Draft 2008 California 303(d)/305(b) Integrated Report

Supporting Information

Regional Board 6 - Lahontan Region

Water Body Name: Cold Creek
Water Body ID: CAR6341003020000207114402
Water Body Type: River & Stream
 
DECISION ID
16194
 
Pollutant: Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Weight of Evidence: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.1 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

One line of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. None of the samples exceeds the California Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL)..

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. None of 126 samples exceeded the MCL and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.1 of the Listing Policy.
4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
RWQCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards are not being exceeded.
 
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation:
 
USEPA Decision:
 
 
Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 16194
 
LOE ID: 26270
 
Pollutant: Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 126
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) sampled nitrite plus nitrate at two stations in the upper Cold Creek watershed above and below a proposed restoration project in 2003, 2004, and 2005. Concentrations in 63 samples from the "above" station ranged from .0.001 to 0.078 mg/L. Concentrations in 63 samples from the "below" station ranged from 0.001 to 0.071 mg/L. The MCL was not exceeded.
Data Reference: 2007. Water quality data for upper Cold Creek in the High Meadows Area of the Lake Tahoe Basin.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: California Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) apply to ambient waters under the Lahontan Basin Plan's "Chemical Constituents" objective. The MCL for nitrite plus nitrate is 10 mg/L.
Objective/Criterion Reference: 2007. Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended).
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Two stations, above and below a proposed restoration project, were sampled.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected at approximately weekly intervals between March and September, with 20-22 samples per station per year. Additional sampling was done in October and November 2005. A few duplicate samples were collected; these are not included in the sample count
Environmental Conditions: Cold Creek is tributary to Trout Creek. Trout Creek joins the Upper Truckee River near Lake Tahoe. In 2003 the LTBMU acquired 1790 acres of private land in the upper Cold Creek watershed, in an area known as "High Meadows." The elevation is about 7800 feet. The creek channel in this area became incised, and the wet meadow dried and was invaded by lodgepole pine, due to the effects of livestock grazing and diversions for pasture irrigation. The LTBMU is planning to restore the stream channel and increase water supply to the meadow in order to restore ecosystem functions.
QAPP Information: The LTBMU uses the quality assurance procedures documented in "Water Quality Monitoring Protocols and Sampling Guidelines, LTIMP (Lake Tahoe Interagency Monitoring Program), September 26, 2002.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
DECISION ID
16195
 
Pollutant: Phosphate
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Weight of Evidence: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.1 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

One line of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. No biological data are available to assess compliance with the water quality objective for biostimulatory substances.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. No biological data are available for assessment of compliance with the objective using Table 3.1 of the Listing Policy.
4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
RWQCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because it cannot be determined if applicable water quality standards are not being exceeded.
 
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation:
 
USEPA Decision:
 
 
Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 16195
 
LOE ID: 26277
 
Pollutant: Phosphate
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 122
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) sampled dssolved phosphate at two stations in the upper Cold Creek watershed above and below a proposed restoration project in 2003, 2004, and 2005. Results were reported as "SRP/PO4" for 2003 and "SRP/DOP" for 2004 and 2005. These acronyms are assumed to refer to Soluble Reactive Phosphorus and dissolved orthophosphate. SRP is generally considered to be equivalent to orthophosphate. Phosphate concentrations in 122 samples collected over three years ranged from 0.003 to 0.013 mg/L at the "above" station and 0.003 to 0.012 mg/L at the "below" station. No biological data are available for assessment of compliance with the objective for biostimulatory substances.

