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

Supporting Information

Regional Board 9 - San Diego Region

Water Body Name: Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
Water Body ID: CAR9112100020110828192152
Water Body Type: River & Stream
 
DECISION ID
114237
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
Pollutant: Alkalinity as CaCO3
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: 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:
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 114237, Alkalinity as CaCO3
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
LOE ID: 139610
 
Pollutant: Alkalinity as CaCO3
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SMC Regional Watershed Monitoring data for Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Alkalinity as CaCO3.
Data Reference: Field, Sediment, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 9.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or produce detrimental physiological responses in, human, plant, animal, or aquatic life (Water Quality Control Plan, San Diego Basin).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin
 
Evaluation Guideline: The CCC of 20mg/L is a minimum value except where alkalinity is naturally lower, in which case the criterion cannot be lower than 25% of the natural level (USEPA National Recommended Water Quality Criteria Aquatic Life)
Guideline Reference: National Recommended Water Quality Criteria. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Water. Office of Science and Technology
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (SMC03510)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-07-21 and 2014-07-15
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2007. Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds., Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2019. Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds
QAPP Information Reference(s): Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition
 
 
DECISION ID
127833
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
Pollutant: Ammonia
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: 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:
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 127833, Ammonia
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
LOE ID: 185066
 
Pollutant: Nitrogen, ammonia (Total Ammonia)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SMC Regional Watershed Monitoring data for Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Ammonia as N.
Data Reference: Field, Sediment, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 9.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Total Ammonia criterion continuous concentration (expressed as a 30-day average) to protect aquatic life in freshwater is Temperature and pH dependent, and was calculated according to the formula listed in the Aquatic Life Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Ammonia - Freshwater 2013 document.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Aquatic Life Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Ammonia - Freshwater 2013
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (SMC03510)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-07-21 and 2014-07-15
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2007. Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds., Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2019. Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds
QAPP Information Reference(s): Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition
 
 
DECISION ID
115555
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
Pollutant: Ammonia (Unionized)
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: 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:
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 115555, Ammonia (Unionized)
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
LOE ID: 185585
 
Pollutant: Ammonia (Unionized)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SMC Regional Watershed Monitoring data for Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Ammonia as N, Unionized.
Data Reference: Field, Sediment, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 9.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The discharge of wastes shall not cause concentrations of un-ionized ammonia (NH3) to exceed 0.025 mg/l (as N) in inland surface waters, enclosed bays and estuaries and coastal lagoons (Water Quality Control Plan, San Diego Basin).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (SMC03510)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-07-21 and 2014-07-15
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2007. Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds., Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2019. Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds
QAPP Information Reference(s): Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition
 
 
DECISION ID
114224
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
Pollutant: Arsenic
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: 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:
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 114224, Arsenic
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
LOE ID: 139928
 
Pollutant: Arsenic
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SMC Regional Watershed Monitoring data for Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Arsenic.
Data Reference: Field, Sediment, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 9.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The dissolved arsenic criterion continuous concentration (expressed as a 4-day average) to protect aquatic life in freshwater for dissolved arsenic is 0.150 mg/L (California Toxics Rule, 2000).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Standards 2000. Establishment of numeric criteria for priority toxic pollutants for the State of California: Rules and regulations. Federal Register Vol. 65, No. 97. Washington, D.C.: Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (SMC03510)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-07-21 and 2014-07-15
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2007. Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds., Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2019. Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds
QAPP Information Reference(s): Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 114224, Arsenic
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
LOE ID: 140320
 
Pollutant: Arsenic
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SMC Regional Watershed Monitoring data for Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Arsenic.
Data Reference: Field, Sediment, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 9.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The dissolved arsenic criterion continuous concentration (expressed as a 4-day average) to protect aquatic life in freshwater for dissolved arsenic is 0.150 mg/L (California Toxics Rule, 2000).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Standards 2000. Establishment of numeric criteria for priority toxic pollutants for the State of California: Rules and regulations. Federal Register Vol. 65, No. 97. Washington, D.C.: Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (SMC03510)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-07-21 and 2014-07-15
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2007. Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds., Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2019. Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds
QAPP Information Reference(s): Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition
 
 
DECISION ID
126476
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
Pollutant: Benthic Community Effects
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: Benthic Community Effects are being considered for placement on the CWA section 303(d) List under sections 3.9 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.9, additional lines of evidence (LOEs) associating the Benthic Community Effects decision with a water or sediment concentration of pollutants other than benthic-macroinvertebrate bioassessment or habitat assessment LOEs are necessary to place a water body on the 303(d) List for Benthic Community Effects.

