Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
Water, Wastewater & Wetlands: Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
About TMDLs
TMDLs - Another Step to Cleaner Waters
Explanation of TMDLs and MassDEP's strategy for developing them.
Web page
1998 TMDL Strategy to Improve the Water Quality of Massachusetts Rivers and Lakes
MS Word 125 KB
Total Maximum Daily Loads FAQs
TMDLs Basics
Web page
Implementing TMDLs
Fact sheet from the Massachusetts Estuaries Project.
MS Word 156 KB | PDF 60 KB
The Watershed Management Approach
Explanation of the cycle under which Massachusetts watersheds are studied and evaluated. TMDLs are one product of this process.
Web page
Massachusetts Watersheds
Map of Massachusetts watersheds, color-coded to the Watershed Management cycle. Refer to this map to identify the watersheds named in the TMDL Reports.
Web page
back to TMDLs index
Water, Wastewater & Wetlands: Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
Integrated Lists & Other Reports
Proposed Massachusetts Year 2012 Integrated List of Waters (CWA Sections 303d and 305b)
The Proposed Massachusetts Year 2012 Integrated List of Waters is provided here for public review and comment. This document will be submitted to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in fulfillment of reporting requirements of both s. 305(b) and s. 303(d) of the Clean Water Act. In addition to the actual proposed listing of the individual categories of waters, the report presents a brief history of water quality management in Massachusetts and presents a brief overview of the methodology that is currently employed for assessing and reporting on the status of Massachusetts waters. The 2012 List is based primarily on new watershed assessments completed for the Blackstone, Boston Harbor (including Mystic, Neponset and Weymouth/Weir), Merrimack and Parker watersheds and the Cape Cod coastal drainage areas. Water quality assessments of these watersheds have been completed and can be found at http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/resources/wqassess.htm.
Proposed 2012 Integrated List of Waters
MS Word 7.8 MB | PDF 1.9 MB
Final Massachusetts Year 2010 Integrated List of Waters (CWA Sections 303d and 305b)
The Federal Clean Water Act requires MassDEP to submit to US EPA a listing of waterbodies in the state that are not expected to meet the surface water quality standards set forth in the Act and will require the development of a TMDL. This list was approved by the US EPA on November 16, 2011.
Final Massachusetts 2010 Integrated List of Waters
MS Word 7.8 MB | PDF 1.9 MB
2010 Responses to Public Comments
MS Word 368 KB | PDF 309 KB
US EPA Approval Letter
MS Word 37 KB | PDF 11 KB
US EPA Review Document
MS Word 125 KB | PDF 80 KB
Final Massachusetts Year 2008 Integrated List of Waters (CWA Sections 303d and 305b)
The Federal Clean Water Act requires MassDEP to submit to US EPA a listing of waterbodies in the state that are not expected to meet the surface water quality standards set forth in the Act and will require the development of a TMDL. This list was approved by the US EPA on May 4, 2009.
Final Massachusetts 2008 Integrated List of Waters
MS Word 7.4 MB | PDF 1.5 MB
2008 Responses to Public Comments
MS Word 280 KB | PDF 178 KB
US EPA Approval Letter
PDF 92 KB
More information from US EPA
US EPA Web site
MassDEP POTW Nitrogen Evaluation
This report evaluates 21 publicly-owned wastewater treatment plants (POTWs) located in the Blackstone, Ten Mile, Connecticut, Chicopee, Millers, Westfield, and Deerfield Watersheds for their ability to remove nitrogen to several discharge levels and provides "order of magnitude" costs associated with achieving those levels. Note: Some of these files will take some time to download based on connection speed. This report is also available as a CD-Rom and can be obtained by contacting your regional office to request a copy.
Executive Summary and front matter
PDF 285 KB
Section 1 - Introduction
PDF 342 KB
Section 2 - Quality Assurance Program
PDF 86 KB
Section 3a - Blackstone River Watershed
PDF 6.4 MB
Section 3b - Blackstone River Watershed, continued
PDF 6.2 MB
Section 3c - Blackstone River Watershed, continued
PDF 4.9 MB
Section 4 - Connecticut River Watershed
PDF 8 MB
Section 5 - Chicopee River Watershed
PDF 1.4 MB
Section 6 - Millers River Watershed
PDF 205 KB
Section 7 - Deerfield RIver Watershed
PDF 842 KB
Section 8 - Westfield River Watershed
PDF 841 KB
Section 9 - Ten Mile River Watershed
PDF 4.1 MB
Section 10 - Summary
PDF 425 KB
Appendix A - Information Request Forms
PDF 110 KB
Appendix B - Site Visit Interviews
PDF 855 KB
Appendix C - Cost Data
PDF 81 KB
Errata
MS Word 241 KB | PDF 232 KB
back to TMDLs index
TMDL Reports by Watershed
NOTE: Due to very large file sizes, download times may significantly increase.
