Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) Lakesheds, New Jersey, Edition 20180912 (Envr_mon_TMDL_lakeshed)

The pollutants of concern for these lake TMDLs are phosphorus and fecal coliform. Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for plants and algae, but is considered a pollutant when it stimulates excessive plant and algae growth. Overgrown vegetation and algae blooms in lakes can prevent recreational use for fishing and swimming. In severe cases, plant and algae die-off can deplete oxygen in the lake raising the potential for killing fish in the lake. Potential sources of phosphorus include discharges from sewage treatment plants, combined sewer overflows and stormwater runoff. As stormwater flows over the land, it may pick up phosphorus. Phosphorus contributions to stormwater runoff are calculated based on land uses within the lake's watershed. Nonpoint and stormwater point sources are the primary contributors to fecal coliform loads and can include storm-driven loads transporting fecal coliform form sources such as geese, farms, and domestic pets to the receiving water. Nonpoint sources also include steady-inputs from sources such as failing sewage conveyance systems and failing or inappropriately located septic systems. The TMDLs are derived from waste load allocations from point sources plus load allocations from non-point sources and a margin of safety to account for uncertainty in the model.