Draft California 2020 Integrated Report (303(d) List/305(b) Report)

Supporting Information

Regional Board 5 - Central Valley Region

Water Body Name:	Whiskeytown Lake (areas near Oak Bottom, Brandy Creek Campgrounds and Whiskeytown)
Water Body ID:	CAL5246100019980814123354
Water Body Type:	Lake & Reservoir


DECISION ID	131906	Region 5
Whiskeytown Lake (areas near Oak Bottom, Brandy Creek Campgrounds and Whiskeytown)

Pollutant:	Mercury
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2018)
Revision Status	Revised
Sources:	A Source Unknown
Expected TMDL Completion Date:	2027
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for removal from the CWA section 303(d) List under section 4.5 and 4.11 of the Listing Policy. Under section 4.5 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Under section 4.11 when all other delisting factors do not result in the delisting of a water segment but information indicates attainment of standards, a water segment shall be evaluated to determine whether the weight of evidence demonstrates that water quality standard is attained. If the weight of evidence indicates attainment, the water segment shall be removed from the CWA section 303(d) List. 7 lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess the pollutant. Multiple lines of evidence are replaced by LOEs that are reassessments of the same data following the statewide mercury objectives adopted in 2017: LOEs 25190 and 95621 were replaced with LOE 227165; and LOEs 25189 and 95622 were replaced with LOEs 227212 and 227331. WILD beneficial use (prey fish objective): LOE 227381: 1 of 1 samples exceed the mercury objective and consist of 12 prey fish sampled from a mixture of trophic levels and collected between February and July of the same calendar year. WILD beneficial use (sport fish objective): LOE 227059: 1 of 1 samples exceed the mercury objective and consist of 5 trophic level 4 fish. Fish lengths are within CDFW length limits. LOE 227238: 0 of 1 samples exceed the mercury objective and consist of 3 trophic level 4 fish. Fish lengths are within CDFW length limits. LOE 227246: 0 of 1 samples exceed the mercury objective and consist of 5 trophic level 4 fish. Fish lengths are within CDFW length limits. COMM beneficial use (sport fish objective): LOE 227165: 1 of 1 samples exceed the mercury objective and consist of 5 trophic level 4 fish. Fish lengths are within CDFW length limits. LOE 227212: 0 of 1 samples exceed the mercury objective and consist of 5 trophic level 4 fish. Fish lengths are within CDFW length limits. LOE 227331: 0 of 1 samples exceed the mercury objective and consist of 3 trophic level 4 fish. Fish lengths are within CDFW length limits. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against removing this water segment-pollutant combination from 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. Tissue samples were compared with the sport fish objective and 1 of 3 samples exceed for WILD beneficial use and 1 of 3 samples exceed for the COMM beneficial use. The samples consist of trophic level 4 fish and are from a minimum of 2 annual averages and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.1 of the Listing Policy. However, tissue samples were compared with the prey fish objective and 1 of 1 samples exceed for the WILD beneficial use. The exceeding sample, which may contain a mix of trophic levels, consists of 12 fish and meets the one exceeding sample of eight or more fish needed to determine non-attainment of the mercury objective following weight of evidence in Listing Policy section 3.11. A minimum of 3 annual averages based on composite fish tissue samples must meet the standard to indicate attainment of the standard. 4. Pursuant to section 4.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	This decision was made by SWRCB staff.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 131906, Mercury	Region 5
Whiskeytown Lake (areas near Oak Bottom, Brandy Creek Campgrounds and Whiskeytown)

LOE ID:

227212

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:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Fish Mercury Project (Year 2) data for Whiskeytown Lake (areas near Oak Bottom, Brandy Creek Campgrounds and Whiskeytown) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 0 of the 1 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Mercury. This LOE contains data only for trophic level 4 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 3 fish species (3 composite(s) of Spotted Bass each composed of 1 fish per composite, 1 composite(s) of Largemouth Bass each composed of 1 fish per composite, 1 composite(s) of Sacramento Pikeminnow each composed of 1 fish per composite). This LOE does not contain data from fish who's average length was outside of the legal size limits as described by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Fishing Regulations.

Data Reference:

Fish Mercury Project, Year 2 Annual Report, Sport Fish Sampling and Analysis. Final Report. October 2007

SWAMP Data:

Non-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 California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins)

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins. 4th ed

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): 524ADVWLC.

