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

Supporting Information

Regional Board 1 - North Coast Region

Water Body Name:	Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River
Water Body ID:	CAR1133004319980708174237
Water Body Type:	River & Stream


DECISION ID	78945	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

Pollutant:	Oxygen, Dissolved
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2016)
Revision Status	Revised
Sources:	A Source Unknown
Expected TMDL Completion Date:	2025
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. Seven lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. LOE 34050 was replaced with LOEs 133889 and 129887 due to updated objective thresholds. LOE 34047 was replaced with LOEs 129885 and 129886 due to updated objective thresholds. Six of 29 samples exceed the objective for the COLD beneficial use in the mainstem Big River. Seventeen of twenty-nine samples exceed the objective for the COLD beneficial use in Railroad Gulch. Nine of ten samples exceed the objective for the COLD beneficial use in Cookhouse Gulch. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against removing this water segment-pollutant combination from the CWA section 303(d) List. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. 2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 3. Six of 29 samples from the mainstem Big River, seventeen of twenty-nine samples from Railroad Gulch, and nine of ten samples from Cookhouse Gulch exceed the objective and this exceeds the allowable frequency listed in Table 4.2 of the Listing Policy. 4. Pursuant to section 4.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are 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 removed from the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are 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 78945, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

129885

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total 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:

Sixteen of the 27 daily minimum dissolved oxygen (DO) samples exceeded the minimum DO water quality objective. This LOE is a copy of LOE 34047 from the 2012 Integrated Report. The data was reassessed based on new minimum thresholds for DO.

Data Reference:

Data for temperature and conventional pollutants in Big River and Berry Gulch, Aug. 2008-Aug. 2010

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Water Quality Control Plan, North Coast Basin, Chapter III, General Objectives for all Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries states: Dissolved oxygen concentrations shall conform to those limits listed in Section 3.3.5. Section 3.3.5 lists dissolved oxygen concentration limits for COLD beneficial use waters to be a daily minimum of 6.0 mg/L and a 7-day moving average of 8.0 mg/L.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the North Coast Region

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

DO measurements were recorded from four locations on Railroad Gulch (LRRG, RRGhobolow, RRGM, URRG) within the top foot of surface water.

Temporal Representation:

Samples collected between 9/12/2008 and 8/26/2010.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

While no QAPP was completed for the sampling data reported, data submitters included a document detailing efforts taken during sampling (such as equipment calibration) to ensure that the data was of high quality.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 78945, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

34047

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total 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 samples were collected during the period of critical spawning, and one sample violated the 9.0 mg/L dissolved oxygen objective. Twenty-eight (28) samples were collected during non-critical spawning periods and 19 of the samples exceeded the 7.0 mg/L dissolved oxygen objective. All together 20 of 30 samples violated the dissolved oxygen objective. Sample values ranged from 0.5 mg/L to 11.2 mg/L.

Data Reference:

Data for temperature and conventional pollutants in Big River and Berry Gulch, Aug. 2008-Aug. 2010

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Per the Basin Plan (NCRWQCB 2011): (1) Dissolved oxygen concentrations for waters not listed in Table 3-1, and where dissolved oxygen objectives are not prescribed, shall not be reduced below 7.0 mg/L for waters designated as SPWN. (2) Dissolved oxygen concentrations for waters not listed in Table 3-1, and where dissolved oxygen objectives are not prescribed, shall not be reduced below 9.0 mg/L for waters designated as SPWN during critical spawning and egg incubation periods.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the North Coast Region

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

DO measurements were recorded from four locations on Railroad Gulch (LRRG, RRGhobolow, RRGM, URRG) within the top foot of surface water.

Temporal Representation:

Samples collected between 9/12/2008 and 8/26/2010.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 78945, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

34050

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total 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:

Fifteen of the 34 samples collected violated the 7.0 mg/L dissolved oxygen objective. Sample values ranged from 3.5 mg/L to 11.0 mg/L

Data Reference:

Data for temperature and conventional pollutants in Big River and Berry Gulch, Aug. 2008-Aug. 2010

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The site specific objective for the Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River is a minimum value of 7.0 mg/L. In addition, the 90% lower limit for this pollutant is 7.5 mg/L. Therefore, 90% of the values in a calendar year must be lower than this limit. Lastly, the site specific objective of 50% lower limit of 10 mg/L which represents the 50 percentile values of the monthly means for a calendar year applies to this water body. Therefore, 50% or more of the monthly means in a calendar year must be less than or equal to an upper limit.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the North Coast Region

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

A total of seven stations (MSDSLNF, MS-DSLX, MSDSRRG, MS-Lillie's, MSUSLIL-NB, MSUSLIL-SB, SMUSLNF) were sampled along the mainstem of Big River. Measurements were recorded in situ at 1', 3' and 5' depths. Exceedances for each station were determined using the minimum measured DO reading per day based on Section 6.1.5.6 of the Listing Policy.

Temporal Representation:

Samples collected between 9/12/2008 and 8/26/2010.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 78945, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

101362

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

If DO concentrations fall below the numeric objectives set forth by the Basin Plan (2018). If NO, then the waterbody is supporting that beneficial use, if YES, then that waterbody is considered impaired.

Data Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the North Coast Region

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Water Quality Control Plan, North Coast Region (NCRWQCB 2018): Dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations shall conform to the numeric objectives expressed in section 3.3.5.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the North Coast Region

Evaluation Guideline:

EVIDENCE OF SALMONID PRESENCE & LIFE CYCLE USE: Fish species present in this water body include Coho & Steelhead (Downie et al. 2006). Coho & Steelhead Spawning occurs Nov-March, out-migration is March to June (Downie et. al. 2006). Steelhead rear year round (R2 Resource Consultants, Inc. and Stetson Engineers, Inc. 2008). Waters within the Berry Gulch planning watershed are considered core rearing habitat.

Guideline Reference:

Big River Basin Assessment. Coastal Watershed Assessment Program.

Guideline Reference:

North Coast Instream Flow Policy: Scientific and Development of Alternatives Protecting Anadromous Salmonids.

Spatial Representation:

Information pertains to the Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA (including Big River).

Temporal Representation:

Data are reflective of current conditions in this water body.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Information is considered to be of adequate quality for the Integrated Report process.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 78945, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

129886

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Aquatic Life Use:

Fish Spawning

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Zero of the one daily minimum dissolved oxygen (DO) samples exceeded the minimum DO water quality objective. This LOE is a copy of LOE 34047 from the 2012 Integrated Report. The data was reassessed based on new minimum thresholds for DO.

Data Reference:

Data for temperature and conventional pollutants in Big River and Berry Gulch, Aug. 2008-Aug. 2010

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Water Quality Control Plan, North Coast Basin, Chapter III, General Objectives for all Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries states: Dissolved oxygen concentrations shall conform to those limits listed in Section 3.3.5. Section 3.3.5 lists dissolved oxygen concentration limits for SPAWN beneficial use waters to be a daily minimum of 9.0 mg/L and a 7-day moving average of 11.0 mg/L.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the North Coast Region

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

DO measurements were recorded from four locations on Railroad Gulch (LRRG, RRGhobolow, RRGM, URRG) within the top foot of surface water.

Temporal Representation:

Samples collected between 12/1/2009

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 78945, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

33878

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total 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:

The sample collected did not exceed the SPWN objective.

Data Reference:

Statewide Perennial Streams Assessment 2008

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Water Quality Control Plan, North Coast Region (NCRWQCB 2011): Dissolved oxygen concentrations for waters not listed in Table 3-1, and where dissolved oxygen objectives are not prescribed, shall not be reduced below 7.0 mg/L for waters designated as SPWN.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the North Coast Region

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

One sample was collected from the South Fork Big River station (113PS0012).

Temporal Representation:

One sample was collected in September 2008.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

SWAMP QAPP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program Quality Assurance Program Plan

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 78945, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

133889

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Aquatic Life Use:

Fish Spawning

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Zero of two daily minimum dissolved oxygen (DO) samples exceeded the minimum DO water quality objective. This LOE is a copy of LOE 34050 from the 2012 Integrated Report. The data was reassessed based on new minimum thresholds for DO.

Data Reference:

Data for temperature and conventional pollutants in Big River and Berry Gulch, Aug. 2008-Aug. 2010

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Water Quality Control Plan, North Coast Basin, Chapter III, General Objectives for all Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries states: Dissolved oxygen concentrations shall conform to those limits listed in Section 3.3.5. Section 3.3.5 lists dissolved oxygen concentration limits for SPAWN beneficial use waters to be a daily minimum of 9.0 mg/L and a 7-day moving average of 11.0 mg/L.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the North Coast Region

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

DO measurements were recorded from one location on the mainstem big river (MSDSLNF) within the top foot of surface water.

Temporal Representation:

Samples collected between 12/1/2009

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 78945, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

129887

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total 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:

Six out of 27 daily minimum dissolved oxygen (DO) samples exceeded the minimum DO water quality objective. This LOE is a copy of LOE 34050 from the 2012 Integrated Report. The data was reassessed based on new minimum thresholds for DO.

Data Reference:

Data for temperature and conventional pollutants in Big River and Berry Gulch, Aug. 2008-Aug. 2010

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the North Coast Region

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Temporal Representation:

Samples collected between 9/12/2008 and 8/26/2010.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 78945, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

33251

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total 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:

All samples were collected during months when no critical spawning occurs. Nine out of the 10 samples violated the dissolved oxygen water quality objective, as they were below the 7.0 mg/L dissolved oxygen objective for waters designated as SPWN. Sample values ranged from 2.5 mg/L to 8.9 mg/L.

