Draft California 2018 Integrated Report (303(d) List/305(b) Report)

Supporting Information

Regional Board 6 - Lahontan Region

Water Body Name: Owens River (Upper)
Water Body ID: CAR6032000020020116115737
Water Body Type: River & Stream
 
DECISION ID
69006
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
Pollutant: Habitat alterations
Final Listing Decision: Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2016)
Revision Status Revised
Reason for Delisting: Flaws in original listing
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollution
 
Regional Board Staff Conclusion: Regional Board Conclusion:

This pollutant was considered for removal from the section 303(d) list in a previous assessment cycle.

No new information was reviewed for this current assessment cycle. Therefore, the previous conclusion remains unchanged, and is as follows:

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification in favor of removing this water segment-pollutant combination from the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category. This conclusion is based on staff findings that the original listing basis is faulty due to the fact that the listing was not for a pollutant.
 
Regional Board Staff Decision Recommendation: This region was not assessed this cycle. All decisions have been carried over from the previous cycle and remain the same.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 69006, Habitat alterations
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 2841
 
Pollutant: Habitat alterations
LOE Subgroup: Testimonial Evidence
Matrix: Not Specified
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples:
Number of Exceedances:
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The listing is not for a pollutant, and no pollutants have been identified related to this listing. Regional Board staff is not aware of evidence or data to indicate current water quality standards exceedances or beneficial use impacts related to this listing.
Data Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion:
Objective/Criterion Reference:
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation:
Temporal Representation:
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: QA Info Missing
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
102380
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
Pollutant: Aldrin
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
 
Regional Board Staff Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA 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. 0 of 1 samples exceed 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 CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used does not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. 0 of 1 samples exceeded the objective and this sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 16 samples are needed to determine if a beneficial use is fully supported using table 3.1.
4. Pursuant to SECTION 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Staff Decision 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. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102380, Aldrin
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 99399
 
Pollutant: Aldrin
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Tissue
Matrix: Tissue
Fraction: Fish fillet
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows 0 of the 1 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Aldrin. Data were collected for 1 fish species (1 composite(s) of Rainbow Trout each composed of 5 fish per composite).
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. (Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline: National Academy of Science guidelines (NAS 1972) establish a maximum Aldrin concentration of 100 ug/Kg (wet weight) in tissue samples for protection of aquatic life from bioaccumulation of toxic substances.
Guideline Reference: National Academy of Sciences. Water Quality Criteria 1972. EPA-R3-73-033. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
 
Spatial Representation: Data was collected from 1 station(s) with the station code(s): 603LOW009.
Temporal Representation: Data for this line of evidence were collected between 2011-07-13 and 2011-07-13
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
 
DECISION ID
102381
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
Pollutant: Alkalinity as CaCO3
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
 
Regional Board Staff Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA 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. 0 of 12 samples exceed 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 CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used does not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. 0 of 12 samples exceeded the objective and this sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 26 samples are needed to determine if a beneficial use is fully supported using table 3.2.
4. Pursuant to SECTION 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Staff Decision 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. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102381, Alkalinity as CaCO3
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 98253
 
Pollutant: Alkalinity as CaCO3
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP Perennial Stream Surveys data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Alkalinity as CaCO3.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP Perennial Stream Surveys.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The National Recommended Water Quality Criteria for Alkalinity as CaCO3 for the protection of freshwater aquatic life is not less than 20000 ug/L. (National Recommended Water Quality Criteria 2016)
Objective/Criterion Reference: National Recommended Water Quality Criteria. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Water. Current as of 08/03/2016.
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s) (603PS0132)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-07-17 and 2013-07-17
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102381, Alkalinity as CaCO3
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 97122
 
Pollutant: Alkalinity as CaCO3
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 11
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 11 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Alkalinity as CaCO3.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring (tissue and water).
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The National Recommended Water Quality Criteria for Alkalinity as CaCO3 for the protection of freshwater aquatic life is not less than 20000 ug/L. (National Recommended Water Quality Criteria 2016)
Objective/Criterion Reference: National Recommended Water Quality Criteria. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Water. Current as of 08/03/2016.
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s) (603LOW011)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-05-22 and 2015-12-01
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
 
DECISION ID
102397
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
Pollutant: Ammonia
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
 
Regional Board Staff Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA 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. 0 of 1 samples exceed 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 CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used does not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. 0 of 1 samples exceeded the objective and this sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 16 samples are needed to determine if a beneficial use is fully supported using table 3.1.
4. Pursuant to SECTION 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Staff Decision 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. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102397, Ammonia
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 97631
 
Pollutant: Nitrogen, ammonia (Total Ammonia)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP Perennial Stream Surveys data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Ammonia as N.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP Perennial Stream Surveys.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Total Ammonia criterion continuous concentration (expressed as a 30-day average) to protect aquatic life in freshwater is Temperature and pH dependent, and was calculated according to the formula listed in the Aquatic Life Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Ammonia - Freshwater 2013 document.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Aquatic Life Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Ammonia - Freshwater 2013
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s) (603PS0132)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-07-17 and 2013-07-17
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
 
DECISION ID
103433
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
Pollutant: Benthic Community Effects
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
 
Regional Board Staff Conclusion: Benthic Community Effects are being considered for placement on the CWA section 303(d) List under sections 3.9 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.9, additional lines of evidence (LOEs) associating the Benthic Community Effects decision with a water or sediment concentration of pollutants other than benthic-macroinvertebrate bioassessment or habitat assessment LOEs are necessary to place a water body on the 303(d) List for Benthic Community Effects.

One line of evidence evaluating benthic-macroinvertebrate bioassessment data ais available in the administrative record to assess this indicator. 1 of 1 benthic-macroinvertebrate samples exceed the California Stream Condition Index (CSCI) impairment threshold. A minimum of two benthic-macroinvertebrate samples are needed to fully assess listing status.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing Benthic Community Effects in this waterbody segment on the CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies 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. 1 of 1 benthic-macroinvertebrate bioassessment samples had CSCI scores below 0.79. The available information is insufficient to determine whether the waterbody/pollutant combination should be placed on the 303(d) List of impaired waters at this time. A minimum of two benthic-macroinvertebrate samples are needed to fully assess listing status.
4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Staff Decision 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. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 103433, Benthic Community Effects
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 96333
 
Pollutant: Benthic-Macroinvertebrate Bioassessments
LOE Subgroup: Population/Community Degradation
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The site had a CSCI score of 0.758998269. This score indicates that this site is not supporting aquatic life beneficial uses and that the water quality objective is not met.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP Perennial Stream Surveys.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are lethal to or that produce significant alterations in population or community ecology or receiving water biota. In addition, the health and life history characteristics of aquatic organisms in waters affected by controllable water quality factors shall not differ significantly from those for the same waters in areas unaffected by controllable water quality factors.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline: The California Stream Condition Index (CSCI) is a biological scoring tool that helps aquatic resource managers translate complex data about benthic macroinvertebrates found living in a stream into an overall measure of stream health. The CSCI score is calculated by comparing the expected condition with actual (observed) results (Rhen, A.C. et al., 2015). CSCI scores range from 0 (highly degraded) to greater than 1 (equivalent to reference). CSCI scoring of biological condition are as follows (per the scientific paper supporting the development of the CSCI scoring tool): greater than or equal to 0.92 = likely intact condition, 0.91 to 0.80 = possibly altered condition, 0.79 to 0.63 = likely altered condition, less than or equal to 0.62 = very likely altered condition. Sites with scores below 0.79 are considered to have exceeded the water quality objective for the aquatic life beneficial use.
Guideline Reference: The California Stream Condition Index (CSCI): A New Statewide Biological Scoring Tool for Assessing the Health of Freshwater Streams.
 
Spatial Representation: Samples collected at site 603PS0132
Temporal Representation: Sample collected on 7/17/2013.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: QAPP for SWAMP Perennial Stream Surveys
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
 
DECISION ID
102382
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
Pollutant: Boron
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
 
Regional Board Staff Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA 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. Three of three samples exceed the site specific objective or boron.

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 CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies 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. Three of three samples exceeded the 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.
 
Regional Board Staff Decision 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. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102382, Boron
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 96723
 
Pollutant: Boron
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 3
Number of Exceedances: 3
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Data were collected by Lahontan field staff performing routine monitoring for the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP). Data were collected between May 2013 and December 2015. Concentrations in the raw data ranged from 0.404 to 1.57 mg/L. Three annual averages were computed, all of which exceeded the site specific objective. The annual average computed for 2013 was 0.7663 mg/L, exceeding the objective by 0.0063 mg/L.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring (tissue and water).
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The site specific objective for boron in the Owens River (Upper), as referenced by the Lahontan Basin Plan table 3-17, is an annual average concentration of 0.76 mg/L.

Of note for this waterbody segment is the discrepancy between the compliance point, or point where the site specific objective applies, and the monitoring site where data was collected. Data were collected at Warm Springs Road south of the city of Bishop and some ways south of the compliance point, which is located upstream near Mesa Camp at the beginning of the Owens Valley Gorge. Usually staff would apply the tributary rule when assessing data, applying the next downstream objective to the location of monitoring. However, in this case the next downstream objective is at the outlet of Tinemaha Reservoir, and it is the opinion of staff that the application of this objective would be inappropriate due to the interaction of the reservoir on the water quality parameters of interest. For this reason the upstream objective for this waterbody has been assessed as staff believes this is the most appropriate course of action in this case.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data were collected at one monitoring location, 603LOW011, which is located upstream of Warm Springs Road bridge to the south of the city of Bishop.
Temporal Representation: Data were collected in a predominantly quarterly fashion between May 2013 and December 2015.
Environmental Conditions: The Owens River (Upper) is the major river draining the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, flowing from the northern portion of the Long Valley Caldera, through the volcanic table lands and the Owens Valley past the southern tip of the Sierra. The river has a long history of hydromodification and water exports to the city of Los Angeles have occurred since the early 1900's. This portion of the river extends from Lake Crowley in the north to Tinemaha Reservoir in the south, draining the volcanic table lands in it's northern portions and lands used extensively as pastureland in its lower portion.
QAPP Information: Data were collected in accordance with the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
 
DECISION ID
102383
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
Pollutant: Chlordane
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
 
Regional Board Staff Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA 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.