Two line(s) of evidence evaluating benthic-macroinvertebrate bioassessment data is/are available in the administrative record to assess this indicator. One of three benthic-macroinvertebrate samples exceed the California Stream Condition Index (CSCI) impairment threshold. One CSCI had low BMI counts and was not included as an exceedance. These data indicate that the waterbody is likely unimpaired for Benthic Community Effects and therefore no other pollutant LOEs need be associated with this decision at this time.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing Benthic Community Effects in this waterbody segment 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. [X of X] benthic-macroinvertebrate bioassessment samples had CSCI scores below 0.79. Therefore, this water body is not exceeding the water quality threshold for the protection of the COLD beneficial use. The available information indicates that the waterbody/pollutant combination should not be placed on the 303(d) List of impaired waters at this time.
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 126476, Benthic Community Effects
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
LOE ID: 79695
 
Pollutant: Benthic-Macroinvertebrate Bioassessments
LOE Subgroup: Population/Community Degradation
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: Benthic macroinvertebrate surveys
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: One sample were taken at one station on the Tijuana River near the Cottonwood confluence. The CSCI score is below the 0.79 threshold, and therefore exceeding the water quality objective for the aquatic life beneficial use. It is important to note that the O/E portion of the CSCI for this site includes portions of the watershed that are in Mexico. The pMMI portion of the CSCI was examined for the site score. The result is less thabn 0.5 and thus is outside the reference distribution.
Data Reference: RWB9 Status Sampling 2007 and 2008
  Region 9 CSCI Scores & Water Body Information
 
SWAMP Data: 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 or animal, or aquatic life. Compliance with this objective will be determined by use of indicator organisms, analysis of species diversity, population density, growth anomalies, bioassays of appropriate duration, or other appropriate methods as specified by the Regional Board. Region 9 Basin Plan.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin
 
Evaluation Guideline: The California Stream Condition Index (CSCI) is a biological scoring tool that helps aquatic resource managers translate complex data about benthic macroinvertebrates found living in a stream into an overall measure of stream health. The CSCI score is calculated by comparing the expected condition with actual (observed) results (Rhen, A.C. et al., 2015). CSCI scores range from 0 (highly degraded) to greater than 1 (equivalent to reference). CSCI scoring of biological condition are as follows (per the scientific paper supporting the development of the CSCI scoring tool): greater than or equal to 0.92 = likely intact condition, 0.91 to 0.80 = possibly altered condition, 0.79 to 0.63 = likely altered condition, less than or equal to 0.62 = very likely altered condition. Sites with scores below 0.79 are considered to have exceeded the water quality objective for the aquatic life beneficial use.
Guideline Reference: Development of a Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity (B-IBI) for Wadeable Streams in Northern Coastal California and its Application to Regional 305(b) Assessment
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at station 911TTJR01
Temporal Representation: The sample was collected in 2008
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Data collected following SWAMP QA protocols for the RWB9 Status Sampling 2007 and 2008 water quality monitoring project
QAPP Information Reference(s): RWB9 Status Sampling 2007 and 2008
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 126476, Benthic Community Effects
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
LOE ID: 215846
 
Pollutant: Benthic-Macroinvertebrate Bioassessments
LOE Subgroup: Population/Community Degradation
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Benthic macroinvertebrate surveys
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed data for 911S03510 to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceeded the threshold. CSCI scores were from 0.80873317 to 0.84340088 .
Data Reference: California Stream Condition Index Scores for the 2020 Integrated Report
 
