Roadway Runoff Impacts to Trout Stream Studies for MS4 Permit
Faculty Mentor
Professor Dr. George Fu
Location
Russell Union Ballroom
Type of Research
Completed
Session Format
Poster Presentation
College
Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering & Computing
Department
Civil Engineering and Construction
Abstract
This study evaluated roadway runoff impacts on trout stream temperature and dissolved oxygen to support GDOT MS4 Permit compliance with Georgia Rule 391-3-6-.03(6) for trout streams. Using YSI® ProDSS, HOBO® MX801 Dataloggers, and low-cost ESP32-based sensors, the GSU research team collected summer season data over two (2) consecutive years at 2-3 representative GDOT outfalls at each of the three (3) secondary trout streams. Results show that summer rainfall events with precipitation ≥ 0.5 inches produced short-term temperature increases at Sites 1 and 2, with Site 1 (Chattahoochee River) exhibiting brief exceedances above the 2 °F limit for secondary trout waters. Site 2 (Powder Springs Creek) displayed smaller rises that rarely approached the threshold, while Site 3 (Two-Run Creek) showed no measurable temperature increase under any rainfall conditions. DO reductions tracked temperature inversely but remained within regulatory limits after artifact screening. All impacts were event specific and recovered within hours. The project establishes a scalable monitoring framework that can be applicable nationwide and provides site-specific BMP guidance to strengthen GDOT’s MS4 Permit compliance and protect sensitive secondary trout streams.
Program Description
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Start Date
4-23-2026 2:00 PM
End Date
4-23-2026 4:00 PM
Recommended Citation
Badhan, Jobayed Hossain, "Roadway Runoff Impacts to Trout Stream Studies for MS4 Permit" (2026). GS4 Student Scholars Symposium. 184.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2026/2026/184
Roadway Runoff Impacts to Trout Stream Studies for MS4 Permit
Russell Union Ballroom
This study evaluated roadway runoff impacts on trout stream temperature and dissolved oxygen to support GDOT MS4 Permit compliance with Georgia Rule 391-3-6-.03(6) for trout streams. Using YSI® ProDSS, HOBO® MX801 Dataloggers, and low-cost ESP32-based sensors, the GSU research team collected summer season data over two (2) consecutive years at 2-3 representative GDOT outfalls at each of the three (3) secondary trout streams. Results show that summer rainfall events with precipitation ≥ 0.5 inches produced short-term temperature increases at Sites 1 and 2, with Site 1 (Chattahoochee River) exhibiting brief exceedances above the 2 °F limit for secondary trout waters. Site 2 (Powder Springs Creek) displayed smaller rises that rarely approached the threshold, while Site 3 (Two-Run Creek) showed no measurable temperature increase under any rainfall conditions. DO reductions tracked temperature inversely but remained within regulatory limits after artifact screening. All impacts were event specific and recovered within hours. The project establishes a scalable monitoring framework that can be applicable nationwide and provides site-specific BMP guidance to strengthen GDOT’s MS4 Permit compliance and protect sensitive secondary trout streams.
