| Combined Sewer Overflows | Municipal Discharges/Sewage | 10.6 |
| Intensive Animal Feeding Operations | Agriculture | 8.3 |
| Contaminated Sediments | Legacy/Historical Pollutants | 7.7 |
| Construction | Construction | 4.0 |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Rhode Island Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds 2006
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Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Individual Designated Use Support
Rhode Island Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds 2006
* Waters assessed for more than one designated use are included in multiple designated use groups below.
Description of this table| Designated Use | Acres Assessed | Percent Good | Percent Threatened | Percent Impaired | % Good |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Threatened |
|||||
| % Impaired |
|||||
| Aquatic Life Support | 15,867.5 | 79.6 | .0 | 20.4 | |
| Fish Consumption | 3,123.8 | 23.4 | .0 | 76.6 | |
| Primary Recreation/Swimming | 15,271.3 | 96.4 | .0 | 3.6 | |
| Public Drinking Water Supply | 5,484.0 | 98.9 | .1 | 1.0 | |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Causes of Impairment
Rhode Island Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds 2006
Description of this table
| Cause of Impairment | Cause of Impairment Group | Acres Threatened or Impaired |
|---|---|---|
| Metals | Metals (other than Mercury) | 3,040.2 |
| Nutrients | Nutrients | 2,098.5 |
| Excess Algal Growth | Algal Growth | 1,486.1 |
| Organic Enrichment/Low Dissolved Oxygen | Organic Enrichment/Oxygen Depletion | 1,467.2 |
| Biodiversity Impacts | Cause Unknown - Impaired Biota | 575.8 |
| Pathogens | Pathogens | 551.0 |
| Non-Native Aquatic Plants | Nuisance Exotic Species | 297.6 |
| Non-Native Fish/Shellfish/Zooplankton | Nuisance Exotic Species | 219.4 |
| Turbidity | Turbidity | 163.9 |
| Sedimentation/Siltation | Sediment | 109.0 |
| Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) | Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) | 76.7 |
| Odor Threshold Number | Taste, Color and Odor | 55.0 |
| Salinity/Total Dissolved Solids | Salinity/Total Dissolved Solids/Chlorides/Sulfates | 26.3 |
| Total Suspended Solids (TSS) | Turbidity | 26.3 |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Probable Sources
Rhode Island Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds 2006
Description of this table
| Probable Source | Probable Source Group | Acres Threatened or Impaired |
|---|---|---|
| Source Unknown | Unknown | 2,980.6 |
| Urban Runoff/Storm Sewers | Urban-Related Runoff/Stormwater | 2,244.5 |
| Land Disposal | Land Application/Waste Sites/Tanks | 1,011.6 |
| Agriculture | Agriculture | 715.5 |
| Hydromodification | Hydromodification | 609.5 |
| Intensive Animal Feeding Operations | Agriculture | 480.1 |
| Recreation And Tourism Activities (Other Than Boating. See 7900) | Recreation And Tourism (Non-Boating) | 308.0 |
| Natural Sources | Natural/Wildlife | 257.0 |
| Municipal Point Source Discharges | Municipal Discharges/Sewage | 252.8 |
| Internal Nutrient Recycling | Natural/Wildlife | 224.4 |
| Groundwater Loadings | Groundwater Loadings/Withdrawals | 201.7 |
| Construction | Construction | 143.4 |
| Industrial Point Source Discharge | Industrial | 130.3 |
| Habitat Modification - Other Than Hydromodification | Habitat Alterations (Not Directly Related To Hydromodification) | 66.1 |
| Combined Sewer Overflows | Municipal Discharges/Sewage | 38.0 |
| Atmospheric Deposition - Toxics | Atmospheric Deposition | 33.2 |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Rhode Island Bays and Estuaries 2006
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Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Individual Designated Use Support
Rhode Island Bays and Estuaries 2006
* Waters assessed for more than one designated use are included in multiple designated use groups below.
