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Agricultural and Urban Best Management Practices Aid in the Recovery
of College Creek
Problem
Coliege Creek (TN06010108010-0300) drains a portion
of the city of Greeneviile and Tuscuium University
in the Sinking Creek-Nolichucky River watershed
(060101080703) in Greene County, Tennessee
(Figure 1). Most of the land use is pasture and livestock
grazing. Coliege Creek is a tributary of the Nolichucky
River, which (as of 2020) is impaired. The designated
uses for College Creek include fish and aquatic life, rec-
reation, livestock watering and wildlife, and irrigation.
In July 2000, the Tennessee Department of
Environment and Conservation (TDEC) performed a
bioreconnaissance survey (biorecon or BR) for College
Creek. A biorecon is a screening tool used by TDEC to
provide a quick evaluation of the relative health of the
biological community. The biorecon yielded a habitat
score of 113, which was less than the passing score of
128 that was required for College Creek. As a result,
College Creek was placed on Tennessee's CWA section
303(d) list of impaired waters in 2002 for siItation
and other habitat alterations due to pasture grazing
and development. In 2008, "other anthropogenic
habitat alterations" was added as a cause of pollution.
College Creek was re-evaluated in 2005 and 2010, with
resulting habitat scores of 128 and 140, respectively.
Although the creek's habitat was showing signs of
improvement, it remained listed as impaired due to
poorly performing macroinvertebrate communities.
The Tennessee Macroinvertebrate Index (TMI) for
Figure 1. College Creek is in Greene County.
College Creek, evaluated through the use of Semi-
Quantitative Single Habitat Sample (SQSH) method,
remained at or below the target score of 32 in 2005
and 2010, with TMI scores of 26 and 32, respectively.
Story Highlights
To begin restoring College Creek, a CWA section 319
grant was awarded in 2005 to the Greene County
SWCD to develop a restoration plan. Partnerships
were developed between many interested parties
from the private sector (Niswonger Foundation),
SWCDs, nonprofits (Middle Nolichucky Watershed
Alliance), Tuscuium University, local municipalities
and landowners. Both urban and agricultural sources
of pollution were tackled, with best management
o Watershed Boundary!
—	Streams
—	College Creek
~ Section 319 BMPs I
a ARCFBMPs	I
Sinking Creek -
Nolichucky River
Watershed \

Waterbody Improved
College Creek was first added to Tennessee's Clean Water
Act (CWA) section 303(d) list of impaired waters in 2002 for
sedimentation/si Itation, riparian alteration, and substrate alteration after the creek failed a
bioreconnaissance survey in 2000. Committed partnerships between multiple soil and water
conservation districts (SWCDs), nongovernmental groups, and the State of Tennessee, supported
by funding from CWA section 319, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture's (TDA's) Agricultural
Resources Conservation Fund (ARCF) and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), resulted
in improved habitat and biological diversity during a 2015 assessment. The entirety of College Creek
(9.3 miles) was delisted for siltation/sedimentation and habitat alterations on Tennessee's 2020 CWA
section 303(d) list.
m,
"v* • . .V r'
5 Miles	'Please note: Each marker may
i	indicate more than one BMP.

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Habitat and Macroinvertebrate Improvements
Target Habitat Score =128	-—


——











Target TMI = 32




	
2000	2005	2010	2015
Year
practices constructed along College Creek and
throughout the watershed. Urban sources of siItation
and habitat alterations were mitigated with catch
basins, constructed wetlands and streambank stabi-
lization projects (Figures 2 and 3). Shoreline grazing
impacts were minimized with fencing, alternative
watering facilities and heavy use areas. Over $320,000
in CWA section 319 funds and more than $190,000 in
ARCF monies were invested in practices in the Sinking
Creek-Nolichucky River watershed. In total, 106
practices were installed between 2003 and 2021.
Results
A reassessment was performed on College Creek In
July 2015 (Figure 4). At the time of the assessment,
the habitat score was 138, which exceeded the goal of
128. In addition, SQSH was performed, and the biology
had recovered sufficiently to earn a score of 36, which
exceeded the passing score of 32. In Tennessee, the
criteria for siltation/sedimentation, habitat alteration,
and alteration to stream-side or littoral vegetative
cover is quantitative. As the habitat and biology had
recovered, the criteria for these parameters were no
longer being violated. College Creek was removed
from Tennessee's 2020 CWA section 303(d) list for silt-
ation/sedimentation, habitat alteration, and alteration
to stream-side or littoral vegetative cover from grazing
in riparian or shoreline zones and site clearance (land
development or redevelopment). College Creek was
recently found to be impaired due to Escherichia coli
from livestock grazing, and it remains on Tennessee's
2020 CWA section 303(d) list. Work will continue in the
watershed to tackle the new challenge.
Partners and Funding
Many community partners helped to improve College
Creek. Grants through CWA section 319 have exceeded
$850,000, with over a third of the total being used
to support practices in the Sinking Creek-Nolichucky
River watershed. (Note: some contracts included work
elsewhere in the Nolichucky River basin.) State support
from the ARCF program exceeded $190,000. In addi-
tion, the multiple partners provided over $580,000 in
cash and in-kind match contributions. Key partners
included the Niswonger Foundation, TWRA, City of
Greeneville, Town of Tusculum, Tusculum University,
Middle Nolichucky Watershed Alliance, multiple
SWCDs and local landowners.
Figure 2. Partners installed a constructed urban
wetland pond along College Creek.
Figure 4. Habitat and macroinvertebrate
improvements in College Creek (2000-2015).
Figure 3. Partners installed a rain garden along College
Creek.
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Water
Washington, DC
EPA 841-F-21-001Y
November 2021
For additional information contact:
Sam Marshall
Tennessee Department of Agriculture
615-837-5306 • Sam.Marshall@tn,gov

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