Forty-one additional samples reported as "DP" were collected in 2003 and 2004. Concentrations ranged from 0.012 to 0.023 at the "above" station and 0.012 to 0.027 at the "below" station.
Data Reference: 2007. Water quality data for upper Cold Creek in the High Meadows Area of the Lake Tahoe Basin.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There is no applicable site-specific objective for dissolved phosphate. The Lahontan Basin Plan's narrative objective for biostimulatory substances states: "Waters shall not contain biostimulatory substances in concentrations that promote aquatic growths to the extent that such growths cause nuisance or adversely affect the water for beneficial uses."
Objective/Criterion Reference: 2007. Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended).
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Two stations, above and below a proposed restoration project, were sampled.
Temporal Representation: Dissolved phosphate was reported for samples collected at approximately weekly intervals between March and September in 2003, 2004 and 2005, with 18 to 22 samples per station per year. (Additional sampling was done in October and November 2005.)
Environmental Conditions: Cold Creek is tributary to Trout Creek. Trout Creek joins the Upper Truckee River near Lake Tahoe. In 2003, the LTBMU acquired 1790 acres of private land in the upper Cold Creek watershed, in an area known as "High Meadows." The elevation is about 7800 feet. The creek channel in this area became incised, and the wet meadow dried and was invaded by lodgepole pine, due to the effects of livestock grazing and diversions for pasture irrigation. The LTBMU is planning to restore the stream channel and increase water supply to the meadow in order to restore ecosystem functions.
QAPP Information: The LTBMU uses the quality assurance procedures documented in "Water Quality Monitoring Protocols and Sampling Guidelines, LTIMP (Lake Tahoe Interagency Monitoring Program), September 26, 2002.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
DECISION ID
16196
 
Pollutant: Phosphorus
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Weight of Evidence: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.1 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. None of the annual average datapoints exceeds the water quality objective.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. None of three annual average datapoints exceeded the site-specific water quality objective and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.1 of the Listing Policy.
4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
RWQCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that though this water body is impaired for sediment toxicity, these water body-pollutant combinations should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards for these pollutants are not being exceeded
 
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation:
 
USEPA Decision:
 
 
Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 16196
 
LOE ID: 26276
 
Pollutant: Phosphorus
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 3
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) sampled "Total PO4" at two stations in the upper Cold Creek watershed above and below a proposed restoration project in 2003, 2004, and 2005. Annual average concentrations were 0.026, 0.027, and 0.029 mg/L at the "above" station and 0.031, 0.027, and 0.033 mg/L Expressed "as P" rather than "as PO4" (using a conversion factor of 3.08), the annual averages for the "above" station were 0.008, 0.009, and 0.009 mg/L, and the averages for the "below" station were 0.010, 0.009, and 0.011 mg/L. The objective for "total phosphorus" was not exceeded at either station.
Data Reference: 2007. Water quality data for upper Cold Creek in the High Meadows Area of the Lake Tahoe Basin.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The site-specific water quality objective for total phosphorus in Trout Creek applies upstream to Cold Creek through the tributary rule. The objective (from Lahontan Basin Plan Table 5.1-3) is an annual average of 0.015 mg/L.
Objective/Criterion Reference: 2007. Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended).
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Two stations, above and below a proposed restoration project, were sampled.
Temporal Representation: "Total phosphate" was determined for samples collected at approximately weekly intervals between March and September in 2003, 2004 and 2005, with 20 to 22 samples per station per year. Additional sampling was done in October and November 2005.
Environmental Conditions: Cold Creek is tributary to Trout Creek. Trout Creek joins the Upper Truckee River near Lake Tahoe. In 2003, the LTBMU acquired 1790 acres of private land in the upper Cold Creek watershed, in an area known as "High Meadows." The elevation is about 7800 feet. The creek channel in this area became incised, and the wet meadow dried and was invaded by lodgepole pine, due to the effects of livestock grazing and diversions for pasture irrigation. The LTBMU is planning to restore the stream channel and increase water supply to the meadow in order to restore ecosystem functions.
QAPP Information: The LTBMU uses the quality assurance procedures documented in "Water Quality Monitoring Protocols and Sampling Guidelines, LTIMP (Lake Tahoe Interagency Monitoring Program), September 26, 2002.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
DECISION ID
16197
 
Pollutant: Sediment
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Weight of Evidence: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. None of the samples exceeds the water quality objective.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. None of 130 samples exceeded the water quality objective and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy.
4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
RWQCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards are not being exceeded.
 
