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

Supporting Information

Regional Board 6 - Lahontan Region

Water Body Name: Shinn Canyon
Water Body ID: CAR6390002020080811163357
Water Body Type: River & Stream
 
DECISION ID
14137
Region 6     
Shinn Canyon
 
Pollutant: Nitrate
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 Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.1 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. The single sample does not exceed the California Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL). No biological data are available for assessment of compliance with the water quality objective for biostimulatory substances.

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

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used do not satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used do not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 or Table 3.1 of the Policy.
3. The single sample does not exceed the MCL. No biological data are available to assess whether the single sample complies with the water quality objective for biostimulatory substances.
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 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 14137, Nitrate
Region 6     
Shinn Canyon
 
LOE ID: 25963
 
Pollutant: Nitrate
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: Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Bureau of Land Management sampled this station on August 27, 2002. The NO3-N concentration in one sample was 0.37 mg/L. The MCL was not exceeded.
Data Reference: Water quality data for surface waters on U.S Bureau of Land Management lands in Lassen and Modoc Counties
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: California Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) apply to ambient waters under the Lahontan Basin Plan's "Chemical Constituents" objective. The MCL for nitrate is 45 mg/L expressed "as nitrate," equivalent to 10 mg/L expressed "as N."
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Station S-6B, "Al Shin Canyon at Smoke Creek" was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sample was collected on August 27, 2002.
Environmental Conditions: Shinn Canyon is a tributary of Smoke Creek that enters the main creek from the east. The USBLM records call the station “Al-Shin Canyon at Smoke Creek” but the “Shinn” spelling is apparently the official geographic name. Smoke Creek is located within the Smoke Creek Hydrologic Unit (HU No. 639.00). It flows from Lassen County into the Smoke Creek Desert in Nevada (north of Pyramid Lake). In addition to the Cold Freshwater Habitat beneficial use, Smoke Creek is designated for the Rare, Threatened or Endangered Species use and the Spawning, Reproduction and Development use. No site-specific water quality objectives have been established for the waters of this watershed.
QAPP Information: No quality assurance information was submitted with the data.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 14137, Nitrate
Region 6     
Shinn Canyon
 
LOE ID: 25961
 
Pollutant: Nitrate
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: Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Bureau of Land Management sampled this station on August 27, 2002. The NO3-N concentration in one sample was 0.37 mg/L.
Data Reference: Water quality data for surface waters on U.S Bureau of Land Management lands in Lassen and Modoc Counties
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Lahontan Basin Plan does not include site specific objectives for this water body. The regionwide narrative objective for biostimulatory substances states:

"Waters shall not contain biostimulatory substances in concentrations that promote aquatic growths to the extent that such growths cause nuisance or adversely affect the water for beneficial uses."
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Station S-6B, "Al Shin Canyon at Smoke Creek" was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sample was collected on August 27, 2002.
Environmental Conditions: Shinn Canyon is a tributary of Smoke Creek that enters the main creek from the east. The USBLM records call the station “Al-Shin Canyon at Smoke Creek” but the “Shinn” spelling is apparently the official geographic name. Smoke Creek is located within the Smoke Creek Hydrologic Unit (HU No. 639.00). It flows from Lassen County into the Smoke Creek Desert in Nevada (north of Pyramid Lake). In addition to the Cold Freshwater Habitat beneficial use, Smoke Creek is designated for the Rare, Threatened or Endangered Species use and the Spawning, Reproduction and Development use. No site-specific water quality objectives have been established for the waters of this watershed.
QAPP Information: No quality assurance information was submitted with the data.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
14138
Region 6     
Shinn Canyon
 
Pollutant: Phosphate
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.1 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

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

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

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used do not satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used do not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 or Table 3.1 of the Policy.
3. No biological data are available to assess whether the single sample complies with the water quality objective for biostimulatory substances.
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 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 14138, Phosphate
Region 6     
Shinn Canyon
 
LOE ID: 25964
 
Pollutant: Phosphate
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: Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Bureau of Land Management sampled this station on August 27, 2002. The PO4-P concentration in one sample was 0.27 mg/L.
Data Reference: Water quality data for surface waters on U.S Bureau of Land Management lands in Lassen and Modoc Counties
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Lahontan Basin Plan does not include site specific objectives for this water body. The regionwide narrative objective for biostimulatory substances states:

