WILLIS SHAW EXPRESS, Elm Springs | United States Stormwater

Overview

WILLIS SHAW EXPRESS is a stormwater outfall in Elm Springs, Arkansas, United States. It operates under the US EPA NPDES MS4 permit framework for stormwater management.

WILLIS SHAW EXPRESS is a stormwater outfall located at 201 North Elm in Elm Springs, Arkansas, within Washington County. As a stormwater outfall, it serves as a discharge point for stormwater runoff in the area, operating under the regulatory framework of the United States Clean Water Act and the EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permits. The facility is classified as operational and is situated in a region that likely experiences seasonal rainfall patterns typical of the Ozarks. Stormwater outfalls like WILLIS SHAW EXPRESS are critical components of urban drainage infrastructure, designed to convey runoff from streets, parking lots, and other impervious surfaces to receiving waters. In Arkansas, stormwater management is regulated under the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment's Division of Environmental Quality, which implements the NPDES MS4 program for both Phase I and Phase II municipalities. The facility's NAICS code 484121 indicates a connection to general freight trucking, suggesting the outfall may serve an industrial or commercial catchment area. The environmental significance of this outfall lies in its potential to affect local water quality in receiving streams. Stormwater runoff can carry pollutants such as sediment, nutrients, heavy metals, and pathogens. Proper management and monitoring of outfalls like WILLIS SHAW EXPRESS are essential to protect aquatic ecosystems and comply with water quality standards. The facility's location in Elm Springs places it within the watershed of the Illinois River, a tributary of the Arkansas River, which is subject to regional water quality initiatives.

Environmental context

The WILLIS SHAW EXPRESS stormwater outfall is located in Elm Springs, Arkansas, within the Illinois River watershed. This region is characterized by karst geology, which can increase the risk of groundwater contamination from surface runoff. The outfall may discharge to a water body that is part of the Illinois River, which has been designated as an impaired waterway due to nutrient pollution from agricultural and urban sources. Stormwater management in this area is critical to reducing sediment and nutrient loads, particularly phosphorus, which contributes to eutrophication in downstream water bodies like the Illinois River and ultimately the Mississippi River.

Frequently asked questions

WILLIS SHAW EXPRESS is a stormwater outfall located at 201 North Elm in Elm Springs, Arkansas, United States, within Washington County.

WILLIS SHAW EXPRESS is a stormwater outfall that discharges stormwater runoff from the surrounding area, likely including industrial or commercial zones, into local receiving waters.

Stormwater outfalls in Arkansas are regulated under the Clean Water Act through the NPDES MS4 permit program, administered by the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment's Division of Environmental Quality.

Common pollutants from stormwater outfalls include sediment, nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), heavy metals, oil and grease, pathogens, and trash, which can degrade water quality.

WILLIS SHAW EXPRESS discharges stormwater into the Illinois River watershed, which is impaired by nutrient pollution. Proper management helps reduce pollutant loads and protect aquatic ecosystems.