Lemon Creek is located in Southeast Alaska, 5 miles northwest of downtown Juneau. Originating in snowfields and glaciers, the creek drains approximately 25 square miles and flows for about six miles before entering the saltwater of Gastineau Channel. The mainly gravel substrate creek bed varies from 30 to 50 feet wide, 1 to 3 feet deep, with a gradient of 0.006. Four clear water tributaries enter Lemon Creek at various points. Tidal wetlands occur at the lower portion of Lemon Creek, and other wetland areas occur periodically along the stream. Section 303(d)(1) of the Clean Water Act requires each state to establish the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for each water identified by the state as failing to meet water quality standards after imposition of technology-based standards. Lemon Creek was identified as water quality limited by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in 1988. It has appeared on the States biennial 303(d) list since 1990. The consequence of a 303(d) listing is that a waterbody may be subject to the TMDL process.