Cedar Creek Watershed

The Cedar Creek Watershed has an area of approximately 11.2 square miles and contains 57.9 miles of streams.

The table below shows the various land use percentages for the watershed.

Water Quality Impacts

The Cedar Creek Watershed has fewer point source discharges than many of the watersheds within Jefferson County. Even with the 1996 construction of the Cedar Creek WTP and the subsequent elimination of ten small treatment plants, there still remains quite a few treatment plants scattered throughout the watershed. Fecal bacteria levels in this watershed exceed recreational standards about one-fourth of the time. This pollution is likely caused by septic systems, several small wastewater treatment plants and farm animal waste. High levels of phosphorus and nitrogen also are a problem. Many of these chemicals come from treated lawns and golf courses, agriculture, septic systems and small wastewater treatment plants. Heavy silt loads from construction sites and agriculture also are harming this aquatic habitat and the life within it. Other non-point sources within this watershed are herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers.

Monitoring

MSD has performed monitoring activities within the Cedar Creek Watershed.

Strategies

MSD is currently in the process of prioritizing Jefferson County watersheds for development of a water quality-based evaluation tool. A schedule has not been established for the development of a water quality tool for the Cedar Creek Watershed.

Project Implementation

Currently there are no active wet weather and water quality projects within the Cedar Creek Watershed.

back