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation:
 
USEPA Decision:
 
 
Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 16197
 
LOE ID: 26269
 
Pollutant: Sediment
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 126
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) sampled suspended sediment at two stations in the upper Cold Creek watershed above and below a proposed restoration project in 2003, 2004, and 2005. Suspended sediment concentrations in 63 samples from the "above" station ranged from 1 to 20.6 mg/L. Flow measurements taken concurrently ranged from 1.43 to 28.755 cubic feet per second (cfs). Three duplicate samples were taken at the "above" station. Suspended sediment concentrations in 63 samples from the "below" station ranged from 2.6 to 34.9 mg/L. Two duplicate samples were taken at the "below" station. The corresponding range of flows was 4.389 to 44.54 cfs. The water quality objective was not exceeded.
Data Reference: 2007. Water quality data for upper Cold Creek in the High Meadows Area of the Lake Tahoe Basin.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The water quality objective for suspended sediment in tributaries of Lake Tahoe is a 90th percentile concentration of 60 mg/L.
Objective/Criterion Reference: 2007. Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended).
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Two stations, above and below a proposed restoration project, were sampled.
Temporal Representation: Suspended sediment was sampled at approximately weekly intervals between March and September in 2003, 2004 and 2005, with 21 to 22 samples per station per year. Additional sampling was done in October and November 2005. A few duplicate samples were collected; these are not included in the sample count.
Environmental Conditions: Cold Creek is tributary to Trout Creek. Trout Creek joins the Upper Truckee River near Lake Tahoe. In 2003 the LTBMU acquired 1790 acres of private land in the upper Cold Creek watershed, in an area known as "High Meadows." The elevation is about 7800 feet. The creek channel in this area became incised, and the wet meadow dried and was invaded by lodgepole pine, due to the effects of livestock grazing and diversions for pasture irrigation. The LTBMU is planning to restore the stream channel and increase water supply to the meadow in order to restore ecosystem functions.
QAPP Information: The LTBMU uses the quality assurance procedures documented in "Water Quality Monitoring Protocols and Sampling Guidelines, LTIMP (Lake Tahoe Interagency Monitoring Program), September 26, 2002.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
DECISION ID
16198
 
Pollutant: Specific Conductance
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Weight of Evidence: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. None of the samples exceeds the water quality objective.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. None of 126 samples exceeded the water quality objective and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy.
4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
RWQCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards are not being exceeded.
 
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation:
 
USEPA Decision:
 
 
Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 16198
 
LOE ID: 6564
 
Pollutant: Specific Conductance
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 182
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) sampled two stations above and below a proposed restoration project at approximately weekly intervals between March and September in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. Limited sampling was done in October and November 2005. At the upper station, specific conductance in 90 samples ranged from 5.4 to 26 uS/cm. At the lower station, specific conductance in 92 samples ranged from 3.8 to 60 uS/cm. The MCL was not violated.
Data Reference: 2007. Water quality data for upper Cold Creek in the High Meadows Area of the Lake Tahoe Basin.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: California Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) apply to ambient waters under the Lahontan Basin Plan's "Chemical Constituents" objective. The MCL for specific conductance is 900 microsiemens per centimeter (uS/cm).
Objective/Criterion Reference: 2007. Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended).
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Two stations, above and below a proposed restoration project, were sampled.
Temporal Representation: Specific conductance was measured at approximately weekly intervals between March and September in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. Additonal sampling was done in October and November 2005. A few duplicate samples were collected; they are not included in the totals cited above. .
Environmental Conditions: Cold Creek is tributary to Trout Creek. Trout Creek joins the Upper Truckee River near Lake Tahoe. In 2003 the LTBMU acquired 1790 acres of private land in the upper Cold Creek watershed, in an area known as "High Meadows" .The elevation is about 7800 feet. The creek channel in this area became incised, and the wet meadow dried and was invaded by lodgepole pine, due to the effects of livestock grazing and diversions for pasture irrigation. The LTBMU is planning to restore the stream channel and increase water supply to the meadow in order to restore ecosystem functions.
QAPP Information: The LTBMU uses the quality assurance procedures documented in "Water Quality Monitoring Protocols and Sampling Guidelines, LTIMP (Lake Tahoe Interagency Monitoring Program), September 26, 2002.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
DECISION ID
16199
 
Pollutant: Temperature, water
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Weight of Evidence: The Lahontan Basin Plan's narrative temperature objective is an antidegradation-based objective that requires that there be no change in temperature in waters designated for the Cold Freshwater Habitat (COLD) beneficial use. The objective does not include specific numerical limits for protection of the COLD use. Listing Policy Section 3.10 contains directions for assessment based on trends in water quality. These directions include requirements to establish specific baseline conditions and specify the influence of seasonal and interannual effects.

