A draft total maximum daily load (TMDL) document for Osage River is available for public review and comment until March 7, 2024, extended from Feb. 5, 2024. This waterbody is located in Barton, Bates, Cass, Cedar, Dade, Greene, Lawrence, Polk, St. Clair and Vernon counties. The TMDL was updated to reflect a corrected flow record for one of the stream gages used to estimate flow from the watershed. This update results in minor changes to the overall loading capacity for the river, and load allocations to nonpoint sources, but does not change the facility wasteload allocations. Written comments may be submitted by mail to Sebastien Clos-Versailles, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Water Protection Program, PO Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176, or by email to tmdl@dnr.mo.gov. Please provide your name, address, and phone number when submitting comments.
TMDLs are tools to inform watershed planning. They calculate the maximum amount of a specific pollutant, or load, a water body can absorb and still meet water quality standards. This calculated loading is then divided between the various pollutant sources in the watershed and becomes the goal, or loading target, to restore water quality. The draft TMDL proposes pollutant loading targets to address excessive E. coli loading to the Osage River watershed. The implementation strategies document provides guidance for achieving the TMDL targets and describes ways in which stakeholders in the watershed can reduce pollutant loading to the impaired streams. The plan also identifies potential partnerships and funding sources.
The pubic can review electronic copies of the draft TMDL and implementation strategies documents below. Paper copies of the draft documents can be obtained from the department's Water Protection Program by calling 573-751-5723.