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 or animal, or aquatic life. Compliance with this objective will be determined by use of indicator organisms, analysis of species diversity, population density, growth anomalies, bioassays of appropriate duration, or other appropriate methods as specified by the Regional Board. Region 9 Basin Plan.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin
 
Evaluation Guideline: The California Stream Condition Index (CSCI) is a biological scoring tool that helps aquatic resource managers translate complex data about benthic macroinvertebrates found living in a stream into an overall measure of stream health. The CSCI score is calculated by comparing the expected condition with actual (observed) results (Rhen, A.C. et al., 2015). CSCI scores range from 0 (highly degraded) to greater than 1 (equivalent to reference). CSCI scoring of biological condition are as follows (per the scientific paper supporting the development of the CSCI scoring tool): greater than or equal to 0.92 = likely intact condition, 0.91 to 0.80 = possibly altered condition, 0.79 to 0.63 = likely altered condition, less than or equal to 0.62 = very likely altered condition. Sites with scores below 0.79 are considered to have exceeded the water quality objective for the aquatic life beneficial use.  
Guideline Reference: Bioassessment in complex environments: designing an index for consistent meaning in different settings
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected from station 911S03510
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected from 7/21/2011 to 7/15/2014.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: The data was collected under a permit required receiving waters monitoring and reporting program
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Project Plan for Southern California Regional Watershed Monitoring Program Bioassessment, Version 1.0, and Freshwater Bioassessment from Weston Solutions.
 
 
DECISION ID
114225
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
Pollutant: Cadmium
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: 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:
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 114225, Cadmium
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
LOE ID: 140967
 
Pollutant: Cadmium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SMC Regional Watershed Monitoring data for Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Cadmium.
Data Reference: Field, Sediment, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 9.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: California Toxics Rule (CTR) lists criterion continuous concentrations to protect aquatic life in freshwater. The criterion in freshwater is hardness dependent for each sample and varies based on the ambient hardness during sampling. Section (b)(1) in CTR contains the hardness dependent formula for the metals criterion.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Standards 2000. Establishment of numeric criteria for priority toxic pollutants for the State of California: Rules and regulations. Federal Register Vol. 65, No. 97. Washington, D.C.: Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (SMC03510)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-07-21 and 2014-07-15
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2007. Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds., Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2019. Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds
QAPP Information Reference(s): Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition
 
 
DECISION ID
114226
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
Pollutant: Chloride
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: 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:
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 114226, Chloride
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
LOE ID: 140863
 
Pollutant: Chloride
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 2
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SMC Regional Watershed Monitoring data for Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 2 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Chloride.
Data Reference: Field, Sediment, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 9.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Chloride water quality threshold in this HSA is 250 mg/L, and this concentration is not to be exceeded more than 10% of the time during any one year period (Basin Plan, Table 3-2).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (SMC03510)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-07-21 and 2014-07-15
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2007. Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds., Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2019. Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds
QAPP Information Reference(s): Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition
 
 
DECISION ID
114238
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
Pollutant: Chromium
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: 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:
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 114238, Chromium
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
LOE ID: 141212
 
Pollutant: Chromium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SMC Regional Watershed Monitoring data for Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Chromium.
Data Reference: Field, Sediment, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 9.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: California Toxics Rule (CTR) lists criterion continuous concentrations to protect aquatic life in freshwater. The criterion in freshwater is hardness dependent for each sample and varies based on the ambient hardness during sampling. Section (b)(1) in CTR contains the hardness dependent formula for the metals criterion.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Standards 2000. Establishment of numeric criteria for priority toxic pollutants for the State of California: Rules and regulations. Federal Register Vol. 65, No. 97. Washington, D.C.: Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (SMC03510)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-07-21 and 2014-07-15
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2007. Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds., Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2019. Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds
QAPP Information Reference(s): Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition
 
 
DECISION ID
114227
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
Pollutant: Copper
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: 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:
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 114227, Copper
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
LOE ID: 141621
 
