A vital component of the Ohio River Basin Comprehensive Reconnaissance Study process is the identification of problems, needs and opportunities (generically known as “issues”). We have received nearly 140 separate issues to date covering a wide range of water resources concerns and more issues continue to arrive daily. All of the comments received are being incorporated into and being considered in the study process that will culminate with a final report by the end of December 2009. A list of 20 generic issues below (not listed in any priority) illustrate the width and extent of the comments received to date.
- Water quality degradation from runoff by land use conversions & combined sewer overflows
- Water quality affects on threatened & endangered species (esp. mussels) in the Ohio River & tributaries
- Sufficiency of water supplies in view of projected population increases & potential climate changes
- Repair & rehabilitation of aging infrastructure in the basin (dams, levees, floodwalls, locks and dams)
- Needs for additional flood protection at many major cities & smaller communities
- Fiscal sustainability of streamflow gages in the basin critical to flood warning systems & drought monitoring
- Water quality degradation from pharmaceuticals, bacteria, pesticides, nutrient loading & sedimentation
- New commodities & freight prospects for the Ohio River navigation system & its connections to the Gulf Coast ports
- Necessity to upgrade recreation facilities & manage Federal lands for threatened & endangered species
- Assurance that stakeholders input will be incorporated into the Ohio River Basin report.
- Bank erosion on rivers & lakes due to flow regulation at reservoirs & navigation locks & dams
- Lack of basin stormwater management generates flooding conditions downstream & water quality problems
- Effects of sedimentation on aquatic species including game fish & their food sources
- Lack of ecological connectivity between the rivers & floodplains & affects on riparian & aquatic species
- Conflicts between water users i.e. water supply, hydropower, recreation, flood protection, fish and wildlife & navigation.
- Need for updated floodplain mapping in developing communities to better manage floodplain development
- Invasive species affects on indigenous aquatic & terrestrial species in the basin
- Out of basin water transfers for water supply & other uses
- Needs for water treatment/distribution & sewerage collection/treatment infrastructure to address basin health issues
- Regulated flow from reservoirs reduces aquatic species habitat diversity & productivity.
