Total Maximum Daily Load for Turbidity, Storm Lake, Buena Vista County Iowa, 2005

(2005) Total Maximum Daily Load for Turbidity, Storm Lake, Buena Vista County Iowa, 2005. Natural Resources, Department of

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Abstract

The Federal Clean Water Act requires the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to develop a total maximum daily load (TMDL) for waters that have been identified on the state’s 303(d) list as impaired by a pollutant. Storm Lake has been identified as impaired by turbidity. The purpose of the TMDL for Storm Lake is to calculate the allowable sediment load for the lake that will meet water quality standard turbidity levels. This document consists of a single TMDL for turbidity designed to provide Storm Lake water quality that fully supports its designated uses. The primary source of turbidity causing the impaired condition is the resuspension of lake bottom sediment by wind induced waves. Based on previous studies, local information and IDNR staff; sediment delivered to the lake from the watershed and resuspension by bottom rough fish such as carp, are minor causes of turbidity. This TMDL targets sediment resuspended by waves and measured as total suspended solids to address the turbidity impairment.