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- Tennessee 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
2006
2010
Waterbody Changes from Prior Cycle
For More Information:
Tennessee Assessment Report
State Water Quality Program
Tennessee Water Quality Assessment Report
Assessed Waters of Tennessee by Watershed
Search for a waterbody within Tennessee
NOTE: The data provided in this report differs slightly from the information provided in the original Tennessee 2008 Integrated Report. This is a result of differences between the Tennessee State assessment database and the summary data provided in Tennessee's 2008 Integrated Report
NOTE: The data provided in this report differs slightly from the information provided in the original Tennessee 2008 Integrated Report. This is a result of differences between the Tennessee State assessment database and the summary data provided in Tennessee's 2008 Integrated Report
Features
- About This Database (Integrated Report)
- Assessing Water Quality (Questions and Answers)
- Integrated Reporting Guidance
- Previous National Water Quality Reports
- EnviroMapper for Water
- AskWATERS
- EPA WATERS Homepage
- Exchange Network
- Assessment Database
- Statewide Statistical Surveys
- How's My Waterway Local Search tool
- Pollution Categories Summary Document
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Summary Results
Tennessee (2008)
Description of this table| Size of Water | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rivers and Streams (Miles) |
Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds (Acres) |
||||||||||||||
| Good Waters | 19,258.6 | 383,880.0 | |||||||||||||
| Previously impaired waters now attaining all uses |
97.6 | ||||||||||||||
| Threatened Waters | 46.9 | ||||||||||||||
| TMDL completed | |||||||||||||||
| TMDL alternative | |||||||||||||||
| Non-pollutant impairment | 16.9 | ||||||||||||||
| TMDL needed | 30.0 | ||||||||||||||
| Impaired Waters | 11,777.5 | 181,925.4 | |||||||||||||
| TMDL completed | 2,694.7 | 6,259.0 | |||||||||||||
| TMDL alternative | |||||||||||||||
| Non-pollutant impairment | 119.6 | ||||||||||||||
| TMDL needed | 8,963.3 | 175,666.4 | |||||||||||||
| New TMDLs completed | 1,190.3 | 67,891.7 | |||||||||||||
| Remaining TMDLs needed | 7,772.9 | 107,774.7 | |||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||
| Total Assessed Waters | 31,083.0 | 565,805.4 | |||||||||||||
| Total Waters | 61,075.0 | 538,060.0 | |||||||||||||
| Percent of Waters Assessed | 50.9 | 105.2 | |||||||||||||
For the 2008 Integrated Report Cycle, the total assessed waters size is greater than the total waters size for the EPA Waterbody Type Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds in Tennessee. 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 2008
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Tennessee Rivers and Streams 2008
Description of this table
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Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Individual Designated Use Support
Tennessee Rivers and Streams 2008
* 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 |
|||||
| Domestic Water Supply | 3,381.3 | 99.3 | .0 | .7 | |
| Fish And Aquatic Life | 30,467.7 | 69.7 | .2 | 30.1 | |
| Industrial Water Supply | 3,225.3 | 100.0 | .0 | .0 | |
| Irrigation | 30,936.9 | 100.0 | .0 | .0 | |
| Livestock Watering And Wildlife | 30,961.5 | 100.0 | .0 | .0 | |
| Naturally Reproducing Trout Stream | 275.3 | 100.0 | .0 | .0 | |
| Recreation | 15,401.2 | 60.6 | .0 | 39.4 | |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Causes of Impairment
Tennessee Rivers and Streams 2008
Description of this table
| Cause of Impairment | Cause of Impairment Group | Miles Threatened or Impaired |
|---|---|---|
| Escherichia Coli (E. Coli) | Pathogens | 5,673.7 |
| Sedimentation/Siltation | Sediment | 5,525.8 |