Data Reference:

Data for temperature and conventional pollutants in Big River and Berry Gulch, Aug. 2008-Aug. 2010

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the North Coast Region

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Measurements were recorded from two stations on Cookhouse Gulch (CHG-AM-BC and CHG-BM) within the top foot of surface water.

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected on 10 days from 5/24/210 to 8/26/2010.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 78945, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

33252

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total 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:

All samples were collected during months when no critical spawning occurs. Three out of the 3 samples violated the dissolved oxygen water quality objective, as they were below the 7.0 mg/L dissolved oxygen objective for waters designated as SPWN. Sample values ranged from 1.0 mg/L to 2.8 mg/L.

Data Reference:

Data for temperature and conventional pollutants in Big River and Berry Gulch, Aug. 2008-Aug. 2010

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the North Coast Region

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

A total of two stations on Laguna Creek (LC-DSB, and LMHOBO). Measurements were recorded at a depth of 1' at LC-DSB at two separate depths (1' and 3') at LMHOBO. At LMHOBO, the minimum value was used in determining the exceedance per section 6.1.5.6 of the Listing Policy.

Temporal Representation:

Data were collected from 10/26/2008 to 8/21/2009 during August and/or October.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	78885	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

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

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.9 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.9, lines of evidence associating the benthic community effects with water or sediment concentrations of pollutants are necessary to assess listing status. Two lines of evidence are available for the South Fork Big River (Mendocino Coast HA, Big River HA). Both CSCI scores meet the evaluation guideline and this indicates that beneficial uses are supported. 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 water body on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: (1) The data used satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy; (2) The data used satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy; (3) The two CSCI scores for this water body met the evaluation guideline.

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 78885, Benthic Community Effects	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

96487

Pollutant:

Benthic-Macroinvertebrate Bioassessments

LOE Subgroup:

Population/Community Degradation

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Aquatic Life Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Benthic macroinvertebrate surveys

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

The site had a CSCI score(s) of 0.948086264. This score indicates that this site is supporting the aquatic life beneficial use and that the water quality objective has been met.

Data Reference:

Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for SWAMP Perennial Stream Surveys .

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

From the Water Quality Control Plan, North Coast Region: 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.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the North Coast Region

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:

These samples were collected at the following station: 113PS0292

Temporal Representation:

These samples were collected on: 7/7/2015

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Data collected following SWAMP QA protocols. QAPP for SWAMP Perennial Stream Surveys.

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 78885, Benthic Community Effects	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

32475

Pollutant:

Benthic-Macroinvertebrate Bioassessments

LOE Subgroup:

Population/Community Degradation

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Benthic macroinvertebrate surveys

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

The one sample collected had an IBI score above 52. Replicate samples were taken at one station and the individual scores were averaged. The score was 74.

Data Reference:

Statewide Perennial Streams Assessment 2008

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Water Quality Control Plan, North Coast Region (NCRWQCB 2011): 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.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the North Coast Region

Evaluation Guideline:

The Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) is a multi-metric assessment that employs biological metrics that respond to a habitat or water quality impairment. Each of the biological metrics measured at a site are converted to an IBI score then summed. These cumulative scores are then ranked. For the Northern California IBI, sites with scores below 52 are considered to have impaired conditions.

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 sample was collected at South Fork Big River, station code 113PS0012.

Temporal Representation:

The sample was collected on September 9, 2008.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

The sample was collected for the SWAMP Perennial Streams Surveys.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program Quality Assurance Program Plan


DECISION ID	104922	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

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:	"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(s) of evidence are necessary to assess listing status. Three lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. None of the samples exceed the 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. None of the six samples exceeded the 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 16 samples is needed to determine if a beneficial use is fully supported using table 3.1. 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 104922, Lead	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

123691

Pollutant:

Lead

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

State Water Board staff re-assessed SWAMP data for Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceed the criterion for Lead, Total. This LOE re-assesses data from LOE 21533 from the 2010 Integrated Report. Data were re-assessed in order to evaluate these data in their own LOE, instead of being evaluated in the same LOE as other metals data.

Data Reference:

Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP). Summary Report for the North Coast Region (RWQCB-1) for years 2000-2006. North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. March 2008

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Water Quality Control Plan, North Coast Region (NCRWQCB 2011): Waters designated for MUN shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in excess of values listed in Table 3-2 of the Basin Plan. The value for lead is 0.05 mg/L.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the North Coast Region

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River was collected at 1 monitoring site [ S FORK BIG RIVER AT DAUGHERTY CR - 113SFBIGD]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 5/9/2001-6/28/2001.

Environmental Conditions:

There are no known environmental conditions (e.g., seasonality, land use practices, fire events, storms, etc.) that are related to these data.

QAPP Information:

Quality control was conducted in accordance with the SWAMP Quality Assurance Management Plan (SWAMP 2002).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 104922, Lead	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

123690

Pollutant:

Lead

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP). Summary Report for the North Coast Region (RWQCB-1) for years 2000-2006. North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. March 2008

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the North Coast Region

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River was collected at 1 monitoring site [ N FK BIG RIVER AT HWY 20 - 113BIGH20]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 5/10/2001-6/28/2001.

Environmental Conditions:

There are no known environmental conditions (e.g., seasonality, land use practices, fire events, storms, etc.) that are related to these data.

QAPP Information:

Quality control was conducted in accordance with the SWAMP Quality Assurance Management Plan (SWAMP 2002).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 104922, Lead	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

123689

Pollutant:

Lead

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP). Summary Report for the North Coast Region (RWQCB-1) for years 2000-2006. North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. March 2008

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the North Coast Region

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River was collected at 1 monitoring site [ BIG RIVER AT MENDOCINO WOODLANDS - 113BI2655]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 5/10/2001-6/28/2001.

Environmental Conditions:

There are no known environmental conditions (e.g., seasonality, land use practices, fire events, storms, etc.) that are related to these data.

QAPP Information:

Quality control was conducted in accordance with the SWAMP Quality Assurance Management Plan (SWAMP 2002).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)


DECISION ID	75319	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

Pollutant:	Lead \| Zinc
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	Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	Data from this group metals decision are now evaluated in their own individual decision for the 2018 Integrated Report. Please see the individual metals decisions for status of these pollutants in this waterbody. This decision will be retired during the next Integrated Report cycle.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	Data from this group metals decision are now evaluated in their own individual decision for the 2018 Integrated Report. Please see the individual metals decisions for status of these pollutants in this waterbody. This decision will be retired during the next Integrated Report cycle.

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 75319, Multiple Pollutants	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

21533

Pollutant:

Lead | Zinc

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

None of the 7 metal samples collected in the Big River Watershed exceed the objectives. At each site, 2 lead samples were collected. The 1 zinc sample was collected at the South Fork Big River site. The samples were collected as part of the Surface Water Ambient Water Monitoring Program (SWAMP). The data are found in the SWAMP Summary Report for the North Coast Region for Years 2000-2006 (NCRWQCB 2008).

Data Reference:

Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP). Summary Report for the North Coast Region (RWQCB-1) for years 2000-2006. North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. March 2008

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Per the Basin Plan (NCRWQCB 2007): Lead objective is 0.05 mg/L. Per 22 CCR 64449: Zinc secondary maximum contaminant level is 5.0 mg/L.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Title 22. Division 4. Chapter 15. Sections 64400 et seq. California Code of Regulations

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - North Coast Region (Region 1)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected from the Big River at 3 locations as follows: (1) from the South Fork Big River at Daugherty Creek (SWAMP Station ID 113SFBIGD), (2) from the North Fork Big River at Highway 20 (SWAMP Station ID 113BIGH20), and (3) from the mainstem Big River at Mendocino Woodlands (SWAMP Station ID 113BIGMWD). Samples were collected from well-mixed flows in glides or riffles.

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected as grab samples during 2 site visits from each site from May to June 2001.

Environmental Conditions:

There are no known environmental conditions (e.g., seasonality, land use practices, fire events, storms, etc.) that are related to these data.

QAPP Information:

Quality control was conducted in accordance with the SWAMP Quality Assurance Management Plan (SWAMP 2002).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)


DECISION ID	104923	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

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:	"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(s) of evidence are necessary to assess listing status. Three lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. None of the samples exceed the 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. None of the six samples exceeded the 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 16 samples is needed to determine if a beneficial use is fully supported using table 3.1. 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 104923, Zinc	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

123697

Pollutant:

Zinc

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

State Water Board staff re-assessed SWAMP data for Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceed the criterion for Zinc, Total. This LOE re-assesses data from LOE 21533 from the 2010 Integrated Report. Data were re-assessed in order to evaluate these data in their own LOE, instead of being evaluated in the same LOE as other metals data.

Data Reference:

Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP). Summary Report for the North Coast Region (RWQCB-1) for years 2000-2006. North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. March 2008

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Water Quality Control Plan, North Coast Region (NCRWQCB 2011): Waters designated for use as domestic or municipal supply (MUN) shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in excess of the limits specified in California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Chapter 15. The secondary maximum contaminant level listed in Table 64449-A for Zinc is 5 mg/L.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the North Coast Region

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels and Compliance. CCR Title 22 section 64449.

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River was collected at 1 monitoring site [ S FORK BIG RIVER AT DAUGHERTY CR - 113SFBIGD]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 5/9/2001-6/28/2001.

Environmental Conditions:

There are no known environmental conditions (e.g., seasonality, land use practices, fire events, storms, etc.) that are related to these data.