Water, Wastewater & Wetlands: Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
Multi-State
Final Northeast Regional Mercury TMDL - October 2007
The Northeast Regional Mercury TMDL is a Federal Clean Water Act mandated document that identifies pollutant load reductions necessary for regional waterbodies to meet and maintain compliance with state and federal water quality standards and was prepared by the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC) in cooperation with the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The TMDL covers waterbodies that are impaired primarily due to atmospheric deposition of mercury.
Fact Sheet:
Web page
Final TMDL:
MS Word 8 MB | PDF 500 KB
Final Bacteria and Total Phosphorus TMDL Report for the Kickemuit River (Rhode Island-Massachusetts)
Prepared by Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
Report:
RI DEM Web site
back to TMDLs index
Water, Wastewater & Wetlands: Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
Multi-Watershed
Draft Pathogen TMDL Reports for the Blackstone, Concord, Nashua Watersheds
Blackstone report: MS Word 3.8 MB | PDF 531 KB
Concord report (3 parts):
MS Word 296 KB | PDF 250 KB
MS Word 3.1 MB | PDF 2.7 MB
MS Word 141 KB | PDF 80 KB
Nashua report: MS Word 1.6 MB | PDF 583 KB
Draft Pathogen TMDL Reports for the Boston Harbor (Excluding the Neponset River Sub-basin) and North Coastal Watersheds
Boston Harbor report: MS Word 2 MB | PDF 746 KB
N. Coastal report: MS Word 2.2 MB | PDF 571 KB
Draft Pathogen TMDL Reports for the Merrimack, Parker and Ipswich Watersheds
Merrimack report: MS Word 1.5 MB | PDF 362 KB
Parker report: MS Word 1.3 MB | PDF 249 KB
Ipswich report: MS Word 1.33 MB | PDF 286 KB
The following documents apply to the above sets of reports.
Appendix A - Lower Charles River Illicit Detection & Elimination Protocol
MS Word 71 KB | PDF 124 KB
Implementation Guidance Manual for Watershed-Specific Pathogen TMDL Reports
Manual: MS Word 8.6 MB | PDF 1.5 MB
Table 3-1 Management Practice Matrix: MS Excel 37 KB | PDF 15 KB
back to TMDLs index
Water, Wastewater & Wetlands: Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
Blackstone River Watershed
Final TMDLs of Phosphorus for Indian Lake
Report Number MA51073-2002-005, Control Number CN116
PDF 678 KB
Final TMDLs of Phosphorus for Lake Quinsigamond and Flint Pond
Report Number MA51050-2001-006, Control Number CN115
PDF 667 KB
Final TMDLs of Phosphorus for Leesville Pond
Report Number MA51087-2001-011, Control Number CN117
PDF 692 KB
Final TMDL for Northern Blackstone Lakes
Report Number MA51004-2001-3, Control Number CN70.1
PDF 2.2 MB
Final TMDLs of Phosphorus for Salisbury Pond
Report Number MA51142-2001-010, Control Number CN114
PDF 854 KB
back to TMDLs index
Water, Wastewater & Wetlands: Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
Boston Harbor Watershed
Final TMDLs of Bacteria for Neponset River Basin
Report Number MA73-01-2002, Control Number CN 121.0
MS Word 2.6 MB | PDF 1.7 MB
back to TMDLs index
Water, Wastewater & Wetlands: Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
Buzzards Bay Watershed
Final TMDL of Total Phosphorus for White Island Pond
Report Number MA95166-2009-1, Control Number CN 330.2. April 2010.
MS Word 8.9 MB | PDF 2.5 MB
White Island Pond Memorandum of Agreement
Memorandum of Agreement between MassDEP, the Department of Agricultural Resources, the UMass Cranberry Station and the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers' Association for reduction of nutrient discharges into White Island Pond.
MS Word 107 KB | PDF 36 KB
Final Pathogen TMDL for the Buzzards Bay Watershed
Report, Control Number CN 251.1: MS Word 7.6 MB | PDF 2.4 MB
Appendices: MS Word 6.4 MB | PDF 3 MB
back to TMDLs index
Water, Wastewater & Wetlands: Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
Cape Cod Watershed
Final Pathogen TMDL Report for the Cape Cod Watershed
Report: MS Word 1.82 MB | PDF 416 KB
Implementation guide: Web page
Draft Addendum to Final Pathogen TMDL Report, March 2012
Since the Cape Cod Pathogen TMDL was finalized in 2009, the 2004-2008 Cape Cod Surface Water Quality Assessment Report identified an additional 17 pathogen impaired segments, which have been included in the Draft 2012 Integrated List of Waters (see above). These segments will require the development of TMDLs. MassDEP has developed this addendum for inclusion in the Final Pathogen TMDL for the Cape Cod Watershed.
