In 2012, Indiana began protecting Flat Creek, a 54-mile stream affected by pollution. 10 years later, multiple stretches had recovered enough to be removed from the list

Flat Creek, a nearly 54-mile stream in southwest Indiana, had faced years of water quality problems.

Between 2006 and 2012, monitoring by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management found low dissolved oxygen, excessive nutrients, and poor biological communities in several sections. As many as 45 of the creek's 54 stream miles were listed as impaired.