Draft California 2026 Integrated Report (303(d) List/305(b) Report)

Supporting Information

Regional Board 6 - Lahontan Region

Water Body Name: Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
Water Body ID: CAR6341003119980804122742
Water Body Type: River & Stream
 
DECISION ID
162034
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
Pollutant: Chloride
Final Listing Decision: Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2018)
Revision Status Revised
Sources: A Source Unknown
TMDL Name: Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary) Sediment
TMDL Project Code: 655
TMDL Priority: Low
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: In 2006 this waterbody segment was listed for exceedances of chloride for a non-contact recreation beneficial use. In 2012, the chloride exceedances were known to be evaluated for the protection of cold freshwater habitat using the water quality objectives for chloride stated in Table 5.1-3 in the Lahontan Basin Plan. This pollutant is being considered for removal from the section 303(d) list under section 4.2 of the Listing Policy. Under this section a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

Two lines of evidence, three to evaluate COLD and one to evaluate REC, are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Thirty of 30 samples exceed the water quality objective.


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. Thirty of 30 samples exceed the water quality 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:
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162034, Chloride
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
LOE ID: 338405
 
Pollutant: Chloride
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 13
Number of Exceedances: 13
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed HeavenlyValley_TMDL data for Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 13 of 13 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Chloride.
Data Reference: Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Total Maximum Daily Load for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Basin Plan Objective that is incorporated by in the Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Region for chloride is an annual average of 0.15 mg/L (Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Region).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: HVC-2 (Below Patsy's along Heavenly Valley).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2010-10-20 and 2022-08-24
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Heavenly Resort QAPP
QAPP Information Reference(s): Lahontan Water Board - HeavenlyResortQAPP - HeavenlyValley_TMDL - 402557
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162034, Chloride
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
LOE ID: 4614
 
Pollutant: Chloride
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Non-Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 0
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Unspecified--This LOE is a placeholder to support a 303(d) listing decision made prior to 2006.
Data Reference: Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Unspecified
Objective/Criterion Reference: Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
Evaluation Guideline: Unspecified
Guideline Reference: Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
Spatial Representation: Unspecified
Temporal Representation: Unspecified
Environmental Conditions: Unspecified
QAPP Information: Unspecified
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162034, Chloride
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
LOE ID: 32163
 
Pollutant: Chloride
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 4
Number of Exceedances: 4
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The annual averages from the two sampling locations in 2008 and 2009 this water body exceeded the water quality objective. One measurement was used to calculate the annual average for 2008 and 3 samples were used to calculate the annual average in 2009.
Data Reference: Data from discharger self-monitoring reports for the Heavenly Mountain Resort ski area at Lake Tahoe, Oct. 2007-Sep. 2009
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The water quality objective is an annual average of 0.15 mg/L. (from Table 5.1-3 of the Lahontan Region Basin Plan).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at two locations: HV-C2 (Below Patsy's) HV-C3 (Property Line)
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected once quarterly between August of 2008 and September of 2009.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Data were collected for NPDES permit R6T-2003-0032. This data was collected under waste discharge requirements for a TMDL and therefore is of adequate quality.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162034, Chloride
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
LOE ID: 338432
 
Pollutant: Chloride
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 13
Number of Exceedances: 13
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed HeavenlyValley_TMDL data for Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 13 of 13 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Chloride.
Data Reference: Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Total Maximum Daily Load for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Basin Plan Objective that is incorporated by in the Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Region for chloride is an annual average of 0.15 mg/L (Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Region).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: HVC-3 (Property Line along Heavenly Valley).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2010-10-20 and 2022-09-21
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Heavenly Resort QAPP
QAPP Information Reference(s): Lahontan Water Board - HeavenlyResortQAPP - HeavenlyValley_TMDL - 402557
 
 
DECISION ID
171785
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
Pollutant: Benthic Community Effects
Final Listing Decision: Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (being addressed with USEPA approved TMDL)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2018)
Revision Status Revised
Sources: Erosion/Siltation
TMDL Name: Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary) Sediment
TMDL Project Code: 655
Date TMDL Approved by USEPA: 09/30/2002
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: Benthic Community Effects are being considered for placement on the CWA section 303(d) List under sections 3.9 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.9, additional lines of evidence (LOEs) associating the Benthic Community Effects decision with a water or sediment concentration of pollutants other than benthic-macroinvertebrate bioassessment or habitat assessment LOEs are necessary to place a water body on the 303(d) List for Benthic Community Effects.