| Physical Substrate Habitat Alterations | Habitat Alterations | 3,892.6 |
| Dissolved Oxygen | Organic Enrichment/Oxygen Depletion | 1,794.4 |
| Alteration in Stream-Side or Littoral Vegetative Covers | Habitat Alterations | 1,365.0 |
| Nitrates | Nutrients | 926.1 |
| Phosphate | Nutrients | 877.0 |
| Other Anthropogenic Substrate Alterations | Habitat Alterations | 488.8 |
| Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N) | Nutrients | 444.7 |
| pH | pH/Acidity/Caustic Conditions | 416.3 |
| Low Flow Alterations | Flow Alteration(s) | 378.5 |
| Phosphorus, Total | Nutrients | 340.8 |
| Nutrient/Eutrophication Biological Indicators | Nutrients | 326.8 |
| Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) | Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) | 299.3 |
| Dioxin (Including 2,3,7,8-TCDD) | Dioxins | 256.1 |
| Mercury | Mercury | 253.0 |
| Chlordane | Pesticides | 247.7 |
| Iron | Metals (other than Mercury) | 224.4 |
| Cause Unknown | Cause Unknown | 164.4 |
| Manganese | Metals (other than Mercury) | 160.0 |
| Temperature, Water | Temperature | 104.6 |
| Lead | Metals (other than Mercury) | 95.5 |
| Arsenic | Metals (other than Mercury) | 84.0 |
| RDX (Hexahydro-1,3,5-Trinitro-1,2,5-Triazine | Toxic Organics | 62.9 |
| Oil and Grease | Oil and Grease | 56.1 |
| Copper | Metals (other than Mercury) | 51.0 |
| Zinc | Metals (other than Mercury) | 50.8 |
| Ammonia, Un-ionized | Ammonia | 43.5 |
| Sulfates | Salinity/Total Dissolved Solids/Chlorides/Sulfates | 31.3 |
| Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) (Aquatic Ecosystems) | Toxic Organics | 31.0 |
| Chloride | Salinity/Total Dissolved Solids/Chlorides/Sulfates | 22.4 |
| Solids (Suspended/Bedload) | Sediment | 16.9 |
| Strontium | Metals (other than Mercury) | 7.3 |
| Creosote | Toxic Organics | 7.1 |
| Odor Threshold Number | Taste, Color and Odor | 6.7 |
| Sulfide-Hydrogen Sulfide | Toxic Inorganics | 6.7 |
| Cesium | Radiation | 5.3 |
| Color | Taste, Color and Odor | 5.0 |
| Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) | Total Toxics | 4.3 |
| Chromium, Hexavalent | Metals (other than Mercury) | 3.8 |
| Chlorine | Chlorine | 3.3 |
| Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) | Salinity/Total Dissolved Solids/Chlorides/Sulfates | 1.0 |
| Toluene | Toxic Organics | .5 |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Probable Sources
Tennessee Rivers and Streams 2008
Description of this table
| Probable Source | Probable Source Group | Miles Threatened or Impaired |
|---|---|---|
| Grazing In Riparian Or Shoreline Zones | Agriculture | 4,635.8 |
| Channelization | Hydromodification | 3,084.7 |
| Non-Irrigated Crop Production | Agriculture | 2,306.5 |
| Discharges From Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (Ms4) | Urban-Related Runoff/Stormwater | 2,066.6 |
| Source Unknown | Unknown | 1,017.0 |
| Site Clearance (Land Development Or Redevelopment) | Construction | 939.6 |
| Municipal Point Source Discharges | Municipal Discharges/Sewage | 573.2 |
| Sanitary Sewer Overflows (Collection System Failures) | Municipal Discharges/Sewage | 533.7 |
| Impacts From Abandoned Mine Lands (Inactive) | Resource Extraction | 454.0 |
| Upstream Impoundments (E.G., Pl-566 Nrcs Structures) | Hydromodification | 414.0 |
| Municipal (Urbanized High Density Area) | Urban-Related Runoff/Stormwater | 343.0 |
| Contaminated Sediments | Legacy/Historical Pollutants | 336.0 |
| Unrestricted Cattle Access | Agriculture | 312.1 |
| On-Site Treatment Systems (Septic Systems And Similar Decentralized Systems) | Municipal Discharges/Sewage | 292.7 |
| Sources Outside State Jurisdiction Or Borders | Other | 220.7 |
| Animal Feeding Operations (Nps) | Agriculture | 210.4 |
| Dredging (E.G., For Navigation Channels) | Hydromodification | 207.3 |
| Atmospheric Deposition - Toxics | Atmospheric Deposition | 174.6 |
| Industrial Point Source Discharge | Industrial | 170.7 |