QAPP Information:

Quality control was conducted in accordance with the SWAMP Quality Assurance Management Plan (SWAMP 2002).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 104923, Zinc	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

123696

Pollutant:

Zinc

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

State Water Board staff re-assessed SWAMP data for Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceed the criterion for Zinc, Total. This LOE re-assesses data from LOE 21533 from the 2010 Integrated Report. Data were re-assessed in order to evaluate these data in their own LOE, instead of being evaluated in the same LOE as other metals data.

Data Reference:

Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP). Summary Report for the North Coast Region (RWQCB-1) for years 2000-2006. North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. March 2008

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the North Coast Region

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels and Compliance. CCR Title 22 section 64449.

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River was collected at 1 monitoring site [ N FK BIG RIVER AT HWY 20 - 113BIGH20]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 5/10/2001-6/28/2001.

Environmental Conditions:

There are no known environmental conditions (e.g., seasonality, land use practices, fire events, storms, etc.) that are related to these data.

QAPP Information:

Quality control was conducted in accordance with the SWAMP Quality Assurance Management Plan (SWAMP 2002).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 104923, Zinc	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

123695

Pollutant:

Zinc

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

State Water Board staff re-assessed SWAMP data for Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceed the criterion for Zinc, Total. This LOE re-assesses data from LOE 21533 from the 2010 Integrated Report. Data were re-assessed in order to evaluate these data in their own LOE, instead of being evaluated in the same LOE as other metals data.

Data Reference:

Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP). Summary Report for the North Coast Region (RWQCB-1) for years 2000-2006. North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. March 2008

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the North Coast Region

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels and Compliance. CCR Title 22 section 64449.

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River was collected at 1 monitoring site [ BIG RIVER AT MENDOCINO WOODLANDS - 113BI2655]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 5/10/2001-6/28/2001.

Environmental Conditions:

There are no known environmental conditions (e.g., seasonality, land use practices, fire events, storms, etc.) that are related to these data.

QAPP Information:

Quality control was conducted in accordance with the SWAMP Quality Assurance Management Plan (SWAMP 2002).

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	68160	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

Pollutant:	Temperature, water
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2016)
Revision Status	Original
Sources:	Flow Alteration/Regulation/Modification \| Removal of Riparian Vegetation
Expected TMDL Completion Date:	2019
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	Regional Board Conclusion: The pollutant was considered for placement on the section 303(d) list in a previous assessment cycle. No new information was reviewed for this current assessment cycle. Therefore, the previous conclusion remains unchanged, and is as follows: This pollutant is being considered for removal from the section 303(d) list under section 4.11 of the Listing Policy. Under this section when all other delisting factors do not result in the delisting of a water segment but information indicates attainment of standards, a water segment shall be evaluated to determine whether the weight of evidence demonstrates that water quality standard is attained. If the weight of evidence indicates attainment, the water segment shall be removed from the section 303(d) list. Eight lines of evidence are available in the administrative record. It should be noted that data were available from four additional LOEs that were not utilized in this decision for the following reasons: (1) data from LOE 1694 from the 2006 Integrated Report were re-assessed in LOEs 31472, 31471, and 31473; (2) data from LOE 1695 from the 2006 Integrated Report were re assessed in LOEs 31470 and 46804, however both the original and new LOEs were not utilized in this decision as the data did not meet QA standards due to the temperature monitoring devices becoming dislodged from their monitoring locations. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against removing this water segment-pollutant combination from the 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 following information indicates that the water quality standard is not attained: MWMTs calculated from continuous temperature monitoring data collected in Two Log Creek, Little Laguna Creek, and the mainstem Big River during the warmest months of the year (May/June to October/November) all exceeded the evaluation guideline used to interpret the narrative temperature objective. Each creek had one to twenty MWMTs, collected in various years from 1994 to 2003 available to assess conditions. (3) This process is scientifically defensible and reproducible

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

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

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

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 68160, Temperature, water	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

44097

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:

Water Board staff assessed SWAMP data for Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Water Temperature.

Data Reference:

Statewide Perennial Streams Assessment 2008

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Water Quality Control Plan, North Coast Region (NCRWQCB 2011): 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. At no time or place shall the temperature of any COLD water be increased more than 5 degrees Fahrenheit (F) above natural receiving water temperature.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the North Coast Region

Evaluation Guideline:

Per "Effects of Temperature, Dissolved Oxygen/Total Dissolved Gas, Ammonia, and pH on Salmonids" (Carter 2008): The lethal temperature evaluation guideline for both steelhead adult migration & holding and juvenile growth & rearing of 24°C applies in this water body April - October. The lethal temperature evaluation guideline for salmonid spawning, egg incubation & fry emergence is 20C and applies November - March. See LOE ID 31512 for more information on natural temperature alterations and salmonid presence and periodicity in this water body.

Guideline Reference:

Effects of Temperature, Dissolved Oxygen/Total Dissolved Gas, Ammonia, and pH on Salmonids. Implications for California's North Coast TMDLs. California Regional Water Quality Control Board, North Coast Region

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River was collected at 1 monitoring site [ South Fork Big River - 113PS0012 ]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected on a single day 9/9/2008.

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

The SWAMP QAPP (2008) was followed.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program Quality Assurance Program Plan

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 68160, Temperature, water	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

32570

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:

None of the three temperature grab samples from the Laguna Creek exceeded the evaluation guideline. Temperatures ranged from 8.5 degrees Celsius to 15.7 degrees Celsius.

Data Reference:

Data for temperature and conventional pollutants in Big River and Berry Gulch, Aug. 2008-Aug. 2010

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the North Coast Region

Evaluation Guideline:

According to Carter (2008) the lethal threshold for juvenile steelhead growth & rearing is 24 degrees Celsius (C).

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Grab sample data were collected at two locations on Laguna Creek at sites LC-DSB and LMHOBO.

Temporal Representation:

Grab samples were collected 10/2008 and 8/2009.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Information was submitted detailing efforts taken during sampling (such as equipment calibration) to ensure that the data was of high quality.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 68160, Temperature, water	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

32571

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:

None of the thirty temperature grab samples from Railroad Gulch exceeded the evaluation guideline. Temperatures ranged from 9.3 degrees Celsius to 15.0 degrees Celsius.

Data Reference:

Data for temperature and conventional pollutants in Big River and Berry Gulch, Aug. 2008-Aug. 2010

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the North Coast Region

Evaluation Guideline:

According to Carter (2008) the lethal threshold for juvenile steelhead growth & rearing is 24 degrees Celsius (C).

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Grab sample data were collected at four locations on Railroad Gulch at sites LRRG, RRGhobolow, RRGM, and URRG.

Temporal Representation:

Data representative of the critical time period for temperature (May- October) were utilized in this assessment. Data from December do not represent critical conditons and were not utilized. Grab samples were collected 9/2008, 10/2008 and 6/2009 - 10/2009

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Information was submitted detailing efforts taken during sampling (such as equipment calibration) to ensure that the data was of high quality.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 68160, Temperature, water	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

31719

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:

None of the thirty-four temperature grab samples from the Big River exceeded the evaluation guideline. Temperatures ranged from 10.5 degrees Celsius to 20.7 degrees Celsius.

Data Reference:

Data for temperature and conventional pollutants in Big River and Berry Gulch, Aug. 2008-Aug. 2010

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the North Coast Region

Evaluation Guideline:

According to Carter (2008) the lethal threshold for juvenile steelhead growth & rearing is 24 degrees Celsius (C).

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Grab sample data were collected at seven locations on the Big River at sites MSDSLNF, MS-DSLX, MSDSRRG, MS-Lillie's, MSUSLIL-NB, MSUSLIL-SB, and MSUSLNF.

Temporal Representation:

Data representative of the critical time period for temperature (May- October) were utilized in this assessment. Data from February and November do not represent critical conditons and were not utilized. Grab samples were collected 9/2008, 10/2008, 6/2009

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Information was submitted detailing efforts taken during sampling (such as equipment calibration) to ensure that the data was of high quality.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 68160, Temperature, water	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

31470

Pollutant:

Temperature, water

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Temperature data were evaluated against the temperature requirements of the beneficial use most sensitive to increases in temperature, salmonids. The most sensitive lifestage occurring during July when the MWMTs occur is rearing. 1 of 1 MWMT values calculated from temperature samples collected in Daugherty Creek exceed the evaluation guideline for the protection of core-rearing. The MWMT value was 21.5 degrees C. This LOE and LOE 46804 replace LOE 1695 from the 2006 listing cycle. In LOE 1695 the raw temperature data was compared to the MWAT evaluation guideline, when in fact MWAT values should have been calculated from the raw data and compared to the MWAT evaluation guideline. For this listing cycle we are utilizing an MWMT evaluation guideline, instead of an MWAT, as it better captures temperature extremes.

Data Reference:

Big River water quality data. (also Marsh Creek) (e-file). Redding, CA: North Coast RWQCB

Water Temperature Data from the South Fork Big River and Daugherty Creek, 2003.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the North Coast Region

Evaluation Guideline:

If the natural receiving water temperature has been altered, or if alternation is unknown, the evaluation guideline to determine adverse affect on the most sensitive beneficial use (in this case, salmonids) is as follows. Per "U.S. EPA Region 10 Guidance for Pacific Northwest State and Tribal Temperature Water Quality Standards" (USEPA 2003), the U.S. EPA recommends a criterion for the protection of moderate to high density summertime salmon and trout juvenile rearing (i.e., core juvenile rearing) of a maximum weekly maximum temperature (MWMT) of 16 degrees C. The MWMT is also known as the maximum 7-day average of daily maximums (7DADM). The 16 degrees C MWMT criterion is recommended to (1) safely protect juvenile salmon and trout from lethal temperatures; (2) provide upper optimal conditions for juvenile growth under limited food during the period of summer maximum temperatures and optimal temperatures for other times of the growth season; (3) avoid temperatures where juvenile salmon and trout are at a competitive disadvantage with other fish; (4) protect against temperature induced elevated disease rates; and (5) provide temperatures that studies show juvenile salmon and trout prefer and are found in high densities.

