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- South Carolina Monitoring Summary
- Water Quality by Waterbody Type
- Causes of Impairment
- Probable Sources Contributing to Impairments
- TMDL Alternatives by Cause of Impairment
- Previously Impaired Waters Now Attaining All Uses
- Causes of Impairment for 303(d) Listed Waters
- Cumulative TMDLs by Pollutant
- Cumulative Number of TMDLs
Data are also available for these cycles:
2002
2004
2006
Waterbody Changes from Prior Cycle
For More Information:
South Carolina Assessment Report
State Water Quality Program
South Carolina Water Quality Assessment Report
Assessed Waters of South Carolina by Watershed
Search for a waterbody within South Carolina
Statewide Statistical Survey Summary Results
South Carolina (2008)
Description of this table
Overall Condition of Rivers and Streams
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Overall Condition of Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds
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Overall Condition of Bays and Estuaries
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Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Summary Results
South Carolina (2008)
Description of this table| Size of Water | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rivers and Streams (Miles) |
Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds (Acres) |
Bays and Estuaries (Square Miles) |
Coastal Shoreline (Miles) |
Ocean and Near Coastal (Square Miles) |
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| Good Waters | 2,008.8 | 91,964.1 | 316.4 | 2.1 | |||||||||||
| Previously impaired waters now attaining all uses |
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| Threatened Waters | |||||||||||||||
| TMDL completed | |||||||||||||||
| TMDL alternative | |||||||||||||||
| Non-pollutant impairment | |||||||||||||||
| TMDL needed | |||||||||||||||
| Impaired Waters | 3,593.8 | 28,394.5 | 229.7 | 4.0 | .0 | ||||||||||
| TMDL completed | 706.7 | 6.9 | 15.3 | ||||||||||||
| TMDL alternative | |||||||||||||||
| Non-pollutant impairment | |||||||||||||||
| TMDL needed | 2,887.1 | 28,387.5 | 214.4 | 4.0 | .0 | ||||||||||
| New TMDLs completed | 10.4 | .0 | .0 | .0 | .0 | ||||||||||
| Remaining TMDLs needed | 2,876.7 | 28,387.5 | 214.4 | 4.0 | .0 | ||||||||||
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| Total Assessed Waters | 5,602.5 | 120,358.5 | 546.1 | 4.0 | 2.1 | ||||||||||
| Total Waters | 29,794.0 | 407,505.0 | 401.0 | Unavailable | Unavailable | ||||||||||
| Percent of Waters Assessed | 18.8 | 29.5 | 136.2 | Unavailable | Unavailable | ||||||||||
Total State Waters and Total Waters Assessed Using Statistical Surveys and Targeted Monitoring
South Carolina (2008)
The data below represent two types of assessments conducted by South Carolina.
Statewide statistical surveys collect data using a representative random sample and provide an
objective assessment of water quality across the state. Site-specific targeted monitoring
collects data at locations of concern or interest, to support management decisions at
watershed and local scales.
| Size of Water | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rivers and Streams (Miles) |
Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds (Acres) |
Bays and Estuaries (Square Miles) |
Coastal Shoreline (Miles) |
Ocean and Near Coastal (Square Miles) |
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| Total Waters | 29,794.0 | 407,505.0 | 401.0 | Unavailable | Unavailable | ||||||||||
| Total waters assessed using a Statewide Statistical Survey |
12,553.6 | 309,062.5 | 259.6 | n/a | n/a | ||||||||||
| Total waters assessed using Site-Specific Targeted Monitoring |
5,602.5 | 120,358.5 | 546.1 | 4.0 | 2.1 | ||||||||||
For the 2008 Integrated Report Cycle, the total assessed waters size is greater than the total waters size for the EPA Waterbody Type Bays and Estuaries in South Carolina. This discrepancy was identified after the release of the data, and is likely due to the improvements in mapping state waters.