Three lines of evidence evaluating benthic-macroinvertebrate bioassessment data, in addition to one line of evidence evaluating a known associated pollutant (Sediment), are available in the administrative record to assess this indicator. 4 of 11 benthic-macroinvertebrate samples exceed the California Stream Condition Index (CSCI) impairment threshold, which indicates that the benthic community in this segment of the waterbody has been impacted by one or more pollutants. This waterbody segment has been listed previously for chloride, iron, phosphorous, and sedimentation, and Regional Board investigation has shown sedimentation runoff from ski resort improvements to be the cause. The Heavenly Valley Creek Sediment TMDL is addressing the Sediment issue and is expected to resolve the biological community's issue. These Sediment lines of evidence have been associated with this decision as possible drivers of the impacts to the benthic community. The TMDL Staff Report (url: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/lahontan/water_issues/programs/tmdl/heavenly/docs/stf_rpt.pdf) established a linkage between sedimentation, sourced from the ski resort construction and operations, with a degradation of the benthic macroinvertebrate community, based on historic monitoring (p. 21), and ongoing BMI monitoring by the Heavenly Ski Resort is required in the TMDL’s monitoring and reporting requirements (p. 52, 55). The TMDL specifically includes a target for an improving trend of bioassessment scores (p. 26 Numeric Target 5, TMDL p. 7 Table 4.13-HVC-1).

Benthic macroinvertebrate data collected from a waterbody named 'Heavenly Creek unknown tributary', which is a direct tributary to this waterbody and is located less than 2 miles upstream, shows that CSCI scores fall into the 'very likely altered' category. The data from this waterbody is explained in Decision ID 171732, but has also been mentioned in this decision as it is pertinent to the water quality issues that are apparent in this waterbody. There is little other water quality data for 'Heavenly Creek, unknown tributary' available for assessment, but the impairment of benthic macroinvertebrate habitat in that waterbody segment, as well as in this one, is probable based on the available CSCI data.

The available benthic-macroinvertebrate data for Heavenly Valley Creek shows impacts to the benthic communities at the 634HVC-2 sampling site, which is located just downstream of Heavenly ski resorts' Patsy's chairlift in the upper reach of the waterbody segment. Benthic macroinvertebrate data collected upstream of this waterbody segment shows similar impairment. These impairments are consistent with both ski recreation and the associated mountain operations that occur in this watershed section. The benthic community shows a marked improvement at the 634HVC-3 sampling site, which is someways downstream of Heavenly ski resort operations and is surrounded by forested lands.

Based on the readily available data and information, the evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification to keep placing Benthic Community Effects in this waterbody segment on the CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. 4 of 11 benthic macroinvertebrate bioassessment samples had CSCI scores below 0.79.
4. At least one line of evidence includes sufficient pollutant exceedances to indicate the waterbody is impaired for at least one pollutant related to aquatic life (Sediment).
 
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: 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. 4 of 11 benthic macroinvertebrate bioassessment samples had CSCI scores below 0.79.
4. At least one line of evidence includes sufficient pollutant exceedances to indicate the waterbody is impaired for at least one pollutant related to aquatic life (Sediment).
 
State Board Decision Recommendation:
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 171785, Benthic Community Effects
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
LOE ID: 352867
 
Pollutant: Benthic-Macroinvertebrate Bioassessments
LOE Subgroup: Population/Community Degradation
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Benthic macroinvertebrate surveys
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed data for 634TPB122 to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality standard. CSCI scores were from 0.896954 to 0.896954 .
Data Reference: Benthic, Field, Habitat from the Tahoe Regional Planning Authority for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in, human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. (Lahontan Basin Plan)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
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: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: 634TPB122 (Heavenly Valley Creek 634010122 Trend Panel B).
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected from 2017-10-11 to 2017-10-11.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Generic SWAMP QAPrP
QAPP Information Reference(s): Generic SWAMP QAPrP
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 171785, Benthic Community Effects
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
LOE ID: 352782
 
Pollutant: Benthic-Macroinvertebrate Bioassessments
LOE Subgroup: Population/Community Degradation
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 5
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Benthic macroinvertebrate surveys
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed data for 634HVC-3 to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 0 of 5 samples exceeded the water quality standard. CSCI scores were from 0.82 to 1.01 .
Data Reference: Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Total Maximum Daily Load for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in, human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. (Lahontan Basin Plan)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
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: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: 634HVC-3 (Heavenly Valley Creek at Property Line).
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected from 2011-08-29 to 2019-07-25.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Heavenly Resort QAPP
QAPP Information Reference(s): Lahontan Water Board - HeavenlyResortQAPP - HeavenlyValley_TMDL - 402557
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 171785, Benthic Community Effects
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
LOE ID: 352781
 
Pollutant: Benthic-Macroinvertebrate Bioassessments
LOE Subgroup: Population/Community Degradation
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 5
Number of Exceedances: 4
 
