The Overall Health Index is the average of the six category scores: Economy, Ecosystem, Human Health, Infrastructure, Recreation, and Water. Status of indicators within these categories was evaluated by comparing data to scientifically-derived thresholds or goals.
The Clinton River and its watershed are in Moderate Condition
The Clinton River and its watershed were in moderate condition (51%, C). Category scores ranged from poor (Human Health, 39%) to good (Recreation, 64%). The lowest-scoring Water indicators were Nitrogen (25%, D) and Turbidity (35%, D+), indicating that there is nutrient loading in the Clinton watershed. In the Ecosystem category, which received a moderate score (47%), scores ranged from poor (Fish Community, 28%) to very good (Bird Diversity, 93%).
The highest-scoring Human Health indicator was Air Quality (72%, B), while Bacteria received a score of 0% (F). Overall, Human Health was in poor condition (39%, D+). The highest-scoring Infrastructure indicator was Sewer Overflows (98%, A+), while Flooding received a score of 0% (F). Flooding in the Clinton was a serious issue, and all three of the failing indicators are linked to flood events and the impacts of flooding. The Clinton watershed only has one Combined Sewer, which did not have any overflows of untreated raw sewage, leading to a very good Sewer Overflows score. However, it must be noted that sections of the Clinton River suffer from frequent discharges of screened, disinfected stormwater and wastewater as a result of heavy rain events.
In the Recreation category (64%, B-), scores ranged from moderate (Fishing Licenses, 48%) to very good (Beach Access, 95%). The Economy is in moderate condition (51%, C). Economy indicator scores ranged from very poor (Cost of Flooding, 11%) to very good (Household Income, 88%). Local Ownership received a very good score, but Income Equality was low (21%, D-), and Trade and the River Economy were both in moderate condition.