Two lines of evidence, one which assesses the available data for the COLD beneficial use and one which assesses the available data for the COMM beneficial use are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. 0 of 1 samples in either assessment exceed 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 CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used does not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. 0 of 1 samples in either the COLD or COMM beneficial use assessment exceeded the objective and this sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 16 samples per beneficial use assessed are needed to determine if a beneficial use is fully supported using table 3.1.
4. Pursuant to SECTION 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Staff Decision 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. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102383, Chlordane
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 99540
 
Pollutant: Chlordane
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Tissue
Matrix: Tissue
Fraction: Fish fillet
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows 0 of the 1 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Total Chlordanes. Data were collected for 1 fish species (1 composite(s) of Rainbow Trout each composed of 5 fish per composite).
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. (Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline: National Academy of Science guidelines (NAS 1972) establish a maximum total Chlordane concentration of 100 ug/Kg (wet weight) in tissue samples for protection of aquatic life from bioaccumulation of toxic substances.
Guideline Reference: National Academy of Sciences. Water Quality Criteria 1972. EPA-R3-73-033. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
 
Spatial Representation: Data was collected from 1 station(s) with the station code(s): 603LOW009.
Temporal Representation: Data for this line of evidence were collected between 2011-07-13 and 2011-07-13
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102383, Chlordane
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 99541
 
Pollutant: Chlordane
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Tissue
Matrix: Tissue
Fraction: Fish fillet
 
Beneficial Use: Commercial or recreational collection of fish, shellfish, or organisms
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows 0 of the 1 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Total Chlordanes. Data were collected for 1 fish species (1 composite(s) of Rainbow Trout each composed of 5 fish per composite).
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. (Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline: The modified OEHHA Fish Contaminant Goal for total chlordane in fish tissue is 3.9 ppb. This screening level assumes an average body weight of 70 kg and a consumption rate of 32 g/day for a 30 year exposure over a 70-year lifetime. This constituent is a carcinogen therefore the risk level is set to one in a million. A cooking reduction factor of 1 is applied for skin-off fillets. (Klasing, S., and R. Brodberg, 2008)
Guideline Reference: Development of Fish Contaminant Goals and Advisory Tissue Levels for Common Contaminants in California Sport Fish: Chlordane, DDTs, Dieldrin, Methylmercury, PCBs, Selenium, and Toxaphene
 
Spatial Representation: Data was collected from 1 station(s) with the station code(s): 603LOW009.
Temporal Representation: Data for this line of evidence were collected between 2011-07-13 and 2011-07-13
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
 
DECISION ID
102384
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
Pollutant: Chloride
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
 
Regional Board Staff Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA 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.

Three lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. 4 of 5 samples exceed 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 CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used does not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. 4 of 5 samples exceeded the objective and this sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 26 samples are needed to determine if a beneficial use is fully supported using table 3.2.
4. Pursuant to SECTION 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Staff Decision 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. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102384, Chloride
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 96736
 
Pollutant: Chloride
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Data were collected by field staff from the Dept. Fish and Game Aquatic Bioassessment Lab. Data were collected on one day in September 2014. The concentration was reported as 26.9 mg/L which exceeds the site specific objective. The computed annual average is based on only one sample.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for DFW Aquatic Bioassessment Laboratory Monitoring.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The site specific objective for chloride in the Owens River (Upper), as referenced by the Lahontan Basin Plan table 3-17, is an annual average concentration of 20.0 mg/L.

Of note for this waterbody segment is the discrepancy between the compliance point, or point where the site specific objective applies, and the monitoring site where data was collected. Data were collected in the Owens River Gorge to the north of the city of Bishop and some ways south of the compliance point, which is located upstream near Mesa Camp at the beginning of the Owens Valley Gorge. Usually staff would apply the tributary rule when assessing data, applying the next downstream objective to the location of monitoring. However, in this case the next downstream objective is at the outlet of Tinemaha Reservoir, and it is the opinion of staff that the application of this objective would be inappropriate due to the interaction of the reservoir on the water quality parameters of interest. For this reason the upstream objective for this waterbody has been assessed as staff believes this is the most appropriate course of action in this case.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data were collected at one monitoring location, 603CR1048, which is located to the south of the Happy Boulders in the Owens River Gorge a few miles north of the city of Bishop.
Temporal Representation: Data were collected on one day in September 2014.
Environmental Conditions: The Owens River (Upper) is the major river draining the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, flowing from the northern portion of the Long Valley Caldera, through the volcanic table lands and the Owens Valley past the southern tip of the Sierra. The river has a long history of hydromodification and water exports to the city of Los Angeles have occurred since the early 1900's. This portion of the river extends from Lake Crowley in the north to Tinemaha Reservoir in the south, draining the volcanic table lands in it's northern portions and lands used extensively as pastureland in its lower portion.
QAPP Information: Data were collected in accordance with the DFG ABL/SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102384, Chloride
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 96730
 
Pollutant: Chloride
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Data were collected by Lahontan field staff for the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP) Perennial Stream Surveys. Data were collected on one day in July 2013. The concentrations was reported as 24.6 mg/L which exceeds the site specific objective. The computed annual average is based on only one sample.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP Perennial Stream Surveys.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The site specific objective for chloride in the Owens River (Upper), as referenced by the Lahontan Basin Plan table 3-17, is an annual average concentration of 20 mg/L.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data were collected at one monitoring location, 603PS0132, which is located just downstream of Mesa Camp.
Temporal Representation: Data were collected on one day in July 2013.
Environmental Conditions: The Owens River (Upper) is the major river draining the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, flowing from the northern portion of the Long Valley Caldera, through the volcanic table lands and the Owens Valley past the southern tip of the Sierra. The river has a long history of hydromodification and water exports to the city of Los Angeles have occurred since the early 1900's. This portion of the river extends from Lake Crowley in the north to Tinemaha Reservoir in the south, draining the volcanic table lands in it's northern portions and lands used extensively as pastureland in its lower portion.
QAPP Information: Data were collected in accordance with the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102384, Chloride
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 96724
 
Pollutant: Chloride
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 3
Number of Exceedances: 2
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Data were collected by Lahontan field staff performing routine monitoring for the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP). Data were collected between May 2013 and December 2015. Concentrations in the raw data ranged from 14.0 to 30.2 mg/L. Three annual averages were computed, two of which exceeded the site specific objective in 2013 and 2014. The annual average computed for 2013 was 20.4 mg/L, exceeding the objective by 0.4 mg/L.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring (tissue and water).
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The site specific objective for chloride in the Owens River (Upper), as referenced by the Lahontan Basin Plan table 3-17, is an annual average concentration of 20 mg/L.

Of note for this waterbody segment is the discrepancy between the compliance point, or point where the site specific objective applies, and the monitoring site where data was collected. Data were collected at Warm Springs Road south of the city of Bishop and some ways south of the compliance point, which is located upstream near Mesa Camp at the beginning of the Owens Valley Gorge. Usually staff would apply the tributary rule when assessing data, applying the next downstream objective to the location of monitoring. However, in this case the next downstream objective is at the outlet of Tinemaha Reservoir, and it is the opinion of staff that the application of this objective would be inappropriate due to the interaction of the reservoir on the water quality parameters of interest. For this reason the upstream objective for this waterbody has been assessed as staff believes this is the most appropriate course of action in this case.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data were collected at one monitoring location, 603LOW011, which is located upstream of Warm Springs Road bridge to the south of the city of Bishop.
Temporal Representation: Data were collected in a predominantly quarterly fashion between May 2013 and December 2015.
Environmental Conditions: The Owens River (Upper) is the major river draining the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, flowing from the northern portion of the Long Valley Caldera, through the volcanic table lands and the Owens Valley past the southern tip of the Sierra. The river has a long history of hydromodification and water exports to the city of Los Angeles have occurred since the early 1900's. This portion of the river extends from Lake Crowley in the north to Tinemaha Reservoir in the south, draining the volcanic table lands in it's northern portions and lands used extensively as pastureland in its lower portion.
QAPP Information: Data were collected in accordance with the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
 
DECISION ID
102404
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
Pollutant: DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane)
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
 
Regional Board Staff Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA 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.

Two lines of evidence, one which assesses fish tissue data for the COLD beneficial use and one which assesses fish tissue data for the COMM beneficial use, are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. 0 of 1 samples in each beneficial use assessment exceed the applicable 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 CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used does not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. 0 of 1 fish tissue samples evaluated for each beneficial use assessment exceeded the applicable guideline and these sample sizes are insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 16 samples per beneficial use assessment are needed to determine if a beneficial use is fully supported using table 3.1.
4. Pursuant to SECTION 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Staff Decision 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. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102404, DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane)
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 99271
 
Pollutant: Total DDT (sum of 4,4'- and 2,4'- isomers of DDT, DDE, and DDD)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Tissue
Matrix: Tissue
Fraction: Fish fillet
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows 0 of the 1 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Total DDT (sum of 4,4'- and 2,4'- isomers of DDT, DDE, and DDD). Data were collected for 1 fish species (1 composite(s) of Rainbow Trout each composed of 5 fish per composite).
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. (Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline: National Academy of Science guidelines (NAS 1972) establish a maximum total DDT concentration of 1000 ug/Kg (wet weight) in tissue samples for protection of aquatic life from bioaccumulation of toxic substances.
Guideline Reference: National Academy of Sciences. Water Quality Criteria 1972. EPA-R3-73-033. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
 
Spatial Representation: Data was collected from 1 station(s) with the station code(s): 603LOW009.
Temporal Representation: Data for this line of evidence were collected between 2011-07-13 and 2011-07-13
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102404, DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane)
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 99576
 
Pollutant: Total DDT (sum of 4,4'- and 2,4'- isomers of DDT, DDE, and DDD)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Tissue
Matrix: Tissue
Fraction: Fish fillet
 
Beneficial Use: Commercial or recreational collection of fish, shellfish, or organisms
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows 0 of the 1 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Total DDT (sum of 4,4'- and 2,4'- isomers of DDT, DDE, and DDD). Data were collected for 1 fish species (1 composite(s) of Rainbow Trout each composed of 5 fish per composite).
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. (Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline: The modified OEHHA Fish Contaminant Goal for total DDT in fish tissue is 15 ppb. This screening level assumes an average body weight of 70 kg and a consumption rate of 32 g/day for a 30 year exposure over a 70-year lifetime. This constituent is a carcinogen therefore the risk level is set to one in a million. A cooking reduction factor of 1 is applied for skin-off fillets. (Klasing, S., and R. Brodberg, 2008)
Guideline Reference: Development of Fish Contaminant Goals and Advisory Tissue Levels for Common Contaminants in California Sport Fish: Chlordane, DDTs, Dieldrin, Methylmercury, PCBs, Selenium, and Toxaphene
 
Spatial Representation: Data was collected from 1 station(s) with the station code(s): 603LOW009.
Temporal Representation: Data for this line of evidence were collected between 2011-07-13 and 2011-07-13
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
 
DECISION ID
102385
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
Pollutant: Dieldrin
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
 
Regional Board Staff Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA 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.