“Waters shall not contain biostimulatory substances in concentrations that promote aquatic growths to the extent that such growths cause nuisance or adversely affect the water for beneficial uses.”
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Station S-6B, "Al Shin Canyon at Smoke Creek" was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sample was collected on August 27, 2002.
Environmental Conditions: Shinn Canyon is a tributary of Smoke Creek that enters the main creek from the east. The USBLM records call the station “Al-Shin Canyon at Smoke Creek” but the “Shinn” spelling is apparently the official geographic name. Smoke Creek is located within the Smoke Creek Hydrologic Unit (HU No. 639.00). It flows from Lassen County into the Smoke Creek Desert in Nevada (north of Pyramid Lake). In addition to the Cold Freshwater Habitat beneficial use, Smoke Creek is designated for the Rare, Threatened or Endangered Species use and the Spawning, Reproduction and Development use. No site-specific water quality objectives have been established for the waters of this watershed.
QAPP Information: No quality assurance information was submitted with the data.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
14139
Region 6     
Shinn Canyon
 
Pollutant: Specific Conductance
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
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. The single sample does exceed the California Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL).

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

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used do not satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used do not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 or Table 3.2 of the Policy.
3. The single sample does not exceed the MCL 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 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 14139, Specific Conductance
Region 6     
Shinn Canyon
 
LOE ID: 25957
 
Pollutant: Specific Conductance
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Bureau of Land Management sampled this station on August 27, 2002. Specific conductance in one sample was 296 uS/cm. The MCL was not exceeded.
Data Reference: Water quality data for surface waters on U.S Bureau of Land Management lands in Lassen and Modoc Counties
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: California Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) apply to ambient waters under the Lahontan Basin Plan's "Chemical Constituents" objective. The MCL for specific conductance is 900 microsiemens per centimeter (uS/cm).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Station S-6B, "Al Shin Canyon at Smoke Creek" was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sample was collected on August 27, 2002.
Environmental Conditions: Shinn Canyon is a tributary of Smoke Creek that enters the main creek from the east. The USBLM records call the station “Al-Shin Canyon at Smoke Creek” but the “Shinn” spelling is apparently the official geographic name. Smoke Creek is located within the Smoke Creek Hydrologic Unit (HU No. 639.00). It flows from Lassen County into the Smoke Creek Desert in Nevada (north of Pyramid Lake). In addition to the Cold Freshwater Habitat beneficial use, Smoke Creek is designated for the Rare, Threatened or Endangered Species use and the Spawning, Reproduction and Development use. No site-specific water quality objectives have been established for the waters of this watershed.
QAPP Information: No quality assurance information was submitted with the data.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
14141
Region 6     
Shinn Canyon
 
Pollutant: Temperature, water
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. The Lahontan Basin Plan's objective for temperature is antidegradation-based and the available data are insufficient to document baseline and trend conditions as required by section 3.10 of the Listing Policy.

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 do not satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used do not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. The single sample is insufficient to determine compliance with the objective under section 3.10 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 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 14141, Temperature, water
Region 6     
Shinn Canyon
 
LOE ID: 25959
 
Pollutant: Temperature, water
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Bureau of Land Management sampled this station on August 27, 2002. The temperature of one sample was 15 degrees Celsius.
Data Reference: Water quality data for surface waters on U.S Bureau of Land Management lands in Lassen and Modoc Counties
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The temperature objective in the Lahontan Basin Plan states: "The natural receiving water temperature of all waters shall not be altered unless it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Regional Board that such an alteration in temperature does not adversely affect the water for beneficial uses.

For waters designated WARM, water temperature shall not be altered by more than five degrees Fahrenheit ... above or below the natural temperature. For waters designated COLD, the temperature shall not be altered.

Temperature objectives for COLD interstate waters and WARM interstate waters are as specified in the 'Water Quality Control Plan for Control of Temperature in The Coastal and Interstate Waters and Enclosed Bays and Estuaries of California' including any revisions."
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Station S-6B, "Al Shin Canyon at Smoke Creek" was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sample was collected on August 27, 2002.
Environmental Conditions: Shinn Canyon is a tributary of Smoke Creek that enters the main creek from the east. The USBLM records call the station “Al-Shin Canyon at Smoke Creek” but the “Shinn” spelling is apparently the official geographic name. Smoke Creek is located within the Smoke Creek Hydrologic Unit (HU No. 639.00). It flows from Lassen County into the Smoke Creek Desert in Nevada (north of Pyramid Lake). In addition to the Cold Freshwater Habitat beneficial use, Smoke Creek is designated for the Rare, Threatened or Endangered Species use and the Spawning, Reproduction and Development use. No site-specific water quality objectives have been established for the waters of this watershed.
QAPP Information: No quality assurance information was submitted with the data.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
14140
Region 6     
Shinn Canyon
 
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 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. The single sample does exceed the California Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL). The narrative water quality objective for turbidity is antidegradation-based and the single sample is inadequate to determine baseline and trend conditions under the requirements of Listing Policy section 3.10.