Data and Information Type: Benthic macroinvertebrate surveys
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed data for 634HVC-2 to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 4 of 5 samples exceeded the water quality standard. CSCI scores were from 0.75 to 0.88 .
Data Reference: Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Total Maximum Daily Load for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in, human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. (Lahontan Basin Plan)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
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: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: 634HVC-2 (Heavenly Valley Creek below Patsy's).
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected from 2011-08-29 to 2019-07-23.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Heavenly Resort QAPP
QAPP Information Reference(s): Lahontan Water Board - HeavenlyResortQAPP - HeavenlyValley_TMDL - 402557
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 171785, Benthic Community Effects
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
LOE ID: 2864
 
Pollutant: Sedimentation/Siltation
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 0
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
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):
 
 
DECISION ID
162036
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
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)(2018)
Revision Status Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.1 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

Three lines of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Zero out of 415 of the samples exceed the water quality 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 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 415 samples exceeded the objective/criteria and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.1 of the Listing Policy.
4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should 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:
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162036, Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
LOE ID: 31893
 
Pollutant: Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 50
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: None of the 50 samples exceeded the water quality objective for nitrate + nitrate as N. Samples collected within a 7-day period were averaged and considered as a single sample.
Data Reference: Data from discharger self-monitoring reports for the Heavenly Mountain Resort ski area at Lake Tahoe, Oct. 2007-Sep. 2009
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Basin, Objective for Municipal and Domestic Supply uses of inland surface waters states the following: waters shall not contain concentrations of inorganic chemicals in excess of the limits specified in California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Table 64431-A of section 64431 (Inorganic Chemicals). The maximum contaminant level listed in Table 64431-A for nitrate + nitrite as N is 10.0 mg/L.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at the following sites: HV-C2 Heavenly Valley Creek below Patsy's Chair and HV-C3 Heavenly Valley Creek at the Forest Service property line.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected from 10/23/2007 to 9/15/2009.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Data were collected as part of Water Discharge Requirements R6T-2003-0032 for Heavenly Mountain Resort.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162036, Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
LOE ID: 338808
 
Pollutant: Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 195
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed HeavenlyValley_TMDL data for Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 195 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Nitrate + Nitrite as N.
Data Reference: Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Total Maximum Daily Load for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California Maximum Contaminant Level for nitrate + nitrite (as N) that is incorporated by reference in the Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Region is 10.0 mg/L (Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Region).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: HVC-2 (Below Patsy's along Heavenly Valley).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2010-09-27 and 2022-08-24
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Heavenly Resort QAPP
QAPP Information Reference(s): Lahontan Water Board - HeavenlyResortQAPP - HeavenlyValley_TMDL - 402557
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162036, Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
LOE ID: 338789
 
Pollutant: Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 170
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed HeavenlyValley_TMDL data for Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 170 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Nitrate + Nitrite as N.
Data Reference: Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Total Maximum Daily Load for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California Maximum Contaminant Level for nitrate + nitrite (as N) that is incorporated by reference in the Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Region is 10.0 mg/L (Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Region).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: HVC-3 (Property Line along Heavenly Valley).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2010-10-03 and 2022-09-21
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Heavenly Resort QAPP
QAPP Information Reference(s): Lahontan Water Board - HeavenlyResortQAPP - HeavenlyValley_TMDL - 402557
 
 
DECISION ID
78979
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
Pollutant: Nitrogen
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 3.1 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

One line of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. None of the four samples exceeds the water quality objective. The water quality objective for total nitrogen for Trout Creek is an annual average objective of 0.19 mg/L. Table 5.1-1 shows Trout Creek as the receiving water for Heavenly Valley Creek. None of the four annual averages exceeded the water quality objective for total nitrogen. Annual averages were calculated by water year starting in October 1st through September 30th. A total of 27 samples were collected per site.

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 four samples exceeded the water quality objective and this sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if standards are not met. A minimum of 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 78979, Nitrogen
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
LOE ID: 31894
 
