Russian River Watershed Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLS)
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Annoucements
On August 15, 2025, the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board adopted Resolution R1-2025-0030 - Amendment to the Water Quality Control Plan for the North Coast Region to Establish a Total Maximum Daily Load and Fecal Waste Discharge Prohibition and Incorporate the Action Plan for Pathogens in the Russian River Watershed.
- Adopted Signed Resolution
- Staff Summary Report
- Action Plan for Pathogens in the Russian River Watershed
- Staff Report for the Action Plan for Pathogens in the Russian River Watershed
- Response to Comments
- Staff Presentation
Future opportunities for review and comment and public meetings related to this project will be provided via the project’s email subscription list. Any person desiring to receive future notices must subscribe to the e-mail distribution list at: North Coast Regional Water Board email subscription sign-up website (https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/CAWRCB/subscriber/new?qsp=north_coast) and follow the steps listed below:
- Check the box for “Russian River - TMDL”,
- Fill in the required signup details, and
- Press the “Subscribe” button.
Background
Several reaches of the Russian River Watershed are listed on the 303(d) list of impaired waters for pathogens. Total maximum daily load (TMDL) studies confirmed evidence of pollution and fecal waste discharge from numerous land use sectors throughout the watershed. The data considered to establish the TMDL and the program of implementation specified in the Action Pan for Pathogens in the Russian River Watershed (Action Plan) include: observed levels of Escherichia coli (E. coli), enterococci, human-, bovine-, dog-, and bird- specific Bacteroides bacteria, PhyloChip™ Microbial Community Analysis, land cover, and land use. The Action Plan Action Plan addresses Russian River Watershed fecal indicator bacteria impairments and protections by establishing a TMDL, a fecal waste discharge prohibition, and a program of implementation for wastewater treatment facilities, sanitary sewer systems, recycled water, land application of biosolids, municipal stormwater runoff, onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS), dairies, ranches and hobby farms, and homeless encampments.
Overview
The Action Plan adds a TMDL, waste load allocations (WLA), load allocations (LA), and targets for all surface waters of the Russian River Watershed with the water contact (REC-1) beneficial use based upon the statewide Bacteria Water Quality Objectives.
Key to the program of implementation, the Action Plan adds a watershed-wide fecal waste discharge prohibition, mechanisms and compliance timeframes for each sector to comply with the prohibition, and establishes a region-specific assessment program for OWTS across the Russian River Watershed. Taken together with the WLAs and LAs, these elements minimize human exposure to pathogens and protect the REC-1 beneficial use.
(under construction)
The Action Plan contains the following watershed-wide fecal waste discharge prohibition: Discharges of waste containing fecal material from humans or domestic animals to waters of the state within the Russian River Watershed are prohibited.
Compliance with the fecal waste discharge prohibition can be achieved by providing adequate treatment or management practices that prevent the discharge of fecal waste, compliance with a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, or Waste Discharge Requirement (WDR) permit, waiver of WDRs, or implementing terms of Memoranda of Understanding between the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board and relevant local agencies, as applicable.
In 2012, the State Water Board adopted the Water Quality Control Policy for Siting, Design, Operation, and Maintenance of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS Policy), prompting regional water boards to incorporate the statewide OWTS Policy into their Basin Plans within a given timeframe. The North Coast Water Board incorporated the statewide OWTS Policy into its Basin Plan in 2015, retaining the pre-existing Policy on the Control of Water Quality with Respect to On-Site Waste Treatment and Disposal Practices Specific to the Russian River Watershed, Including the Laguna de Santa Rosa (Regional OWTS Policy). The Regional OWTS Policy for the control of OWTS discharges in the Russian River Watershed remains in effect until the Action Plan takes effect.
Upon effect of the Action Plan, the siting and design requirements within the Regional OWTS Policy will be removed from the Basin Plan, no longer applying to the Russian River Watershed. Instead, the Action Plan applies standard statewide OWTS Policy requirements for WDR waiver coverage across the Russian River Watershed. All design and siting criteria for OWTS will be as described under the statewide OWTS Policy or in accordance with provisions under an approved Local Agency Management Program (LAMP). This includes requirements for OWTS subject to an Advanced Protection Management Program (APMP). Compliance with an approved LAMP also complies with the statewide OWTS Policy.
In addition to statewide OWTS Policy and LAMP requirements, the Action Plan establishes the components for the basic operational inspection of OWTS and a North Coast Water Board OWTS assessment program to identify OWTS not authorized under the statewide OWTS Policy or approved LAMPs
TMDL Implementation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Sonoma County
(under construction)
2021 Approved Basin Plan Amendments
- December 2, 2021 – Regional Water Board TMDL and Action Plan Adoption
2019 Approved Basin Plan Amendments
- August 14, 2019 – Regional Water Board TMDL and Action Plan Adoption
Contact Us
- Charles Reed, Project Manager
707-576-2752
charles.reed@waterboards.ca.gov - Lisa Bernard, Planning Unit Supervisor
707-576-2677
lisa.bernard@waterboards.ca.gov
Resources
TMDL Projects
- Albion River
- Big River
- Coastal Pathogens
- Eel River, North Fork
- Eel River, Upper Main
- Eel River, Middle Main
- Eel River, Middle Fork
- Eel River, Lower Main
- Eel River, South Fork
- Elk River
- Freshwater Creek
- Garcia River
- Gualala River
- Klamath River
- Laguna De Santa Rosa
- Lost River, Upper
- Lost River, Lower
- Mad River
- Mattole River
- Navarro River
- Noyo River
- Redwood Creek
- Russian River
- Salmon River
- Scott River
- Shasta River
- Stemple Creek
- Ten Mile River
- Trinity River
- Trinity River, South Fork
- Van Duzen River
(Page last updated 10/9/25->)
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