Summary of Water Quality Assessments for Each Waterbody Type
for Reporting Year 2008
Statewide Statistical Survey Summary Results
South Carolina Rivers and Streams 2008
| Attainment Category |
Miles | |
|---|---|---|
| Fully Supporting | 3,976.3 | |
| Partially Supporting | 2,775.0 | |
| Not Supporting | 5,802.2 | |
| Total: | 12,553.6 | |
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Statewide Statistical Survey Stressors
South Carolina Rivers and Streams 2008
Description of this table| Stressor | Miles Fully Supporting |
Miles Partially or Not Supporting |
Total Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fecal Coliform | 5,335.7 | 7,258.3 | 12,594.0 |
| Macroinvertebrate | 9,771.5 | 2,822.5 | 12,594.0 |
| Dissolved Oxygen | 11,676.9 | 917.1 | 12,594.0 |
| Zinc | 12,028.8 | 565.3 | 12,594.0 |
| pH | 12,122.1 | 471.9 | 12,594.0 |
| Copper | 12,150.4 | 443.6 | 12,594.0 |
| Turbidity | 12,513.1 | 80.9 | 12,594.0 |
| Chromium | 12,538.9 | 55.1 | 12,594.0 |
| Nickel | 12,538.9 | 55.1 | 12,594.0 |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
South Carolina Rivers and Streams 2008
Description of this table
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Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Individual Designated Use Support
South Carolina Rivers and Streams 2008
* 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 |
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 % Impaired |
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| Aquatic Life Support | 5,373.6 | 60.1 | .0 | 39.9 | |
| Fish Consumption | 156.0 | 15.4 | .0 | 84.6 | |
| Primary Contact Recreation | 4,001.9 | 43.5 | .0 | 56.5 | |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Causes of Impairment
South Carolina Rivers and Streams 2008
Description of this table
| Cause of Impairment | Cause of Impairment Group | Miles Threatened or Impaired |
|---|---|---|
| Fecal Coliform | Pathogens | 2,259.2 |
| Benthic Macroinvertebrates Bioassessments | Cause Unknown - Impaired Biota | 924.0 |
| Dissolved Oxygen | Organic Enrichment/Oxygen Depletion | 574.8 |
| Copper | Metals (other than Mercury) | 444.3 |
| Mercury | Mercury | 257.3 |
| pH | pH/Acidity/Caustic Conditions | 160.8 |
| Zinc | Metals (other than Mercury) | 116.1 |
| Nickel | Metals (other than Mercury) | 101.1 |
| Turbidity | Turbidity | 68.1 |
| Chromium, Total | Metals (other than Mercury) | 29.0 |
| Ammonia, Total | Ammonia | 9.7 |
| Lead | Metals (other than Mercury) | 5.3 |
| PCB-1254 | Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) | 1.0 |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Probable Sources
South Carolina Rivers and Streams 2008
No probable sources of impairments reported.
Statewide Statistical Survey Summary Results
South Carolina Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds 2008
| Attainment Category |
Acres | |
|---|---|---|
| Fully Supporting | 275,194.3 | |
| Partially Supporting | 13,794.8 | |
| Not Supporting | 20,073.4 | |
| Total: | 309,062.5 | |
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Statewide Statistical Survey Stressors
South Carolina Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds 2008
Description of this table| Stressor | Acres Fully Supporting |
Acres Partially or Not Supporting |
Total Acres |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 286,394.4 | 22,668.2 | 309,062.5 |
| Phosphorus, Total | 289,473.8 | 19,588.7 | 309,062.5 |
| Turbidity | 308,480.8 | 581.7 | 309,062.5 |
| Chlorophyll-A | 308,674.7 | 387.8 | 309,062.5 |
| Dissolved Oxygen | 308,771.7 | 290.8 | 309,062.5 |
| Zinc | 308,771.7 | 290.8 | 309,062.5 |
| Copper | 308,868.6 | 193.9 | 309,062.5 |
| Fecal Coliform | 308,868.6 | 193.9 | 309,062.5 |
| Nitrogen, Total | 308,868.6 | 193.9 | 309,062.5 |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
South Carolina Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds 2008
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Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Individual Designated Use Support
South Carolina Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds 2008
* 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 |
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| % Impaired |
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| Aquatic Life Support | 120,046.2 | 76.4 | .0 | 23.6 | |