MassDEP will receive public comments on the Draft Addendum until May 25, 2012. Comments, referring to report # CN 252.5, must be received in writing, preferably in electronic format, and be addressed to: MassDEP, Division of Watershed Management, 627 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608, ATTN: Dr. Kimberly Groff (kimberly.groff@state.ma.us).
MS Word 341 KB | PDF 640 KB
Final Nutrient TMDL for Centerville River/East Bay
MS Word 1.8 MB | PDF 412 KB
Final Response to Comments
MS Word 41 KB | PDF 29 KB
Draft Nutrient TMDL for Lewis Bay - August 2010
MS Word 4.4 MB | PDF 1.1 MB
Final Nitrogen TMDL for Little Pond - February 2008
MS Word 1.6 MB | PDF 730 KB
Response to Public Comments
MS Word 62 KB | PDF 41 KB
Final Nitrogen TMDL for Oyster Pond - February 2008
MS Word 1.6 MB | PDF 501 KB
Response to Public Comments
MS Word 62 KB | PDF 41 KB
Final Nitrogen TMDL for Phinneys Harbor - November 2007
Control Number CN 247.0
MS Word 2.3 MB | PDF 630 KB
Response to Public Comments
MS Word 59 KB | PDF 100 KB
Final Nitrogen TMDL for Pleasant Bay System
MS Word 3.6 MB | PDF 1.7 MB
Final Nitrogen TMDL Report for Five Sub-Embayments of Popponesset Bay
Report Number: MA96-TMDL-4; Control Number CN 217.0
MS Word 546 KB | PDF 245 KB
Final Nitrogen TMDL Report for the Quashnet River, Hamblin Pond, Little River, Jehu Pond, and Great River in the Waquoit Bay System
Report Number: MA96-TMDL-5; Control Number CN 218.0
MS Word 1.5 MB | PDF 552 KB
Response to Comments
MS Word 49 KB | PDF 33 KB
Final Bacteria TMDL Report for the Three Bays System - July 2009
Report Number: MA96-TMDL-19; Control Number CN309.0
MS Word 2.2 MB | PDF 1.1 MB
Final Nitrogen TMDL Report for the Three Bays System - September 2007
Report Number 96-TMDL-10, Control Number CN 242.0
MS Word 1.7 MB | PDF 628 KB
Response to Public Comments
MS Word 54 KB | PDF 31 KB
Final Nitrogen TMDL for West Falmouth Harbor - November 2007
Report # 95-TMDL-1, Control #243.0
MS Word 2.4 MB | PDF 497 KB
Response to Public Comments
MS Word 62 KB | PDF 41 KB
Final Nitrogen TMDL Report for Five Chatham Embayments (Stage Harbor, Sulphur Springs, Taylors Pond, Bassing Harbor and Muddy Creek)
Report Number: MA96-TMDL-3; Control Number CN 206.1. December 2008.
MS Word 1.2 MB | PDF 399 KB
Final TMDL Report of Bacteria for Frost Fish Creek, Chatham
Report Number MA96-49-2004-01, Control Number CN 207.0
MS Word 2.2 MB | PDF 827 KB
Final TMDLs of Nitrogen for Great, Green, and Bournes Pond Embayment Systems
MS Word 2.5 MB | PDF 2.5 MB
Response to comments:
MS Word 55 KB | PDF 41 KB
Final TMDL Report of Bacteria for Muddy Creek, Chatham
Report Number MA96-51-2004-01, Control Number CN 208.0
MS Word 1.5 MB | PDF 604 KB
back to TMDLs index
Water, Wastewater & Wetlands: Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
Charles River Watershed
Optimal Stormwater Management Plan Alternatives: A Demonstration Project in Three Upper Charles River Communities
Report of a pilot study in the Upper Charles River Basin to determine the optimal combination of best management practices to meet phosphorus reduction targets specified in the Charles River TMDL.