Two lines of evidence, one which assess the available data for the COLD beneficial use and one which assesses the available data for the COMM beneficial use are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Data assessed for the COMM beneficial use did not meet the quantitation standards required for this assessment and the computed sample size is zero. 0 of 1 samples exceed 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 CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used does not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. 0 of 1 samples exceeded the objective and this sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 16 samples are needed to determine if a beneficial use is fully supported using table 3.1.
4. Pursuant to SECTION 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Staff Decision 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. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102385, Dieldrin
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 99261
 
Pollutant: Dieldrin
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Tissue
Matrix: Tissue
Fraction: Fish fillet
 
Beneficial Use: Commercial or recreational collection of fish, shellfish, or organisms
 
Number of Samples: 0
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Waterboard staff assessed SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: Zero of Zero samples exceeded the water quality standard for Dieldrin. Although data was collected for 1 fish species (1 composite(s) of Rainbow Trout each composed of 5 fish per composite), all 1 sample(s) had to be thrown out due to quantitation issues.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. (Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline: The modified OEHHA Fish Contaminant Goal for dieldrin in fish tissue is 0.32 ppb. This screening level assumes an average body weight of 70 kg and a consumption rate of 32 g/day for a 30 year exposure over a 70-year lifetime. This constituent is a carcinogen therefore the risk level is set to one in a million. A cooking reduction factor of 1 is applied for skin-off fillets. (Klasing, S., and R. Brodberg, 2008)
Guideline Reference: Development of Fish Contaminant Goals and Advisory Tissue Levels for Common Contaminants in California Sport Fish: Chlordane, DDTs, Dieldrin, Methylmercury, PCBs, Selenium, and Toxaphene
 
Spatial Representation: Data was collected from 1 station(s) with the station code(s): 603LOW009.
Temporal Representation: Data for this line of evidence were collected between 2011-07-13 and 2011-07-13
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102385, Dieldrin
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 99514
 
Pollutant: Dieldrin
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Tissue
Matrix: Tissue
Fraction: Fish fillet
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows 0 of the 1 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Dieldrin. Data were collected for 1 fish species (1 composite(s) of Rainbow Trout each composed of 5 fish per composite).
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. (Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline: National Academy of Science guidelines (NAS 1972) establish a maximum Dieldrin concentration of 100 ug/Kg (wet weight) in tissue samples for protection of aquatic life from bioaccumulation of toxic substances.
Guideline Reference: National Academy of Sciences. Water Quality Criteria 1972. EPA-R3-73-033. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
 
Spatial Representation: Data was collected from 1 station(s) with the station code(s): 603LOW009.
Temporal Representation: Data for this line of evidence were collected between 2011-07-13 and 2011-07-13
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
 
DECISION ID
102386
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
Pollutant: Endosulfan
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
 
Regional Board Staff Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA 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.

Two lines of evidence, one which assesses the available data for the COLD beneficial use and one which assesses the available data for the COMM beneficial use are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. 0 of 1 samples in either assessment exceed 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 CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used does not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. 0 of 1 samples in either assessment exceeded the objective and this sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 16 samples per beneficial use assessed are needed to determine if a beneficial use is fully supported using table 3.1.
4. Pursuant to SECTION 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Staff Decision 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. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102386, Endosulfan
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 99170
 
Pollutant: Endosulfan
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Tissue
Matrix: Tissue
Fraction: Fish fillet
 
Beneficial Use: Commercial or recreational collection of fish, shellfish, or organisms
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows 0 of the 1 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Endosulfan. Data were collected for 1 fish species (1 composite(s) of Rainbow Trout each composed of 5 fish per composite).
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. (Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline: The modified OEHHA Fish Contaminant Goal for endosulfan (l and ll) in fish tissue is 13,000 ppb. This screening level assumes an average body weight of 70 kg and a consumption rate of 32 g/day. A cooking reduction factor of 1 is applied for skin-off fillets. (Klasing, S., and R. Brodberg, 2008; USEPA, 2000)
Guideline Reference: Development of Fish Contaminant Goals and Advisory Tissue Levels for Common Contaminants in California Sport Fish: Chlordane, DDTs, Dieldrin, Methylmercury, PCBs, Selenium, and Toxaphene
  Guidance for Assessing Chemical Contaminant Data for Use In Fish Advisories Volume 1: Fish Sampling and Analysis
 
Spatial Representation: Data was collected from 1 station(s) with the station code(s): 603LOW009.
Temporal Representation: Data for this line of evidence were collected between 2011-07-13 and 2011-07-13
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102386, Endosulfan
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 99168
 
Pollutant: Endosulfan
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Tissue
Matrix: Tissue
Fraction: Fish fillet
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows 0 of the 1 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Endosulfan. Data were collected for 1 fish species (1 composite(s) of Rainbow Trout each composed of 5 fish per composite).
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. (Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline: National Academy of Science guidelines (NAS 1972) establish a maximum Endosulfan, Total concentration of 100 ug/Kg (wet weight) in tissue samples for protection of aquatic life from bioaccumulation of toxic substances.
Guideline Reference: National Academy of Sciences. Water Quality Criteria 1972. EPA-R3-73-033. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
 
Spatial Representation: Data was collected from 1 station(s) with the station code(s): 603LOW009.
Temporal Representation: Data for this line of evidence were collected between 2011-07-13 and 2011-07-13
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
 
DECISION ID
102387
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
Pollutant: Endrin
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
 
Regional Board Staff Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA 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.

Two lines of evidence, one which assesses the available data for the COMM beneficial use and one which assesses the available data for the COLD beneficial use are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. 0 of 1 samples in either assessment exceed 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 CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used does not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. 0 of 1 samples in either beneficial use assessment exceeded the objective and this sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 16 samples per beneficial use assessed are needed to determine if a beneficial use is fully supported using table 3.1.
4. Pursuant to SECTION 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Staff Decision 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. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102387, Endrin
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 99616
 
Pollutant: Endrin
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Tissue
Matrix: Tissue
Fraction: Fish fillet
 
Beneficial Use: Commercial or recreational collection of fish, shellfish, or organisms
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows 0 of the 1 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Endrin. Data were collected for 1 fish species (1 composite(s) of Rainbow Trout each composed of 5 fish per composite).
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. (Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline: The modified OEHHA Fish Contaminant Goal for endrin in fish tissue is 660 ppb. This screening level assumes an average body weight of 70 kg and a consumption rate of 32 g/day. A cooking reduction factor of 1 is applied for skin-off fillets. (Klasing, S., and R. Brodberg, 2008; USEPA, 2000)
Guideline Reference: Development of Fish Contaminant Goals and Advisory Tissue Levels for Common Contaminants in California Sport Fish: Chlordane, DDTs, Dieldrin, Methylmercury, PCBs, Selenium, and Toxaphene
  Guidance for Assessing Chemical Contaminant Data for Use In Fish Advisories Volume 1: Fish Sampling and Analysis
 
Spatial Representation: Data was collected from 1 station(s) with the station code(s): 603LOW009.
Temporal Representation: Data for this line of evidence were collected between 2011-07-13 and 2011-07-13
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102387, Endrin
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 99615
 
Pollutant: Endrin
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Tissue
Matrix: Tissue
Fraction: Fish fillet
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows 0 of the 1 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Endrin. Data were collected for 1 fish species (1 composite(s) of Rainbow Trout each composed of 5 fish per composite).
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. (Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline: National Academy of Science guidelines (NAS 1972) establish a maximum Endrin concentration of 100 ug/Kg (wet weight) in tissue samples for protection of aquatic life from bioaccumulation of toxic substances.
Guideline Reference: National Academy of Sciences. Water Quality Criteria 1972. EPA-R3-73-033. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
 
Spatial Representation: Data was collected from 1 station(s) with the station code(s): 603LOW009.
Temporal Representation: Data for this line of evidence were collected between 2011-07-13 and 2011-07-13
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
 
DECISION ID
102390
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
Pollutant: Fluoride
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
 
Regional Board Staff Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA 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. 3 of 3 samples exceed 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 CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used does not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. 3 of 3 samples exceeded the objective and this sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 26 samples are needed to determine if a beneficial use is fully supported using table 3.2.
4. Pursuant to SECTION 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Staff Decision 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. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102390, Fluoride
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 96727
 
Pollutant: Fluoride
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 3
Number of Exceedances: 3
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Data were collected by Lahontan field staff performing routine monitoring for the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP). Data were collected between May 2013 and December 2015. Concentrations in the raw data ranged from 0.734 to 1.15 mg/L. Three annual averages were computed, all of which exceeded the site specific objective.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring (tissue and water).
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The site specific objective for fluoride in the Owens River (Upper), as referenced by the Lahontan Basin Plan table 3-17, is an annual average concentration of 0.73 mg/L.

Of note for this waterbody segment is the discrepancy between the compliance point, or point where the site specific objective applies, and the monitoring site where data was collected. Data were collected at Warm Springs Road south of the city of Bishop and some ways south of the compliance point, which is located upstream near Mesa Camp at the beginning of the Owens Valley Gorge. Usually staff would apply the tributary rule when assessing data, applying the next downstream objective to the location of monitoring. However, in this case the next downstream objective is at the outlet of Tinemaha Reservoir, and it is the opinion of staff that the application of this objective would be inappropriate due to the interaction of the reservoir on the water quality parameters of interest. For this reason the upstream objective for this waterbody has been assessed as staff believes this is the most appropriate course of action in this case.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data were collected at one monitoring location, 603LOW011, which is located upstream of Warm Springs Road bridge to the south of the city of Bishop.
Temporal Representation: Data were collected in a predominantly quarterly fashion between May 2013 and December 2015.
Environmental Conditions: The Owens River (Upper) is the major river draining the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, flowing from the northern portion of the Long Valley Caldera, through the volcanic table lands and the Owens Valley past the southern tip of the Sierra. The river has a long history of hydromodification and water exports to the city of Los Angeles have occurred since the early 1900's. This portion of the river extends from Lake Crowley in the north to Tinemaha Reservoir in the south, draining the volcanic table lands in it's northern portions and lands used extensively as pastureland in its lower portion.
QAPP Information: Data were collected in accordance with the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
 
DECISION ID
102389
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
Pollutant: Heptachlor
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
 
Regional Board Staff Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA 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. 0 of 1 samples exceed 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 CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used does not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. 0 of 1 samples exceeded the objective and this sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 16 samples are needed to determine if a beneficial use is fully supported using table 3.1.
4. Pursuant to SECTION 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Staff Decision 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. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102389, Heptachlor
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 99208
 
Pollutant: Heptachlor
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Tissue
Matrix: Tissue
Fraction: Fish fillet
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows 0 of the 1 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Heptachlor. Data were collected for 1 fish species (1 composite(s) of Rainbow Trout each composed of 5 fish per composite).
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. (Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline: National Academy of Science guidelines (NAS 1972) establish a maximum Heptachlor concentration of 100 ug/Kg (wet weight) in tissue samples for protection of aquatic life from bioaccumulation of toxic substances.
Guideline Reference: National Academy of Sciences. Water Quality Criteria 1972. EPA-R3-73-033. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
 
Spatial Representation: Data was collected from 1 station(s) with the station code(s): 603LOW009.
Temporal Representation: Data for this line of evidence were collected between 2011-07-13 and 2011-07-13
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
 
DECISION ID
102391
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
Pollutant: Heptachlor epoxide
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
 
Regional Board Staff Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA 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.