Pollutant: Total Nitrogen as N
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 4
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: None of the four annual averages exceeded the water quality objective for total nitrogen. Annual averages were calculated by water year starting in October 1st through September 30th. A total of 27 samples were collected per site.
Data Reference: Data from discharger self-monitoring reports for the Heavenly Mountain Resort ski area at Lake Tahoe, Oct. 2007-Sep. 2009
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Table 5.1-3 of the Basin Plan states that the water quality objective for total nitrogen for Trout Creek is an annual average objective of 0.19 mg/L. Table 5.1-1 shows Trout Creek as the receiving water for Heavenly Valley Creek.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at the following sites: HV-C2 Heavenly Valley Creek below Patsy's Chair and HV-C3 Heavenly Valley Creek at the Forest Service property line.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected from 10/23/2007 to 9/15/2009.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Data were collected as part of Water Discharge Requirements R6T-2003-0032 for Heavenly Mountain Resort.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
162037
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: Insufficient information is available to determine beneficial use support for this waterbody-pollutant combination with the statistical power and confidence required by the Listing Policy. Beneficial use support will be reassessed in a future cycle, if more data are available.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation:
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162037, Oxygen, Dissolved
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
LOE ID: 339329
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed TRPA Tahoe Ambient Monitoring data for Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Oxygen, Saturation.
Data Reference: Benthic, Field, Habitat from the Tahoe Regional Planning Authority for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region's water quality objective states that the dissolved oxygen concentration shall not be less than 80 percent of saturation.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: 634TPB122 (Heavenly Valley Creek 634010122 Trend Panel B).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2017-10-11 and 2017-10-11
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Generic SWAMP QAPrP
QAPP Information Reference(s): Generic SWAMP QAPrP
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162037, Oxygen, Dissolved
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
LOE ID: 339143
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed TRPA Tahoe Ambient Monitoring data for Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Oxygen, Dissolved.
Data Reference: Benthic, Field, Habitat from the Tahoe Regional Planning Authority for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: For waters with the beneficial uses of COLD, COLD with SPWN, WARM, and WARM with SPWN, the minimum dissolved oxygen concentration shall not be less than that specified in Table 3-6. (Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Region)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: 634TPB122 (Heavenly Valley Creek 634010122 Trend Panel B).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2017-10-11 and 2017-10-11
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Generic SWAMP QAPrP
QAPP Information Reference(s): Generic SWAMP QAPrP
 
 
DECISION ID
169953
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
Pollutant: Specific Conductivity
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: Insufficient information is available to determine beneficial use support for this waterbody-pollutant combination with the statistical power and confidence required by the Listing Policy. Beneficial use support will be reassessed in a future cycle, if more data are available
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, SWRCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because it cannot be determined if applicable water quality standards are not being exceeded.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 169953, Specific Conductivity
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
LOE ID: 340551
 
Pollutant: Specific Conductivity
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed TRPA Tahoe Ambient Monitoring data for Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for SpecificConductivity.
Data Reference: Benthic, Field, Habitat from the Tahoe Regional Planning Authority for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water designated as MUN shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in excess of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) or secondary maximum contaminant level (SMCL) based upon drinking water standards specified in Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations (Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Region).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline: California Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) apply to ambient waters under the Lahontan Basin Plan's 'Chemical Constituents' objective. The California Secondary MCL for specific conductivity is 900 uS/cm.
Guideline Reference: California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 4, Chapter 15. Domestic Water Quality and Monitoring
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: 634TPB122 (Heavenly Valley Creek 634010122 Trend Panel B).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2017-10-11 and 2017-10-11
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Generic SWAMP QAPrP
QAPP Information Reference(s): Generic SWAMP QAPrP
 
 
DECISION ID
162038
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
Pollutant: Turbidity
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2018)
Revision Status Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: 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.

Three lines of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. 49 of the 391 samples exceed the water quality 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 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. 49 of 391 samples exceeded 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:
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162038, Turbidity
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
LOE ID: 340781
 
Pollutant: Turbidity
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 170
Number of Exceedances: 18
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed HeavenlyValley_TMDL data for Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 18 of 170 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Turbidity.
Data Reference: Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Total Maximum Daily Load for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water designated as MUN shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in excess of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) or secondary maximum contaminant level (SMCL) based upon drinking water standards specified in Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations. The Lahontan Basin Plan also has regionwide turbidity objective for other beneficial uses that states: Waters shall be free of changes in turbidity that cause nuisance or adversely affect the water for beneficial uses. Increases in turbidity shall not exceed natural levels by more than 10%.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline: California Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) apply to ambient surface waters under the Lahontan Basin Plan's 'Chemical Constituents' objective. The Secondary MCL for turbidity is 5 NTU. Calculation of a numeric objective for other beneficial uses requires comparison with upstream or other background data which may not be available as part of the data used for water quality assessment.
Guideline Reference: California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 4, Chapter 15. Domestic Water Quality and Monitoring
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: HVC-3 (Property Line along Heavenly Valley).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2010-10-03 and 2022-09-21
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Heavenly Resort QAPP
QAPP Information Reference(s): Lahontan Water Board - HeavenlyResortQAPP - HeavenlyValley_TMDL - 402557
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162038, Turbidity
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
LOE ID: 340807
 
