On This Page

• Georgia Assessment 

Summary 

• Water Quality by 

Waterbody Type 

• Rivers and Streams 

• Lakes, Reservoirs, 

and Ponds 

• Bays and Estuaries 

• Coastal Shoreline 

• 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 

303(d) Listed Waters for 2010 

Data are also available for 

these cycles:

2002 2004 2006 2008 2012 

Waterbody Changes from Prior 

Cycle 

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information 

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Georgia Water Quality Assessment Report

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You are here: EPA Home Water WATERS Water Quality Assessment and TMDL Information Georgia Water Quality Assessment Report

Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Summary Results

Georgia (2010)

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 5,610.0 244,957.0 49.0 276.9

Previously impaired waters

 now attaining all uses 154.0 25,979.0 1.3

Threatened Waters

TMDL completed

TMDL alternative

Non-pollutant impairment

TMDL needed

Impaired Waters 7,783.0 104,418.0 14.0 70.3

TMDL completed 6,338.0 98,104.0 14.0 40.0

TMDL alternative 19.0

Non-pollutant impairment

TMDL needed 1,426.0 6,314.0 30.3

New TMDLs completed 531.0 2,785.0 .0 .0

Remaining TMDLs needed 895.0 3,529.0 30.3

Total Assessed Waters 13,393.0 349,375.0 63.0 347.3

Total Waters 70,150.0 425,382.0 854.0 Unavailable

Percent of Waters Assessed 19.1 82.1 7.4 Unavailable

Summary of Water Quality Assessments for Each Waterbody Type

for Reporting Year 2010

Watershed Assessment, Tracking & Environmental ResultS

http://ofmpub.epa.gov/waters10/attains_state.control?p_state=GA&p_cycle=2010

Last updated on 9/25/2015

Georgia Water Quality Assessment Report | WATERS | US EPA Page 1 of 9

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Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results

Georgia Rivers and Streams 2010

Description of this table

All

Rivers and Streams

70,150.0 Miles of Rivers and Streams

Assessed Status Miles

Assessed 13,393.0

Unassessed 56,757.0

Total Miles 70,150.0

Description of this table

Assessed

Rivers and Streams

13,393.0 Miles of

Assessed Rivers and Streams

Attainment Status Miles

Good 5,610.0

Threatened .0

Impaired 7,783.0

Total Miles Assessed 13,393.0

Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results

Individual Designated Use Support

Georgia Rivers and Streams 2010

* 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

Coastal Fishing 25.0 100.0 .0 .0

Drinking Water Supply 500.0 47.4 .0 52.6

Fishing 13,006.0 41.4 .0 58.6

Recreation 211.0 49.8 .0 50.2

Scenic River 70.0 100.0 .0 .0

Wild River 70.0 100.0 .0 .0

Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results

Causes of Impairment

Georgia Rivers and Streams 2010

Description of this table

Cause of Impairment Cause of Impairment Group

Miles

Threatened or

Impaired

Fecal Coliform Pathogens 4,293.0

Fish Bioassessments Cause Unknown - Impaired Biota 2,084.0

Dissolved Oxygen Organic Enrichment/Oxygen Depletion 1,272.0

Mercury in Fish Tissue Mercury 991.0

Benthic Macroinvertebrates Bioassessments Cause Unknown - Impaired Biota 636.0

PCB(s) in Fish Tissue Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) 357.0

Other Cause Other Cause 218.0

pH pH/Acidity/Caustic Conditions 190.0

Copper Metals (other than Mercury) 34.0

Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) Total Toxics 22.0

Zinc Metals (other than Mercury) 20.0

Assessed Unassessed

19.1%

80.9%

Impaired Good

41.9%

58.1%

Georgia Water Quality Assessment Report | WATERS | US EPA Page 2 of 9

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Temperature, Water Temperature 17.0

Tetrachloroethylene Toxic Organics 7.0

Lead Metals (other than Mercury) 5.0

Arsenic Metals (other than Mercury) 3.0

Mercury Mercury 2.0

Carbon Tetrachloride Toxic Organics 1.0

1,1,2-Trichloroethane Toxic Organics 1.0

Trichloroethylene (TCE) Toxic Organics 1.0

Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results

Probable Sources

Georgia Rivers and Streams 2010

Description of this table

Probable Source Probable Source Group

Miles

Threatened or

Impaired

Non-Point Source Unspecified Nonpoint 

Source 5,841.0

Unspecified Urban Stormwater Urban-Related 

Runoff/Stormwater 2,189.0

Industrial/Commercial Site Stormwater 

Discharge (Permitted)

