Projects & Programs
New York State Acid Rain TMDLs
The objective of this project was to develop and test a preliminary assessment approach for developing Total acid follows Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for pH impaired waters listed on the New York State Section 303(d) list. The development of such an assessment approach required that available models and data resources be reviewed. A systems engineering approach was used in developing a conceptual model to ensure that the relationships between models and data were fully understood. The assessment approach was tested on a generic watershed.
To support the development of this assessment approach, the project team reviewed the "state of the science" relative to the development of TMDLs for acid rain-impaired waters. The team qualified existing atmospheric deposition, watershed and aquatic chemistry models as well as existing and anticipated data. The method for supporting the development of acid rain TMDLs integrates atmospheric deposition, watershed and aquatic chemistry models. Information relevant to the development of TMDLs for pH impacted waters listed on the New York State Section 303(d) list is documented on the project website.