Guideline Reference:

EPA Region 10 Guidance for Pacific Northwest State and Tribal Temperature Water Quality Standards. EPA 910-B-03-002. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 10 Office of Water, Seattle, WA.

Spatial Representation:

Samples were taken from Daugherty Creek 50 feet above the confluence with the South Fork Big River.

Temporal Representation:

Continuous temperature data was collected in 2003 from late May to mid-September.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

No QAPP information was provided. The data were submitted by the Mendocino County Water Agency, which noted that the Hobos were dislodged from their original locations and were found in riffles downstream.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 68160, Temperature, water	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

46804

Pollutant:

Temperature, water

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Temperature data were evaluated against the temperature requirements of the beneficial use most sensitive to increases in temperature, salmonids. The most sensitive lifestage occurring during July when the MWMTs occur is rearing. 1 of 1 MWMT values calculated from temperature samples collected in the South Fork Big River exceed the evaluation guideline for the protection of core-rearing. The MWMT value was 20.6 degrees C. This LOE and LOE 31470 replace LOE 1695 from the 2006 listing cycle. In LOE 1695 the raw temperature data was compared to the MWAT evaluation guideline, when in fact MWAT values should have been calculated from the raw data and compared to the MWAT evaluation guideline. For this listing cycle we are utilizing an MWMT evaluation guideline, instead of an MWAT, as it better captures temperature extremes.

Data Reference:

Big River water quality data. (also Marsh Creek) (e-file). Redding, CA: North Coast RWQCB

Water Temperature Data from the South Fork Big River and Daugherty Creek, 2003.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the North Coast Region

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

EPA Region 10 Guidance for Pacific Northwest State and Tribal Temperature Water Quality Standards. EPA 910-B-03-002. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 10 Office of Water, Seattle, WA.

Spatial Representation:

Samples were taken from the South Fork Big River 100 feet below the Orr Springs Road Bridge.

Temporal Representation:

Continuous temperature data was collected in 2003 from late May to mid-September.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 68160, Temperature, water	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

1694

Pollutant:

Temperature, water

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

3925

Number of Exceedances:

2498

Data and Information Type:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

When compared to the 14.8 °C coho threshold, were 2,498 exceedances out of 3,925 total samples taken over the all of the sampling years at this location. When compared to the 17°C steelhead threshold there were 1,686 exceedances out of the 3,925 total samples (Hawthorne Timber Co., 2003).

Data Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Basin Plan: Temperature objectives for COLD interstate waters, WARM interstate waters, and Enclosed Bays and Estuaries are as specified in the "Water Quality Control Plan for Control of Temperature in the Coastal and Interstate Waters and Enclosed Bays of California" including any revisions thereto. A copy of this plan is included verbatim in the Appendix Section of this Plan. In addition, the following temperature objectives apply to surface waters: 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. At no time or place shall the temperature of any COLD water be increased by more than 5°F above natural receiving water temperature. At no time or place shall the temperature of WARM intrastate waters be increased more than 5°F above natural receiving water temperature.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

Evaluation Guideline:

The guideline used was from Sullivan et al. (2000) Published Temperature Thresholds-Peer Reviewed Literature which includes reviewed sub-lethal and acute temperature thresholds from a wide range of studies, incorporating information from laboratory-based research, field observations, and risk assessment approaches. This report calculated the 7-day Mean (maximum value of the 7-day moving average of the daily mean temperature) upper threshold criterion for coho salmon as 14.8°C and for steelhead trout as 17.0°C. The risk assessment approach used by Sullivan et al. (2000) suggests that an upper threshold for the for the 7-day average of 14.8°C for coho and 17.0°C for steelhead will reduce average growth 10% from optimum.

Guideline Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

Spatial Representation:

There were 7 sampling locations over 9 years. Hobo-Temps were placed in the pools near the bottom and towards the deepest portion to record the in-stream temperatures. In stream and riparian measurements were taken at all monitoring locations.

Temporal Representation:

Data was recorded for 1994,1995,1996,1998,1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003. Water temperature data were recorded at ninety-minute intervals, generally from June until Mid-October. Stream temperatures were measured continuously with temperature data loggers (Onset Computer Corp. model HOBO-Temp and OST temperature loggers) in Class 1 streams throughout the property from 1994 to 2003. Hobo-temps allowed uninterrupted data collection to occur throughout the critical summer period.

Environmental Conditions:

Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River is currently listed for temperature on the section 303(d) list. For the 2002 listing submittal data was collected over 4 years (1996-2000), with at least two years of record at 15 locations. Data showed exceedances of the Basin Plan Water Quality Objectives and the Sullivan 2000 Published Temperature Thresholds-Peer Reviewed Literature. The most sensitive beneficial uses supported by the Big River include uses associated with the cold water fishery and municipal and domestic supply. The Big River provides habitat for coho salmon and steelhead trout, which are listed as a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act. Populations of coho salmon and steelhead trout in the Big River are extremely low compared to historical levels. Recent (1996-2000) temperature data gathered in the Big River watershed indicate that high temperature levels may be a source of impairment of cold water fisheries in the river. This listing is specific to the area of the watershed from the confluence with the North Fork Big River, including the watersheds of the mainstem Big and the North Fork Big.

QAPP Information:

QA/QC Information Summary was submitted. Installation of the temperature data logger (Onset Computer Corp. model HOBO-Temp and OST temperature loggers in Class 1 streams throughout the property devices occurred one day before the first day logged on the continuous temperature monitoring figures. This was done to allow the data loggers to reach equilibrium with the instream temperature regimes and to capture complete daily cycles. No information on equipment calibration, standard operating procedures or data protocols were included with the submittal.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 68160, Temperature, water	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

1695

Pollutant:

Temperature, water

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

114

Number of Exceedances:

108

Data and Information Type:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

The Daugherty Creek near Big River sampling site had 114 total measurements with 108 exceedances of the Sullivan 14.8°C evaluation guideline (Mendocino County Water Agency, 2003). Of these 108 exceedances, 74 exceeded the 17.0°C evaluation guideline. The South Fork Big River site below Orr Springs Road Bridge had 114 total measurements with 108 exceedances of the Sullivan 14.8°C Evaluation guideline. Of these 108 exceedances, 73 exceeded the 17.0°C evaluation guideline (North Coast RWQCB, 2003b).

Data Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

Spatial Representation:

Samples were taken from two sites. One site was at Daugherty Creek site 50 feet above the confluence with South Fork Big River. The other site was at South Fork Big River 100 feet below the Orr Springs Road Bridge.

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected hourly from May 23, 2003 through September 7, 2003. MWATs were provided from the hourly data.

Environmental Conditions:

The Big River is currently listed for temperature.

QAPP Information:

No QAPP information was provided. The data were submitted by the Mendocino County Water Agency.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 68160, Temperature, water	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

31471

Pollutant:

Temperature, water

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Temperature data were evlaluated against the temperature requirements of the beneficial use most sensitive to inceases in temperature, salmonids. The most sensitive lifestage occurring during July when the MWMT occurred is rearing. 1 of 1 MWMT values calculated from temperature samples collected in Little Laguna Creek exceed the evaluation guideline for the protection of core-rearing. MWMT value was 17.5 degrees C. This LOE and LOEs 31472 and 31473 replace LOE 1694 from the 2006 Listing Cycle. In LOE 1694 the raw temperature data was compared to the MWAT evaluation guideline, when in fact MWAT values should have been calculated from the raw data and compared to the MWAT evaluation guideline. For this listing cycle we are utilizing an MWMT evaluation guideline, instead of an MWAT, as it better captures temperature extremes.

Data Reference:

Instream temperature monitoring information: Usal Creek, Ten Mile River (north and south forks), Big River, Salmon Creek. Arcata, CA: Campbell Timberland Management

Stream Temperature Data from 1994 to 2003 for the Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River and Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Berry Gulch.

SWAMP Data:

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the North Coast Region

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

EPA Region 10 Guidance for Pacific Northwest State and Tribal Temperature Water Quality Standards. EPA 910-B-03-002. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 10 Office of Water, Seattle, WA.

Spatial Representation:

Continuous temperature data were collected at: Little Laguna Creek near the confluence with the Big River (BIG 14).

Temporal Representation:

Continuous temperature data were collected at BIG 14 from early June to early October 1998.

Environmental Conditions:

There are no known environmental conditions (e.g., seasonality, land use practices, fire events, storms, etc.) that are related to the temperature data.

QAPP Information:

QA/QC information from 2006 was not available for this LOE update. The following language is copied from the original 2006 LOE 1694 QA/QC field. QA/QC Information Summary submitted. Installation of the temperature data logger (Onset Computer Corp. model HOBO-Temp and OST temperature loggers in Class 1 streams throughout the property devices occurred one day before the first day logged on the continuous temperature monitoring figures. This was done to allow the data loggers to reach equilibrium with the instream temperature regimes and to capture complete daily cycles. No information on equipment calibration, standard operating procedures or data protocols were included with the submittal.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 68160, Temperature, water	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

31472

Pollutant:

Temperature, water

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Temperature data were evaluated against the temperature requirements of the beneficial use most sensitive to increases in temperature, salmonids. The most sensitive lifestage occurring during July, August, and September when the MWMTs occur is rearing. 20 of 20 MWMT values calculated from temperature samples collected in the mainstem Big River exceed the evaluation guideline for the protection of core-rearing. MWMT values ranged from 16.1 to 24.0 degrees C. This LOE and LOEs 31471 and 31473 replace LOE 1964 from the 2006 listing cycle. In LOE 1694 the raw temperature data was compared to the MWAT evaluation guideline, when in fact MWAT values should have been calculated from the raw data and compared to the MWAT evaluation guideline. For this listing cycle we are utilizing an MWMT evaluation guideline, instead of an MWAT, as it better captures temperature extremes.

