OUR GEM: Understanding TMDLs and restoring water quality in Idaho

Water quality is essential for the health of Idaho’s communities, ecosystems and economies. Unfortunately, many of the region’s rivers, lakes and streams face water quality issues, often related to pollution from agriculture, urban runoff and legacy mine waste contamination. In Idaho, the Clean Water Act provides a framework for addressing these challenges, and one of the key tools used to restore impaired water bodies is the Total Maximum Daily Load process. This article explores the role of TMDLs in water quality management and how they are applied in Idaho to restore and protect water bodies. 

What Is a TMDL?