Is Lake Catoma Polluted?
Yes — Lake Catoma in Cullman County, Alabama is on the EPA's Clean Water Act 303(d) impaired-waters list (2022 assessment cycle). It is cited for Ammonia, Oxygen depletion (low DO). A formal cleanup plan — a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) — has been written. "Impaired" is a legal designation, separate from the lake's EPA condition class water-quality readings: it means at least one designated use (such as swimming, aquatic life, or fish consumption) does not meet state standards for the listed pollutant.
EPA 303(d) Listing
| On 303(d) impaired list | Listed impaired |
| Cleanup plan (TMDL) | Completed |
| Assessment cycle | 2022 |
| EPA IR category | 4A |
| Uses not supported | Aquatic life, Fish consumption, Recreation, Other |
| EPA names this lake in the listing | Yes |
| Location | Cullman County, Alabama |
Pollutants Cited
- Ammonia — listed by EPA as exceeding water-quality standards for at least one designated use.
- Oxygen depletion (low DO) — listed by EPA as exceeding water-quality standards for at least one designated use.
Specific parameters in the EPA record: Ammonia, Total, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD).
What this means for using Lake Catoma
Review the EPA assessment and any state advisories before relying on Lake Catoma for swimming, fishing, or other uses. An impairment listing does not mean the lake is closed — most impaired lakes remain open for boating and swimming. It means a specific pollutant exceeds a standard for a specific use. See the full breakdown on the lake report. The official EPA assessment is available in the ATTAINS waterbody report.
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