Final California 2010 Integrated Report (303(d) List/305(b) Report)

Supporting Information

Regional Board 9 - San Diego Region

Water Body Name:	San Diego River (Upper)
Water Body ID:	CAR9073100020011025102439
Water Body Type:	River & Stream


DECISION ID	5189	Region 9
San Diego River (Upper)

Pollutant:	Excess Algal Growth
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2006)
Revision Status	Original
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	303(d) listing decisions made prior to 2006 were not held in an assessment database. This is a placeholder decision for a 303(d) listing made in a previous assessment cycle. The Regional Boards will update this decision when new data and information become available and are assessed. One line of evidence (visual observation) is available in the administrative record. The excess algae growth information is not backed by nutrient data. Excess algae growth information should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because is not a pollutant or toxicity (section 2 of the Listing Policy).

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	No new data were assessed for 2008. The Regional Board will update this decision when new data and information become available and are assessed. After review of the available data and information, Regional Board staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because the information is not based on a condition and not a pollutant.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.

USEPA Action (if applicable):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 5189, Excess Algal Growth	Region 9
San Diego River (Upper)

LOE ID:

3349

Pollutant:

Excess Algal Growth

LOE Subgroup:

Testimonial Evidence

Matrix:

Not Specified

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

From the letter written on 06/14/2004 by the San Diego Baykeeper: In the Santee portion of the San Diego River there have been visual observations that reveal foam and algal blooms, foul river odors, and trash dumping. (San Diego Baykeeper, 2004).

Data Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

From the Basin Plan: For inland surface waters, enclosed bays and estuaries, coastal lagoons, and ground waters and all beneficial uses, inland surface waters, bays and estuaries, and coastal lagoon waters shall not contain biostimulatory substances in concentrations that promote aquatic growth to the extent that such growths cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses. Concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus, by themselves or in combination with other nutrients, shall be maintained at levels below those which stimulate algae and emergent plant growth.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The area is described as Upper San Diego River.

Temporal Representation:

A letter regarding pollution was written on 06/14/2004. No other dates were provided.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QA Info Missing

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	5164	Region 9
San Diego River (Upper)

Pollutant:	Foam/Flocs/Scum/Oil Slicks
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2006)
Revision Status	Original
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for listing under sections 2.1, 3.6, and 3.10 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.6, a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status while under section 3.10, a minimum of two lines of evidence are needed to assess listing status. One line of evidence is required are available in the administrative record to assess foams, flocculants, and oil slicks. Two lines of evidence are required for scum. Scum data is not backed by any nutrient data and therefore cannot be used as the basis for a listing on its own (section 2 of the Listing Policy). Based on the information presented, the water body-pollutant should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because it cannot be determined if the pollutant contribute or cause a toxicological effect (section 2 of the Listing Policy). This data was reviewed during the development of the 2002 303(d) List and was not considered to be the basis for a listing at that time. It is still not enough information to list this waterbody for this pollutant.

Regional Board 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 because it cannot be determined if applicable water quality standards are not being exceeded.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	.After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.

USEPA Action (if applicable):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 5164, Foam/Flocs/Scum/Oil Slicks	Region 9
San Diego River (Upper)

LOE ID:

3348

Pollutant:

Foam/Flocs/Scum/Oil Slicks

LOE Subgroup:

Testimonial Evidence

Matrix:

Not Specified

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

From the letter written by the San Diego Baykeeper on 06/14/2004: . In the Santee portion of the San Diego River there have been visual observations that reveal foam and algal blooms, foul river odors, and trash dumping. (San Diego Baykeeper, 2004).

Data Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

From the Basin Plan: For inland surface waters and all beneficial uses, waters shall not contain floating material, including solids, liquids foams, and scum in concentrations which cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The area is described as Upper San Diego River near Santee.

Temporal Representation:

The letter regarding pollution was written on 06/14/200. No other dates were provided.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QA Info Missing

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	5190	Region 9
San Diego River (Upper)

Pollutant:	Sediment
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2006)
Revision Status	Original
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	One line of evidence (visual observation) is available in the administrative record. Information is not backed with numerical data. One time visual observation information should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because it cannot be determined if the pollutant contribute or cause a toxicological effect (section 2 of the Listing Policy). (More likely, the sediment is destroying habitat.) This data was reviewed during the development of the 2002 303(d) List and was not considered to be the basis for a listing at that time. It is still not enough information to list this waterbody for this pollutant.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	No new data were assessed for 2008. The Regional Board will update this decision when new data and information become available and are assessed.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.

USEPA Action (if applicable):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 5190, Sediment	Region 9
San Diego River (Upper)

LOE ID:

3347

Pollutant:

Sediment

LOE Subgroup:

Testimonial Evidence

Matrix:

Not Specified

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Chemical monitoring of sediments

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

From the letter from the San Diego Baykeeper on 06/14/2004: The State Board has data that was submitted in 2002 by Suzanne M. Michel, Ph.D., Water Resources Geography, which states that contaminants were dumped into the river by Lakeside Land Co, and sediment from Pier 3 was dumped into the river by the Naval Station. (San Diego Baykeeper, 2004).

Data Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

From the Basin Plan: For inland surface waters and all beneficial uses, the WQO for sediment states that the suspended sediment load and suspended sediment discharge rate of surface waters shall not be altered in such a manner as to cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The area is described as Upper San Diego River. No other location information was reported.

Temporal Representation:

The letter regarding possible impairment was written on 06/14/2004. No other dates were reported.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QA Info Missing

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	17051	Region 9
San Diego 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	Original
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Four of five of the samples exceed the Basin Plan water quality objective for sulfates. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. The data used 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. Four of five of the samples exceed the Basin Plan water quality objective for sulfates, 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 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 because applicable water quality standards are not being exceeded.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.