Pollutant: Copper
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SMC Regional Watershed Monitoring data for Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Copper.
Data Reference: Field, Sediment, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 9.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: California Toxics Rule (CTR) lists criterion continuous concentrations to protect aquatic life in freshwater. The criterion in freshwater is hardness dependent for each sample and varies based on the ambient hardness during sampling. Section (b)(1) in CTR contains the hardness dependent formula for the metals criterion.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Standards 2000. Establishment of numeric criteria for priority toxic pollutants for the State of California: Rules and regulations. Federal Register Vol. 65, No. 97. Washington, D.C.: Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (SMC03510)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-07-21 and 2014-07-15
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2007. Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds., Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2019. Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds
QAPP Information Reference(s): Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition
 
 
DECISION ID
114228
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
Pollutant: Lead
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: 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:
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 114228, Lead
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
LOE ID: 142880
 
Pollutant: Lead
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SMC Regional Watershed Monitoring data for Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Lead.
Data Reference: Field, Sediment, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 9.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: California Toxics Rule (CTR) lists criterion continuous concentrations to protect aquatic life in freshwater. The criterion in freshwater is hardness dependent for each sample and varies based on the ambient hardness during sampling. Section (b)(1) in CTR contains the hardness dependent formula for the metals criterion.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Standards 2000. Establishment of numeric criteria for priority toxic pollutants for the State of California: Rules and regulations. Federal Register Vol. 65, No. 97. Washington, D.C.: Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (SMC03510)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-07-21 and 2014-07-15
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2007. Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds., Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2019. Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds
QAPP Information Reference(s): Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition
 
 
DECISION ID
114229
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
Pollutant: Nickel
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: 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:
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 114229, Nickel
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
LOE ID: 143663
 
Pollutant: Nickel
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SMC Regional Watershed Monitoring data for Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Nickel.
Data Reference: Field, Sediment, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 9.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: California Toxics Rule (CTR) lists criterion continuous concentrations to protect aquatic life in freshwater. The criterion in freshwater is hardness dependent for each sample and varies based on the ambient hardness during sampling. Section (b)(1) in CTR contains the hardness dependent formula for the metals criterion.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Standards 2000. Establishment of numeric criteria for priority toxic pollutants for the State of California: Rules and regulations. Federal Register Vol. 65, No. 97. Washington, D.C.: Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (SMC03510)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-07-21 and 2014-07-15
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2007. Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds., Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2019. Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds
QAPP Information Reference(s): Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition
 
 
DECISION ID
114230
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
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: 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:
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 114230, Oxygen, Dissolved
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
LOE ID: 144635
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 4
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB9 Monitoring data for Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 4 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Oxygen, Dissolved.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Sediment, Tissue, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 9.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Dissolved oxygen levels shall not be less than 5.0 mg/l in inland surface waters with the WARM beneficial use designated (Water Quality Control Plan, San Diego Basin).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (911TTET03)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2010-11-04 and 2011-09-26
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008, Nagoda and Busse, 2013. Quality Assurance Project Plan for Screening of Cyanotoxins in Lakes/Reservoirs and Coastal Wetlands in the San Diego Region, SWAMP QAPrP 2017
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 114230, Oxygen, Dissolved
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
LOE ID: 144370
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SMC Regional Watershed Monitoring data for Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Oxygen, Dissolved.
Data Reference: Field, Sediment, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 9.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Dissolved oxygen levels shall not be less than 5.0 mg/l in inland surface waters with the WARM beneficial use designated (Water Quality Control Plan, San Diego Basin).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (SMC03510)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-07-21 and 2014-07-15
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2007. Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds., Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2019. Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds
QAPP Information Reference(s): Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition
 
 
DECISION ID
114223
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
Pollutant: Oxytetracycline
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: 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:
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 114223, Oxytetracycline
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
LOE ID: 145057
 
Pollutant: Oxytetracycline
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 4
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB9 Monitoring data for Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 4 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Oxytetracycline.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Sediment, Tissue, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 9.
 