Urban-Related 

Runoff/Stormwater 274.0

Municipal Point Source Discharges Municipal 

Discharges/Sewage 179.0

Combined Sewer Overflows Municipal 

Discharges/Sewage 93.0

Industrial Point Source Discharge Industrial 57.0

Dam Or Impoundment Hydromodification 4.0

Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results

Georgia Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds 2010

Description of this table

All

Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds

425,382.0 Acres of Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds

Assessed Status Acres

Assessed 349,375.0

Unassessed 76,007.0

Total Acres 425,382.0

Description of this table

Assessed

Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds

349,375.0 Acres of

Assessed Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds

Attainment Status Acres

Good 244,957.0

Threatened .0

Impaired 104,418.0

Total Acres Assessed 349,375.0

Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results

Individual Designated Use Support

Georgia Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds 2010

* 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

Assessed Unassessed

17.9%

82.1%

Impaired Good

29.9%

70.1%

Georgia Water Quality Assessment Report | WATERS | US EPA Page 3 of 9

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Drinking Water Supply 18,978.0 30.9 .0 69.1

Fishing 32,520.0 88.7 .0 11.3

Recreation 316,630.0 68.2 .0 31.8

Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results

Causes of Impairment

Georgia Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds 2010

Description of this table

Cause of Impairment Cause of Impairment Group

Acres

Threatened or

Impaired

PCB(s) in Fish Tissue Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) 92,555.0

Chlorophyll-A Algal Growth 6,932.0

Mercury in Fish Tissue Mercury 4,067.0

Phosphorus, Total Nutrients 2,752.0

Temperature, Water Temperature 650.0

Fecal Coliform Pathogens 194.0

DDD Pesticides 20.0

DDE Pesticides 20.0

Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results

Probable Sources

Georgia Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds 2010

Description of this table

Probable Source Probable Source Group

Acres

Threatened or

Impaired

Industrial/Commercial Site Stormwater 

Discharge (Permitted)

Urban-Related 

Runoff/Stormwater 55,950.0

Non-Point Source Unspecified Nonpoint 

Source 47,624.0

Unspecified Urban Stormwater Urban-Related 

Runoff/Stormwater 34,809.0

Industrial Point Source Discharge Industrial 650.0

Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results

Georgia Bays and Estuaries 2010

Description of this table

All

Bays and Estuaries

854.0 Square Miles of Bays and Estuaries

Assessed Status Square Miles

Assessed 63.0

Unassessed 791.0

Total Square Miles 854.0

Description of this table

Assessed

Bays and Estuaries

63.0 Square Miles of

Assessed Bays and Estuaries

Attainment Status Square Miles

Good 49.0

Threatened .0

Impaired 14.0

Total Square Miles Assessed 63.0

Assessed Unassessed

7.4%

92.6%

Impaired Good

22.2%

77.8%

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Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results

Individual Designated Use Support

Georgia Bays and Estuaries 2010

* 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

Coastal Fishing 4.0 .0 .0 100.0

Fishing 59.0 83.1 .0 16.9

Recreation 37.0 100.0 .0 .0

Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results

Causes of Impairment

Georgia Bays and Estuaries 2010

Description of this table

Cause of Impairment Cause of Impairment Group

Square Miles

Threatened or

Impaired

Dissolved Oxygen Organic Enrichment/Oxygen Depletion 14.0

Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results

Probable Sources

Georgia Bays and Estuaries 2010

Description of this table

Probable Source Probable Source Group

Square Miles

Threatened or

Impaired

Industrial Point Source Discharge Industrial 14.0

Unspecified Urban Stormwater Urban-Related Runoff/Stormwater 14.0

Municipal Point Source Discharges Municipal Discharges/Sewage 14.0

Non-Point Source Unspecified Nonpoint Source 10.0

Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results

Georgia Coastal Shoreline 2010

Description of this table

Pie chart not displayed 

because total size for 

Coastal Shoreline is 

unavailable. 

Assessed 

Status Miles

Assessed 347.3

Unassessed Unavailable

Total 

Miles Unavailable

Description of this table

Assessed

Coastal Shoreline

347.3 Miles of

Assessed Coastal Shoreline

Attainment Status Miles

Good 276.9

Threatened .0

Impaired 70.3

Total Miles Assessed 347.3

Descrip

Threatene

Coast

7

Threate

Coa

TMDL Development Status

All TMDLs completed

TMDL alternative

Non-pollutant impairment

TMDL needed

Total Threatened and Impaire

Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results

Individual Designated Use Support

Georgia Coastal Shoreline 2010

* Waters assessed for more than one designated use are included in multiple designated use groups below.

