Abstract |
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) is a regulatory term in the U.S. Clean Water Act, describing a value of the maximum amount of a pollutant that a body of water can receive while still meeting water quality standards. Alternatively, TMDL is an allocation of that water pollutant deemed acceptable to the subject receiving waters. TMDLs have been used extensively by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state environmental agencies in implementing the Clean Water Act by establishing maximum pollution limits for industrial wastewater dischargers. Carleton Stream is a small coastal stream located in the town of Blue Hill, Hancock County, Maine. The entire stream drains approximately 10.3 square miles and flows through forested hills and four Great Ponds before reaching Salt Pond, which flows into Blue Hill Bay. Landuse in the watershed is dominated by forest with sparse residential development along the shoreline of the Great Ponds. The channel form of the stream varies between low gradient sandy areas to moderate gradient areas with boulder and cobble substrate that are capable of supporting native brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). The channel width ranges from 4 17 meters, with a depth that ranges between 0.5- 1.5 m in depth. |