Two lines of evidence, one which assesses the available data for the COLD beneficial use and one which assesses the available data for the COMM beneficial use are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. 0 of 1 samples for the COLD beneficial use assessment exceed the water quality objective; due to issues with sample quantitation a sample size of zero was computed for the COMM beneficial use assessment.

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 CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used does not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. 0 of 1 samples for the COLD beneficial use assessment exceeded the objective and this sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 16 samples are needed to determine if a beneficial use is fully supported using table 3.1.
4. Pursuant to SECTION 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Staff Decision 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. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102391, Heptachlor epoxide
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 99416
 
Pollutant: Heptachlor epoxide
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Tissue
Matrix: Tissue
Fraction: Fish fillet
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows 0 of the 1 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Heptachlor Epoxide. Data were collected for 1 fish species (1 composite(s) of Rainbow Trout each composed of 5 fish per composite).
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. (Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline: National Academy of Science guidelines (NAS 1972) establish a maximum Heptachlor Epoxide concentration of 100 ug/Kg (wet weight) in tissue samples for protection of aquatic life from bioaccumulation of toxic substances.
Guideline Reference: National Academy of Sciences. Water Quality Criteria 1972. EPA-R3-73-033. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
 
Spatial Representation: Data was collected from 1 station(s) with the station code(s): 603LOW009.
Temporal Representation: Data for this line of evidence were collected between 2011-07-13 and 2011-07-13
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102391, Heptachlor epoxide
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 99414
 
Pollutant: Heptachlor epoxide
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Tissue
Matrix: Tissue
Fraction: Fish fillet
 
Beneficial Use: Commercial or recreational collection of fish, shellfish, or organisms
 
Number of Samples: 0
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Waterboard staff assessed SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: Zero of Zero samples exceeded the water quality standard for Heptachlor Epoxide. Although data was collected for 1 fish species (1 composite(s) of Rainbow Trout each composed of 5 fish per composite), all 1 sample(s) had to be thrown out due to quantitation issues.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. (Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline: The modified OEHHA Fish Contaminant Goal for heptachlor epoxide in fish tissue is 0.93 ppb. This screening level assumes an average body weight of 70 kg and a consumption rate of 32 g/day for a 30 year exposure over a 70-year lifetime. This constituent is a carcinogen therefore the risk level is set to one in a million. A cooking reduction factor of 1 is applied for skin-off fillets. (Klasing, S., and R. Brodberg, 2008; OEHHA, 1999)
Guideline Reference: Development of Fish Contaminant Goals and Advisory Tissue Levels for Common Contaminants in California Sport Fish: Chlordane, DDTs, Dieldrin, Methylmercury, PCBs, Selenium, and Toxaphene
  Public Health Goal for Heptachlor and Heptachlor Epoxide in Drinking Water
 
Spatial Representation: Data was collected from 1 station(s) with the station code(s): 603LOW009.
Temporal Representation: Data for this line of evidence were collected between 2011-07-13 and 2011-07-13
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
 
DECISION ID
102392
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
Pollutant: Hexachlorobenzene/ HCB
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
 
Regional Board Staff Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA 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 written to assess the COMM beneficial use is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. 0 of 1 samples exceed 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 CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used does not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. 0 of 1 samples exceeded the objective and this sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 16 samples are needed to determine if a beneficial use is fully supported using table 3.1.
4. Pursuant to SECTION 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Staff Decision 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. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102392, Hexachlorobenzene/ HCB
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 99442
 
Pollutant: Hexachlorobenzene/ HCB
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Tissue
Matrix: Tissue
Fraction: Fish fillet
 
Beneficial Use: Commercial or recreational collection of fish, shellfish, or organisms
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows 0 of the 1 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Hexachlorobenzene. Data were collected for 1 fish species (1 composite(s) of Rainbow Trout each composed of 5 fish per composite).
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. (Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline: The modified OEHHA Fish Contaminant Goal for hexachlorobenzene in fish tissue is 2.8 ppb. This screening level assumes an average body weight of 70 kg and a consumption rate of 32 g/day for a 30 year exposure over a 70-year lifetime. This constituent is a carcinogen therefore the risk level is set to one in a million. A cooking reduction factor of 1 is applied for skin-off fillets. (Klasing, S., and R. Brodberg, 2008; OEHHA, 2005)
Guideline Reference: Development of Fish Contaminant Goals and Advisory Tissue Levels for Common Contaminants in California Sport Fish: Chlordane, DDTs, Dieldrin, Methylmercury, PCBs, Selenium, and Toxaphene
  Air Toxics Hotspots Program Risk Assessment Guidelines. Part ll Technical Support Document for Describing Available Cancer Potency Values.
 
Spatial Representation: Data was collected from 1 station(s) with the station code(s): 603LOW009.
Temporal Representation: Data for this line of evidence were collected between 2011-07-13 and 2011-07-13
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
 
DECISION ID
102393
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
Pollutant: Lindane/gamma Hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCH)
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
 
Regional Board Staff Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA 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.

Two lines of evidence, one which assesses the available data for the COLD beneficial use and one which assesses the available data for the COMM beneficial use are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. 0 of 1 samples in either assessment exceed 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 CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used does not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. 0 of 1 samples in either assessment exceeded the objective and this sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 16 samples are needed to determine if a beneficial use is fully supported using table 3.1.
4. Pursuant to SECTION 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Staff Decision 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. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102393, Lindane/gamma Hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCH)
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 99453
 
Pollutant: Lindane/gamma Hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCH)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Tissue
Matrix: Tissue
Fraction: Fish fillet
 
Beneficial Use: Commercial or recreational collection of fish, shellfish, or organisms
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows 0 of the 1 samples exceeded the water quality standard for HCH, gamma-. Data were collected for 1 fish species (1 composite(s) of Rainbow Trout each composed of 5 fish per composite).
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. (Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline: The modified OEHHA Fish Contaminant Goal for lindane in fish tissue is 4.6 ppb. This screening level assumes an average body weight of 70 kg and a consumption rate of 32 g/day for a 30 year exposure over a 70-year lifetime. This constituent is a carcinogen therefore the risk level is set to one in a million. A cooking reduction factor of 1 is applied for skin-off fillets. (Klasing, S., and R. Brodberg, 2008; OEHHA, 2005)
Guideline Reference: Development of Fish Contaminant Goals and Advisory Tissue Levels for Common Contaminants in California Sport Fish: Chlordane, DDTs, Dieldrin, Methylmercury, PCBs, Selenium, and Toxaphene
  Air Toxics Hotspots Program Risk Assessment Guidelines. Part ll Technical Support Document for Describing Available Cancer Potency Values.
 
Spatial Representation: Data was collected from 1 station(s) with the station code(s): 603LOW009.
Temporal Representation: Data for this line of evidence were collected between 2011-07-13 and 2011-07-13
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102393, Lindane/gamma Hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCH)
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 99152
 
Pollutant: Lindane/gamma Hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCH)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Tissue
Matrix: Tissue
Fraction: Fish fillet
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows 0 of the 1 samples exceeded the water quality standard for HCH, gamma-. Data were collected for 1 fish species (1 composite(s) of Rainbow Trout each composed of 5 fish per composite).
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. (Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline: National Academy of Science guidelines (NAS 1972) establish a maximum Lindane concentration of 100 ug/Kg (wet weight) in tissue samples for protection of aquatic life from bioaccumulation of toxic substances.
Guideline Reference: National Academy of Sciences. Water Quality Criteria 1972. EPA-R3-73-033. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
 
Spatial Representation: Data was collected from 1 station(s) with the station code(s): 603LOW009.
Temporal Representation: Data for this line of evidence were collected between 2011-07-13 and 2011-07-13
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
 
DECISION ID
104315
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
Pollutant: Mercury
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
 
Regional Board Staff Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA section 303(d) List under sections 3.1 and 3.5 of the Listing Policy. Under sections 3.15 and 3.5 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

Two lines of evidence, one evaluating fish tissue data for the COMM beneficial use and one evaluating fish tissue data for the WILD beneficial use, are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. 0 of 1 trophic level three composite fish tissue samples comprised of five individual fish which fall within the CDFW length regulations for the waterbody exceed the applicable water quality objectives for both the COMM and WILD beneficial use assessments. Because both composite samples are made up of less than eight individual fish, there is insufficient information to determine if the COMM and WILD beneficial uses are fully supported in the waterbody at this time.

