Impaired streams are considered to be streams or rivers that do not meet state water quality standards because pollutant levels are too high. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) maintains a list of impaired waters that is updated periodically. Roanoke County has 13 streams that are impaired.
About Total Maximum Daily Loads
VDEQ establishes a total maximum daily load (TMDL) for streams to restore and maintain the water quality of the stream. A TMDL is the total amount of pollutant a stream can receive and still meet water quality standards. A TMDL has been completed for seven of the 13 impaired streams in Roanoke County.
Types of Impairments & How You Can Help
Impairment
Waterways
How You Can Help
Bacteria
Back Creek
Glade Creek
Lick Run
Mason Creek
Mudlick Creek
Murray Run
Ore Branch
Peters Creek
Roanoke River
Tinker Creek
Collect and recycle leaf litter and animal waste from your yard before it reaches storm drains.
Dissolved oxygen
Roanoke River
Apply fertilizers and pesticides sparingly, and try not to apply right before a heavy rain.
PCBs in fish tissue
Roanoke River
Report known historical releases of PCBs to the VDEQ.
Sediment
Mason Creek, Mudlick Creek, Roanoke River
Cover piles of dirt or mulch being used in landscaping projects, and use proper erosion controls for large projects involving disturbing the land.
Temperature
Bottom Creek
Avoid clearing and grading directly adjacent to waterways and plant vegetation along stream banks in your yard.
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