Description of this table| Designated Use | Square Miles Assessed | Percent Good | Percent Threatened | Percent Impaired | % Good |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Threatened |
|||||
| % Impaired |
|||||
| Aquatic Life Support | 116.5 | 64.0 | .0 | 36.0 | |
| Primary Recreation/Swimming | 155.8 | 90.0 | .0 | 10.0 | |
| Shellfish Consumption | 131.4 | 79.4 | .0 | 20.6 | |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Causes of Impairment
Rhode Island Bays and Estuaries 2006
Description of this table
| Cause of Impairment | Cause of Impairment Group | Square Miles Threatened or Impaired |
|---|---|---|
| Pathogens | Pathogens | 41.8 |
| Organic Enrichment/Low Dissolved Oxygen | Organic Enrichment/Oxygen Depletion | 41.0 |
| Nutrients | Nutrients | 39.5 |
| Biodiversity Impacts | Cause Unknown - Impaired Biota | 10.7 |
| Thermal Modifications | Temperature | 9.8 |
| Excess Algal Growth | Algal Growth | 6.1 |
| Total Toxics | Total Toxics | 1.0 |
| Unknown Toxicity | Total Toxics | .0 |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Probable Sources
Rhode Island Bays and Estuaries 2006
Description of this table
| Probable Source | Probable Source Group | Square Miles Threatened or Impaired |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Runoff/Storm Sewers | Urban-Related Runoff/Stormwater | 45.4 |
| Combined Sewer Overflows | Municipal Discharges/Sewage | 24.3 |
| Municipal Point Source Discharges | Municipal Discharges/Sewage | 20.0 |
| Industrial Point Source Discharge | Industrial | 9.8 |
| Marinas And Recreational Boating | Recreational Boating And Marinas | 7.0 |
| Land Disposal | Land Application/Waste Sites/Tanks | 6.9 |
| Natural Sources | Natural/Wildlife | 3.8 |
| Groundwater Loadings | Groundwater Loadings/Withdrawals | 3.5 |
| Source Unknown | Unknown | 3.4 |
| Agriculture | Agriculture | 2.5 |
| Contaminated Sediments | Legacy/Historical Pollutants | .9 |
| Intensive Animal Feeding Operations | Agriculture | .7 |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Rhode Island Coastal Shoreline 2006
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Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Individual Designated Use Support
Rhode Island Coastal Shoreline 2006
* Waters assessed for more than one designated use are included in multiple designated use groups below.
Description of this table| Designated Use | Miles Assessed | Percent Good | Percent Threatened | Percent Impaired | % Good |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Threatened |
|||||
| % Impaired |
|||||
| Primary Recreation/Swimming | 78.6 | 100.0 | .0 | .0 | |
| Shellfish Consumption | 78.6 | 100.0 | .0 | .0 | |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Causes of Impairment
Rhode Island Coastal Shoreline 2006
No causes of impairment reported.
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Probable Sources
Rhode Island Coastal Shoreline 2006
No probable sources of impairments reported.
Rhode Island Causes of Impairment for Reporting Year 2006
Description of this table
| NOTE: Click on the underlined Cause of Impairment Group to see a list of specific state causes of impairment making up the Cause of Impairment Group. See also Pollution categories summary document (PDF) (20 pp, 557K, About PDF) for brief, non-technical descriptions of general cause categories. | |||||||||||||||
| Cause of Impairment Group | Size of Assessed Waters with Listed Causes of Impairment | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rivers and Streams (Miles) |
Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds (Acres) |
Bays and Estuaries (Square Miles) |
Coastal Shoreline (Miles) |
||||||||||||
| Algal Growth | 4.2 | 1,486.1 | 6.1 | ||||||||||||
| Ammonia | 18.9 | ||||||||||||||
| Cause Unknown - Impaired Biota | 89.1 | 575.8 | 10.7 | ||||||||||||
| Dioxins | 7.7 | ||||||||||||||
| Metals (other than Mercury) | 132.1 | 3,040.2 | |||||||||||||
| Nuisance Exotic Species | 1.6 | 517.0 | |||||||||||||
| Nutrients | 29.2 | 2,098.5 | 39.5 | ||||||||||||
| Organic Enrichment/Oxygen Depletion | 39.2 | 1,467.2 | 41.0 | ||||||||||||
| Pathogens | 173.6 | 551.0 | 41.8 | ||||||||||||
| Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) | 7.7 | 76.7 | |||||||||||||
| Salinity/Total Dissolved Solids/Chlorides/Sulfates | 26.3 | ||||||||||||||
| Sediment | 109.0 | ||||||||||||||
| Taste, Color and Odor | 55.0 | ||||||||||||||
| Temperature | 9.8 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Toxics | 7.3 | 1.0 | |||||||||||||
| Turbidity | 190.2 | ||||||||||||||
Rhode Island Probable Sources Contributing to Impairments
for Reporting Year 2006
Description of this table
| NOTE: Click on the underlined Probable Source Group to see a list of specific state Probable Sources making up the Probable Source Group. | |||||||||||||||
| Probable Source Group | Size of Assessed Waters with Probable Sources of Impairments | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rivers and Streams (Miles) |
Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds (Acres) |
Bays and Estuaries (Square Miles) |
Coastal Shoreline (Miles) |
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| Agriculture | 38.2 | 715.5 | 2.5 | ||||||||||||
| Atmospheric Deposition | 33.2 | ||||||||||||||
| Construction | 4.0 | 143.4 | |||||||||||||
| Groundwater Loadings/Withdrawals | 16.3 | 201.7 | 3.5 | ||||||||||||
| Habitat Alterations (Not Directly Related To Hydromodification) | 66.1 | ||||||||||||||
| Hydromodification | 27.1 | 609.5 | |||||||||||||
| Industrial | 28.3 | 130.3 | 9.8 | ||||||||||||
| Land Application/Waste Sites/Tanks | 68.0 | 1,011.6 | 6.9 | ||||||||||||
| Legacy/Historical Pollutants | 7.7 | .9 | |||||||||||||
| Municipal Discharges/Sewage | 46.3 | 252.8 | 39.6 | ||||||||||||
| Natural/Wildlife | 39.9 | 481.4 | 3.8 | ||||||||||||
| Recreation And Tourism (Non-Boating) | 12.4 | 308.0 | |||||||||||||
| Recreational Boating And Marinas | 7.0 | ||||||||||||||
| Unknown | 114.5 | 2,980.6 | 3.4 | ||||||||||||
| Urban-Related Runoff/Stormwater | 160.5 | 2,244.5 | 45.4 | ||||||||||||
Rhode Island TMDL Alternatives by Cause of Impairment 2006
No TMDL Alternatives reported.