One line of evidence is available to support this decision. There are not enough temperature samples to establish baseline conditions (including diel, seasonal, annual and interannual variations in temperature) or to detect declining trends in the temperature regime if such trends exist.
 
RWQCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because it cannot be determined if applicable water quality standards are not being exceeded.
 
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation:
 
USEPA Decision:
 
 
Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 16199
 
LOE ID: 6565
 
Pollutant: Temperature, water
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 12
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) sampled temperature at two stations in the upper Cold Creek watershed above and below a proposed restoration project between April and June 2003. Temperatures at the "above" station ranged from 0 to 10 degrees Celsius. Temperatures at the "below" station ranged from 1 to 12 degrees Celsius.
Data Reference: 2007. Water quality data for upper Cold Creek in the High Meadows Area of the Lake Tahoe Basin.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: .The relevant sections of the Lahontan Basin Plan's temperature objective are as follows: "The natural receiving water temperature of all waters shall not be altered unless it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction fo the Regional Board that such an alteration in temperature does not adversely affect the water for beneficial uses.

For waters designated WARM, water temperature shall not be altered by more than five degrees Fahrenheit ... above or below the natural temperature. For waters designated COLD, the temperature shall not be altered."
Objective/Criterion Reference: 2007. Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended).
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Two stations, above and below a proposed restoration project, were sampled.
Temporal Representation: Six temperature measurements were taken at each station between April and June 2003.
Environmental Conditions: Cold Creek is tributary to Trout Creek. Trout Creek joins the Upper Truckee River near Lake Tahoe. In 2003 the LTBMU acquired 1790 acres of private land in the upper Cold Creek watershed, in an area known as "High Meadows." The elevation is about 7800 feet. The creek channel in this area became incised, and the wet meadow dried and was invaded by lodgepole pine, due to the effects of livestock grazing and diversions for pasture irrigation. The LTBMU is planning to restore the stream channel and increase water supply to the meadow in order to restore ecosystem functions.
QAPP Information: The LTBMU uses the quality assurance procedures documented in "Water Quality Monitoring Protocols and Sampling Guidelines, LTIMP (Lake Tahoe Interagency Monitoring Program), September 26, 2002.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
DECISION ID
16452
 
Pollutant: Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN)
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Weight of Evidence: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.1 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. No biological data are available for assessment whether any of the chemical samples exceeds the water quality objective.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. No biological data are available for assessment of compliance with the water quality objective and the data cannot be assessed using Table 3.1 of the Listing Policy.
4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
RWQCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because it cannot be determined if applicable water quality standards are not being exceeded.
 
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation:
 
USEPA Decision:
 
 
Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 16452
 
LOE ID: 26271
 
Pollutant: Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 121
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) sampled total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) at two stations in the upper Cold Creek watershed above and below a proposed restoration project in 2003, 2004, and 2005. TKN concentrations in 61 samples from the "above" station ranged from 0.074 to 0.402 mg/L. Concentrations in 60 samples from the "below" station ranged from 0.087 to 1.007 mg/L. No biological data are available for assessment of compliance with the water quality objective.
Data Reference: 2007. Water quality data for upper Cold Creek in the High Meadows Area of the Lake Tahoe Basin.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: There is no site-specific objective for total Kjeldahl nitrogen. The Lahontan Basin Plan's narrative objective for biostimulatory substances states: "Waters shall not contain biostimulatory substances in concentrations that promote aquatic growths to the extent that such growths cause nuisance or adversely affect the water for beneficial uses."
Objective/Criterion Reference: 2007. Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended).
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Two stations, above and below a proposed restoration project, were sampled.
Temporal Representation: Suspended sediment was sampled at approximately weekly intervals between March and September in 2003, 2004 and 2005, with 20 to 21 samples per station per year. Additional sampling was done in October and November 2005.
Environmental Conditions: Cold Creek is tributary to Trout Creek. Trout Creek joins the Upper Truckee River near Lake Tahoe. In 2003 the LTBMU acquired 1790 acres of private land in the upper Cold Creek watershed, in an area known as "High Meadows." The elevation is about 7800 feet. The creek channel in this area became incised, and the wet meadow dried and was invaded by lodgepole pine, due to the effects of livestock grazing and diversions for pasture irrigation. The LTBMU is planning to restore the stream channel and increase water supply to the meadow in order to restore ecosystem functions.
QAPP Information: The LTBMU uses the quality assurance procedures documented in "Water Quality Monitoring Protocols and Sampling Guidelines, LTIMP (Lake Tahoe Interagency Monitoring Program), September 26, 2002.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
DECISION ID
16454
 