| Fish Consumption | 60.0 | 50.0 | .0 | 50.0 | |
| Primary Contact Recreation | 119,371.2 | 99.9 | .0 | .1 | |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Causes of Impairment
South Carolina Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds 2008
Description of this table
| Cause of Impairment | Cause of Impairment Group | Acres Threatened or Impaired |
|---|---|---|
| Phosphorus, Total | Nutrients | 16,132.1 |
| pH | pH/Acidity/Caustic Conditions | 11,294.9 |
| Copper | Metals (other than Mercury) | 5,608.7 |
| Chlorophyll-A | Algal Growth | 2,000.9 |
| Dissolved Oxygen | Organic Enrichment/Oxygen Depletion | 1,285.7 |
| Ammonia, Total | Ammonia | 424.2 |
| Turbidity | Turbidity | 323.9 |
| Nitrogen, Total | Nutrients | 231.0 |
| Fecal Coliform | Pathogens | 175.9 |
| Zinc | Metals (other than Mercury) | 82.9 |
| Mercury | Mercury | 40.1 |
| PCB-1254 | Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) | 4.0 |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Probable Sources
South Carolina Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds 2008
No probable sources of impairments reported.
Statewide Statistical Survey Summary Results
South Carolina Bays and Estuaries 2008
| Attainment Category |
Square Miles | |
|---|---|---|
| Fully Supporting | 219.1 | |
| Partially Supporting | 10.0 | |
| Not Supporting | 30.5 | |
| Total: | 259.6 | |
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Statewide Statistical Survey Stressors
South Carolina Bays and Estuaries 2008
Description of this table| Stressor | Square Miles Fully Supporting |
Square Miles Partially or Not Supporting |
Total Square Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turbidity | 244.5 | 15.1 | 259.6 |
| Copper | 245.7 | 13.8 | 259.6 |
| Dissolved Oxygen | 245.7 | 13.8 | 259.6 |
| Nickel | 256.5 | 3.1 | 259.6 |
| Fecal Coliform | 258.0 | 1.6 | 259.6 |
| Zinc | 259.2 | .4 | 259.6 |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
South Carolina Bays and Estuaries 2008
Description of this table
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Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Individual Designated Use Support
South Carolina Bays and Estuaries 2008
* 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 |
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| % Impaired |
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| Aquatic Life Support | 78.7 | 82.0 | .0 | 18.0 | |
| Primary Contact Recreation | 79.9 | 70.0 | .0 | 30.0 | |
| Shellfish Harvesting | 464.0 | 58.4 | .0 | 41.6 | |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Causes of Impairment
South Carolina Bays and Estuaries 2008
Description of this table
| Cause of Impairment | Cause of Impairment Group | Square Miles Threatened or Impaired |
|---|---|---|
| Fecal Coliform | Pathogens | 216.9 |
| Dissolved Oxygen | Organic Enrichment/Oxygen Depletion | 6.1 |
| Copper | Metals (other than Mercury) | 4.3 |
| Turbidity | Turbidity | 4.0 |
| Ammonia, Total | Ammonia | 1.9 |
| pH | pH/Acidity/Caustic Conditions | .5 |
| Nickel | Metals (other than Mercury) | .3 |
| Zinc | Metals (other than Mercury) | .2 |
| Mercury | Mercury | .1 |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Probable Sources
South Carolina Bays and Estuaries 2008
No probable sources of impairments reported.
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
South Carolina Coastal Shoreline 2008
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Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Individual Designated Use Support
South Carolina Coastal Shoreline 2008
* 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 |
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| % Impaired |
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| Fish Consumption | 4.0 | .0 | .0 | 100.0 | |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Causes of Impairment
South Carolina Coastal Shoreline 2008
Description of this table
| Cause of Impairment | Cause of Impairment Group | Miles Threatened or Impaired |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury | Mercury | 4.0 |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Probable Sources
South Carolina Coastal Shoreline 2008
No probable sources of impairments reported.