Temporal Representation:

Data for this line of evidence were collected between 2006-07-13 and 2006-07-13. When composited fish were collected over multiple days, the first day of fish collection was used as the sample date in the LOE, both for LOE writing, and for averaging period purposes.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Data quality: Excellent. Quality Control for all of the elements described in section 6.1.4 of the Policy was conducted in accordance with the Laboratory QAPP developed by Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (MLML, 2005). This data was also collected and analyzed in accordance with the CALFED Mercury Project QAPP (Puckett and van Buuren, 2000).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 131906, Mercury	Region 5
Whiskeytown Lake (areas near Oak Bottom, Brandy Creek Campgrounds and Whiskeytown)

LOE ID:

227238

Pollutant:

Mercury

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Tissue

Matrix:

Tissue

Fraction:

Fish fillet

Beneficial Use:

Wildlife Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Fish Mercury Project (Year 2) data for Whiskeytown Lake (areas near Oak Bottom, Brandy Creek Campgrounds and Whiskeytown) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 0 of the 1 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Mercury. This LOE contains data only for trophic level 4 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 3 fish were aggregated into 1 annual averages, which consisted of 2 fish species (2 composite(s) of Smallmouth Bass each composed of 1 fish per composite, 1 composite(s) of Largemouth Bass each composed of 1 fish per composite). This LOE does not contain data from fish who's average length was outside of the legal size limits as described by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Fishing Regulations.

Data Reference:

Fish Mercury Project, Year 2 Annual Report, Sport Fish Sampling and Analysis. Final Report. October 2007

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins. 4th ed

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): 524ADVWLB.

Temporal Representation:

Data for this line of evidence were collected between 2006-07-11 and 2006-07-12. When composited fish were collected over multiple days, the first day of fish collection was used as the sample date in the LOE, both for LOE writing, and for averaging period purposes.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 131906, Mercury	Region 5
Whiskeytown Lake (areas near Oak Bottom, Brandy Creek Campgrounds and Whiskeytown)

LOE ID:

227246

Pollutant:

Mercury

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Tissue

Matrix:

Tissue

Fraction:

Fish fillet

Beneficial Use:

Wildlife Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Fish Mercury Project, Year 2 Annual Report, Sport Fish Sampling and Analysis. Final Report. October 2007

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins. 4th ed

Evaluation Guideline:

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): 524ADVWLC.

Temporal Representation:

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 131906, Mercury	Region 5
Whiskeytown Lake (areas near Oak Bottom, Brandy Creek Campgrounds and Whiskeytown)

LOE ID:

227331

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:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Fish Mercury Project (Year 2) data for Whiskeytown Lake (areas near Oak Bottom, Brandy Creek Campgrounds and Whiskeytown) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 0 of the 1 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Mercury. This LOE contains data only for trophic level 4 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 3 fish were aggregated into 1 annual averages, which consisted of 2 fish species (2 composite(s) of Smallmouth Bass each composed of 1 fish per composite, 1 composite(s) of Largemouth Bass each composed of 1 fish per composite). This LOE does not contain data from fish who's average length was outside of the legal size limits as described by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Fishing Regulations.

Data Reference:

Fish Mercury Project, Year 2 Annual Report, Sport Fish Sampling and Analysis. Final Report. October 2007

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins. 4th ed

Evaluation Guideline:

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): 524ADVWLB.

Temporal Representation:

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 131906, Mercury	Region 5
Whiskeytown Lake (areas near Oak Bottom, Brandy Creek Campgrounds and Whiskeytown)

LOE ID:

227381

Pollutant:

Mercury

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Tissue

Matrix:

Tissue

Fraction:

Fish fillet

Beneficial Use:

Wildlife Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Fish Mercury Project (Year 2) data for Whiskeytown Lake (areas near Oak Bottom, Brandy Creek Campgrounds and Whiskeytown) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 1 of the 1 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Mercury. All fish collected between February and July of the same calendar year with a reported length of 50-150 mm were averaged into a single sample, independent or species of trophic level, for comparison with the objective. This LOE consists of a total of 12 fish, which were aggregated into 1 annual averages, consisting of 2 fish species (10 composite(s) of Bluegill each composed of 1 fish per composite, 2 composite(s) of Sacramento Pikeminnow each composed of 1 fish per composite). Of these annual averages, 1 average(s), (Year(s): 2006) exceeded the objective.