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 CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies 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. 0 of 1 trophic level three composite fish tissue samples comprised of five individual fish which fall within the CDFW length regulations for the waterbody exceed the applicable water quality objectives for both the COMM and WILD beneficial use assessments and these sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of eight individual fish per composite sample are needed to determine if a beneficial use is fully supported in accordance with the mercury objectives.
4. Pursuant to SECTION 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Staff Decision 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. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 104315, Mercury
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 133208
 
Pollutant: Mercury
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Tissue
Matrix: Tissue
Fraction: Fish fillet
 
Beneficial Use: Wildlife Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 0 of the 1 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Mercury. This LOE contains data only for trophic level 3 fish. The concentration of Mercury in fish collected within the same calendar year, for the same trophic level were averaged into a single sample for comparison with the objective. A total of 5 fish were aggregated into 1 annual averages, which consisted of 1 fish species (1 composite(s) of Rainbow Trout each composed of 5 fish per composite). This LOE does not contain data from fish whos average length was outside of the legal size limits as described by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Fishing Regulations.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. (Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline: The Statewide Sport Fish Water Quality Objective for the protection of Wildlife Habitat comes from the Statewide Water Quality Control Plan for Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries of California, and is 0.2 mg/Kg wet weight skinless fillet samples of trophic level 3, or trophic level 4 fish (whichever is highest in the water body) over a one year averaging period. If trophic level 3 fish are used in the assessment then the Prey Fish Water Quality Objective must also be used to determine that the Sport Fish Objective is being met. Trophic levels of applicable fish are defined in, but not limited to those in Attachment C of the Final Regulatory Language document (Appendix A) of State Water Resources Control Board Resolution No. 2017-0027.
Guideline Reference: Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries Plan. Part 1: Trash Provisions; Part 2: Tribal Subsistence Beneficial Uses and Mercury Provisions; Part 3: Bacteria Provisions and Variance Policy
 
Spatial Representation: Data was collected from 1 station(s) with the station code(s): 603LOW009.
Temporal Representation: Data for this line of evidence were collected between 2011-07-13 and 2011-07-13
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 104315, Mercury
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 133113
 
Pollutant: Mercury
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Tissue
Matrix: Tissue
Fraction: Fish fillet
 
Beneficial Use: Commercial or recreational collection of fish, shellfish, or organisms
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 0 of the 1 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Mercury. This LOE contains data only for trophic level 3 fish. The concentration of Mercury in fish collected within the same calendar year, for the same trophic level were averaged into a single sample for comparison with the objective. A total of 5 fish were aggregated into 1 annual averages, which consisted of 1 fish species (1 composite(s) of Rainbow Trout each composed of 5 fish per composite). This LOE does not contain data from fish whos average length was outside of the legal size limits as described by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Fishing Regulations.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. (Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline: The Statewide Sport Fish Water Quality Objective for the protection of the Commercial and Sport Fishing beneficial comes from the Statewide Water Quality Control Plan for Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries of California, and is 0.2 mg/Kg wet weight skinless fillet samples of trophic level 3, or trophic level 4 fish (whichever is highest in the water body) over a one year averaging period. Trophic levels of applicable fish are defined in, but not limited to those in Attachment C of the Final Regulatory Language document (Appendix A) of State Water Resources Control Board Resolution No. 2017-0027.
Guideline Reference: Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries Plan. Part 1: Trash Provisions; Part 2: Tribal Subsistence Beneficial Uses and Mercury Provisions; Part 3: Bacteria Provisions and Variance Policy
 
Spatial Representation: Data was collected from 1 station(s) with the station code(s): 603LOW009.
Temporal Representation: Data for this line of evidence were collected between 2011-07-13 and 2011-07-13
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
 
DECISION ID
102394
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
Pollutant: Mirex
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
 
Regional Board Staff Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA 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. The available data did not meet the quality assurances required of this report and therefore the computed sample size for assessment is zero. 0 of 0 samples exceed 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 CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used does not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. 0 of 0 samples exceeded the objective and this sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 16 samples are needed to determine if a beneficial use is fully supported using table 3.1.
4. Pursuant to SECTION 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Staff Decision 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. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102394, Mirex
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 99557
 
Pollutant: Mirex
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Tissue
Matrix: Tissue
Fraction: Fish fillet
 
Beneficial Use: Commercial or recreational collection of fish, shellfish, or organisms
 
Number of Samples: 0
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Waterboard staff assessed SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: Zero of Zero samples exceeded the water quality standard for Mirex. Although data was collected for 1 fish species (1 composite(s) of Rainbow Trout each composed of 5 fish per composite), all 1 sample(s) had to be thrown out due to quantitation issues.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. (Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline: The modified OEHHA Fish Contaminant Goal for mirex in fish tissue is 0.28 ppb. This screening level assumes an average body weight of 70 kg and a consumption rate of 32 g/day. This constituent is a carcinogen therefore the risk level is set to one in a million. A cooking reduction factor of 1 is applied for skin-off fillets. (Klasing, S., and R. Brodberg, 2008; OEHHA, 1992)
Guideline Reference: Development of Fish Contaminant Goals and Advisory Tissue Levels for Common Contaminants in California Sport Fish: Chlordane, DDTs, Dieldrin, Methylmercury, PCBs, Selenium, and Toxaphene
  Expedited Cancer Potency Values and Proposed Regulatory Levels for Certain Proposition 65 Carcinogens.
 
Spatial Representation: Data was collected from 1 station(s) with the station code(s): 603LOW009.
Temporal Representation: Data for this line of evidence were collected between 2011-07-13 and 2011-07-13
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
 
DECISION ID
102395
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
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
 
Regional Board Staff Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA 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.

Three lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. 0 of 12 samples exceed 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 CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used does not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. 0 of 12 samples exceeded the objective and this sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 16 samples are needed to determine if a beneficial use is fully supported using table 3.1.
4. Pursuant to SECTION 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Staff Decision 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. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102395, Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 98154
 
Pollutant: Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 10
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 10 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Nitrate + Nitrite as N.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring (tissue and water).
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California Maximum Contaminant Level for nitrate + nitrite (as N) that is incorporated by reference in the Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Region is 10.0 mg/L (Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Region).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s) (603LOW011)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-05-22 and 2015-08-05
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102395, Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 97707
 
Pollutant: Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP Perennial Stream Surveys data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Nitrate + Nitrite as N.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP Perennial Stream Surveys.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California Maximum Contaminant Level for nitrate + nitrite (as N) that is incorporated by reference in the Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Region is 10.0 mg/L (Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Region).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s) (603PS0132)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-07-17 and 2013-07-17
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102395, Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 97581
 
Pollutant: Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed DFW_ABL_Monitoring data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Nitrate + Nitrite as N.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for DFW Aquatic Bioassessment Laboratory Monitoring.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California Maximum Contaminant Level for nitrate + nitrite (as N) that is incorporated by reference in the Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Region is 10.0 mg/L (Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Region).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s) (603CR1048)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2014-09-16 and 2014-09-16
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
 
DECISION ID
102396
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
Pollutant: Nitrogen
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
 
Regional Board Staff Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA 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.

Three lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. 0 of 5 samples exceed 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 CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used does not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. 0 of 5 samples exceeded the objective and this sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 16 samples are needed to determine if a beneficial use is fully supported using table 3.1.
4. Pursuant to SECTION 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Staff Decision 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. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102396, Nitrogen
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 96735
 
Pollutant: Nitrogen
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Data were collected by field staff from the Dept. Fish and Game Aquatic Bioassessment Lab. Data were collected on one day in September 2014. The concentration was reported as 0.524 mg/L which attains the site specific objective. The computed annual average is based on only one sample.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for DFW Aquatic Bioassessment Laboratory Monitoring.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The site specific objective for nitrogen in the Owens River (Upper), as referenced by the Lahontan Basin Plan table 3-17, is an annual average concentration of 1.0 mg/L.

Of note for this waterbody segment is the discrepancy between the compliance point, or point where the site specific objective applies, and the monitoring site where data was collected. Data were collected in the Owens River Gorge to the north of the city of Bishop and some ways south of the compliance point, which is located upstream near Mesa Camp at the beginning of the Owens Valley Gorge. Usually staff would apply the tributary rule when assessing data, applying the next downstream objective to the location of monitoring. However, in this case the next downstream objective is at the outlet of Tinemaha Reservoir, and it is the opinion of staff that the application of this objective would be inappropriate due to the interaction of the reservoir on the water quality parameters of interest. For this reason the upstream objective for this waterbody has been assessed as staff believes this is the most appropriate course of action in this case.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data were collected at one monitoring location, 603CR1048, which is located to the south of the Happy Boulders in the Owens River Gorge a few miles north of the city of Bishop.
Temporal Representation: Data were collected on one day in September 2014.
Environmental Conditions: The Owens River (Upper) is the major river draining the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, flowing from the northern portion of the Long Valley Caldera, through the volcanic table lands and the Owens Valley past the southern tip of the Sierra. The river has a long history of hydromodification and water exports to the city of Los Angeles have occurred since the early 1900's. This portion of the river extends from Lake Crowley in the north to Tinemaha Reservoir in the south, draining the volcanic table lands in it's northern portions and lands used extensively as pastureland in its lower portion.
QAPP Information: Data were collected in accordance with the DFG ABL/SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102396, Nitrogen
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 96725
 
Pollutant: Nitrogen
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: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Data were collected by Lahontan field staff performing routine monitoring for the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP). Data were collected between May 2013 and December 2015. Concentrations in the raw data ranged from 0.109 to 0.575 mg/L. Three annual averages were computed, none of which exceeded the site specific objective.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring (tissue and water).
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The site specific objective for nitrogen in the Owens River (Upper), as referenced by the Lahontan Basin Plan table 3-17, is an annual average concentration of 1.0 mg/L.

Of note for this waterbody segment is the discrepancy between the compliance point, or point where the site specific objective applies, and the monitoring site where data was collected. Data were collected at Warm Springs Road south of the city of Bishop and some ways south of the compliance point, which is located upstream near Mesa Camp at the beginning of the Owens Valley Gorge. Usually staff would apply the tributary rule when assessing data, applying the next downstream objective to the location of monitoring. However, in this case the next downstream objective is at the outlet of Tinemaha Reservoir, and it is the opinion of staff that the application of this objective would be inappropriate due to the interaction of the reservoir on the water quality parameters of interest. For this reason the upstream objective for this waterbody has been assessed as staff believes this is the most appropriate course of action in this case.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data were collected at one monitoring location, 603LOW011, which is located upstream of Warm Springs Road bridge to the south of the city of Bishop.
Temporal Representation: Data were collected in a predominantly quarterly fashion between May 2013 and December 2015.
Environmental Conditions: The Owens River (Upper) is the major river draining the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, flowing from the northern portion of the Long Valley Caldera, through the volcanic table lands and the Owens Valley past the southern tip of the Sierra. The river has a long history of hydromodification and water exports to the city of Los Angeles have occurred since the early 1900's. This portion of the river extends from Lake Crowley in the north to Tinemaha Reservoir in the south, draining the volcanic table lands in it's northern portions and lands used extensively as pastureland in its lower portion.
QAPP Information: Data were collected in accordance with the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102396, Nitrogen
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 96731
 
Pollutant: Nitrogen
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Data were collected by Lahontan field staff for the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP) Perennial Stream Surveys. Data were collected on one day in July 2013. The concentration was reported as 0.515 mg/L which attains the site specific objective. The computed annual average is based on only one sample.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP Perennial Stream Surveys.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The site specific objective for nitrogen in the Owens River (Upper), as referenced by the Lahontan Basin Plan table 3-17, is an annual average concentration of 1.0 mg/L.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data were collected at one monitoring location, 603PS0132, which is located just downstream of Mesa Camp.
Temporal Representation: Data were collected on one day in July 2013.
Environmental Conditions: The Owens River (Upper) is the major river draining the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, flowing from the northern portion of the Long Valley Caldera, through the volcanic table lands and the Owens Valley past the southern tip of the Sierra. The river has a long history of hydromodification and water exports to the city of Los Angeles have occurred since the early 1900's. This portion of the river extends from Lake Crowley in the north to Tinemaha Reservoir in the south, draining the volcanic table lands in it's northern portions and lands used extensively as pastureland in its lower portion.
QAPP Information: Data were collected in accordance with the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
 
DECISION ID
102398
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
Pollutant: Orthophosphate
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
 
Regional Board Staff Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA 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.

Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. 1 of 4 samples exceed 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 CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used does not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. 1 of 4 samples exceeded the objective and this sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 16 samples are needed to determine if a beneficial use is fully supported using table 3.1.
4. Pursuant to SECTION 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Staff Decision 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. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102398, Orthophosphate
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 96732
 
Pollutant: Orthophosphate
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Data were collected by Lahontan field staff for the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP) Perennial Stream Surveys. Data were collected on one day in July 2013. The concentration was reported as 3.3 mg/L as P, which was converted to PO4 by dividing by 0.3261, that results in a concentration of 10.1 mg/L which exceeds the site specific objective. The computed annual average is based on only one sample.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP Perennial Stream Surveys.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The site specific objective for orthophosphate in the Owens River (Upper), as referenced by the Lahontan Basin Plan table 3-17, is an annual average concentration of 0.56 mg/L as PO4.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data were collected at one monitoring location, 603PS0132, which is located just downstream of Mesa Camp.
Temporal Representation: Data were collected on one day in July 2013.
Environmental Conditions: The Owens River (Upper) is the major river draining the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, flowing from the northern portion of the Long Valley Caldera, through the volcanic table lands and the Owens Valley past the southern tip of the Sierra. The river has a long history of hydromodification and water exports to the city of Los Angeles have occurred since the early 1900's. This portion of the river extends from Lake Crowley in the north to Tinemaha Reservoir in the south, draining the volcanic table lands in it's northern portions and lands used extensively as pastureland in its lower portion.
QAPP Information: Data were collected in accordance with the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102398, Orthophosphate
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 96726
 
Pollutant: Orthophosphate
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 3
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Data were collected by Lahontan field staff performing routine monitoring for the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP). Data were collected between May 2013 and December 2015. Concentrations in the raw data ranged from 0.044 to 0.136 mg/L as Orthophosphate as P, which was converted to PO4 by dividing by 0.3261. This results in values that range between 0.135 to 0.417 as PO4. Three annual averages were computed, none of which exceeded the site specific objective.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring (tissue and water).
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The site specific objective for orthophosphate in the Owens River (Upper), as referenced by the Lahontan Basin Plan table 3-17, is an annual average concentration of 0.56 mg/L.

Of note for this waterbody segment is the discrepancy between the compliance point, or point where the site specific objective applies, and the monitoring site where data was collected. Data were collected at Warm Springs Road south of the city of Bishop and some ways south of the compliance point, which is located upstream near Mesa Camp at the beginning of the Owens Valley Gorge. Usually staff would apply the tributary rule when assessing data, applying the next downstream objective to the location of monitoring. However, in this case the next downstream objective is at the outlet of Tinemaha Reservoir, and it is the opinion of staff that the application of this objective would be inappropriate due to the interaction of the reservoir on the water quality parameters of interest. For this reason the upstream objective for this waterbody has been assessed as staff believes this is the most appropriate course of action in this case.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data were collected at one monitoring location, 603LOW011, which is located upstream of Warm Springs Road bridge to the south of the city of Bishop.
Temporal Representation: Data were collected in a predominantly quarterly fashion between May 2013 and December 2015.
Environmental Conditions: The Owens River (Upper) is the major river draining the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, flowing from the northern portion of the Long Valley Caldera, through the volcanic table lands and the Owens Valley past the southern tip of the Sierra. The river has a long history of hydromodification and water exports to the city of Los Angeles have occurred since the early 1900's. This portion of the river extends from Lake Crowley in the north to Tinemaha Reservoir in the south, draining the volcanic table lands in it's northern portions and lands used extensively as pastureland in its lower portion.
QAPP Information: Data were collected in accordance with the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
 
DECISION ID
102399
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
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
 
Regional Board Staff Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA 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.

Three lines of evidence, one which assesses the available dissolved oxygen saturation data and two which assess the available dissolved oxygen data are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. 0 of 1 dissolved oxygen samples and 0 of 2 dissolved oxygen saturation samples exceed 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 CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used does not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. 0 of 2 dissolved oxygen saturation samples and 0 of 1 dissolved oxygen samples exceeded the objective and this sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 26 samples per fraction assessed are needed to determine if a beneficial use is fully supported using table 3.2.
4. Pursuant to SECTION 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Staff Decision 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. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102399, Oxygen, Dissolved
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 129948
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Oxygen, Saturation.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring (tissue and water).
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region's water quality objective states that the dissolved oxygen concentration shall not be less than 80 percent of saturation.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s) (603LOW011)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-05-22 and 2013-05-22
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102399, Oxygen, Dissolved
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 130155
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP Perennial Stream Surveys data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Oxygen, Dissolved.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP Perennial Stream Surveys.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: For waters with the beneficial uses of COLD, COLD with SPWN, WARM, and WARM with SPWN, the minimum dissolved oxygen concentration shall not be less than that specified in Table 3-6. (Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Region)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s) (603PS0132)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-07-17 and 2013-07-17
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102399, Oxygen, Dissolved
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 130088
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Oxygen, Dissolved.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring (tissue and water).
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: For waters with the beneficial uses of COLD, COLD with SPWN, WARM, and WARM with SPWN, the minimum dissolved oxygen concentration shall not be less than that specified in Table 3-6. (Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Region)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s) (603LOW011)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-05-22 and 2013-05-22
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
 
DECISION ID
102400
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
Pollutant: Selenium
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
 
Regional Board Staff Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA 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. 0 of 1 samples exceed 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 CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used does not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. 0 of 1 samples exceeded the objective and this sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 16 samples are needed to determine if a beneficial use is fully supported using table 3.1.
4. Pursuant to SECTION 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Staff Decision 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. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102400, Selenium
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 99298
 
Pollutant: Selenium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Tissue
Matrix: Tissue
Fraction: Fish fillet
 
Beneficial Use: Commercial or recreational collection of fish, shellfish, or organisms
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows 0 of the 1 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Selenium. Data were collected for 1 fish species (1 composite(s) of Rainbow Trout each composed of 5 fish per composite).
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for SWAMP Sportfish Rivers and Streams.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. (Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline: The OEHHA Fish Contaminant Goal for selenium in fish tissue is 7.4 ppm. This screening level assumes an average body weight of 70 kg and a consumption rate of 32 g/day. A background dietary consumption rate of 0.114 mg/day is applied for this micronutrient. (Klasing, S., and R. Brodberg, 2008)
Guideline Reference: Development of Fish Contaminant Goals and Advisory Tissue Levels for Common Contaminants in California Sport Fish: Chlordane, DDTs, Dieldrin, Methylmercury, PCBs, Selenium, and Toxaphene
 
Spatial Representation: Data was collected from 1 station(s) with the station code(s): 603LOW009.
Temporal Representation: Data for this line of evidence were collected between 2011-07-13 and 2011-07-13
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
 
DECISION ID
102402
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
Pollutant: Specific Conductivity
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
 
Regional Board Staff Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA 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. 0 of 12 samples exceed 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 CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used does not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. 0 of 12 samples exceeded the objective and this sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 26 samples are needed to determine if a beneficial use is fully supported using table 3.2.
4. Pursuant to SECTION 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Staff Decision 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. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102402, Specific Conductivity
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 97242
 
Pollutant: Specific Conductivity
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 11
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 11 samples exceeded the water quality standard for SpecificConductivity.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring (tissue and water).
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water designated as MUN shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in excess of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) or secondary maximum contaminant level (SMCL) based upon drinking water standards specified in Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations (Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Region).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline: California Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) apply to ambient waters under the Lahontan Basin Plan's \Chemical Constituents\" objective. The California Secondary MCL for specific conductivity is 900 uS/cm."
Guideline Reference: California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 4, Chapter 15. Domestic Water Quality and Monitoring
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s) (603LOW011)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-05-22 and 2015-12-01
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102402, Specific Conductivity
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 97786
 
Pollutant: Specific Conductivity
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP Perennial Stream Surveys data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality standard for SpecificConductivity.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP Perennial Stream Surveys.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water designated as MUN shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in excess of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) or secondary maximum contaminant level (SMCL) based upon drinking water standards specified in Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations (Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Region).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline: California Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) apply to ambient waters under the Lahontan Basin Plan's \Chemical Constituents\" objective. The California Secondary MCL for specific conductivity is 900 uS/cm."
Guideline Reference: California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 4, Chapter 15. Domestic Water Quality and Monitoring
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s) (603PS0132)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-07-17 and 2013-07-17
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
 
DECISION ID
102403
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
Pollutant: Sulfates
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
 
Regional Board Staff Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA 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.