Pollutant: Turbidity
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Weight of Evidence: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. The Lahontan Basin Plan's narrative turbidity objective is antidegradation based and the data are insufficient to establish baseline-trend conditions under the requirements of Listing Policy section 3.10. Eighteen of 181 turbidity measurements at two stations exceed the California Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL). However, if data are aggregated by reach as directed in Policy section 6.1.5.4, the MCL, listing is not required under the binomial model.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. Five of 90 samples from the upstream station exceeded the MCL and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Thirteen of 91 samples from the downstream station exceeded the MCL and thisdoes not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy.
4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
RWQCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards are not being exceeded.
 
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation:
 
USEPA Decision:
 
 
Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 16454
 
LOE ID: 26268
 
Pollutant: Turbidity
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 181
Number of Exceedances: 18
 
Data and Information Type: Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) sampled turbidity at two stations in the upper Cold Creek watershed above and below a proposed restoration project in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. Turbidity levels in 90 samples from the "above" station ranged from 0.070 to 17.7 NTU. Five of these samples exceeded 5 NTU. Turbidity levels in 91 samples from the "below" station ranged from 0.080 to 22.5 NTU. Thirteen of these samples exceeded 5 NTU. Considering the two stations separately, the MCL was not violated at either station. (Listing Policy section 6.1.5.4 directs that data be aggregated by reach.)
Data Reference: 2007. Water quality data for upper Cold Creek in the High Meadows Area of the Lake Tahoe Basin.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: California Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) apply to ambient waters under the Lahontan Basin Plan's "Chemical Constituents" objective. The MCL for turbidity is 5 NTU.
Objective/Criterion Reference: 2007. Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended).
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Two stations, above and below a proposed restoration project, were sampled.
Temporal Representation: Turbidity was measured at approximately weekly intervals between March and September, with 20-26 samples per station per year. A few duplicate samples were collected; these are not included in the sample count.
Environmental Conditions: Cold Creek is tributary to Trout Creek. Trout Creek joins the Upper Truckee River near Lake Tahoe. In 2003 the LTBMU acquired 1790 acres of private land in the upper Cold Creek watershed, in an area known as "High Meadows." The elevation is about 7800 feet. The creek channel in this area became incised, and the wet meadow dried and was invaded by lodgepole pine, due to the effects of livestock grazing and diversions for pasture irrigation. The LTBMU is planning to restore the stream channel and increase water supply to the meadow in order to restore ecosystem functions.
QAPP Information: The LTBMU uses the quality assurance procedures documented in "Water Quality Monitoring Protocols and Sampling Guidelines, LTIMP (Lake Tahoe Interagency Monitoring Program), September 26, 2002.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
LOE ID: 26267
 