Data Reference:

Instream temperature monitoring information: Usal Creek, Ten Mile River (north and south forks), Big River, Salmon Creek. Arcata, CA: Campbell Timberland Management

Stream Temperature Data from 1994 to 2003 for the Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River and Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Berry Gulch.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the North Coast Region

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

EPA Region 10 Guidance for Pacific Northwest State and Tribal Temperature Water Quality Standards. EPA 910-B-03-002. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 10 Office of Water, Seattle, WA.

Spatial Representation:

Continuous temperature data were collected at four locations on the mainstem Big River: Big River @ MRC property line (BIG 1), Big River @ Fritz Plot (BIG 11), Big River @Kidwell (BIG 13), and Big River @ Wheel Gulch (BIG 15).

Temporal Representation:

Continuous temperature data was collected at: BIG 1 from late May/late June to October/mid-November during 1996-1996, 1998-2003; BIG 11 from June/July to October/early November 1996 and 1998-2000; BIG 13 from June to October/early November 1998-2002; BIG 15 from early June to late September 2002 & 2003.

Environmental Conditions:

There are no known environmental conditions (e.g., seasonality, land use practices, fire events, storms, etc.) that are related to the temperature data.

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 68160, Temperature, water	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

31473

Pollutant:

Temperature, water

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Temperature data were evaluated against the temperature requirements of the beneficial use most sensitive to increases in temperature, salmonids. The most sensitive lifestage occurring during June, July, & August when the MWMTs occur is rearing. 6 of 9 MWMT values calculated from temperature samples collected in Two Log Creek exceed the evaluation guideline for the protection of core-rearing. MWMT values ranged from 14.4 to 17.9 degrees C. This LOE and LOEs 31471 and 31472 replace LOE 1694 from the 2006 listing cycle. In LOE 1694 the raw temperature data was compared to the MWAT evaluation guideline, when in fact MWAT values should have been calculated from the raw data and compared to the MWAT evaluation guideline. For this listing cycle we are utilizing an MWMT evaluation guideline, instead of an MWAT, as it better captures temperature extremes.

Data Reference:

Instream temperature monitoring information: Usal Creek, Ten Mile River (north and south forks), Big River, Salmon Creek. Arcata, CA: Campbell Timberland Management

Stream Temperature Data from 1994 to 2003 for the Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River and Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Berry Gulch.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the North Coast Region

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

EPA Region 10 Guidance for Pacific Northwest State and Tribal Temperature Water Quality Standards. EPA 910-B-03-002. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 10 Office of Water, Seattle, WA.

Spatial Representation:

Continuous temperature data were collected at two locations on Two Log Creek: Two Log Creek near headwaters (BIG 5) and Two Log Creek near the confluence with the Big River (BIG 4).

Temporal Representation:

Continuous temperature data was collected at: BIG 4 from late May/June to October/November during 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2001-2003; BIG 5 from June to October/early November 2002 & 2003. Temperatre data from BIG 4 in 2000 was not utilized in this assessment as data collection ended July 21st and its is likely that the MWMT was not captured.

Environmental Conditions:

There are no known environmental conditions (e.g., seasonality, land use practices, fire events, storms, etc.) that are related to the temperature data.

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 68160, Temperature, water	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

31512

Pollutant:

Temperature, water

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

The following process is utilized to interpret the narrative Temperature Objective in the Basin Plan for impairment assessments. Step 1: determine if temperatures reflect natural conditions. If Yes, then the water body is not considered impaired, if No, Then go to Step 2. Step 2: Determine if temperatures adversely affect beneficial uses. If Yes, then the water body is considered impaired, if No, then go to Step 3. Step 3: Determine if temperatures are increased by 5 degrees F. If Yes, then water body is impaired, if No, then water body is not impaired.

Data Reference:

Presentation: Interpreting Temperature Standards in the North Coast Region. North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the North Coast Region

Evaluation Guideline:

EVIDENCE OF ALTERATION OF NATURAL RECEIVING WATER TEMPERATURE: The water temperatures of the Big River HA, including the Berry Gulch planning watershed, do not reflect natural conditions as environmental factors that influence water temperature have been altered by human activities. One example of human alteration is found when comparing current and historic aerial imagery, which shows anthropogenic land use activities have altered the riparian canopy in areas of the Big River watershed. Timber harvest activities have altered the near stream landscape, which is currently comprised of smaller diameter forest stands than in pre-European times (61% of trees in 75-100 feet wide watercourse buffer zones have diameter at breast height less than 24 inches) (Downie et al. 2006). This removal of riparian canopy has resulted in a loss of shade and altered stream temperatures. EVIDENCE OF SALMONID PRESENCE & LIFE CYCLE USE: Fish species present in this water body include Coho & Steelhead (Downie et al. 2006). Coho & Steelhead Spawning occurs Nov-March, out-migration is March to June (Downie et. al. 2006). Steelhead rear year round (R2 Resource Consultants, Inc. and Stetson Engineers, Inc. 2008). Waters within the Berry Gulch planning watershed are considered core rearing habitat.

Guideline Reference:

Big River Basin Assessment. Coastal Watershed Assessment Program.

Guideline Reference:

North Coast Instream Flow Policy: Scientific and Development of Alternatives Protecting Anadromous Salmonids.

Spatial Representation:

Information pertains to the Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA (including Big River).

Temporal Representation:

Data are reflective of current conditions in this water body.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Information is considered to be of adequate quality for the Integrated Report.

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	76080	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

Pollutant:	Ammonia
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:	Note that the pollutant name was changed from "Nitrogen, Ammonia (Total Ammonia)" to "Ammonia". Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant was considered for placement on the section 303(d) list in a previous assessment cycle. No new information was reviewed for this current assessment cycle. Therefore, the previous conclusion remains unchanged, and is as follows: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the Section 303(d) List under Section 3.1 of the Listing Policy. Under Section 3.1, a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess the Cold Freshwater Habitat (COLD) beneficial use, and one line of evidence is available to assess the Spawning, Reproduction, and/or Early Development (SPWN) beneficial use. It should be noted that the pollutant name was changed from "Ammonia as Nitrogen" to "Nitrogen, ammonia (Total Ammonia)". Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category (i.e., sufficient justification to not 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 the 1 sample exceeds the SPWN evaluation guideline and zero of 6 samples exceed the COLD evaluation guideline. These sample sizes are insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if standards are not met, as a minimum of either (A) 16 samples, or (B) greater than or equal 2 exceedances of the objective with less than 16 samples is needed for application of Table 3.1 (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:	This is a decision previously approved by the State Water Resources Control Board and the USEPA. No new data were assessed by the Regional Board for the current cycle. The decision has not changed.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

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

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 76080, Ammonia	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

26323

Pollutant:

Ammonia as Nitrogen

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Aquatic Life Use:

Fish Migration | Fish Spawning | Freshwater Replenishment | Preservation of Rare & Endangered Species | Wildlife Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

None of the 6 ammonia as nitrogen samples collected from the Big River exceed the objective. The samples were collected as part of the Surface Water Ambient Water Monitoring Program (SWAMP). The data are found in the SWAMP Summary Report for the North Coast Region for Years 2000-2006 (NCRWQCB 2008).

Data Reference:

Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP). Summary Report for the North Coast Region (RWQCB-1) for years 2000-2006. North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. March 2008

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Per the Basin Plan (NCRWQCB 2007): 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.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - North Coast Region (Region 1)

Evaluation Guideline:

Per the National Recommended Water Quality Criteria (USEPA 2006): The 1-hour average concentration (acute criterion or CMC) of total ammonia nitrogen (in mg N/L) for freshwater where salmonid fish are present, which is not to be exceeded more than once every three years on average, is calculated using the following equation: CMC=0.275/(1+10^(7.204 - pH)) + 39.0/(1+10^(pH - 7.204)).

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected as grab samples during 2 site visits from each site from May to June 2001.

Environmental Conditions:

There are no known environmental conditions (e.g., seasonality, land use practices, fire events, storms, etc.) that are related to these data.

QAPP Information:

Quality control was conducted in accordance with the SWAMP Quality Assurance Management Plan (Puckett 2002).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 76080, Ammonia	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

34594

Pollutant:

Nitrogen, ammonia (Total Ammonia)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Fish Spawning

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

The sample does not exceed the water USEPA Temperature and pH-Dependent values of the CCC (Chronic Criterion) for Fish Early Life Stages Present for ammonia. The datum was reported as a quantitation limit. This quantitation limit is less than or equal to the water quality standard, the value will be considered as meeting the water quality standard, objective, criterion, or evaluation guideline.

Data Reference:

Statewide Perennial Streams Assessment 2008

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the North Coast Region

Evaluation Guideline:

Update of Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Ammonia (USEPA 1999): Where salmonids and fish early life stages are present, the 30-day average concentration (criterion continuous concentration or CCC) of total ammonia (as mg N/L) in freshwater are not to be exceeded more than once every three years on average. The CCC values are based on pH, temperature, and the presence of early life stages of fish. The CCC formula is found on p.83 and the table of CCC values are found on p.87.

Guideline Reference:

1999 Update of Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Ammonia

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected at 113PS0012 (South Fork Big River).