Pollutant: Turbidity
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 195
Number of Exceedances: 31
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed HeavenlyValley_TMDL data for Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 31 of 195 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Turbidity.
Data Reference: Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Total Maximum Daily Load for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water designated as MUN shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in excess of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) or secondary maximum contaminant level (SMCL) based upon drinking water standards specified in Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations. The Lahontan Basin Plan also has regionwide turbidity objective for other beneficial uses that states: Waters shall be free of changes in turbidity that cause nuisance or adversely affect the water for beneficial uses. Increases in turbidity shall not exceed natural levels by more than 10%.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline: California Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) apply to ambient surface waters under the Lahontan Basin Plan's 'Chemical Constituents' objective. The Secondary MCL for turbidity is 5 NTU. Calculation of a numeric objective for other beneficial uses requires comparison with upstream or other background data which may not be available as part of the data used for water quality assessment.
Guideline Reference: California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 4, Chapter 15. Domestic Water Quality and Monitoring
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: HVC-2 (Below Patsy's along Heavenly Valley).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2010-09-27 and 2022-08-24
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Heavenly Resort QAPP
QAPP Information Reference(s): Lahontan Water Board - HeavenlyResortQAPP - HeavenlyValley_TMDL - 402557
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162038, Turbidity
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
LOE ID: 32456
 
Pollutant: Turbidity
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 26
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: None of the 26 samples exceeded the MCL for turbidity in this water body.
Data Reference: Data from discharger self-monitoring reports for the Heavenly Mountain Resort ski area at Lake Tahoe, Oct. 2007-Sep. 2009
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: California Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) apply to ambient waters under the Lahontan Basin Plan's "Chemical Constituents" objective. The MCL for turbidity is 5 NTU.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Maximum Contaminant Levels for organic and inorganic chemicals. CCR Title 22
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at two locations: HV-C2 (Below Patsy's) HV-C3 (Property Line)
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected monthly between August of 2008 and September of 2009.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Data were collected for NPDES permit R6T-2003-0032. This data was collected under waste discharge requirements for a TMDL and therefore is of adequate quality.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
162035
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
Pollutant: Iron
Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2018)
Revision Status Revised
Sources: A Source Unknown
TMDL Priority: Low
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA section 303(d) List under section 3.1 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

Six lines of evidence, three for COLD and three for MUN, are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Six of the 6 samples exceed the objective for COLD, and 6 of the 18 samples exceed the objective for MUN.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification in favor of placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. Six of the 6 samples exceed the objective for COLD, and 6 of the 18 samples exceed the object for MUN, and this exceeds the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.1 of the Listing Policy.
4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards are exceeded and a pollutant contributes to or causes the problem.
 
State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation:
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162035, Iron
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
LOE ID: 338649
 
Pollutant: Iron
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 5
Number of Exceedances: 4
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed HeavenlyValley_TMDL data for Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 4 of 5 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Iron.
Data Reference: Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Total Maximum Daily Load for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Regions Objective for Municipal and Domestic Supply uses of inland surface waters states that waters designated as MUN shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in excess of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) or secondary maximum contaminant level (SMCL). This is based upon drinking water standards specified in the following provisions of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations which are incorporated by reference into the Water Quality Control Plan: Table 64431-A of Section 64431 (Inorganic Chemicals), Table 64431-B of Section 64431 (Fluoride), Table 64444-A of Section 64444 (Organic Chemicals), Table 64449-A of Section 64449 (Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels-Ranges). The maximum contaminant level listed in Table 64449-A for Iron is 0.3 mg/L.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: HVC-2 (Below Patsy's along Heavenly Valley).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2010-10-20 and 2011-06-22
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Heavenly Resort QAPP
QAPP Information Reference(s): Lahontan Water Board - HeavenlyResortQAPP - HeavenlyValley_TMDL - 402557
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162035, Iron
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
LOE ID: 338650
 
Pollutant: Iron
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 5
Number of Exceedances: 2
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed HeavenlyValley_TMDL data for Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 2 of 5 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Iron.
Data Reference: Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Total Maximum Daily Load for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Regions Objective for Municipal and Domestic Supply uses of inland surface waters states that waters designated as MUN shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in excess of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) or secondary maximum contaminant level (SMCL). This is based upon drinking water standards specified in the following provisions of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations which are incorporated by reference into the Water Quality Control Plan: Table 64431-A of Section 64431 (Inorganic Chemicals), Table 64431-B of Section 64431 (Fluoride), Table 64444-A of Section 64444 (Organic Chemicals), Table 64449-A of Section 64449 (Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels-Ranges). The maximum contaminant level listed in Table 64449-A for Iron is 0.3 mg/L.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: HVC-3 (Property Line along Heavenly Valley).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2010-10-20 and 2011-06-22
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Heavenly Resort QAPP
QAPP Information Reference(s): Lahontan Water Board - HeavenlyResortQAPP - HeavenlyValley_TMDL - 402557
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162035, Iron
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
LOE ID: 338648
 