Rhode Island Previously 303(d)-Listed Waters Now Attaining All Applicable Water Quality Standards
Description of this table| NOTE: Click on the underlined "Number of Waters Attaining" value for a detailed list of those previously 303(d)-listed waters now attaining all applicable water quality standards. | ||
| Year Attaining | Number of Waters Attaining | Number of Causes of Impairment Addressed |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 4 |
4 |
| 2011 | 1 |
1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
1 |
Rhode Island Causes of Impairment for 303(d) Listed Waters
Description of this table| NOTE: Click on a cause of impairment (e.g. pathogens) to see the specific state-reported causes that are grouped to make up this category. Click on the "Number of Causes of Impairment Reported" to see a list of waters with that cause of impairment. | |
| Cause of Impairment Group Name | Number of Causes of Impairment Reported |
|---|---|
| Metals (other than Mercury) | 74 |
| Pathogens | 67 |
| Nutrients | 49 |
| Cause Unknown - Impaired Biota | 43 |
| Organic Enrichment/Oxygen Depletion | 43 |
| Mercury | 25 |
| Algal Growth | 19 |
| Total Toxics | 7 |
| Temperature | 4 |
| Turbidity | 3 |
| Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) | 3 |
| Nuisance Native Species | 3 |
| Dioxins | 2 |
| Ammonia | 2 |
| Nuisance Exotic Species | 1 |
| Sediment | 1 |
| Taste, Color and Odor | 1 |
| Salinity/Total Dissolved Solids/Chlorides/Sulfates | 1 |
Total: 348 Causes of Impairment
Rhode Island Cumulative TMDLs by Pollutant
This chart includes TMDLs since October 1, 1995.
Description of this table| NOTE: Click on the underlined "Pollutant" value to see associated listed waters for which a TMDL was developed. Click on the underlined "Number of TMDLs" value to see a listing of those TMDLs for the pollutant. | ||
| Pollutant | Number of TMDLs | Number of Causes of Impairment Addressed |
|---|---|---|
| Enterococcus Bacteria |  59 |
59 |
| Fecal Coliform | 59 |
59 |
| Pathogens | 20 |
20 |
| Mercury | 19 |
19 |
| Phosphorus, Total | 17 |
37 |
| Copper | 4 |
4 |
| Lead | 4 |
4 |
| Zinc | 4 |
4 |
| Cadmium | 2 |
2 |
| Escherichia Coli (E. Coli) | 1 |
1 |
| Nutrients | 1 |
4 |
Total: 190 TMDLs; 213 Causes of Impairment Addressed
Rhode Island Cumulative Number of TMDLs
EPA Fiscal Year starts October 1 and ends September 30.
Description of this table
| NOTE: Click on the underlined "Number of TMDLs Completed" value for a detailed list of the TMDLs for the fiscal year. | ||
| Fiscal Year | Number of TMDLs | Number of Causes of Impairment Addressed |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 1 |
3 |
| 2001 | 3 |
3 |
| 2002 | 7 |
7 |
| 2003 | 5 |
5 |
| 2004 | 3 |
6 |
| 2005 | 2 |
2 |
| 2006 | 25 |
28 |
| 2007 | 18 |
30 |
| 2008 | 28 |
31 |
| 2009 | 12 |
12 |
| 2010 | 7 |
7 |
| 2011 | 65 |
65 |
| 2013 | 14 |
14 |
Total: 190 TMDLs; 213 Causes of Impairment Addressed