Temporal Representation:

The sample was collected on 9/9/2008.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

SWAMP QAPP (2008) was followed.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program Quality Assurance Program Plan


DECISION ID	74005	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

Pollutant:	Chloride
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:	Regional Board Conclusion: The pollutant was considered for placement on the section 303(d) list in a previous assessment cycle. No new information was reviewed for this current assessment cycle. Therefore, the previous conclusion remains unchanged, and is as follows: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the Section 303(d) List under Section 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under Section 3.2, a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. One line of evidence is available to assess protection of the municipal and domestic supply (MUN) beneficial use in the mainstem Big River (LOE 46928), one line of evidence is available to assess protection of the MUN beneficial use in the North Fork Big River (LOE 46930), and two lines of evidence are available to assess protection of the MUN beneficial use in the South Fork Big River (LOEs 43796 and 46929). It should be noted that data from LOE 25439 from the 2010 Integrated Report cycle were re-evaluated this current cycle in LOEs 46928, 46929, and 46930. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category (i.e., sufficient justification to not 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 2 samples from the mainstem Big River, zero of 2 samples from the North Fork Big River, and zero of three samples from the South Fork Big River exceed the objective, however these sample sizes are insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if standards are not met, as a minimum of either (1) 26 samples, or (2) greater than or equal to 5 exceedances of the objective with less than 26 samples is needed for application of 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:	This is a decision previously approved by the State Water Resources Control Board and the USEPA. No new data were assessed by the Regional Board for the current cycle. The decision has not changed.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

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

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 74005, Chloride	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

25439

Pollutant:

Chloride

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Not Recorded

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

None of the 6 chloride samples collected in the Big River exceed the evaluation guideline. The samples were collected as part of the Surface Water Ambient Water Monitoring Program (SWAMP). The data are found in the SWAMP Summary Report for the North Coast Region for Years 2000-2006 (NCRWQCB 2008).

Data Reference:

Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP). Summary Report for the North Coast Region (RWQCB-1) for years 2000-2006. North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. March 2008

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Per the Basin Plan (NCRWQCB 2007): Waters shall not contain taste- or odor-producing substances in concentrations that impart undesirable tastes or odors to fish flesh or other edible products of aquatic origin, or that cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - North Coast Region (Region 1)

Evaluation Guideline:

Per 22 CCR 64449: The recommended Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level for chloride is 250 mg/L.

Guideline Reference:

Title 22. Division 4. Chapter 15. Sections 64400 et seq. California Code of Regulations

Spatial Representation:

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected as grab samples during 2 site visits from each site from May to June 2001.

Environmental Conditions:

There are no known environmental conditions (e.g., seasonality, land use practices, fire events, storms, etc.) that are related to these data.

QAPP Information:

Quality control was conducted in accordance with the SWAMP Quality Assurance Management Plan (SWAMP 2002).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 74005, Chloride	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

46930

Pollutant:

Chloride

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Not Recorded

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

None of the 2 chloride samples collected in the North Fork Big River exceed the evaluation guideline. The samples were collected as part of the Surface Water Ambient Water Monitoring Program (SWAMP). The data are found in the SWAMP Summary Report for the North Coast Region for Years 2000-2006 (NCRWQCB 2008). This LOE and LOEs 46928 and 46929 replace LOE 25439 from the 2010 Integrated Report cycle. The data were re-evaluated in order to separate the data for the mainstem Big River, the South Fork Big River, and the North Fork Big River into three, separate LOEs.

Data Reference:

Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP). Summary Report for the North Coast Region (RWQCB-1) for years 2000-2006. North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. March 2008

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Per the Basin Plan (NCRWQCB 2007): Waters shall not contain taste- or odorproducing substances in concentrations that impart undesirable tastes or odors to fish flesh or other edible products of aquatic origin, or that cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - North Coast Region (Region 1)

Evaluation Guideline:

Per 22 CCR 64449: The recommended Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level for chloride is 250 mg/L.

Guideline Reference:

Title 22. Division 4. Chapter 15. Sections 64400 et seq. California Code of Regulations

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected from the North Fork Big River at Highway 20 (SWAMP Station ID 113BIGH20). Samples were collected from well-mixed flows in glides or riffles.

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected as grab samples during 2 site visits from May to June 2001.

Environmental Conditions:

There are no known environmental conditions (e.g., seasonality, land use practices, fire events, storms, etc.) that are related to these data.

QAPP Information:

Quality control was conducted in accordance with the SWAMP Quality Assurance Management Plan (SWAMP 2002).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 74005, Chloride	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

46928

Pollutant:

Chloride

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Not Recorded

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

None of the 2 chloride samples collected in the mainstem Big River exceed the evaluation guideline. The samples were collected as part of the Surface Water Ambient Water Monitoring Program (SWAMP). The data are found in the SWAMP Summary Report for the North Coast Region for Years 2000-2006 (NCRWQCB 2008). This LOE and LOEs 46929 and 46930 replace LOE 25439 from the 2010 Integrated Report cycle. The data were re-evaluated in order to separate the data for the mainstem Big River, the South Fork Big River, and the North Fork Big River into three, separate LOEs.

Data Reference:

Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP). Summary Report for the North Coast Region (RWQCB-1) for years 2000-2006. North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. March 2008

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - North Coast Region (Region 1)

Evaluation Guideline:

Per 22 CCR 64449: The recommended Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level for chloride is 250 mg/L.

Guideline Reference:

Title 22. Division 4. Chapter 15. Sections 64400 et seq. California Code of Regulations

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected from the mainstem Big River at Mendocino Woodlands (SWAMP Station
ID 113BIGMWD). Samples were collected from well-mixed flows in glides or riffles.

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected as grab samples during 2 site visits from May to June 2001.

Environmental Conditions:

There are no known environmental conditions (e.g., seasonality, land use practices, fire events, storms, etc.) that are related to these data.

QAPP Information:

Quality control was conducted in accordance with the SWAMP Quality Assurance Management Plan (SWAMP 2002).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 74005, Chloride	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

46929

Pollutant:

Chloride

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Not Recorded

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

None of the 2 chloride samples collected in the South Fork Big River exceed the evaluation guideline. The samples were collected as part of the Surface Water Ambient Water Monitoring Program (SWAMP). The data are found in the SWAMP Summary Report for the North Coast Region for Years 2000-2006 (NCRWQCB 2008). This LOE and LOEs 46928 and 46930 replace LOE 25439 from the 2010 Integrated Report cycle. The data were re-evaluated in order to separate the data for the mainstem Big River, the South Fork Big River, and the North Fork Big River into three, separate LOEs.

Data Reference:

Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP). Summary Report for the North Coast Region (RWQCB-1) for years 2000-2006. North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. March 2008

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - North Coast Region (Region 1)

Evaluation Guideline:

Per 22 CCR 64449: The recommended Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level for chloride is 250 mg/L.

Guideline Reference:

Title 22. Division 4. Chapter 15. Sections 64400 et seq. California Code of Regulations

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected from the South Fork Big River at Daugherty Creek (SWAMP Station ID 113SFBIGD). Samples were collected from well-mixed flows in glides or riffles.

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected as grab samples during 2 site visits from May to June 2001.

Environmental Conditions:

There are no known environmental conditions (e.g., seasonality, land use practices, fire events, storms, etc.) that are related to these data.

QAPP Information:

Quality control was conducted in accordance with the SWAMP Quality Assurance Management Plan (SWAMP 2002).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 74005, Chloride	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

43796

Pollutant:

Chloride

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Not Recorded

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed SWAMP data for Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Chloride.

Data Reference:

Statewide Perennial Streams Assessment 2008

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels and Compliance. CCR Title 22 section 64449.

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River was collected at 1 monitoring site [ South Fork Big River - 113PS0012 ]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected on a single day 9/9/2008.

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

The SWAMP QAPP (2008) was followed.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program Quality Assurance Program Plan


DECISION ID	79075	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

Pollutant:	Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)
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 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 in the South Fork Big River (LOE 43986). Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the Section 303(d) List in the Water Quality Limited Segments category (i.e., sufficient justification to not 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 one sample from the South Fork Big River exceeds the water quality objective, however this sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if standards are not met, as a minimum of either (a) 16 samples, or (b) greater than or equal to 2 exceedances of the objective with less than 16 samples is needed for application of Table 3.1. (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:	This region was not assessed this cycle. All decisions have been carried over from the previous cycle and remain the same.

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 79075, Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

43986

Pollutant:

Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Statewide Perennial Streams Assessment 2008

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Water Quality Control Plan, North Coast Region (NCRWQCB 2011): Waters designated for use as domestic or municipal supply (MUN) shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in excess of the limits specified in California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Chapter 15. The maximum contaminant level listed in Table 64431-A for nitrate+nitrite (sum as nitrogen) is 10.0 mg/L.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Maximum Contaminant Levels for organic and inorganic chemicals. CCR Title 22

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River was collected at 1 monitoring site [ South Fork Big River - 113PS0012 ]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected on a single day 9/9/2008.

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

The SWAMP QAPP (2008) was followed.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program Quality Assurance Program Plan


DECISION ID	79804	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

Pollutant:	Nitrite as Nitrite NO2
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 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 in the South Fork Big River (LOE 44031). Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the Section 303(d) List in the Water Quality Limited Segments category (i.e., sufficient justification to not 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 one sample from the South Fork Big River exceeds the water quality objective, however this sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if standards are not met, as a minimum of either (a) 16 samples, or (b) greater than or equal to 2 exceedances of the objective with less than 16 samples is needed for application of Table 3.1. (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:	This region was not assessed this cycle. All decisions have been carried over from the previous cycle and remain the same.