Pollutant: Iron
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 2
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed HeavenlyValley_TMDL data for Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 2 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Iron.
Data Reference: Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Total Maximum Daily Load for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Basin Plan Objective that is incorporated by in the Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Region for Iron is an annual average of 0.03 mg/L (Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Region).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference: Quality Criteria for Water. USEPA Office of Water and Hazardous Materials. Washington, D.C
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: HVC-2 (Below Patsy's along Heavenly Valley).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2010-10-20 and 2011-06-22
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Heavenly Resort QAPP
QAPP Information Reference(s): Lahontan Water Board - HeavenlyResortQAPP - HeavenlyValley_TMDL - 402557
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162035, Iron
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
LOE ID: 338660
 
Pollutant: Iron
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 2
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed HeavenlyValley_TMDL data for Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 2 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Iron.
Data Reference: Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Total Maximum Daily Load for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Basin Plan Objective that is incorporated by in the Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Region for Iron is an annual average of 0.03 mg/L (Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Region).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference: Quality Criteria for Water. USEPA Office of Water and Hazardous Materials. Washington, D.C
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: HVC-3 (Property Line along Heavenly Valley).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2010-10-20 and 2011-06-22
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Heavenly Resort QAPP
QAPP Information Reference(s): Lahontan Water Board - HeavenlyResortQAPP - HeavenlyValley_TMDL - 402557
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162035, Iron
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
LOE ID: 31976
 
Pollutant: Iron
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 8
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: None of the eight samples exceeded the secondary MCL.
Data Reference: Data from discharger self-monitoring reports for the Heavenly Mountain Resort ski area at Lake Tahoe, Oct. 2007-Sep. 2009
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Basin, Objective for Municipal and Domestic Supply uses of inland surface waters states the following: waters shall not contain concentrations of inorganic chemicals in excess of the limits specified in California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Table 64449-B of Section 64449 (Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels-Ranges), for iron this is 0.3 mg/L.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at the following sites: HV-C2 Heavenly Valley Creek below Patsy's Chair and HV-C3 Heavenly Valley Creek at the Forest Service property line.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected quarterly from the fourth quarter of 2008 to the third quarter of 2009.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Data were collected as part of Water Discharge Requirements R6T-2003-0032 for Heavenly Mountain Resort.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162035, Iron
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
LOE ID: 31979
 
Pollutant: Iron
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 2
 
Data and Information Type: Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The annual averages were 0.18 mg/L (HV-C2) and 0.09 mg/L (HV-C3) which are above the objective of 0.03 mg/L.
Data Reference: Data from discharger self-monitoring reports for the Heavenly Mountain Resort ski area at Lake Tahoe, Oct. 2007-Sep. 2009
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Table 3-12 of the Basin Plan, states the annual average for iron in the Trout Creek watershed (Figure 3-6) is 0.03 mg/L.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at the following sites: HV-C2 Heavenly Valley Creek below Patsy's Chair and HV-C3 Heavenly Valley Creek at the Forest Service property line.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected quarterly from the fourth quarter of 2008 to the third quarter of 2009.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Data were collected as part of Water Discharge Requirements R6T-2003-0032 for Heavenly Mountain Resort.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
79817
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
Pollutant: Phosphorus
Final Listing Decision: Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (being addressed with USEPA approved TMDL)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (being addressed with USEPA approved TMDL)(2016)
Revision Status Original
Sources: A Source Unknown
TMDL Name: Lake Tahoe Nutrients/Sediment
TMDL Project Code: 198
Date TMDL Approved by USEPA: 08/16/2011
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for removal from the section 303(d) list under section 4.2 of the Listing Policy. Under this section a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Four of four samples exceed the water quality objective.

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, but Regional Board staff find that this waterbody, though listed, is being addressed by a USEPA approved TMDL (Lake Tahoe TMDL, approved 08/16/11).

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. Four of four samples exceeded the water quality 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.

Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary) is a tributary to Lake Tahoe. The Tahoe TMDL includes an implementation plan that identifies actions that resource management agencies must take to reduce inputs of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) and fine sediment. On the ground efforts required by the Lake Tahoe TMDL that focus on stabilizing disturbed areas within the forested uplands will also achieve pollutant load reductions of these same constituents in waters tributary to Lake Tahoe.

Federal, State, and larger local restoration agencies have well defined, multi objective restoration programs with established funding and developed restoration plans to help achieve the Lake Tahoe TMDL. Implementation actions included in these restoration programs include fuels reduction projects and decomissioning and recontouring unauthorized or historic roads and trails. These projects are already underway, or planned and expected, within the forested uplands of this watershed and will help reduce sediment and nutrient inputs to Lake Tahoe and its tributaries, which include Heavenly Valley Creek from the source to the USFS boundary.