USEPA Action (if applicable):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 17051, Sulfates	Region 9
San Diego River (Upper)

LOE ID:

9017

Pollutant:

Sulfates

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Not Recorded

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Five water samples were collected at San Diego River station 907SSDR15 on May 2004, September 2004, February 2005, and April 2005, four out of five showed excessive sulfate concentrations (SWAMP, 2007).

Data Reference:

Monitoring data for Region 9

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The recommended secondary drinking water standard for sulfate is 250 mg/l (RWQCB, 2007).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Water samples were collected at San Diego River station 907SSDR15; (Latitude 32.7621, Longitude -117.1925).

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected on May 2004, September 2004, February 2005, and April 2005.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Quality control for the chemical analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

2002. Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. California Department of Fish and Game, Monterey, CA


DECISION ID	4748	Region 9
San Diego River (Upper)

Pollutant:	Taste and odor
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2006)
Revision Status	Original
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	One line of evidence is available in the administrative record. Information is not backed with numerical data. Based on the information presented, the water body-pollutant should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because it cannot be determined if the pollutant contribute or cause a toxicological effect (section 2 of the Listing Policy). This data was reviewed during the development of the 2002 303(d) List and was not considered to be the basis for a listing at that time. It is still not enough information to list this waterbody for this pollutant.

Regional Board 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 because it cannot be determined if applicable water quality standards are not being exceeded.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.

USEPA Action (if applicable):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 4748, Taste and odor	Region 9
San Diego River (Upper)

LOE ID:

3350

Pollutant:

Taste and odor

LOE Subgroup:

Testimonial Evidence

Matrix:

Not Specified

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

From the letter from the San Diego Baykeeper on 06/14/2004: . In the Santee portion of the San Diego River there have been visual observations that reveal foam and algal blooms, foul river odors, and trash dumping. (San Diego Baykeeper, 2004).

Data Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

From the Basin Plan: For inland surface waters and all beneficial uses, Waters shall not contain taste or odor producing substances at concentrations which cause a nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

Evaluation Guideline:

From the Basin Plan: For inland surface waters with a municipal beneficial use, the WQO for Odor is 3 units.

Guideline Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

Spatial Representation:

The are is described as the Upper San Diego River.

Temporal Representation:

The letter regarding pollution was written on 06/14/2004. No other dates were provided.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QA Info Missing

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	4711	Region 9
San Diego 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:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2006)
Revision Status	Original
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	One line of evidence is available in the administrative record. Information is not backed with numerical data. Based on the information presented, the water body-pollutant should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because it cannot be determined if the pollutant contribute or cause a toxicological effect (section 2 of the Listing Policy). This data was reviewed during the development of the 2002 303(d) List and was not considered to be the basis for a listing at that time. It is still not enough information to list this waterbody for this pollutant.

Regional Board 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 because it cannot be determined if applicable water quality standards are not being exceeded.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.

USEPA Action (if applicable):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 4711, Total Dissolved Solids	Region 9
San Diego River (Upper)

LOE ID:

3346

Pollutant:

Total Dissolved Solids

LOE Subgroup:

Testimonial Evidence

Matrix:

Not Specified

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

From the letter written by the San Diego Baykeeper on 06/14/2004: There is also evidence that the San Diego River has problems with total dissolved solids. See Huntley, David and Serratore, Shannon, Groundwater Management Planning Study El Monte/Santee Basin. Draft Report Prepared by the San Diego County Groundwater Authority, San Diego CA (1999). This is particularly a problem because of the Santee-El Monte Groundwater Basin which runs directly under the river bed. Therefore, there is substantial surface to groundwater interaction, and opportunity for the total dissolved solids to enter into the water supply. (San Diego Baykeeper, 2004).

Data Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The objective is numeric.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

Evaluation Guideline:

From the Basin Plan: for inland surface waters and all beneficial uses, the WQO for TDS is 500 mg/L. This concentration is not to be exceeded more than 10% of the time during any one year period.

Guideline Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

Spatial Representation:

The are is described as the Upper San Diego River. Exact location was not given.

Temporal Representation:

The letter was written on 06/14/2004. No other dates were provided. There is note of another study that dates back to 1999.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QA Info Missing

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	4747	Region 9
San Diego River (Upper)

Pollutant:	Trash
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2006)
Revision Status	Original
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	One line of evidence is available in the administrative record. Information is not backed with numerical data. Based on the information presented, the water body-pollutant should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because it cannot be determined if the pollutant contribute or cause a toxicological effect (section 2 of the Listing Policy). This data was reviewed during the development of the 2002 303(d) List and was not considered to be the basis for a listing at that time. It is still not enough information to list this waterbody for this pollutant.

Regional Board 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 because it cannot be determined if applicable water quality standards are not being exceeded.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.

USEPA Action (if applicable):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 4747, Trash	Region 9
San Diego River (Upper)

LOE ID:

3351

Pollutant:

Trash

LOE Subgroup:

Testimonial Evidence

Matrix:

Not Specified

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

From the letter written by the San Diego Baykeeper on 06/14/2004: In the Santee portion of the San Diego River there have been visual observations that reveal foam and algal blooms, foul river odors, and trash dumping. (San Diego Baykeeper, 2004).

Data Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

No objective was found.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The are is described as the Upper San Diego River.

Temporal Representation:

The letter regarding trash dumping was written on 06/14/2004. No other dates were provided.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QA Info Missing

QAPP Information Reference(s):