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 79804, Nitrite as Nitrite NO2	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

44031

Pollutant:

Nitrite as Nitrite NO2

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Statewide Perennial Streams Assessment 2008

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Water Quality Control Plan, North Coast Region (NCRWQCB 2011): Waters designated for use as domestic or municipal supply (MUN) shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in excess of the limits specified in California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Chapter 15. The maximum contaminant level listed in Table 64431-A for Nitrite as N is 1.0 mg/L.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Maximum Contaminant Levels for organic and inorganic chemicals. CCR Title 22

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River was collected at 1 monitoring site [ South Fork Big River - 113PS0012 ]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected on a single day 9/9/2008.

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

The SWAMP QAPP (2008) was followed.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program Quality Assurance Program Plan


DECISION ID	78514	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

Pollutant:	Salinity/TDS/Chlorides
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 section 303(d) list under section 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under this section of the policy, a minimum of one line of evidence is needed to assess listing status. One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: (1) The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. (2) The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. (3) Zero of one sample from the South Fork Big River exceeds the objective, and this sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if standards are not met, as a minimum of either (A) 26 samples, or (B) greater than or equal to 5 exceedances of the MUN objective with less than 26 samples is needed for application of 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:	This region was not assessed this cycle. All decisions have been carried over from the previous cycle and remain the same.

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 78514, Salinity/TDS/Chlorides	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

34360

Pollutant:

Salinity/TDS/Chlorides

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

The sample did not exceed the objective.

Data Reference:

Statewide Perennial Streams Assessment 2008

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Per the Basin Plan (NCRWQCB 2011): 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. Salinity data (ppt) were converted to Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L) so that the data could be compared to the Secondary MCL for TDS (1ppt = 1000 mg/L). For Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), the secondary MCL recommended range is 500 mg/l, the upper range is 1000 mg/l, and the short term range is 1500 mg/l. The recommended range of 500 mg/L was used for the purpose of this assessment

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the North Coast Region

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

One sample was collected at the South Fork Big River station (113PS0012).

Temporal Representation:

The sample was collected on 9/9/2008.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

SWAMP QAPP (2008) was followed.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program Quality Assurance Program Plan


DECISION ID	72439	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

Pollutant:	Specific Conductivity
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:	Regional Board Conclusion: The pollutant was considered for placement on the section 303(d) list in a previous assessment cycle. No new information was reviewed for this current assessment cycle. Therefore, the previous conclusion remains unchanged, and is as follows: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under this section of the policy, a minimum of one line of evidence is needed to assess listing status. Six lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. It should be noted that data from a seventh LOE from the 2010 Integrated Report (LOE 21314) were re-assessed during this listing cycle in LOEs 46811, 46812, and 46813. Zero of three samples from the South Fork Big River (LOEs 44464 and 46812), zero of two samples from the North Fork Big River (LOE 46813), and three of five samples from the mainstem Big River (LOEs 32895 and 46811) exceed the objective, however these sample sizes are insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if standards are not met, as a minimum of either (1) 26 samples, or (2) greater than or equal 5 exceedances of the MUN objective with less than 26 samples is needed for application of Table 3.2. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: (1) The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. (2) The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. (3) None of the thirty-two samples from Railroad Gulch exceed the 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 72439, Specific Conductivity	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

32895

Pollutant:

Specific Conductivity

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Three of the three calendar years of data exceeded the 50% upper limit portion of the specific conductance objective in this water body. None of the calendar years exceeded the 90% upper limit portion of the specific conductance objective.

Data Reference:

Data for temperature and conventional pollutants in Big River and Berry Gulch, Aug. 2008-Aug. 2010

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Per the Basin Plan (NCRWQCB 2007): The 90% upper limit specific conductance objective at 77 F is 300 micromhos (or mS/cm2). The 50% upper limit specific conductance objective at 77 F is 195 micromhos (or mS/cm2). The 90% and 50% upper limits represent the 90/50 percentile values for a calendar year. 90% or 50% or more of the values in a calendar year must be less than or equal to the upper limit.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the North Coast Region

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected in the mainstem Big River at sites MSDSLNF, MS-DSLX, MS-Lillie's, MSUSLIL-NB, MSUSLIL-SB, and MSUSLNF.

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected between 9/12/2008 and 8/26/2010.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Information was submitted detailing efforts taken during sampling (such as equipment calibration) to ensure that the data was of high quality.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 72439, Specific Conductivity	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

46811

Pollutant:

Specific Conductivity

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Zero of the two samples exceeded the specific conductance objective.

Data Reference:

Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP). Summary Report for the North Coast Region (RWQCB-1) for years 2000-2006. North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. March 2008

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Per the Basin Plan (NCRWQCB 2011): The 90% upper limit specific conductance objective at 77 F is 300 micromhos (or mS/cm2). The 50% upper limit specific conductance objective at 77 F is 195 micromhos (or mS/cm2). The 90% and 50% upper limits represent the 90/50 percentile values for a calendar year. 90% or 50% or more of the values in a calendar year must be less than or equal to the upper limit.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the North Coast Region

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Grab samples were collected from the mainstem Big River at Mendocino Woodlands (SWAMP Station
ID 113BIGMWD). Samples were collected from well-mixed flows in glides or riffles. This LOE and LOEs 46813 and 46812 re-assess data from LOE 21314 from the 2010 Integrated Report cycle. LOE 21314 incorrectly applied the site-specific, specific conductivity objective to the North and South Forks of the Big River.

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected as grab samples during 2 site visits from May to June 2001.

Environmental Conditions:

There are no known environmental conditions (e.g., seasonality, land use practices, fire events, storms, etc.) that are related to these data.

QAPP Information:

Quality control was conducted in accordance with the SWAMP Quality Assurance Management Plan (Puckett 2002).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 72439, Specific Conductivity	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

44464

Pollutant:

Specific Conductivity

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Statewide Perennial Streams Assessment 2008

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels and Compliance. CCR Title 22 section 64449.

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River was collected at 1 monitoring site [ South Fork Big River - 113PS0012]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected on a single day 9/9/2008.

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

The SWAMP QAPP (2008) was followed.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program Quality Assurance Program Plan

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 72439, Specific Conductivity	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

46813

Pollutant:

Specific Conductivity

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed SWAMP data for the North Fork Big River to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceed the criterion for Specific Conductivity. This LOE and LOEs 46812 and 46811 re-assess data from LOE 21314 from the 2010 Integrated Report cycle. LOE 21314 incorrectly applied the site-specific, specific conductivity objective to the North and South Forks of the Big River.

Data Reference:

Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP). Summary Report for the North Coast Region (RWQCB-1) for years 2000-2006. North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. March 2008

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels and Compliance. CCR Title 22 section 64449.

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected from the North Fork Big River at Highway 20 (SWAMP Station ID 113BIGH20).

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected as grab samples during 2 site visits from each site from May to June 2001.

Environmental Conditions:

There are no known environmental conditions (e.g., seasonality, land use practices, fire events, storms, etc.) that are related to these data.

QAPP Information:

Quality control was conducted in accordance with the SWAMP Quality Assurance Management Plan (Puckett 2002).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 72439, Specific Conductivity	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

46812

Pollutant:

Specific Conductivity

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed SWAMP data for the South Fork Big River to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceed the criterion for Specific Conductivity. This LOE and LOEs 46813 and 46811 re-assess data from LOE 21314 from the 2010 Integrated Report cycle. LOE 21314 incorrectly applied the site-specific, specific conductivity objective to the North and South Forks of the Big River.

Data Reference:

Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP). Summary Report for the North Coast Region (RWQCB-1) for years 2000-2006. North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. March 2008

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels and Compliance. CCR Title 22 section 64449.

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected from the South Fork Big River at Daugherty Creek (SWAMP Station ID 113SFBIGD).

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected as grab samples during 2 site visits from each site from May to June 2001.

Environmental Conditions:

There are no known environmental conditions (e.g., seasonality, land use practices, fire events, storms, etc.) that are related to these data.

QAPP Information:

Quality control was conducted in accordance with the SWAMP Quality Assurance Management Plan (Puckett 2002).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 72439, Specific Conductivity	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

21314

Pollutant:

Specific Conductivity

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Four of the 6 specific conductivity grab samples collected from the Big River exceed the objective. The samples were collected as part of the Surface Water Ambient Water Monitoring Program (SWAMP). The data are found in the SWAMP Summary Report for the North Coast Region for Years 2000-2006 (NCRWQCB 2008).

Data Reference:

Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP). Summary Report for the North Coast Region (RWQCB-1) for years 2000-2006. North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. March 2008

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - North Coast Region (Region 1)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected as grab samples during 2 site visits from each site from May to June 2001.

Environmental Conditions:

There are no known environmental conditions (e.g., seasonality, land use practices, fire events, storms, etc.) that are related to these data.

QAPP Information:

Quality control was conducted in accordance with the SWAMP Quality Assurance Management Plan (Puckett 2002).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 72439, Specific Conductivity	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

32896

Pollutant:

Specific Conductivity

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

None of the 32 samples exceeded the objective.

Data Reference:

Data for temperature and conventional pollutants in Big River and Berry Gulch, Aug. 2008-Aug. 2010

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the North Coast Region

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Samples collected in Railroad Gulch at sites LRRG, URRG. RRhobolow, and RRGM.

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected between 9/12/2008 and 8/26/2010.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Information was submitted detailing efforts taken during sampling (such as equipment calibration) to ensure that the data was of high quality.