MS Word 5.1 MB | PDF 3.7 MB
Final TMDL for Nutrients in the Upper/Middle Charles River
Control number CN 272.0
MS Word 2.2 MB | PDF 2.3 MB (includes Appendices)
Appendix A1
MS Word 430 KB | PDF 112 KB
Final Phosphorus TMDL Report for the Lower Charles River Basin
Control number CN 301.0
MS Word 8 MB | PDF 1.8 MB
Final Pathogen TMDL Reports for the Charles River Watershed
MS Word 2.1 MB | PDF 530 KB
Appendix A. Summary of CSO Receiving Water Quality Monitoring 1989-2001
PDF 1.2 MB
Appendix B. Evaluation of Stormwater Management Benefits to the Lower Charles River
PDF 2.3 MB
Additional information:
Pathogen hotspots in the Charles River Watershed
MS Excel 129 KB | PDF 547 KB
Illicit Detection Manual, Implementation Guidance Manual, and Management Practice Matrix
Web page
back to TMDLs index
Water, Wastewater & Wetlands: Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
Chicopee River Watershed
Final TMDLs of Phosphorus for Quaboag and Quacumquasit Ponds
Report Number MA36130-2005-1, Control Number CN216
MS Word 4.2 MB | PDF 2.8 MB
Final TMDLs of Phosphorus for Selected Chicopee Basin Lakes
Report Number MA36025-2002-2, Control Number 118
PDF 2.03 MB
back to TMDLs index
Water, Wastewater & Wetlands: Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
Connecticut River Watershed
Final TMDLs of Phosphorus for Selected Connecticut Basin Lakes
Report Number MA34002-2001-4, Control Number 112
PDF 2 MB
back to TMDLs index
Water, Wastewater & Wetlands: Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
French River Watershed
Final TMDLs of Phosphorus for Selected French Basin Lakes
Report Number MA42003-2002-28, Control Number CN110
PDF 5 MB
back to TMDLs index
Water, Wastewater & Wetlands: Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
Islands Watershed
Draft Edgartown Great Pond System Total Maximum Daily Load for Nitrogen - February 2010
MS Word 4.6 MB | PDF 605 KB
Draft Nitrogen TMDL for Madaket Harbor/Long Pond - August 2011
MS Word 2.7 MB | PDF 934 KB
Draft Pathogen TMDL Report for the Islands Watershed
Report: MS Word 1.38 MB | PDF 281 KB
Implementation guidance: Web page
Final TMDLs of Total Nitrogen for Nantucket Harbor
Report # 97-TMDL-2 Control #249.0
MS Word 911 KB | PDF 399 KB
back to TMDLs index
Water, Wastewater & Wetlands: Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
Millers River Watershed
Final TMDLs of Phosphorus for Selected Millers River Basin Lakes
Report Number MA35005-2002-1CN123.2. Updated January 2010.
PDF 3.27 MB
back to TMDLs index
Water, Wastewater & Wetlands: Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
Narragansett Bay Watershed
Final Pathogen TMDL for the Narragansett/Mt. Hope Bay Watershed
Report Number 61-TMDL-2, CN# 351.0. July 2010.
MS Word 2.5 MB | PDF 1.8 MB
Final Bacteria TMDL for Palmer River Basin
Report Number MA 53 03 2004-2, Control Number: CN 182.0
Report: MS Word 3.7 MB | PDF 1.8 MB
Appendix A - PDF 277 KB | Appendix B - PDF 1.7 MB | Appendix C - PDF 359 KB
back to TMDLs index
Water, Wastewater & Wetlands: Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
Nashua River Watershed
Draft Phosphorus TMDL for the Nashua River
MS Word 11 MB | PDF 3 MB
Final TMDL for Bare Hill Pond
Report Number MA81007-1999-01
PDF 696 KB
back to TMDLs index
Water, Wastewater & Wetlands: Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
Shawsheen River Watershed
Draft Storm Water Pollutant TMDL for Headwaters of the Shawsheen River
Report Number MA83-08-2003-01
PDF 2.35 MB
Final TMDLs of Bacteria for Shawsheen River Basin
Report Number MA83-01-2002-24, Control Number CN 122.0
MS Word 1.03 MB | PDF 518 KB
back to TMDLs index
Water, Wastewater & Wetlands: Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
South Coastal Watershed
Draft Pathogen TMDL for the South Coastal Watershed
South Coastal report: MS Word 1.5 MB | PDF 369 KB
Final TMDLs of Bacteria for Little Harbor, Cohasset
Report Number MA94-20-2002-22, Control Number 120
MS Word 1.6 MB | PDF 974 KB
back to TMDLs index
Water, Wastewater & Wetlands: Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
SuAsCo Watershed
Final Nutrient TMDL Report for the Assabet River
Report Number: MA82B-01-2004-01; Control Number CN 201.0
MS Word 2.66 MB | PDF 2.17 MB
The Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) conducted a planning study to determine the feasibility of sediment and dam removal in the Assabet River for improvement of water quality and restoration of ecological health.
ACOE planning study
ACOE Web site
Final TMDLs of Phosphorus for Lake Boon (Boons Pond)
Report Number MA82011-2001-017, Control Number CN119
MS Word 2.65 MB | PDF 1.4 MB
back to TMDLs index
Water, Wastewater & Wetlands: Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
Taunton Watershed
Final Pathogen TMDL Report for the Taunton Watershed
Report: MS Word 1.33 MB | PDF 1.2 MB
back to TMDLs index