Data Reference:

Fish Mercury Project, Year 2 Annual Report, Sport Fish Sampling and Analysis. Final Report. October 2007

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins. 4th ed

Evaluation Guideline:

The Statewide Prey 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 0.05 mg/Kg wet weight whole fish samples of any fish species between 50 to 150 mm in total length collected between February 1 and July 31. (SWRCB 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): 524ADVWLB.

Temporal Representation:

Data for this line of evidence were collected between 2006-07-11 and 2006-07-11. When composited fish were collected over multiple days, the first day of fish collection was used as the sample date in the LOE, both for LOE writing, and for averaging period purposes.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 131906, Mercury	Region 5
Whiskeytown Lake (areas near Oak Bottom, Brandy Creek Campgrounds and Whiskeytown)

LOE ID:

227059

Pollutant:

Mercury

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Tissue

Matrix:

Tissue

Fraction:

Fish fillet

Beneficial Use:

Wildlife Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed DWR Northern CA Lakes data for Whiskeytown Lake (areas near Oak Bottom, Brandy Creek Campgrounds and Whiskeytown) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 1 of the 1 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Mercury. This LOE contains data only for trophic level 4 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 Largemouth Bass each composed of 5 fish per composite). Of these annual averages, 1 average(s), (Year(s): 2001) exceeded the objective.This LOE does not contain data from fish who's average length was outside of the legal size limits as described by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Fishing Regulations.

Data Reference:

Mercury Contamination in Fish from Northern California Lakes and Reservoirs. State of California. The Resources Agency. Department of Water Resources. Northern District. July 2007

Data for Mercury Tissue in Northern California Lakes, 2000-2001

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins. 4th ed

Evaluation Guideline:

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): Whiskeytown Lake Reservoir.

Temporal Representation:

Data for this line of evidence were collected between 2001-08-16 and 2001-08-30. When composited fish were collected over multiple days, the first day of fish collection was used as the sample date in the LOE, both for LOE writing, and for averaging period purposes.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Data was previously assessed without a QAPP. Data reassessed without a QAPP for consistency.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 131906, Mercury	Region 5
Whiskeytown Lake (areas near Oak Bottom, Brandy Creek Campgrounds and Whiskeytown)

LOE ID:

227165

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:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Mercury Contamination in Fish from Northern California Lakes and Reservoirs. State of California. The Resources Agency. Department of Water Resources. Northern District. July 2007

Data for Mercury Tissue in Northern California Lakes, 2000-2001

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins. 4th ed

Evaluation Guideline:

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): Whiskeytown Lake Reservoir.

Temporal Representation:

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Data was previously assessed without a QAPP. Data reassessed without a QAPP for consistency.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.


DECISION ID	75270	Region 5
Whiskeytown Lake (areas near Oak Bottom, Brandy Creek Campgrounds and Whiskeytown)

Pollutant:	Indicator Bacteria
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	Original
Reason for Delisting:	Applicable WQS attained; reason for recovery unspecified
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	The decision has not changed. Region 5 data was not included in the 2012 Integrated Report so all decisions are carried over from the 2010 listing cycle. This pollutant is being considered for removal from the section 303(d) list under section 4.2 of the Listing Policy. Under this section 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. Twelve of 1,643 water samples exceeded the E. coli water quality objective. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification for removing this water segment-pollutant combination from the 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. Twelve of 1,643 samples exceeded the E. coli guideline (235 MPN single sample limit), and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 4.2 of the Listing Policy. The most recent data set was collected from 1998 to 2008. 4. Pursuant to section 4.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	This is a decision previously approved by the State Water Resources Control Board and the USEPA. No new data were assessed by the Regional Board for the 2014 Integrated Report. The decision has not changed.

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.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 75270, Indicator Bacteria	Region 5
Whiskeytown Lake (areas near Oak Bottom, Brandy Creek Campgrounds and Whiskeytown)

LOE ID:

4580

Pollutant:

Coliform Bacteria

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Not Recorded

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Unspecified--This LOE is a placeholder to support a 303(d) listing decision made prior to 2006.