| Rcra Hazardous Waste Sites | Industrial | 120.1 |
| Loss Of Riparian Habitat | Habitat Alterations (Not Directly Related To Hydromodification) | 118.6 |
| Sand/Gravel/Rock Mining Or Quarries | Resource Extraction | 113.3 |
| Highways, Roads, Bridges, Infrastructure (New Construction) | Construction | 104.8 |
| Streambank Modifications/Destabilization | Hydromodification | 97.5 |
| Coal Mining Discharges (Permitted) | Resource Extraction | 59.3 |
| Silviculture Harvesting | Silviculture (Forestry) | 52.3 |
| Landfills | Land Application/Waste Sites/Tanks | 47.2 |
| Mill Tailings | Industrial | 35.4 |
| Nps Pollution From Military Base Facilities (Other Than Port Facilities) | Military Bases | 35.2 |
| Mine Tailings | Resource Extraction | 35.1 |
| Cercla Npl (Superfund) Sites | Legacy/Historical Pollutants | 30.3 |
| Irrigated Crop Production | Agriculture | 29.3 |
| Dredge Mining | Resource Extraction | 26.7 |
| Industrial/Commercial Site Stormwater Discharge (Permitted) | Urban-Related Runoff/Stormwater | 25.9 |
| Channel Erosion/Incision From Upstream Hydromodifications | Hydromodification | 24.8 |
| Highway/Road/Bridge Runoff (Non-Construction Related) | Urban-Related Runoff/Stormwater | 24.5 |
| Permitted Runoff From Confined Animal Feeding Operations (Cafos) | Agriculture | 21.6 |
| Impacts From Hydrostructure Flow Regulation/Modification | Hydromodification | 16.7 |
| Package Plant Or Other Permitted Small Flows Discharges | Municipal Discharges/Sewage | 16.7 |
| Specialty Crop Production | Agriculture | 13.9 |
| Other Spill Related Impacts | Spills/Dumping | 13.3 |
| Dairies (Outside Milk Parlor Areas) | Agriculture | 12.4 |
| Atmospheric Deposition - Acidity | Atmospheric Deposition | 12.3 |
| Combined Sewer Overflows | Municipal Discharges/Sewage | 9.8 |
| Land Application Of Wastewater Biosolids (Non-Agricultural) | Land Application/Waste Sites/Tanks | 9.4 |
| Subsurface (Hardrock) Mining | Resource Extraction | 9.1 |
| Leaking Underground Storage Tanks | Land Application/Waste Sites/Tanks | 8.9 |
| Livestock (Grazing Or Feeding Operations) | Agriculture | 6.5 |
| Surface Mining | Resource Extraction | 5.0 |
| Illicit Connections/Hook-Ups To Storm Sewers | Municipal Discharges/Sewage | 3.9 |
| Off-Road Vehicles | Recreation And Tourism (Non-Boating) | 3.9 |
| Aquaculture (Permitted) | Aquaculture | 2.7 |
| Forest Roads (Road Construction And Use) | Silviculture (Forestry) | 2.1 |
| Petroleum/Natural Gas Production Activities (Permitted) | Industrial | 1.4 |
| Manure Runoff | Agriculture | 1.1 |
| Golf Courses | Recreation And Tourism (Non-Boating) | .5 |
| Above Ground Storage Tank Leaks (Tank Farms) | Spills/Dumping | .5 |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Tennessee Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds 2008
Description of this table
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Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Individual Designated Use Support
Tennessee Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds 2008
* 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 |
|||||
| Domestic Water Supply | 526,863.7 | 100.0 | .0 | .0 | |
| Fish And Aquatic Life | 563,904.4 | 92.8 | .0 | 7.2 | |
| Industrial Water Supply | 428,976.4 | 100.0 | .0 | .0 | |
| Irrigation | 563,904.4 | 100.0 | .0 | .0 | |
| Livestock Watering And Wildlife | 561,795.4 | 100.0 | .0 | .0 | |
| Navigation | 1,971.0 | 100.0 | .0 | .0 | |
| Recreation | 565,125.4 | 70.2 | .0 | 29.8 | |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Causes of Impairment
Tennessee Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds 2008
Description of this table
| Cause of Impairment | Cause of Impairment Group | Acres Threatened or Impaired |
|---|---|---|
| Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) | Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) | 95,595.7 |
| Mercury | Mercury | 66,461.0 |
