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

Supporting Information

Regional Board 5 - Central Valley Region

Water Body Name:	Sullivan Creek (above Phoenix Reservoir, Tuolumne County)
Water Body ID:	CAR5363101020101203154751
Water Body Type:	River & Stream


DECISION ID	126974	Region 5
Sullivan Creek (above Phoenix Reservoir, Tuolumne County)

Pollutant:	Indicator Bacteria
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)(2018)
Revision Status	Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	Insufficient information is available to determine beneficial use support for this waterbody-pollutant combination with the statistical power and confidence required by the Listing Policy. Beneficial use support will be reassessed in a future cycle, if more data are available.

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. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.

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 126974, Indicator Bacteria	Region 5
Sullivan Creek (above Phoenix Reservoir, Tuolumne County)

LOE ID:

71213

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:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Four of the twelve samples exceeded the E. coli objective.

Data Reference:

Data for Tuolumne County Stream Team Water Quality Monitoring Report, 2007-2009.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters shall not contain chemical constituents in concentrations that adversely affect beneficial uses. (Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region, Sacramento River 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 E. coli concentration shall not exceed more than 235/100 ml. USEPA Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria - 1986.

Guideline Reference:

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

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at Sullivan Creek at Creekside Drive, Opposite Fern Lane and Sullivan Creek at Potato Ranch Rd. WBID: CAR5363101020101203154751

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected once a month from November 2008 to June 2009.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

This data was collected under the QAPP for Tuolumne County Water Quality Plan and Water-Quality Monitoring Field Procedures Manual, Tuolumne County Stream Team.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 126974, Indicator Bacteria	Region 5
Sullivan Creek (above Phoenix Reservoir, Tuolumne County)

LOE ID:

194442

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:

Water Board staff assessed data for Sullivan Creek (above Phoenix Reservoir, Tuolumne County) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 0 of the 5 samples exceeded the Statistical Threshold Value (STV) water quality threshold for E. coli. The STV is based on a 10% exceedance rate that is calculated monthly.

Data Reference:

Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 5.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The bacteria water quality objective applicable to all waters, except Lake Tahoe, where the salinity is less than 10 parts per thousand (ppth) 95 percent or more of the time is a STATISTICAL THRESHOLD VALUE (STV) of 320 cfu/100 mL not to be exceeded more than 10 percent of the time (calculated monthly).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries Plan. Part 1: Trash Provisions; Part 2: Tribal Subsistence Beneficial Uses and Mercury Provisions; Part 3: Bacteria Provisions and Variance Policy

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s), station(s): SulC

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the days of 2018-12-13 and 2019-05-08 .

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center. 2018. Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Project in the Merced, Mokelumne, Stanislaus and Tuolumne River Watersheds.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Project in the Merced, Mokelumne, Stanislaus and Tuolumne River Watersheds


DECISION ID	92114	Region 5
Sullivan Creek (above Phoenix Reservoir, Tuolumne County)

Pollutant:	Oxygen, Dissolved
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)(2016)
Revision Status	Original
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA section 303(d) List under section 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Two of the 30 samples exceed the Criteria/Objective. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the CWA section 303(d) List 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. Two of 30 samples exceeded the Criteria/Objective and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy. 4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.

Regional Board 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.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 92114, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 5
Sullivan Creek (above Phoenix Reservoir, Tuolumne County)

LOE ID:

71214

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Two of the 30 samples exceeded the objective.

Data Reference:

Data for Tuolumne County Stream Team Water Quality Monitoring Report, 2007-2009.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The dissolved oxygen concentrations shall not be reduced below the following minimum levels at any time: Waters designated COLD: 7.0 mg/L.

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:

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected from the Sullivan Creek at Creekside and Sullivan Creek at Potato Ranch Rd. stations.

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected approximately once a month from November 2007 to December 2009.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QUALITY ASSURANCE PROJECT PLAN TUOLUMNE COUNTY WATER QUALITY PLAN PROJECT Final Version 1.0 Prepared for Tuolumne County By Environmental Science Associates (September 21, 2005)

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	92064	Region 5
Sullivan Creek (above Phoenix Reservoir, Tuolumne County)

Pollutant:	Temperature, water
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)(2016)
Revision Status	Original
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA section 303(d) List under section 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Zero of the 25 samples exceed the Evaluation Guideline. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the CWA section 303(d) List. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. 2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 3. Zero of 25 samples exceeded Evaluation Guideline and this sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 26 samples is needed to determine if a beneficial use is fully supported using table 3.2. 4. Pursuant to Section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.