Data Reference:

Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Unspecified

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)

Evaluation Guideline:

Unspecified

Guideline Reference:

Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)

Spatial Representation:

Unspecified

Temporal Representation:

Unspecified

Environmental Conditions:

Unspecified

QAPP Information:

Unspecified

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 75270, Indicator Bacteria	Region 5
Whiskeytown Lake (areas near Oak Bottom, Brandy Creek Campgrounds and Whiskeytown)

LOE ID:

26357

Pollutant:

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Analysis of 45 water samples collected by RWQCB staff from 2006 through 2007 shows 0 exceedances of the single sample limit of 235 MPN of E. coli. Samples were collected by trained, qualified staff following appropriate quality assurance protocols. Analysis was conducted using Regional Board equipment and materials in the Redding Office. (Sampling Results Memo dated 14 December 2007)

Data Reference:

SAMPLING RESULTS MEMO: Whiskeytown E. coli and Fecal Coliform sampling, and Recommendation for removal of Whiskeytown Lake from the CWA 303(d) impaired waters list

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. The objective applies regardless of whether the toxicity is caused by a single substance or the interactive effect of multiple substances.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins. 4th ed

Evaluation Guideline:

The USEPA E. Coli objective of 235/100 mL in any single sample (USEPA 1986).

Guideline Reference:

Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria - 1986. EPA440/5-84-002

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected at Brandy Creek and Oak Bottom swim beaches. Three samples were collected at each beach in order to adequately capture the variable water circulation and swimmer density conditions at these beaches. Sample locations were separated as much as possible in order to capture the range of variation at the sites.

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected during the main contact recreation season with emphasis on high use weekends when higher fecal contamination conditions are more probable.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Samples were collected following standard E. coli water sampling protocols. Samples were collected at 1 to 2 feet water depth using a sterile container. Samples were immediately placed in a cooler. All water samples were analysed for E. coli by staff using the Colilert method in the Redding Regional Board office laboratory. A holding time of 6 hours and Colilert protocols were followed. Total coliform results from the Colilert method are included.Fifteen samples were also collected for fecal coliform analysis and compared with E. coli results of paired grab samples. Basic Lab of Redding performed the fecal coliform analysis per the SM 9221E (15 tube) method.Correlation between the E. coli samples and fecal coliform results show that the E. coli analysis at Whiskeytown is comparable or more sensitive than fecal coliform analysis at low levels.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 75270, Indicator Bacteria	Region 5
Whiskeytown Lake (areas near Oak Bottom, Brandy Creek Campgrounds and Whiskeytown)

LOE ID:

26356

Pollutant:

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

1598

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Analysis of 1,598 water samples collected during the period1998 through 2008 shows only 12 exceedances of the single sample limit of 235 MPN of E. coli. The exceedances are distributed over the decade and not concentrated in any single year. The National Park Service monitoring plan and quality control is appropriate for the conditions and analyte. Samples were collected by trained park staff and delivered to a local lab for analysis. Analysis was performed at Basic Lab, which is certified for E. coli and fecal coliform analysis. (Whiskeytown NPS monitoring reports 2006 to 2008)

Data Reference:

SAMPLING RESULTS MEMO: Whiskeytown E. coli and Fecal Coliform sampling, and Recommendation for removal of Whiskeytown Lake from the CWA 303(d) impaired waters list

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins. 4th ed

Evaluation Guideline:

The USEPA E. Coli objective of 235/100 mL in any single sample (USEPA 1986).

Guideline Reference:

Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria - 1986. EPA440/5-84-002

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected at Brandy Creek, Oak Bottom, East Beach, and Whiskeytown Group swim beaches. Three samples were collected at the larger beaches, Brandy Creek and Oak Bottom, in order to adequately capture the variable water circulation and swimmer density conditions at these beaches. Sample locations were separated as much as possible in order to capture the range of variation at the sites.

Temporal Representation:

The total data set spans 1987 to 2008. The period 1998 to present was selected because the Park Service had implemented improvements to address bacteria sources by 1998, and had established a successful monitoring program. Samples were collected during the main contact recreation season from May through September. The annual sample size ranged from a low of 105 in 2000 to 196 in 2006. Sampling events were relatively evenly distributed over the main contact recreation season. High use weekends such as Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day were included in the sampling.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

The monitoring plan and quality assurance procedures are consistent federal swim beach recreation management guidelines. The monitoring was designed to detect high fecal contamination loads during high use and high load conditions. Quality assurance addressed training, chain of custody, sampling methodology, potential field contamination, sample preservation, holding times, and data recording.

QAPP Information Reference(s):