| Dissolved Oxygen | Organic Enrichment/Oxygen Depletion | 37,978.7 |
| Temperature, Water | Temperature | 20,459.0 |
| Sedimentation/Siltation | Sediment | 18,174.7 |
| Nutrient/Eutrophication Biological Indicators | Nutrients | 15,635.7 |
| Chlordane | Pesticides | 14,030.7 |
| Low Flow Alterations | Flow Alteration(s) | 11,444.0 |
| Dioxin (Including 2,3,7,8-TCDD) | Dioxins | 10,370.0 |
| Aquatic Plants - Native | Nuisance Native Species | 4,550.0 |
| Copper | Metals (other than Mercury) | 2,254.0 |
| Zinc | Metals (other than Mercury) | 2,254.0 |
| Iron | Metals (other than Mercury) | 2,254.0 |
| Escherichia Coli (E. Coli) | Pathogens | 2,044.0 |
| Taste and Odor | Taste, Color and Odor | 45.0 |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Probable Sources
Tennessee Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds 2008
Description of this table
| Probable Source | Probable Source Group | Acres Threatened or Impaired |
|---|---|---|
| Contaminated Sediments | Legacy/Historical Pollutants | 97,849.7 |
| Atmospheric Deposition - Toxics | Atmospheric Deposition | 66,320.0 |
| Industrial Thermal Discharges | Industrial | 20,459.0 |
| Non-Irrigated Crop Production | Agriculture | 15,587.0 |
| Internal Nutrient Recycling | Natural/Wildlife | 15,500.0 |
| Site Clearance (Land Development Or Redevelopment) | Construction | 10,950.0 |
| Drainage/Filling/Loss Of Wetlands | Habitat Alterations (Not Directly Related To Hydromodification) | 10,950.0 |
| Industrial Point Source Discharge | Industrial | 8,766.7 |
| Sources Outside State Jurisdiction Or Borders | Other | 4,757.0 |
| Upstream Impoundments (E.G., Pl-566 Nrcs Structures) | Hydromodification | 2,468.7 |
| Mill Tailings | Industrial | 2,254.0 |
| Mine Tailings | Resource Extraction | 2,254.0 |
| Impacts From Abandoned Mine Lands (Inactive) | Resource Extraction | 2,254.0 |
| Grazing In Riparian Or Shoreline Zones | Agriculture | 1,531.0 |
| Sanitary Sewer Overflows (Collection System Failures) | Municipal Discharges/Sewage | 1,050.0 |
| Discharges From Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (Ms4) | Urban-Related Runoff/Stormwater | 994.0 |
| Combined Sewer Overflows | Municipal Discharges/Sewage | 994.0 |
| Municipal (Urbanized High Density Area) | Urban-Related Runoff/Stormwater | 45.0 |
| Animal Feeding Operations (Nps) | Agriculture | 34.0 |
| On-Site Treatment Systems (Septic Systems And Similar Decentralized Systems) | Municipal Discharges/Sewage | 3.7 |
Tennessee Causes of Impairment for Reporting Year 2008
Description of this table
Tennessee Probable Sources Contributing to Impairments
for Reporting Year 2008
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) |
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| Agriculture | 7,019.9 | 17,065.0 | |||||||||||||
| Aquaculture | 2.7 | ||||||||||||||
| Atmospheric Deposition | 186.9 | 66,320.0 | |||||||||||||
| Construction | 1,012.1 | 10,950.0 | |||||||||||||
| Habitat Alterations (Not Directly Related To Hydromodification) | 118.6 | 10,950.0 | |||||||||||||
| Hydromodification | 3,775.1 | 2,468.7 | |||||||||||||
| Industrial | 327.6 | 31,479.7 | |||||||||||||
| Land Application/Waste Sites/Tanks | 65.5 | ||||||||||||||
| Legacy/Historical Pollutants | 366.3 | 97,849.7 | |||||||||||||
| Military Bases | 35.2 | ||||||||||||||
| Municipal Discharges/Sewage | 1,299.2 | 2,047.7 | |||||||||||||
| Natural/Wildlife | 15,500.0 | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 220.7 | 4,757.0 | |||||||||||||
| Recreation And Tourism (Non-Boating) | 4.4 | ||||||||||||||
| Resource Extraction | 621.7 | 2,254.0 | |||||||||||||
| Silviculture (Forestry) | 52.3 | ||||||||||||||
| Spills/Dumping | 13.8 | ||||||||||||||
| Unknown | 1,017.0 | ||||||||||||||
| Urban-Related Runoff/Stormwater | 2,326.9 | 1,039.0 | |||||||||||||
Tennessee TMDL Alternatives by Cause of Impairment 2008
No TMDL Alternatives reported.