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	79277	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

Pollutant:	Sulfates
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 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 to assess protection of the municipal and domestic supply (MUN) beneficial use in the South Fork Big River (LOEs 46947 and 44076), one line of evidence is available to assess protection of the MUN beneficial use in the North Fork Big River (LOE 46946), and one line of evidence is available to assess protection of the MUN beneficial use in the mainstem Big River (LOE 46945). It should be noted that data from LOE 25548 from the 2010 Integrated Report cycle were re-evaluated this current cycle in LOEs 46945, 46946, and 46947. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category (i.e., sufficient justification to not 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 3 samples from the South Fork Big River, zero of 2 samples from the North Fork Big River, and zero of 2 samples from the mainstem Big River exceed the objective. However, these sample sizes are insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if standards are not met, as a minimum of either (1) 26 samples, or (2) greater than or equal to 5 exceedances of the objective with less than 26 samples is needed for application of 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:	This region was not assessed this cycle. All decisions have been carried over from the previous cycle and remain the same.

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 79277, Sulfates	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

44076

Pollutant:

Sulfates

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Not Recorded

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed SWAMP data for Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Sulfate.

Data Reference:

Statewide Perennial Streams Assessment 2008

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels and Compliance. CCR Title 22 section 64449.

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River was collected at 1 monitoring site [ South Fork Big River - 113PS0012 ]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected on a single day 9/9/2008.

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

The SWAMP QAPP (2008) was followed.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program Quality Assurance Program Plan

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 79277, Sulfates	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

46947

Pollutant:

Sulfates

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Not Recorded

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

None of the 2 sulfate samples collected in the South Fork Big River exceed the evaluation guideline. The samples were collected as part of the Surface Water Ambient Water Monitoring Program (SWAMP). The data are found in the 5-Year Monitoring Report (NCRWQCB 2008). This LOE and LOEs 46945 and 46946 replace LOE 25548 from the 2010 Integrated Report. Data were re-evaluated in order to assess each stream in its own, individual LOE.

Data Reference:

Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP). Summary Report for the North Coast Region (RWQCB-1) for years 2000-2006. North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. March 2008

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Per the Basin Plan (NCRWQCB 2007, p. 3-3.00): Waters shall not contain taste- or odor-producing substances in concentrations that impart undesirable tastes or odors to fish flesh or other edible products of aquatic origin, or that cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - North Coast Region (Region 1)

Evaluation Guideline:

Per 22 CCR 64449 (Table 64449-B): The recommended secondary maximum contaminant level for sulfate is 250 mg/L.

Guideline Reference:

Title 22. Division 4. Chapter 15. Sections 64400 et seq. California Code of Regulations

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected from the South Fork Big River at Daugherty Creek (SWAMP Station ID 113SFBIGD). Samples were collected from well-mixed flows in glides or riffles.

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected as grab samples during 2 site visits from each site from May to June 2001.

Environmental Conditions:

There are no known environmental conditions (e.g., seasonality, land use practices, fire events, storms, etc.) that are related to these data.

QAPP Information:

Quality control was conducted in accordance with the SWAMP Quality Assurance Management Plan (SWAMP 2002).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 79277, Sulfates	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

46946

Pollutant:

Sulfates

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Not Recorded

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

None of the 2 sulfate samples collected in the North Fork Big River exceed the evaluation guideline. The samples were collected as part of the Surface Water Ambient Water Monitoring Program (SWAMP). The data are found in the 5-Year Monitoring Report (NCRWQCB 2008). This LOE and LOEs 46945 and 46947 replace LOE 25548 from the 2010 Integrated Report. Data were re-evaluated in order to assess each stream in its own, individual LOE.

Data Reference:

Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP). Summary Report for the North Coast Region (RWQCB-1) for years 2000-2006. North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. March 2008

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - North Coast Region (Region 1)

Evaluation Guideline:

Per 22 CCR 64449 (Table 64449-B): The recommended secondary maximum contaminant level for sulfate is 250 mg/L.

Guideline Reference:

Title 22. Division 4. Chapter 15. Sections 64400 et seq. California Code of Regulations

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected from the North Fork Big River at Highway 20 (SWAMP Station ID 113BIGH20). Samples were collected from well-mixed flows in glides or riffles.

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected as grab samples during 2 site visits from each site from May to June 2001.

Environmental Conditions:

There are no known environmental conditions (e.g., seasonality, land use practices, fire events, storms, etc.) that are related to these data.

QAPP Information:

Quality control was conducted in accordance with the SWAMP Quality Assurance Management Plan (SWAMP 2002).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 79277, Sulfates	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

46945

Pollutant:

Sulfates

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Not Recorded

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

None of the 2 sulfate samples collected in the mainstem Big River exceed the evaluation guideline. The samples were collected as part of the Surface Water Ambient Water Monitoring Program (SWAMP). The data are found in the 5-Year Monitoring Report (NCRWQCB 2008). This LOE and LOEs 46946 and 46947 replace LOE 25548 from the 2010 Integrated Report. Data were re-evaluated in order to assess each stream in its own, individual LOE.

Data Reference:

Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP). Summary Report for the North Coast Region (RWQCB-1) for years 2000-2006. North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. March 2008

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - North Coast Region (Region 1)

Evaluation Guideline:

Per 22 CCR 64449 (Table 64449-B): The recommended secondary maximum contaminant level for sulfate is 250 mg/L.

Guideline Reference:

Title 22. Division 4. Chapter 15. Sections 64400 et seq. California Code of Regulations

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected from the mainstem Big River at Mendocino Woodlands (SWAMP Station
ID 113BIGMWD). Samples were collected from well-mixed flows in glides or riffles.

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected as grab samples during 2 site visits from each site from May to June 2001.

Environmental Conditions:

There are no known environmental conditions (e.g., seasonality, land use practices, fire events, storms, etc.) that are related to these data.

QAPP Information:

Quality control was conducted in accordance with the SWAMP Quality Assurance Management Plan (SWAMP 2002).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 79277, Sulfates	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

25548

Pollutant:

Sulfates

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Not Recorded

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

None of the 6 sulfate samples collected in the Big River exceed the evaluation guideline. The samples were collected as part of the Surface Water Ambient Water Monitoring Program (SWAMP). The data are found in the 5-Year Monitoring Report (NCRWQCB 2008).

Data Reference:

Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP). Summary Report for the North Coast Region (RWQCB-1) for years 2000-2006. North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. March 2008

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - North Coast Region (Region 1)

Evaluation Guideline:

Per 22 CCR 64449 (Table 64449-B): The recommended secondary maximum contaminant level for sulfate is 250 mg/L.

Guideline Reference:

Title 22. Division 4. Chapter 15. Sections 64400 et seq. California Code of Regulations

Spatial Representation:

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected as grab samples during 2 site visits from each site from May to June 2001.

Environmental Conditions:

There are no known environmental conditions (e.g., seasonality, land use practices, fire events, storms, etc.) that are related to these data.

QAPP Information:

Quality control was conducted in accordance with the SWAMP Quality Assurance Management Plan (SWAMP 2002).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)


DECISION ID	78190	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

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 section 303(d) list under section 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 a minimum of one line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: (1) The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. (2) The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. (3) Zero of one sample from the South Fork Big River (LOE 33918) exceed the objective, and this sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if standards are not met, as a minimum of either (A) 26 samples, or (B) greater than or equal 5 exceedances of the objective with less than 26 samples is needed for application of 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:	This region was not assessed this cycle. All decisions have been carried over from the previous cycle and remain the same.

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 78190, pH	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

33918

Pollutant:

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:

The sample collected did not exceed the objective.

Data Reference:

Statewide Perennial Streams Assessment 2008

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Water Quality Control Plan, North Coast Region (NCRWQCB 2011): Table 3-1 states that the lower limit pH for surface water bodies for this water body is 6.5, and the upper limit pH is 8.5.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the North Coast Region

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

One sample was collected from the South Fork Big Rivers station (113PS0012).

Temporal Representation:

One sample was collected in September 2008.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

SWAMP QAPP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program Quality Assurance Program Plan


DECISION ID	74701	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

Pollutant:	Sedimentation/Siltation
Final Listing Decision:	List on 303(d) list (being addressed by USEPA approved TMDL)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	List on 303(d) list (being addressed by USEPA approved TMDL)(2016)
Revision Status	Original
Sources:	Disturbed Sites (Land Develop.) \| Flow Alteration/Regulation/Modification \| Logging Road Construction/Maintenance \| Nonpoint Source \| Removal of Riparian Vegetation \| Road Construction \| Silviculture
TMDL Name:	Big River Sediment
TMDL Project Code:	92
Date TMDL Approved by USEPA:	11/01/2004
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	Regional Water Board Conclusion: This pollutant was considered for placement on the section 303(d) List in a previous Integrated Report cycle. No new information was reviewed for this current Integrated Report cycle. Therefore, the previous conclusion remains unchanged, and is as follows: This pollutant is being considered for listing under section 2.2 of the Listing Policy. Under this section of the Policy, a minimum of one line of evidence is needed to assess listing status. The Big River Sediment TMDL was approved by RWQCB in November of 2004 and subsequently approved by USEPA. Based on the readily available information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification in favor of placing this water segment-pollutant combination in the Water Quality Limited Segments Being Addressed portion of the section 303(d) list.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	This region was not assessed this cycle. All decisions have been carried over from the previous cycle and remain the same.

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 74701, Sedimentation/Siltation	Region 1
Mendocino Coast HU, Big River HA, Big River

LOE ID:

1696

Pollutant:

Sedimentation/Siltation

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

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

Data Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Temporal Representation:

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QA Info Missing

QAPP Information Reference(s):