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 92064, Temperature, water	Region 5
Sullivan Creek (above Phoenix Reservoir, Tuolumne County)

LOE ID:

71216

Pollutant:

Temperature, water

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data provided by CSERC (Tuolumne County Stream Team). None of the 25 samples exceeded the evaluation guideline for temperature in this water body.

Data Reference:

Data for Tuolumne County Stream Team Water Quality Monitoring Report, 2007-2009.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The natural receiving water temperature of intrastate waters shall not be altered unless it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Regional Water Board that such alteration in temperature does not adversely affect beneficial uses. In determining compliance with the water quality objectives for temperature, appropriate averaging periods may be applied provided that beneficial uses will be fully protected (Central Valley Regional Board Basin Plan, Pg. III-8.00, Water Quality Objectives).

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:

Inland Fishes of California (Moyle 1976) states that for rainbow trout the optimum range for growth and completion of most life stages is 13-21 degrees C (page 129).

Guideline Reference:

Inland Fishes of California (1976)

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected in Sullivan Creek at Creekside and in Sullivan Creek at Potato Ranch Rd.

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected monthly from 11/2007-6/2008.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QUALITY ASSURANCE PROJECT PLAN TUOLUMNE COUNTY WATER QUALITY PLAN PROJECT Final Version 1.0 Prepared for Tuolumne County By Environmental Science Associates (September 21, 2005)

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	92116	Region 5
Sullivan Creek (above Phoenix Reservoir, Tuolumne County)

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)(2016)
Revision Status	Original
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA section 303(d) List under section 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Zero of the zero samples exceed the Criteria/Objective. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the CWA section 303(d) List. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. 2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 3. Zero of zero samples exceeded Criteria/Objective and this sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 26 samples is needed to determine if a beneficial use is fully supported using table 3.2. 4. Pursuant to Section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.

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 92116, Trash	Region 5
Sullivan Creek (above Phoenix Reservoir, Tuolumne County)

LOE ID:

59490

Pollutant:

Trash

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Nuisance

Matrix:

-N/A

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Non-Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Occurrence of conditions judged to cause impairment

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

During multiple dates in 2007 and 2008, the Tuolumne County Stream Team observed litter, trash, foam, suds, and an oily sheen.

Data Reference:

Data for Tuolumne County Stream Team Water Quality Monitoring Report, 2007-2009.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

From the Region 5 Basin Plan: Water shall not contain floating material in amounts that cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses. Waters shall not contain oils, greases, waxes, or other materials in concentrations that cause nuisance, result in a visible film or coating on the surface of the water or on objects in the water, or otherwise adversely affect beneficial uses.

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:

Spatial Representation:

Sullivan Creek at Creekside/Crestview, and Sullivan Creen at Potato Ranch Road.

Temporal Representation:

Multiple dates in 2007 and 2008.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Tuolumne County Water Quality Plan Project QAPP, dated Sept. 2005 was provided.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan for Tuolumne County Water Quality Project, versioin 1.0.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 92116, Trash	Region 5
Sullivan Creek (above Phoenix Reservoir, Tuolumne County)

LOE ID:

59495

Pollutant:

Trash

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Nuisance

Matrix:

-N/A

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Non-Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Occurrence of conditions judged to cause impairment

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

During multiple dates in 2007 and 2008, the Tuolumne County Stream Team observed litter, trash, foam, suds and a septic smell.

Data Reference:

Data for Tuolumne County Stream Team Water Quality Monitoring Report, 2007-2009.

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:

Spatial Representation:

Sullivan Creek opposite Fern Lane.

Temporal Representation:

Multiple dates in 2007 and 2008.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Tuolumne County Water Quality Plan Project QAPP, dated Sept. 2005 was provided.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan for Tuolumne County Water Quality Project, versioin 1.0.


DECISION ID	92115	Region 5
Sullivan Creek (above Phoenix Reservoir, Tuolumne County)

Pollutant:	pH
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)(2016)
Revision Status	Original
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA section 303(d) List under section 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Six of the 41 samples exceed the Criteria/Objective. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the CWA section 303(d) List 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. Six of 41 samples exceeded the Criteria/Objective and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy. 4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.

Regional Board 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.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 92115, pH	Region 5
Sullivan Creek (above Phoenix Reservoir, Tuolumne County)

LOE ID:

71215

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Numeric data generated from 41 minimums and maximums of pH data had 6 exceedences.

Data Reference:

Data for Tuolumne County Stream Team Water Quality Monitoring Report, 2007-2009.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The pH of all inland surface waters shall not be depressed below 6.5 or raised above 8.5 as a result of waste discharges.

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:

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected from the Creekside and Potato Ranch stations.

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected approximately once a month from November 2007 to June 2008 and December 2008 to May 2009.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

NPDES quality assurance.

QAPP Information Reference(s):