Impaired Good

20.3%

79.7%

All TMDLs com

43.1%

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Description of this table

Designated Use Miles Assessed Percent Good Percent Threatened Percent Impaired

% Good

% Threatened

% Impaired

Fishing 298.4 76.6 .0 23.4

Recreation 48.9 99.1 .0 .9

Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results

Causes of Impairment

Georgia Coastal Shoreline 2010

Description of this table

Cause of Impairment Cause of Impairment Group

Miles

Threatened or

Impaired

Dissolved Oxygen Organic Enrichment/Oxygen Depletion 40.0

Other Cause Other Cause 30.0

Fecal Coliform Pathogens 27.0

PCB(s) in Fish Tissue Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) 26.0

Toxaphene Pesticides 5.0

Enterococcus Bacteria Pathogens 4.3

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) 4.0

Mercury Mercury 4.0

Dieldrin Pesticides 3.0

Cadmium Metals (other than Mercury) 2.0

Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results

Probable Sources

Georgia Coastal Shoreline 2010

Description of this table

Probable Source Probable Source Group

Miles

Threatened or

Impaired

Unspecified Urban Stormwater Urban-Related 

Runoff/Stormwater 33.0

Industrial Point Source Discharge Industrial 29.0

Municipal Point Source Discharges Municipal 

Discharges/Sewage 21.0

Non-Point Source Unspecified Nonpoint Source 15.3

Industrial/Commercial Site Stormwater 

Discharge (Permitted)

Urban-Related 

Runoff/Stormwater 10.0

Georgia Causes of Impairment for Reporting Year 2010

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 6,932.0

Cause Unknown - Impaired 

Biota 2,583.0

Mercury 993.0 4,067.0 4.0

Metals (other than Mercury) 49.0 2.0

Nutrients 2,752.0

Organic Enrichment/Oxygen 

Depletion 1,272.0 14.0 40.0

Other Cause 218.0 30.0

Pathogens 4,293.0 194.0 31.3

Pesticides 20.0 8.0

pH/Acidity/Caustic Conditions 190.0

Polychlorinated Biphenyls 

(PCBs) 357.0 92,555.0 26.0

Temperature 17.0 650.0

Total Toxics 22.0

Toxic Organics 10.0

Georgia Probable Sources Contributing to Impairments

for Reporting Year 2010

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.

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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)

Hydromodification 4.0

Industrial 57.0 650.0 14.0 29.0

Municipal Discharges/Sewage 272.0 14.0 21.0

Unspecified Nonpoint Source 5,841.0 47,624.0 10.0 15.3

Urban-Related 

Runoff/Stormwater 2,391.0 90,759.0 14.0 43.0

Georgia TMDL Alternatives by Cause of Impairment 2010

Description of this table

NOTE: Click on the underlined "Number of TMDL Alternatives by Cause of Impairment " value 

to see a listing of those Causes of Impairment. 

Cause of Impairment Number of

TMDL Alternatives

Rivers and

Streams (Miles)

Tetrachloroethylene 4 7

Copper 2 9

1,1,2-Trichloroethane 1 1

Arsenic 1 3

Carbon Tetrachloride 1 1

Trichloroethylene (TCE) 1 1

Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) 1 6

Total: 11 TMDL Alternatives 

Georgia 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

2002 15 15

2011 28 32

2013 7 7

Georgia 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

Cause Unknown - Impaired Biota 131

Pathogens 61

Organic Enrichment/Oxygen Depletion 13

Mercury 4

pH/Acidity/Caustic Conditions 4

Algal Growth 3

Metals (other than Mercury) 3

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) 2

Nutrients 2

Pesticides 2

Other Cause 1

Temperature 1

Total: 227 Causes of Impairment

Georgia 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

Fecal Coliform 746 748

Sediment 251 279

Phosphorus, Total 105 105

Nitrogen, Total 103 103

Georgia Water Quality Assessment Report | WATERS | US EPA Page 7 of 9

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Total Organic Carbon (TOC) 99 99

Siltation 98 98

Mercury 61 64

Oxygen Demand 46 46

Priority Organics - PCBs 34 35

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) 28 31

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) 26 26

Copper 15 15

Dissolved Oxygen 13 13

Zinc 9 9

Lead 7 7

Chronic Toxicity 6 6

Low pH 6 6

Toxicity 6 6

pH 6 6

Carbonaceous Bod (CBOD) 5 5

Mercury in Fish Tissue 5 5

Nitrogenous BOD (NBOD) 5 5

Dieldrin 4 4

Cadmium 3 3

Fish Consumption Advisory - PCBs 3 3

Chlordane 2 2

Temperature 2 2

Toxaphene 2 2

Ammonia 1 1

Chlorides 1 1

Cyanide 1 1

DDD 1 1

Total: 1,700 TMDLs; 1,737 Causes of Impairment Addressed

Georgia 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

1996 2 2

1998 114 114

2000 37 39

2001 87 99

2002 591 596

2003 63 69

2004 107 114

2005 94 97

2006 54 54

2007 182 182

2008 41 41

2009 224 225

2010 17 17

2011 24 25

2012 25 25

2013 32 32

2014 6 6

Total: 1,700 TMDLs; 1,737 Causes of Impairment Addressed

TMDL Document Search

Full Text Search of TMDL Documents 

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