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
South Carolina Ocean and Near Coastal 2008
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Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Individual Designated Use Support
South Carolina Ocean and Near Coastal 2008
* 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 |
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| % Impaired |
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| Primary Contact Recreation | 2.1 | 99.4 | .0 | .6 | |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Causes of Impairment
South Carolina Ocean and Near Coastal 2008
Description of this table
| Cause of Impairment | Cause of Impairment Group | Square Miles Threatened or Impaired |
|---|---|---|
| Enterococcus Bacteria | Pathogens | .0 |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Probable Sources
South Carolina Ocean and Near Coastal 2008
No probable sources of impairments reported.
South Carolina Causes of Impairment for Reporting Year 2008
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. | |||||||||||||||
| 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) |
Ocean and Near Coastal (Square Miles) |
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| Algal Growth | 2,000.9 | ||||||||||||||
| Ammonia | 9.7 | 424.2 | 1.9 | ||||||||||||
| Cause Unknown - Impaired Biota | 924.0 | ||||||||||||||
| Mercury | 257.3 | 40.1 | .1 | 4.0 | |||||||||||
| Metals (other than Mercury) | 521.6 | 5,691.6 | 4.7 | ||||||||||||
| Nutrients | 16,144.6 | ||||||||||||||
| Organic Enrichment/Oxygen Depletion | 574.8 | 1,285.7 | 6.1 | ||||||||||||
| Pathogens | 2,259.2 | 175.9 | 216.9 | .0 | |||||||||||
| pH/Acidity/Caustic Conditions | 160.8 | 11,294.9 | .5 | ||||||||||||
| Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) | 1.0 | 4.0 | |||||||||||||
| Turbidity | 68.1 | 323.9 | 4.0 | ||||||||||||
South Carolina Probable Sources Contributing to Impairments
for Reporting Year 2008
No probable sources reported.
South Carolina TMDL Alternatives by Cause of Impairment 2008
No TMDL Alternatives reported.
South Carolina Previously Impaired Waters Now Attaining All Uses
Description of this table| NOTE: Click on the underlined "Number of Waters Attaining" value for a detailed list of those waters now attaining all uses. | ||
| Cycle Attaining | Number of Waters Attaining | Number of Causes of Impairment Addressed |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 8 |
9 |
| 2004 | 38 |
39 |
| 2007 | 46 |
52 |
South Carolina 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 |
|---|---|
| Pathogens | 542 |
| Mercury | 185 |
| Cause Unknown - Impaired Biota | 164 |
| Organic Enrichment/Oxygen Depletion | 137 |
| Metals (other than Mercury) | 131 |
| pH/Acidity/Caustic Conditions | 68 |
| Turbidity | 58 |
| Nutrients | 58 |
| Algal Growth | 15 |
| Ammonia | 8 |
| Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) | 5 |
Total: 1,371 Causes of Impairment
South Carolina 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 |  398 |
289 |
| Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) | 18 |
16 |
| NH3-N | 5 |
4 |
| Dissolved Oxygen | 4 |
3 |
| pH | 3 |
2 |
| Oxygen Demand | 2 |
1 |
| Phosphorus | 1 |
1 |
| Total Suspended Solids (TSS) | 1 |
1 |
Total: 432 TMDLs; 317 Causes of Impairment Addressed
South Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 6 |
6 |
| 1999 | 20 |
20 |
| 2000 | 2 |
2 |
| 2001 | 15 |
15 |
| 2002 | 14 |
14 |
| 2003 | 20 |
20 |
| 2004 | 172 |
172 |
| 2005 | 138 |
141 |
| 2006 | 22 |
28 |
| 2007 | 6 |
6 |
| 2008 | 4 |
4 |
| 2010 | 13 |
13 |
Total: 432 TMDLs; 441 Causes of Impairment Addressed