Three lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. 4 of 5 samples exceed 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 CWA section 303(d) List. The available data indicates that impairment from sulfates in this waterbody is probable, but there are not the requisite exceedances in the data to list the waterbody at this time.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used does not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. 4 of 5 samples exceeded the objective and this sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 26 samples are needed to determine if a beneficial use is fully supported using table 3.2.
4. Pursuant to SECTION 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Staff Decision 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. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102403, Sulfates
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 96733
 
Pollutant: Sulfates
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Data were collected by Lahontan field staff for the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP) Perennial Stream Surveys. Data were collected on one day in July 2013. The concentration was reported as 13.7 mg/L which attains the site specific objective. The computed annual average is based on only one sample.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP Perennial Stream Surveys.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The site specific objective for sulfates in the Owens River (Upper), as referenced by the Lahontan Basin Plan table 3-17, is an annual average concentration of 14.0 mg/L.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data were collected at one monitoring location, 603PS0132, which is located just downstream of Mesa Camp.
Temporal Representation: Data were collected on one day in July 2013.
Environmental Conditions: The Owens River (Upper) is the major river draining the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, flowing from the northern portion of the Long Valley Caldera, through the volcanic table lands and the Owens Valley past the southern tip of the Sierra. The river has a long history of hydromodification and water exports to the city of Los Angeles have occurred since the early 1900's. This portion of the river extends from Lake Crowley in the north to Tinemaha Reservoir in the south, draining the volcanic table lands in it's northern portions and lands used extensively as pastureland in its lower portion.
QAPP Information: Data were collected in accordance with the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102403, Sulfates
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 96734
 
Pollutant: Sulfates
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Data were collected by field staff from the Dept. Fish and Game Aquatic Bioassessment Lab. Data were collected on one day in September 2014. The concentration was reported as 17.1 mg/L which exceeds the site specific objective. The computed annual average is based on only one sample.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for DFW Aquatic Bioassessment Laboratory Monitoring.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The site specific objective for sulfates in the Owens River (Upper), as referenced by the Lahontan Basin Plan table 3-17, is an annual average concentration of 14.0 mg/L.

Of note for this waterbody segment is the discrepancy between the compliance point, or point where the site specific objective applies, and the monitoring site where data was collected. Data were collected in the Owens River Gorge to the north of the city of Bishop and some ways south of the compliance point, which is located upstream near Mesa Camp at the beginning of the Owens Valley Gorge. Usually staff would apply the tributary rule when assessing data, applying the next downstream objective to the location of monitoring. However, in this case the next downstream objective is at the outlet of Tinemaha Reservoir, and it is the opinion of staff that the application of this objective would be inappropriate due to the interaction of the reservoir on the water quality parameters of interest. For this reason the upstream objective for this waterbody has been assessed as staff believes this is the most appropriate course of action in this case.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data were collected at one monitoring location, 603CR1048, which is located to the south of the Happy Boulders in the Owens River Gorge a few miles north of the city of Bishop.
Temporal Representation: Data were collected on one day in September 2014.
Environmental Conditions: The Owens River (Upper) is the major river draining the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, flowing from the northern portion of the Long Valley Caldera, through the volcanic table lands and the Owens Valley past the southern tip of the Sierra. The river has a long history of hydromodification and water exports to the city of Los Angeles have occurred since the early 1900's. This portion of the river extends from Lake Crowley in the north to Tinemaha Reservoir in the south, draining the volcanic table lands in it's northern portions and lands used extensively as pastureland in its lower portion.
QAPP Information: Data were collected in accordance with the DFG ABL QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102403, Sulfates
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 96728
 
Pollutant: Sulfates
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 3
Number of Exceedances: 3
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Data were collected by Lahontan field staff performing routine monitoring for the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP). Data were collected between May 2013 and December 2015. Concentrations in the raw data ranged from 18.0 to 29.9 mg/L. Three annual averages were computed, all of which exceeded the site specific objective.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring (tissue and water).
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The site specific objective for sulfates in the Owens River (Upper), as referenced by the Lahontan Basin Plan table 3-17, is an annual average concentration of 14.0 mg/L.

Of note for this waterbody segment is the discrepancy between the compliance point, or point where the site specific objective applies, and the monitoring site where data was collected. Data were collected at Warm Springs Road south of the city of Bishop and some ways south of the compliance point, which is located upstream near Mesa Camp at the beginning of the Owens Valley Gorge. Usually staff would apply the tributary rule when assessing data, applying the next downstream objective to the location of monitoring. However, in this case the next downstream objective is at the outlet of Tinemaha Reservoir, and it is the opinion of staff that the application of this objective would be inappropriate due to the interaction of the reservoir on the water quality parameters of interest. For this reason the upstream objective for this waterbody has been assessed as staff believes this is the most appropriate course of action in this case.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data were collected at one monitoring location, 603LOW011, which is located upstream of Warm Springs Road bridge to the south of the city of Bishop.
Temporal Representation: Data were collected in a predominantly quarterly fashion between May 2013 and December 2015.
Environmental Conditions: The Owens River (Upper) is the major river draining the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, flowing from the northern portion of the Long Valley Caldera, through the volcanic table lands and the Owens Valley past the southern tip of the Sierra. The river has a long history of hydromodification and water exports to the city of Los Angeles have occurred since the early 1900's. This portion of the river extends from Lake Crowley in the north to Tinemaha Reservoir in the south, draining the volcanic table lands in it's northern portions and lands used extensively as pastureland in its lower portion.
QAPP Information: Data were collected in accordance with the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
 
DECISION ID
102405
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
Pollutant: Total Dissolved Solids
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
 
Regional Board Staff Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA 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. 2 of 3 samples exceed 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 CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used does not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. 2 of 3 samples exceeded the objective and this sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 26 samples are needed to determine if a beneficial use is fully supported using table 3.2.
4. Pursuant to SECTION 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Staff Decision 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. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102405, Total Dissolved Solids
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 96729
 
Pollutant: Total Dissolved Solids
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 3
Number of Exceedances: 2
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Data were collected by Lahontan field staff performing routine monitoring for the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP). Data were collected between May 2013 and December 2015. Concentrations in the raw data ranged from 88 to 288 mg/L. Three annual averages were computed, two of which exceeded the site specific objective in 2013 and 2015.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring (tissue and water).
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The site specific objective for total dissolved solids in the Owens River (Upper), as referenced by the Lahontan Basin Plan table 3-17, is an annual average concentration of 215 mg/L.

Of note for this waterbody segment is the discrepancy between the compliance point, or point where the site specific objective applies, and the monitoring site where data was collected. Data were collected at Warm Springs Road south of the city of Bishop and some ways south of the compliance point, which is located upstream near Mesa Camp at the beginning of the Owens Valley Gorge. Usually staff would apply the tributary rule when assessing data, applying the next downstream objective to the location of monitoring. However, in this case the next downstream objective is at the outlet of Tinemaha Reservoir, and it is the opinion of staff that the application of this objective would be inappropriate due to the interaction of the reservoir on the water quality parameters of interest. For this reason the upstream objective for this waterbody has been assessed as staff believes this is the most appropriate course of action in this case.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data were collected at one monitoring location, 603LOW011, which is located upstream of Warm Springs Road bridge to the south of the city of Bishop.
Temporal Representation: Data were collected in a predominantly quarterly fashion between May 2013 and December 2015.
Environmental Conditions: The Owens River (Upper) is the major river draining the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, flowing from the northern portion of the Long Valley Caldera, through the volcanic table lands and the Owens Valley past the southern tip of the Sierra. The river has a long history of hydromodification and water exports to the city of Los Angeles have occurred since the early 1900's. This portion of the river extends from Lake Crowley in the north to Tinemaha Reservoir in the south, draining the volcanic table lands in it's northern portions and lands used extensively as pastureland in its lower portion.
QAPP Information: Data were collected in accordance with the SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
 
DECISION ID
102406
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
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
 
Regional Board Staff Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA 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. 1 of 12 samples exceed 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 CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used does not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. 1 of 12 samples exceeded the objective and this sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 26 samples are needed to determine if a beneficial use is fully supported using table 3.2.
4. Pursuant to SECTION 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Staff Decision 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. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102406, Turbidity
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 98575
 
Pollutant: Turbidity
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 11
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 11 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Turbidity.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring (tissue and water).
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water designated as MUN shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in excess of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) or secondary maximum contaminant level (SMCL) based upon drinking water standards specified in Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations. The Lahontan Basin Plan also has regionwide turbidity objective for other beneficial uses that 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%.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline: California Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) apply to ambient surface waters under the Lahontan Basin Plan's \Chemical Constituents\" objective. The Secondary MCL for turbidity is 5 NTU. Calculation of a numeric objective for other beneficial uses requires comparison with upstream or other background data which may not be available as part of the data used for water quality assessment. "
Guideline Reference: California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 4, Chapter 15. Domestic Water Quality and Monitoring
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s) (603LOW011)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-05-22 and 2015-12-01
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102406, Turbidity
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 97789
 
Pollutant: Turbidity
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP Perennial Stream Surveys data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Turbidity.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP Perennial Stream Surveys.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water designated as MUN shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in excess of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) or secondary maximum contaminant level (SMCL) based upon drinking water standards specified in Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations. The Lahontan Basin Plan also has regionwide turbidity objective for other beneficial uses that 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%.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline: California Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) apply to ambient surface waters under the Lahontan Basin Plan's \Chemical Constituents\" objective. The Secondary MCL for turbidity is 5 NTU. Calculation of a numeric objective for other beneficial uses requires comparison with upstream or other background data which may not be available as part of the data used for water quality assessment. "
Guideline Reference: California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 4, Chapter 15. Domestic Water Quality and Monitoring
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s) (603PS0132)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-07-17 and 2013-07-17
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
 
DECISION ID
102407
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
Pollutant: pH
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
 
Regional Board Staff Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA 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.