Pollutant: Turbidity
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 181
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) sampled turbidity at two stations in the upper Cold Creek watershed above and below a proposed restoration project in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. Turbidity levels in 90 samples from the "above" station ranged from 0.070 to 17.7 NTU. Turbidity levels in 91 samples from the "below" station ranged from 0.080 to 22.5 NTU..
Data Reference: 2007. Water quality data for upper Cold Creek in the High Meadows Area of the Lake Tahoe Basin.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Lahontan Basin Plan's regionwide turbidity objective states: "Waters shall be free of changes in turbidity that cause nuisance or adversely affect the water for beneficial uses. Increases in turbidity shall not exceed natural levels by more than 10 percent."
Objective/Criterion Reference: 2007. Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended).
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Two stations, above and below a proposed restoration project, were sampled.
Temporal Representation: Turbidity was measured at approximately weekly intervals between March and September in each of four year, with 20-26 samples per station per year. Additional samples were collected in October and November 2005. A few duplicate samples were collected; these are not included in the sample count.
Environmental Conditions: Cold Creek is tributary to Trout Creek. Trout Creek joins the Upper Truckee River near Lake Tahoe. In 2003 the LTBMU acquired 1790 acres of private land in the upper Cold Creek watershed, in an area known as "High Meadows" The elevation is about 7800 feet. The creek channel in this area became incised, and the wet meadow dried and was invaded by lodgepole pine, due to the effects of livestock grazing and diversions for pasture irrigation. The LTBMU is planning to restore the stream channel and increase water supply to the meadow in order to restore ecosystem functions.
QAPP Information: The LTBMU uses the quality assurance procedures documented in "Water Quality Monitoring Protocols and Sampling Guidelines, LTIMP (Lake Tahoe Interagency Monitoring Program), September 26, 2002.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
DECISION ID
16453
 
Pollutant: Total Nitrogen as N
Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (being addressed by action other than TMDL)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Sources: Agricultural Water Diversion
Expected Attainment Date: 2028
Date TMDL Approved by USEPA: The affected segment is on formerly private land recently acquired by the U.S. Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU). The LTBMU has funding for and intends to carry out a watershed restoration project to mitigate the impacts of past hydromodification and livestock grazing. Restoration of more natural wet meadow and riparian conditions will increase uptake of nitrogen in the watershed and enable attainment of the water quality objective.
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Weight of Evidence: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.1 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Three annual average datapoints at a station downstream of a proposed watershed restoration site exceed the water quality objective. One annual average datapoint exceeds the objective at an upstream station.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification in favor of placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. One out of three datapoints at an upstream site exceeds the water quality objective and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.1 of the Listing Policy. Three out of three datapoints at a downstream site exceed the objective and this exceeds the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.1 of the Listing Policy.
4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
RWQCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards are exceeded and a pollutant contributes to or causes the problem.
 
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation:
 
USEPA Decision:
 
 
Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 16453
 
LOE ID: 26273
 
Pollutant: Total Nitrogen as N
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 3
Number of Exceedances: 3
 
Data and Information Type: Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) sampled total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) and nitrate plus nitrate at two stations in the upper Cold Creek watershed above and below a proposed restoration project in 2003, 2004, and 2005. Total nitrogen was calculated for sampling dates when both TKN and nitrite plus nitrate data were available. Annual averages for the "above" station were 0.183, 0.182 and 0.207 mg/L. Annual averages for the "below" station were 0.206, 0.249 and 0.287 mg/L. The objective was exceeded at the "below" station in 3 out of 3 years.
Data Reference: 2007. Water quality data for upper Cold Creek in the High Meadows Area of the Lake Tahoe Basin.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The site-specific water quality objective for total nitrogen in Trout Creek applies upstream to Cold Creek through the tributary rule. The objective (from Lahontan Basin Plan Table 5.1-3) is an annual average of 0.19 mg/L.
Objective/Criterion Reference: 2007. Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended).
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Two stations, above and below a proposed restoration project, were sampled.
Temporal Representation: Total Kjeldahl nitrogen and nitrite plus nitrate were sampled at approximately weekly intervals between March and September in 2003, 2004 and 2005, with 20 to 22 samples per station per year. Additional sampling was done in October and November 2005. One duplicate sample was reported for the "below"station in 2005.
Environmental Conditions: Cold Creek is tributary to Trout Creek. Trout Creek joins the Upper Truckee River near Lake Tahoe. In 2003, the LTBMU acquired 1790 acres of private land in the upper Cold Creek watershed, in an area known as "High Meadows." The elevation is about 7800 feet. The creek channel in this area became incised, and the wet meadow dried and was invaded by lodgepole pine, due to the effects of livestock grazing and diversions for pasture irrigation. The LTBMU is planning to restore the stream channel and increase water supply to the meadow in order to restore ecosystem functions.
QAPP Information: The LTBMU uses the quality assurance procedures documented in "Water Quality Monitoring Protocols and Sampling Guidelines, LTIMP (Lake Tahoe Interagency Monitoring Program), September 26, 2002.
QAPP Information Reference(s):