Pollutant load reductions within Heavenly Creek will be tracked through implementation of detailed performance and compliance measures and assessment and reporting protocols included in the Lake Tahoe TMDL. The TMDL Management System project is establishing activity-based tracking and reporting requirements to assess activities that are expected to reduce pollutant loading from non-urban sources.

The Lahontan Water Board and the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection will implement a Lake Tahoe TMDL Management System for managing, tracking, integrating and evaluating new information generated from TMDL implementation actions, effectiveness monitoring, research efforts, and other factors such as climate change and wildfires.

The Management System is based on an adaptive management framework to (1) link load reduction effectiveness with project implementation monitoring to improve project design and to assess if actual environmental improvement is occurring as expected; (2) establish guidance and operation protocols for how new information will be incorporated into project designs and TMDL program implementation; (3) establish prioritized TMDL research needs to fill data gaps and reduce uncertainties, and (4) implement a process for updating and reporting pollutant load reduction estimates and tracking projects within the TMDL implementation timeline.

The Lake Tahoe TMDL requires implementation, effectiveness, and status and trends monitoring. Tributary stream status and trends monitoring will track long-term changes in water quality conditions relative to established water quality standards or goals, and project-specific monitoring will be used to assess the efficacy of various implementation measures.

Long-term water quality trends and pollutant load reduction tracking in Heavenly Creek will be captured through the ongoing efforts of the Lake Tahoe Interagency Monitoring Program (LTIMP) whose primary objective is to monitor discharge, nutrient load, and sediment loads from representative streams that flow into Lake Tahoe. Nitrogen and phosphorus loading calculations are performed using the LTIMP flow and nutrient concentration database. LTIMP has monitored Heavenly Creek and other tributaries to Lake Tahoe since 1988; this data is stored on the USGS website at http://wdr.water.usgs.gov/.
 
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: Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary) is a tributary to Lake Tahoe. The Tahoe TMDL includes an implementation plan that identifies actions that resource management agencies must take to reduce inputs of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) and fine sediment. On the ground efforts required by the Lake Tahoe TMDL that focus on stabilizing disturbed areas within the forested uplands will also achieve pollutant load reductions of these same constituents in waters tributary to Lake Tahoe.

Federal, State, and larger local restoration agencies have well defined, multi objective restoration programs with established funding and developed restoration plans to help achieve the Lake Tahoe TMDL. Implementation actions included in these restoration programs include fuels reduction projects and decomissioning and recontouring unauthorized or historic roads and trails. These projects are already underway, or planned and expected, within the forested uplands of this watershed and will help reduce sediment and nutrient inputs to Lake Tahoe and its tributaries, which include Heavenly Valley Creek from the source to the USFS boundary.

Pollutant load reductions within Heavenly Creek will be tracked through implementation of detailed performance and compliance measures and assessment and reporting protocols included in the Lake Tahoe TMDL. The TMDL Management System project is establishing activity-based tracking and reporting requirements to assess activities that are expected to reduce pollutant loading from non-urban sources.

The Lahontan Water Board and the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection will implement a Lake Tahoe TMDL Management System for managing, tracking, integrating and evaluating new information generated from TMDL implementation actions, effectiveness monitoring, research efforts, and other factors such as climate change and wildfires.

The Management System is based on an adaptive management framework to (1) link load reduction effectiveness with project implementation monitoring to improve project design and to assess if actual environmental improvement is occurring as expected; (2) establish guidance and operation protocols for how new information will be incorporated into project designs and TMDL program implementation; (3) establish prioritized TMDL research needs to fill data gaps and reduce uncertainties, and (4) implement a process for updating and reporting pollutant load reduction estimates and tracking projects within the TMDL implementation timeline.

The Lake Tahoe TMDL requires implementation, effectiveness, and status and trends monitoring. Tributary stream status and trends monitoring will track long-term changes in water quality conditions relative to established water quality standards or goals, and project-specific monitoring will be used to assess the efficacy of various implementation measures.

Long-term water quality trends and pollutant load reduction tracking in Heavenly Creek will be captured through the ongoing efforts of the Lake Tahoe Interagency Monitoring Program (LTIMP) whose primary objective is to monitor discharge, nutrient load, and sediment loads from representative streams that flow into Lake Tahoe. Nitrogen and phosphorus loading calculations are performed using the LTIMP flow and nutrient concentration database. LTIMP has monitored Heavenly Creek and other tributaries to Lake Tahoe since 1988; this data is stored on the USGS website at http://wdr.water.usgs.gov/.
 