Tennessee 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 6 |
7 |
| 2008 | 1 |
2 |
| 2012 | 5 |
6 |
Tennessee 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 |
|---|---|
| Habitat Alterations | 346 |
| Sediment | 341 |
| Nutrients | 279 |
| Pathogens | 211 |
| Organic Enrichment/Oxygen Depletion | 137 |
| Metals (other than Mercury) | 80 |
| pH/Acidity/Caustic Conditions | 34 |
| Mercury | 31 |
| Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) | 28 |
| Temperature | 19 |
| Cause Unknown | 19 |
| Dioxins | 13 |
| Pesticides | 13 |
| Toxic Organics | 12 |
| Oil and Grease | 8 |
| Ammonia | 5 |
| Turbidity | 5 |
| Salinity/Total Dissolved Solids/Chlorides/Sulfates | 4 |
| Taste, Color and Odor | 4 |
| Nuisance Native Species | 2 |
| Toxic Inorganics | 1 |
| Total Toxics | 1 |
| Chlorine | 1 |
| Radiation | 1 |
Total: 1,595 Causes of Impairment
Tennessee 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Escherichia Coli (E. Coli) |  541 |
547 |
| Siltation | 342 |
476 |
| Fecal Coliform | 62 |
62 |
| Other Habitat Alteration(s) | 60 |
61 |
| Nitrogen, Total | 41 |
52 |
| Phosphorus, Total | 40 |
40 |
| Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) | 21 |
21 |
| Alkalinity | 18 |
19 |
| Carbonaceous Bod | 14 |
15 |
| Iron | 12 |
13 |
| Chlordane | 11 |
21 |
| pH | 10 |
10 |
| Low pH | 7 |
7 |
| Chlordane in Fish Tissue | 6 |
6 |
| Dioxin in Fish Tissue | 6 |
7 |
| Manganese | 5 |
6 |
| Dioxins | 4 |
4 |
| Ammonia, Un-ionized | 2 |
3 |
| Antimony | 1 |
1 |
| Arsenic | 1 |
1 |
| Cadmium | 1 |
1 |
| Copper | 1 |
1 |
| Lead | 1 |
1 |
| PCB(s) in Fish Tissue | 1 |
2 |
| Salinity/Total Dissolved Solids/Chlorides | 1 |
1 |
| Zinc | 1 |
1 |
Total: 1,210 TMDLs; 1,379 Causes of Impairment Addressed
Tennessee 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 |
1 |
| 2001 | 8 |
8 |
| 2002 | 13 |
13 |
| 2003 | 51 |
72 |
| 2004 | 65 |
66 |
| 2005 | 80 |
97 |
| 2006 | 319 |
383 |
| 2007 | 90 |
100 |
| 2008 | 311 |
324 |
| 2009 | 101 |
143 |
| 2010 | 57 |
57 |
| 2011 | 56 |
56 |
| 2012 | 58 |
59 |
Total: 1,210 TMDLs; 1,379 Causes of Impairment Addressed