Stream Monitoring
Visual Stream Assessments
Every five years, Stormwater Department personnel walk the streams of Kingsport for the entire length that is within the city limits. This is required by TDEC (Tennessee Dept. of Environment and Conservation) as part of the city’s Stormwater Permit. The purpose of the “streamwalk” is to document the locations of human impacts on the streams. The Visual Stream Assessment documents outfalls, pipes, illegal dumping, fish barriers, lack of riparian buffer, erosion, channelization, and construction. Future public education efforts will focus on noted areas of concern.
Local Stream Studies
Every five years, Stormwater Department personnel sample the streams of Kingsport that have high E. coli levels or excess siltation, to gather more data on the health of these streams. This is required by TDEC (Tennessee Dept. of Environment and Conservation) as part of the city’s Stormwater Permit. Siltation affects the ability of aquatic insects and fish to live in the creek, and E. coli affects human health. Water samples are tested for bacteria, and aquatic insect larvae are collected and identified.
