These criteria determine whether a waterway is "impaired" according to EPA standards.

The Nanticoke River and Broad Creek are not in good shape in terms of recreational use, as no part of those waterways fully support primary recreational contact. Only about 25 percent of the ponds in the watershed support reacreational use.

The Nanticoke watershed is a little healthier when it comes to supporting aquatic life, with about 35 percent of its rivers and streams having enough dissolved oxygen.

Of the pond acreage on the Nanticoke River, 97 percent supports aquatic life, but only 57 percent of Broad Creek's ponds support it.