The evaluation of impacts on surface water quality associated with a fly ash release at TVA's Kingston Fossil Plant (KIF) involved collecting surface water samples from the Emory, Clinch, and Tennessee Rivers. The objective was to assess the migration of ash-related constituents and their potential public health and environmental threats. Sampling was conducted at multiple locations, with TVA analyzing samples for metals and suspended solids. Daily monitoring of dredge plumes was also performed in the Emory River to evaluate the effectiveness of best management practices. During the time-critical removal action, total arsenic in four Emory River samples exceeded the Tennessee Domestic Water Supply Standard (TDWS) and Tennessee Water Quality Criterion (TWQC) of 0.01 mg/L. Dissolved copper exceeded the fish and aquatic life criterion in one sample. Total lead exceeded the TDWS in two samples. Thallium was detected in 64 samples, all exceeding the TWQC. TVA collected over 2,500 surface water samples since the spill. Data from September 2009 to August 2010 showed that arsenic levels exceeded TDWS and TWQC in multiple locations. In the Emory River, four samples exceeded the standard, with the highest concentrations near the spill site. In the Clinch River, no exceedences were found for arsenic, but mercury and thallium exceeded the TWQC. In the Tennessee River, one sample exceeded the standard. The Stilling Pond had 238 exceedences for arsenic, with other metals also exceeding standards. The Swan Pond Embayment showed high levels of arsenic, antimony, lead, and thallium. Dredge plume samples showed multiple exceedences of water quality standards, but data suggested that ash-related constituents settled or diluted quickly. Storm flow comparisons indicated that while arsenic levels did not increase with flow, total suspended solids did, suggesting increased ash flux. Overall, the data indicated that ash-related constituents posed significant risks to water quality, but effective management practices helped mitigate these impacts.The evaluation of impacts on surface water quality associated with a fly ash release at TVA's Kingston Fossil Plant (KIF) involved collecting surface water samples from the Emory, Clinch, and Tennessee Rivers. The objective was to assess the migration of ash-related constituents and their potential public health and environmental threats. Sampling was conducted at multiple locations, with TVA analyzing samples for metals and suspended solids. Daily monitoring of dredge plumes was also performed in the Emory River to evaluate the effectiveness of best management practices. During the time-critical removal action, total arsenic in four Emory River samples exceeded the Tennessee Domestic Water Supply Standard (TDWS) and Tennessee Water Quality Criterion (TWQC) of 0.01 mg/L. Dissolved copper exceeded the fish and aquatic life criterion in one sample. Total lead exceeded the TDWS in two samples. Thallium was detected in 64 samples, all exceeding the TWQC. TVA collected over 2,500 surface water samples since the spill. Data from September 2009 to August 2010 showed that arsenic levels exceeded TDWS and TWQC in multiple locations. In the Emory River, four samples exceeded the standard, with the highest concentrations near the spill site. In the Clinch River, no exceedences were found for arsenic, but mercury and thallium exceeded the TWQC. In the Tennessee River, one sample exceeded the standard. The Stilling Pond had 238 exceedences for arsenic, with other metals also exceeding standards. The Swan Pond Embayment showed high levels of arsenic, antimony, lead, and thallium. Dredge plume samples showed multiple exceedences of water quality standards, but data suggested that ash-related constituents settled or diluted quickly. Storm flow comparisons indicated that while arsenic levels did not increase with flow, total suspended solids did, suggesting increased ash flux. Overall, the data indicated that ash-related constituents posed significant risks to water quality, but effective management practices helped mitigate these impacts.