SWAMP Data: 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, San Diego Basin).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin
 
Evaluation Guideline: The evaluation guideline for Oxytetracycline is the USEPA Aquatic Life Benchmark of 47450 ug/L for a fish (acute) for Oxytetracycline (hydrochloride salt).
Guideline Reference: OPP Aquatic Life Benchmarks
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (911TTET03)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2010-11-04 and 2011-09-26
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008, Nagoda and Busse, 2013. Quality Assurance Project Plan for Screening of Cyanotoxins in Lakes/Reservoirs and Coastal Wetlands in the San Diego Region, SWAMP QAPrP 2017
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
 
DECISION ID
114233
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
Pollutant: Selenium
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: 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:
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 114233, Selenium
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
LOE ID: 146385
 
Pollutant: Selenium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SMC Regional Watershed Monitoring data for Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Selenium.
Data Reference: Field, Sediment, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 9.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The selenium criterion continuous concentration (expressed as a 4-day average) to protect aquatic life in freshwater is 0.005 mg/L (California Toxics Rule, 2000).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Standards 2000. Establishment of numeric criteria for priority toxic pollutants for the State of California: Rules and regulations. Federal Register Vol. 65, No. 97. Washington, D.C.: Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (SMC03510)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-07-21 and 2014-07-15
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2007. Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds., Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2019. Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds
QAPP Information Reference(s): Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 114233, Selenium
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
LOE ID: 146387
 
Pollutant: Selenium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SMC Regional Watershed Monitoring data for Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Selenium.
Data Reference: Field, Sediment, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 9.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The selenium criterion continuous concentration (expressed as a 4-day average) to protect aquatic life in freshwater is 0.005 mg/L (California Toxics Rule, 2000).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Standards 2000. Establishment of numeric criteria for priority toxic pollutants for the State of California: Rules and regulations. Federal Register Vol. 65, No. 97. Washington, D.C.: Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (SMC03510)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-07-21 and 2014-07-15
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2007. Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds., Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2019. Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds
QAPP Information Reference(s): Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition
 
 
DECISION ID
114234
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
Pollutant: Toxicity
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: 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:
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 114234, Toxicity
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
LOE ID: 134699
 
Pollutant: Toxicity
LOE Subgroup: Toxicity
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: TOXICITY TESTING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: 0 of the 2 samples collected by SMC Regional Watershed Monitoring for Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing) exhibited toxicity. A sample may have multiple toxicity test results, but will only be counted once. A sample is defined as being collected on the same day, at the same location with the same lab sample ID (if provided). The following organisms and parameters were utilized for the toxicity tests: Hyalella azteca, for Survival, Ceriodaphnia dubia, for Young/female, Ceriodaphnia dubia, for Survival
Data Reference: Field, Sediment, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 9.
 
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. Compliance with this objective will be determined by use of indicator organisms, analyses of species diversity, population density, growth anomalies, bioassays of appropriate duration, or other appropriate methods as specified by the Regional Board.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 station. Monitoring site: ( SMC03510 )
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-07-21 and 2014-07-15.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2007. Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds., Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2019. Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds
QAPP Information Reference(s): Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition
 
 
DECISION ID
114235
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
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: 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:
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 114235, Turbidity
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
LOE ID: 147843
 
Pollutant: Turbidity
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SMC Regional Watershed Monitoring data for Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Turbidity.
Data Reference: Field, Sediment, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 9.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Turbidity water quality threshold in this HSA is 20 NTU, and this level is not to be exceeded more than 10% of the time during any one year period (Basin Plan, Table 3-2).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (SMC03510)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-07-21 and 2014-07-15
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2007. Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds., Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2019. Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds
QAPP Information Reference(s): Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition
 
 
DECISION ID
114236
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
Pollutant: Zinc
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: 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:
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 114236, Zinc
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
LOE ID: 148055
 
