BAXTER COUNTY QUARRY Stormwater Outfall, Gassville, Arkansas

BAXTER COUNTY QUARRY is a stormwater outfall located at 347 County Road 630 in Gassville, Arkansas, within Baxter County. The facility is operational and manages stormwater runoff from quarry activities, classified under NAICS codes 212311 and 212312 for stone mining and quarrying. As a stormwater outfall, it plays a role in controlling runoff from industrial sites to prevent flooding and water pollution. The facility operates under the US EPA NPDES MS4 permit framework, which regulates stormwater discharges from municipal separate storm sewer systems. In Arkansas, the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment - Division of Environmental Quality oversees compliance with the Clean Water Act. Stormwater outfalls like this one are typically designed to manage runoff from impervious surfaces and industrial areas, using best management practices such as sedimentation basins or vegetated swales to reduce pollutant loads. The environmental significance of this outfall lies in its location within the Ozark Mountains region, where stormwater runoff can impact local streams and the White River watershed. Proper management of quarry runoff is essential to prevent sedimentation and contamination of nearby water bodies, supporting aquatic habitats and downstream water quality. The facility's compliance with NPDES permits helps mitigate risks to the local ecosystem.

The Baxter County Quarry stormwater outfall is situated in the Ozark Highlands ecoregion, characterized by karst topography and sensitive aquatic ecosystems. Stormwater runoff from quarry operations can carry sediment, heavy metals, and other pollutants into nearby streams that feed the White River. The region's steep slopes and thin soils increase erosion risk, making stormwater management critical for protecting water quality and aquatic life. Regulatory oversight under the Clean Water Act ensures that discharges meet water quality standards to minimize ecological impact.