Four lines of evidence, two which assess the available data for the COLD beneficial use and two which assess the available data for the MUN beneficial use, are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. pH assessments require background information regarding water quality conditions in the waterbody to assess changes to ambient pH. These information were not available for this assessment and the computed sample size is zero. 0 of 0 samples in each beneficial use assessment exceed 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 CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used does not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. 0 of 0 samples exceeded the objective and this sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 26 samples per beneficial use assessed are needed to determine if a beneficial use is fully supported using table 3.2.
4. Pursuant to SECTION 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Staff Decision 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. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102407, pH
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 129592
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 0
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: 0 of 0 samples exceeded the water quality standard for pH. Although pH data does exist for this waterbody, the objective for this pollutant requires background information that is currently unavailable, and therefore an assessment of water quality standards could not be made.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring (tissue and water).
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Lahontan Basin Plan's regionwide objective for pH states: \In fresh waters with designated beneficial uses of COLD or WARM, changes in normal ambient pH levels shall not exceed 0.5 pH units. For all other waters of the region, the pH shall not be depressed below 6.5 nor raised above 8.5 units. The Regional Board recognizes that some waters of the Region may have natural pH levels outside of the 6.5 to 8.5 range. Compliance with the pH objective for these waters will be determined on a case-by-case basis.\""
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s) (603LOW011)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-05-22 and 2015-12-01
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102407, pH
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 129543
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 0
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: 0 of 0 samples exceeded the water quality standard for pH. Although pH data does exist for this waterbody, the objective for this pollutant requires background information that is currently unavailable, and therefore an assessment of water quality standards could not be made.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring (tissue and water).
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Lahontan Basin Plan's regionwide objective for pH states: \In fresh waters with designated beneficial uses of COLD or WARM, changes in normal ambient pH levels shall not exceed 0.5 pH units. For all other waters of the region, the pH shall not be depressed below 6.5 nor raised above 8.5 units. The Regional Board recognizes that some waters of the Region may have natural pH levels outside of the 6.5 to 8.5 range. Compliance with the pH objective for these waters will be determined on a case-by-case basis.\""
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s) (603LOW011)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-05-22 and 2015-12-01
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102407, pH
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 129598
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 0
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: 0 of 0 samples exceeded the water quality standard for pH. Although pH data does exist for this waterbody, the objective for this pollutant requires background information that is currently unavailable, and therefore an assessment of water quality standards could not be made.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP Perennial Stream Surveys.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Lahontan Basin Plan's regionwide objective for pH states: \In fresh waters with designated beneficial uses of COLD or WARM, changes in normal ambient pH levels shall not exceed 0.5 pH units. For all other waters of the region, the pH shall not be depressed below 6.5 nor raised above 8.5 units. The Regional Board recognizes that some waters of the Region may have natural pH levels outside of the 6.5 to 8.5 range. Compliance with the pH objective for these waters will be determined on a case-by-case basis.\""
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s) (603PS0132)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-07-17 and 2013-07-17
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102407, pH
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 129785
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 0
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: 0 of 0 samples exceeded the water quality standard for pH. Although pH data does exist for this waterbody, the objective for this pollutant requires background information that is currently unavailable, and therefore an assessment of water quality standards could not be made.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP Perennial Stream Surveys.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Lahontan Basin Plan's regionwide objective for pH states: \In fresh waters with designated beneficial uses of COLD or WARM, changes in normal ambient pH levels shall not exceed 0.5 pH units. For all other waters of the region, the pH shall not be depressed below 6.5 nor raised above 8.5 units. The Regional Board recognizes that some waters of the Region may have natural pH levels outside of the 6.5 to 8.5 range. Compliance with the pH objective for these waters will be determined on a case-by-case basis.\""
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s) (603PS0132)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-07-17 and 2013-07-17
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
 
DECISION ID
102388
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
Pollutant: Indicator Bacteria
Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Sources: Source Unknown
Expected TMDL Completion Date: 2031
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Staff Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA 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.

Six lines of evidence, two which assess the available E. coli data for the REC-1 beneficial use and four which assess the available fecal coliform data for the MUN beneficial use are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. 0 of 25 E. coli Statistical Threshold Value (STV) samples exceed the water quality objective; 7 of 25 fecal coliform geometric mean samples exceed the objective; 2 of 24 fecal coliform STV samples exceed the objective.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification for placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies 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. 7 of 25 fecal coliform log-mean samples exceed the water quality objective and this sample size exceeds the allowable frequency stipulated 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.
 
Regional Board Staff Decision 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.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102388, Indicator Bacteria
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 100015
 
Pollutant: Escherichia coli (E. coli)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 14
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed RWB6_BACT_Monitoring data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 0 of the 14 samples exceeded the Statistical Threshold Value (STV) water quality standard for E. coli. The STV is based on a 10% exceedance rate that is calculated monthly.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for Regional Water Board 6 Bacteria Monitoring.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The bacteria water quality objective applicable to all waters, except Lake Tahoe, where the salinity is less than 10 parts per thousand (ppth) 95 percent or more of the time is a STATISTICAL THRESHOLD VALUE (STV) of 320 cfu/100 mL not to be exceeded more than 10 percent of the time (calculated monthly).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries Plan. Part 1: Trash Provisions; Part 2: Tribal Subsistence Beneficial Uses and Mercury Provisions; Part 3: Bacteria Provisions and Variance Policy
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 6 monitoring site(s), station(s): OWE.65, OWE.66, OWE.68, OWE.70, OWE.73, OWE.77
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the days of 2014-07-31 and 2015-02-26 .
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102388, Indicator Bacteria
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 99838
 
Pollutant: Escherichia coli (E. coli)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 11
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 0 of the 11 samples exceeded the Statistical Threshold Value (STV) water quality standard for E. coli. The STV is based on a 10% exceedance rate that is calculated monthly.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring (tissue and water).
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The bacteria water quality objective applicable to all waters, except Lake Tahoe, where the salinity is less than 10 parts per thousand (ppth) 95 percent or more of the time is a STATISTICAL THRESHOLD VALUE (STV) of 320 cfu/100 mL not to be exceeded more than 10 percent of the time (calculated monthly).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries Plan. Part 1: Trash Provisions; Part 2: Tribal Subsistence Beneficial Uses and Mercury Provisions; Part 3: Bacteria Provisions and Variance Policy
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s), station(s): 603LOW011
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the days of 2013-04-30 and 2015-04-07 .
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102388, Indicator Bacteria
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 129311
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 14
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed RWB6_BACT_Monitoring data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 1 of the 14 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Coliform, Fecal. The water quality standard is based on a 10% exceedance rate that is calculated monthly.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for Regional Water Board 6 Bacteria Monitoring.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Waters shall not contain concentrations of coliform organisms attributable to anthropogenic sources, including human and livestock wastes. The fecal coliform concentration during any 30-day period shall not exceed a log mean of 20/100 ml, nor shall more than 10 percent of all samples collected during any 30-day period exceed 40/100 ml. (Lahontan Region Basin Plan)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 6 monitoring site(s), station(s): OWE.65, OWE.66, OWE.68, OWE.70, OWE.73, OWE.77
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the days of 2014-07-31 and 2015-02-26 .
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102388, Indicator Bacteria
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 129415
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 10
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 1 of the 10 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Coliform, Fecal. The water quality standard is based on a 10% exceedance rate that is calculated monthly.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring (tissue and water).
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Waters shall not contain concentrations of coliform organisms attributable to anthropogenic sources, including human and livestock wastes. The fecal coliform concentration during any 30-day period shall not exceed a log mean of 20/100 ml, nor shall more than 10 percent of all samples collected during any 30-day period exceed 40/100 ml. (Lahontan Region Basin Plan)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s), station(s): 603LOW011
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the days of 2013-04-30 and 2015-02-03 .
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102388, Indicator Bacteria
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 129252
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 14
Number of Exceedances: 4
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed RWB6_BACT_Monitoring data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 4 of the 14 samples exceeded the logmean water quality standard for Coliform, Fecal. This is a 30-day rolling logmean that is calculated daily.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for Regional Water Board 6 Bacteria Monitoring.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Waters shall not contain concentrations of coliform organisms attributable to anthropogenic sources, including human and livestock wastes. The fecal coliform concentration during any 30-day period shall not exceed a log mean of 20/100 ml. (Lahontan Region Basin Plan)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 6 monitoring site(s), station(s): OWE.65, OWE.66, OWE.68, OWE.70, OWE.73, OWE.77
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the days of 2014-07-31 and 2015-02-26 .
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102388, Indicator Bacteria
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 129321
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 11
Number of Exceedances: 3
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 3 of the 11 samples exceeded the logmean water quality standard for Coliform, Fecal. This is a 30-day rolling logmean that is calculated daily.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring (tissue and water).
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Waters shall not contain concentrations of coliform organisms attributable to anthropogenic sources, including human and livestock wastes. The fecal coliform concentration during any 30-day period shall not exceed a log mean of 20/100 ml. (Lahontan Region Basin Plan)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s), station(s): 603LOW011
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the days of 2013-04-30 and 2015-02-03 .
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
 
DECISION ID
102401
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
Pollutant: Sodium
Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Sources: Source Unknown
Expected TMDL Completion Date: 2031
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Staff Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA 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.

Four lines of evidence, two which assess the available data for the AG beneficial use and two which assess the available data for the MUN beneficial use, are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. 0 of 12 samples exceed the water quality objective for the AG beneficial use assessment; 12 of 12 samples exceed the objective for the MUN beneficial use.

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 CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies 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. 12 of 12 samples exceed the objective for the MUN beneficial use and this exceeds 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.
 
Regional Board Staff Decision 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.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102401, Sodium
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 98544
 
Pollutant: Sodium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 11
Number of Exceedances: 11
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 11 of 11 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Sodium.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring (tissue and water).
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life (Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Region).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline: Per the Drinking Water Standards and Health Advisories (USEPA 2012), the health advisory for sodium for individuals on a sodium-restricted diet is 20 mg/l.
Guideline Reference: 2012 Edition of the Drinking Water Standards and Health Advisories
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s) (603LOW011)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-05-22 and 2015-12-01
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102401, Sodium
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 97819
 
Pollutant: Sodium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed DFW_ABL_Monitoring data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Sodium.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for DFW Aquatic Bioassessment Laboratory Monitoring.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life (Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Region).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline: Per the Drinking Water Standards and Health Advisories (USEPA 2012), the health advisory for sodium for individuals on a sodium-restricted diet is 20 mg/l.
Guideline Reference: 2012 Edition of the Drinking Water Standards and Health Advisories
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s) (603CR1048)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2014-09-16 and 2014-09-16
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102401, Sodium
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 97115
 
Pollutant: Sodium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Agricultural Supply
 
Number of Samples: 11
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 11 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Sodium.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring (tissue and water).
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life (Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Region).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline: Water Quality for Agriculture, published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1985, contains criteria protective of various agricultural uses of water, including irrigation of various types of crops and stock watering. At or below the sodium threshold of 69 mg/L, agricultural uses of water should not be limited.
Guideline Reference: Water Quality for Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations - Irrigation and Drainage Paper No. 29, Rev 1, Rome (1985)
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s) (603LOW011)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-05-22 and 2015-12-01
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 102401, Sodium
Region 6     
Owens River (Upper)
 
LOE ID: 97746
 
Pollutant: Sodium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Agricultural Supply
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed DFW_ABL_Monitoring data for Owens River (Upper) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Sodium.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for DFW Aquatic Bioassessment Laboratory Monitoring.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life (Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Region).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline: Water Quality for Agriculture, published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1985, contains criteria protective of various agricultural uses of water, including irrigation of various types of crops and stock watering. At or below the sodium threshold of 69 mg/L, agricultural uses of water should not be limited.
Guideline Reference: Water Quality for Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations - Irrigation and Drainage Paper No. 29, Rev 1, Rome (1985)
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s) (603CR1048)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2014-09-16 and 2014-09-16
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program