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 79817, Phosphorus
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
LOE ID: 4615
 
Pollutant: Phosphorus
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 0
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Unspecified--This LOE is a placeholder to support a 303(d) listing decision made prior to 2006.
Data Reference: Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Unspecified
Objective/Criterion Reference: Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
Evaluation Guideline: Unspecified
Guideline Reference: Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
Spatial Representation: Unspecified
Temporal Representation: Unspecified
Environmental Conditions: Unspecified
QAPP Information: Unspecified
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 79817, Phosphorus
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
LOE ID: 31895
 
Pollutant: Phosphorus
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 4
Number of Exceedances: 4
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Four of the four annual averages exceeded the water quality objective for total phosphorus. Annual averages were calculated by water year starting in October 1st through September 30th. A total of 27 samples were collected per site.
Data Reference: Data from discharger self-monitoring reports for the Heavenly Mountain Resort ski area at Lake Tahoe, Oct. 2007-Sep. 2009
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Table 5.1-3 of the Basin Plan states that the water quality objective for total phosphorus for Trout Creek is an annual average objective of 0.015 mg/L. Table 5.1-1 shows Trout Creek as the receiving water for Heavenly Valley Creek.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at the following sites: HV-C2 Heavenly Valley Creek below Patsy's Chair and HV-C3 Heavenly Valley Creek at the Forest Service property line.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected from 10/23/2007 to 9/15/2009.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Data were collected as part of Water Discharge Requirements R6T-2003-0032 for Heavenly Mountain Resort.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
162039
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
Pollutant: Alkalinity as CaCO3
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Original
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: Insufficient information is available to determine beneficial use support for this waterbody-pollutant combination with the statistical power and confidence required by the Listing Policy. Beneficial use support will be reassessed in a future cycle, if more data are available
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, SWRCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because it cannot be determined if applicable water quality standards are not being exceeded.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162039, Alkalinity as CaCO3
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
LOE ID: 337953
 
Pollutant: Alkalinity as CaCO3
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed TRPA Tahoe Ambient Monitoring data for Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Alkalinity as CaCO3.
Data Reference: Benthic, Field, Habitat from the Tahoe Regional Planning Authority for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life (Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Region).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline: The USEPA recommended alkalinity criterion continuous concentration (CCC) for the protection of aquatic life in freshwater is a minimum value of 20,000 ug/L (4-day average).
Guideline Reference: National Recommended Water Quality Criteria. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Water. Current as of 08/03/2016.
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: 634TPB122 (Heavenly Valley Creek 634010122 Trend Panel B).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2017-10-11 and 2017-10-11
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Generic SWAMP QAPrP
QAPP Information Reference(s): Generic SWAMP QAPrP
 
 
DECISION ID
78801
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
Pollutant: Temperature, water
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2016)
Revision Status Original
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the 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 lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. None of the 28 samples exceed the water quality objective. The 28 samples were collected monthly and this sampling frequency seems sufficient to establish specific baseline conditions and to define the natural range of temperature (including diel, seasonal and annual varations) or to detect whether changes have occurred.

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 28 samples exceeded the guideline 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: 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 78801, Temperature, water
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
LOE ID: 31953
 
Pollutant: Temperature, water
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 28
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: None of the 28 samples exceeded the evaluation guideline for temperature in this water body.
Data Reference: Data from discharger self-monitoring reports for the Heavenly Mountain Resort ski area at Lake Tahoe, Oct. 2007-Sep. 2009
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The natural receiving water temperature of all waters shall not be altered unless it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Regional Board that such an alteration in temperature does not adversely affect the water for beneficial uses.(Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)
 
Evaluation Guideline: Inland Fishes of California (Moyle 1976) states that for rainbow trout the optimum range for growth and completion of most life stages is 13-21 degrees C (page 129).
Guideline Reference: Fish introductions in CA: History and impact on native fishes. Davis, CA: University of CA, Davis
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at site HV-C2 (Below Patsy's) and site HV-C3 (Property Line).
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected monthly between October of 2008 and September of 2009.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: This data was collected under waste discharge requirements for a TMDL and therefore is of adequate quality.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
68018
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
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: A Source Unknown
TMDL Name: Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary) Sediment
TMDL Project Code: 655
Date TMDL Approved by USEPA: 09/30/2002
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: 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 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 Heavenly Valley Creek Sediment TMDL was adopted by RWQCB in 2001 and subsequently approved by USEPA in 2002.

This water segment-pollutant combination was moved off the section 303(d) list during the 2002 listing cycle.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification in favor of placing this water segment-pollutant combination 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 68018, Sedimentation/Siltation
Region 6     
Heavenly Valley Creek (source to USFS boundary)
 
LOE ID: 2864
 
Pollutant: Sedimentation/Siltation
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 0
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
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):