Pollutant: Zinc
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SMC Regional Watershed Monitoring data for Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Zinc.
Data Reference: Field, Sediment, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 9.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: California Toxics Rule (CTR) lists criterion continuous concentrations to protect aquatic life in freshwater. The criterion in freshwater is hardness dependent for each sample and varies based on the ambient hardness during sampling. Section (b)(1) in CTR contains the hardness dependent formula for the metals criterion.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Standards 2000. Establishment of numeric criteria for priority toxic pollutants for the State of California: Rules and regulations. Federal Register Vol. 65, No. 97. Washington, D.C.: Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (SMC03510)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-07-21 and 2014-07-15
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2007. Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds., Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2019. Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds
QAPP Information Reference(s): Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition
 
 
DECISION ID
114231
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
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: 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:
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 114231, pH
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
LOE ID: 145752
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SMC Regional Watershed Monitoring data for Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.
Data Reference: Field, Sediment, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 9.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: In inland surface waters the pH shall not be depressed below 6.5 nor raised above 8.5.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (SMC03510)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-07-21 and 2014-07-15
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2007. Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds., Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2019. Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds
QAPP Information Reference(s): Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 114231, pH
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
LOE ID: 145522
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 4
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB9 Monitoring data for Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 4 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.
Data Reference: Field, Habitat, Sediment, Tissue, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 9.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: In inland surface waters the pH shall not be depressed below 6.5 nor raised above 8.5.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (911TTET03)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2010-11-04 and 2011-09-26
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPrP 2008, Nagoda and Busse, 2013. Quality Assurance Project Plan for Screening of Cyanotoxins in Lakes/Reservoirs and Coastal Wetlands in the San Diego Region, SWAMP QAPrP 2017
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program
 
 
DECISION ID
127517
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
Pollutant: Nitrogen
Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Sources: A Source Unknown
Expected TMDL Completion Date: 2033
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 3.1 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

One lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Two of the two samples exceed the water quality threshold.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification in favor of 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. Two of the two samples exceed the water quality threshold, and this exceeds the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.1 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 be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards are exceeded and a pollutant contributes to or causes the problem.
 
State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation:
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 127517, Nitrogen
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
LOE ID: 144075
 
Pollutant: Total Nitrogen as N
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 2
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SMC Regional Watershed Monitoring data for Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 2 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Nitrogen, Total.
Data Reference: Field, Sediment, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 9.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: 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. A desired goal in order to prevent plant nuisance in streams and other flowing waters appears to be 0.1 mg/L total P. Analogous threshold values have not been set for nitrogen compounds; however, natural ratios of nitrogen to phosphorus are to be determined by surveillance and monitoring and upheld. If data are lacking, a ratio of N:P = 10:1, on a weight to weight basis shall be used (Water Quality Control Plan, San Diego Basin).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (SMC03510)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-07-21 and 2014-07-15
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2007. Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds., Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2019. Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds
QAPP Information Reference(s): Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition
 
 
DECISION ID
114232
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
Pollutant: Phosphorus
Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Sources: A Source Unknown
Expected TMDL Completion Date: 2033
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 3.1 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. Two of the two samples exceed the threshold.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification in favor of 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. Two of the two samples exceed the threshold, and this exceeds the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.1 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 be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards are exceeded and a pollutant contributes to or causes the problem.
 
State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation:
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 114232, Phosphorus
Region 9     
Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing)
 
LOE ID: 146064
 
Pollutant: Phosphorus
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 2
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed SMC Regional Watershed Monitoring data for Tijuana River, Upper (Cottonwood Creek confluence to 1st border crossing) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 2 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Phosphorus as P.
Data Reference: Field, Sediment, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 9.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: 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. A desired goal in order to prevent plant nuisance in streams and other flowing waters appears to be 0.1 mg/L total P. Analogous threshold values have not been set for nitrogen compounds; however, natural ratios of nitrogen to phosphorus are to be determined by surveillance and monitoring and upheld. If data are lacking, a ratio of N:P = 10:1, on a weight to weight basis shall be used (Water Quality Control Plan, San Diego Basin).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (SMC03510)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-07-21 and 2014-07-15
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2007. Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds., Weston Solutions, Inc.. 2019. Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Regional Monitoring of Southern California's Coastal Watersheds
QAPP Information Reference(s): Bioassessment Survey of the Stormwater Monitoring Coalition