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 do not satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used do not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 or Table 3.2 of the Policy.
3. The single sample does not exceed the MCL and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy. The single sample does not meet the requirements of section 3.10 of the 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 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 14140, Turbidity
Region 6     
Shinn Canyon
 
LOE ID: 25962
 
Pollutant: Turbidity
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Bureau of Land Management sampled this station on August 27, 2002. The turbidity in one sample was 1.07 NTU.
Data Reference: Water quality data for surface waters on U.S Bureau of Land Management lands in Lassen and Modoc Counties
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Lahontan Basin Plan's regionwide turbidity objective states: "Waters shall be free of changes in turbidity that cause nuisance or adversely affect the water for beneficial uses. Increases in turbidity shall not exceed natural levels by more than 10 percent."
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Station S-6B, "Al Shin Canyon at Smoke Creek" was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sample was collected on August 27, 2002.
Environmental Conditions: Shinn Canyon is a tributary of Smoke Creek that enters the main creek from the east. The USBLM records call the station “Al-Shin Canyon at Smoke Creek” but the “Shinn” spelling is apparently the official geographic name. Smoke Creek is located within the Smoke Creek Hydrologic Unit (HU No. 639.00). It flows from Lassen County into the Smoke Creek Desert in Nevada (north of Pyramid Lake). In addition to the Cold Freshwater Habitat beneficial use, Smoke Creek is designated for the Rare, Threatened or Endangered Species use and the Spawning, Reproduction and Development use. No site-specific water quality objectives have been established for the waters of this watershed.
QAPP Information: No quality assurance information was submitted with the data.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 14140, Turbidity
Region 6     
Shinn Canyon
 
LOE ID: 25965
 
Pollutant: Turbidity
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Bureau of Land Management sampled this station on August 27, 2002. The turbidity in one sample was 1.07 NTU. The MCL was not exceeded.
Data Reference: Water quality data for surface waters on U.S Bureau of Land Management lands in Lassen and Modoc Counties
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: California Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) apply to ambient waters under the Lahontan Basin Plan's "Chemical Constituents" objective. The MCL for turbidity is 5 NTU.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One station, Station S-6B, "Al Shin Canyon at Smoke Creek" was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sample was collected on August 27, 2002.
Environmental Conditions: Shinn Canyon is a tributary of Smoke Creek that enters the main creek from the east. The USBLM records call the station “Al-Shin Canyon at Smoke Creek” but the “Shinn” spelling is apparently the official geographic name. Smoke Creek is located within the Smoke Creek Hydrologic Unit (HU No. 639.00). It flows from Lassen County into the Smoke Creek Desert in Nevada (north of Pyramid Lake). In addition to the Cold Freshwater Habitat beneficial use, Smoke Creek is designated for the Rare, Threatened or Endangered Species use and the Spawning, Reproduction and Development use. No site-specific water quality objectives have been established for the waters of this watershed.
QAPP Information: No quality assurance information was submitted with the data.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
14142
Region 6     
Shinn Canyon
 
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 Conclusion: One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. The Lahontan Basin Plan's objective for pH is antidegradation-based and the available data are insufficient to document baseline and trend conditions as required by section 3.10 of the Listing Policy.

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 do not satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used do not satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. The single sample is insufficient to determine compliance with the objective under section 3.10 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 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 14142, pH
Region 6     
Shinn Canyon
 
LOE ID: 25958
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The U.S. Bureau of Land Management sampled this station on August 27, 2002. The pH of one sample was 7.8 units..
Data Reference: Water quality data for surface waters on U.S Bureau of Land Management lands in Lassen and Modoc Counties
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Lahontan Basin Plan's 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: One station, Station S-6B, "Al Shin Canyon at Smoke Creek" was sampled.
Temporal Representation: One sample was collected on August 27, 2002.
Environmental Conditions: Shinn Canyon is a tributary of Smoke Creek that enters the main creek from the east. The USBLM records call the station “Al-Shin Canyon at Smoke Creek” but the “Shinn” spelling is apparently the official geographic name. Smoke Creek is located within the Smoke Creek Hydrologic Unit (HU No. 639.00). It flows from Lassen County into the Smoke Creek Desert in Nevada (north of Pyramid Lake). In addition to the Cold Freshwater Habitat beneficial use, Smoke Creek is designated for the Rare, Threatened or Endangered Species use and the Spawning, Reproduction and Development use. No site-specific water quality objectives have been established for the waters of this watershed.
QAPP Information: No quality assurance information was submitted with the data.
QAPP Information Reference(s):