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

Supporting Information

Regional Board 6 - Lahontan Region

Water Body Name: Tallac Creek (below Hwy 89)
Water Body ID: CAR6341004120020116164425
Water Body Type: River & Stream
 
DECISION ID
170507
Region 6     
Tallac Creek (below Hwy 89)
 
Pollutant: Indicator Bacteria
Final Listing Decision: 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
Reason for Delisting: Applicable WQS attained; due to change in WQS
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for removal from the CWA section 303(d) List under section 4.2 of the Listing Policy. Under this section a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

Four lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Two of the 39 samples exceeded the Statistical Threshold Value water quality objective for E. coli; 0 of 52 samples exceeded the geomean water quality objective for E. coli. (Fecal coliform lines of evidence used in previous indicator bacteria decisions in the Lahontan Region have been removed from decisions, starting in the 2026 Integrated Report, because the Lahontan Region's fecal coliform objective was removed from the Basin Plan in 2024).

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

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. Two of the 39 samples exceeded the Statistical Threshold Value water quality objective for E. coli; 0 of 52 samples exceeded the geomean water quality objective for E. coli and this does not exceed 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 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 removed from the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are not being exceeded.
 
State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation:
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 170507, Indicator Bacteria
Region 6     
Tallac Creek (below Hwy 89)
 
LOE ID: 99764
 
Pollutant: Escherichia coli (E. coli)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 28
Number of Exceedances: 2
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed RWB6_BACT_Monitoring data for Tallac Creek (below Hwy 89) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 2 of the 28 samples exceeded the Statistical Threshold Value (STV) water quality standard for E. coli. The STV is based on a 10% exceedance rate that is calculated monthly.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for Regional Water Board 6 Bacteria Monitoring.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The bacteria water quality objective applicable to all waters, except Lake Tahoe, where the salinity is less than 10 parts per thousand (ppth) 95 percent or more of the time is a STATISTICAL THRESHOLD VALUE (STV) of 320 cfu/100 mL not to be exceeded more than 10 percent of the time (calculated monthly).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries Plan. Part 1: Trash Provisions; Part 2: Tribal Subsistence Beneficial Uses and Mercury Provisions; Part 3: Bacteria Provisions and Variance Policy
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s), station(s): 634TALB01
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the days of 2010-08-31 and 2015-06-29 .
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
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 170507, Indicator Bacteria
Region 6     
Tallac Creek (below Hwy 89)
 
LOE ID: 99672
 
Pollutant: Escherichia coli (E. coli)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 52
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed RWB6_BACT_Monitoring data for Tallac Creek (below Hwy 89) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 0 of the 52 samples exceeded the geomean water quality standard for E. coli. This is a six week rolling geomean that is calculated weekly.
Data Reference: Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for Regional Water Board 6 Bacteria Monitoring.
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The bacteria water quality objective applicable to all waters, except Lake Tahoe, where the salinity is less than 10 parts per thousand (ppth) 95 percent or more of the time is a six-week rolling GEOMETRIC MEAN (GM) of Escherichia coli (E. coli) not to exceed 100 colony forming units per 100 milliliters (cfu/100 mL) (calculated weekly).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries Plan. Part 1: Trash Provisions; Part 2: Tribal Subsistence Beneficial Uses and Mercury Provisions; Part 3: Bacteria Provisions and Variance Policy
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s), station(s): 634TALB01
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the days of 2010-08-31 and 2015-06-29 .
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Program Plan and Standard Operating Procedures for SWAMP program
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 170507, Indicator Bacteria
Region 6     
Tallac Creek (below Hwy 89)
 
LOE ID: 336799
 
Pollutant: Escherichia coli (E. coli)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: STV
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 11
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed League to Save Lake Tahoe Truckee Tahoe Snapshot D data for Tallac Creek (below Hwy 89) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 0 of the 11 samples exceeded the Statistical Threshold Value (STV) water quality threshold for E. coli. The STV is based on a 10% exceedance rate that is calculated monthly.
Data Reference: Field, WQ from the Truckee Tahoe Snapshot Day for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The bacteria water quality objective to protect the REC-1 beneficial use in waters other than Lake Thaoe, where the salinity is less than 1 parts per thousand 95 percent or more of the time applies a statistical threshold value to E. coli of 320 cfu/100 mL, not to be exceeded by more than 10 percent of samples within a calendar month (ISWEBE 2018).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries Plan. Part 1: Trash Provisions; Part 2: Tribal Subsistence Beneficial Uses and Mercury Provisions; Part 3: Bacteria Provisions and Variance Policy
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s), station(s): SLT-TALL-00 (Tallac Creek at Mouth).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the days of 2009-05-16 and 2021-05-15 .
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Tahoe Truckee Snapshot QAPP
QAPP Information Reference(s): Lahontan Water Board - TahoeTruckeeSnapshotQAPP - League to Save Lake Tahoe Truckee Tahoe Snapshot D - 402634
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 170507, Indicator Bacteria
Region 6     
Tallac Creek (below Hwy 89)
 
LOE ID: 4642
 
Pollutant: Pathogens
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Water 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):
 
 
DECISION ID
170509
Region 6     
Tallac Creek (below Hwy 89)
 
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 170509, Specific Conductivity
Region 6     
Tallac Creek (below Hwy 89)
 
LOE ID: 340480
 
Pollutant: Specific Conductivity
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 17
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed League to Save Lake Tahoe Truckee Tahoe Snapshot D data for Tallac Creek (below Hwy 89) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 17 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for SpecificConductivity.
Data Reference: Field, WQ from the Truckee Tahoe Snapshot Day 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: SLT-TALL-00 (Tallac Creek at Mouth).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2003-05-10 and 2021-05-15
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Tahoe Truckee Snapshot QAPP
QAPP Information Reference(s): Lahontan Water Board - TahoeTruckeeSnapshotQAPP - League to Save Lake Tahoe Truckee Tahoe Snapshot D - 402634
 
 
DECISION ID
162059
Region 6     
Tallac Creek (below Hwy 89)
 
Pollutant: pH
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: Insufficient information is available to determine beneficial use support for this waterbody-pollutant combination with the statistical power and confidence required by the Listing Policy. Beneficial use support will be reassessed in a future cycle, if more data are available.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation:
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162059, pH
Region 6     
Tallac Creek (below Hwy 89)
 
LOE ID: 340062
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 0
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed League to Save Lake Tahoe Truckee Tahoe Snapshot D data for Tallac Creek (below Hwy 89) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 18 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH. The objective for this pollutant requires background information that is currently unavailable, and therefore an assessment of water quality thresholds could not be made.
Data Reference: Field, WQ from the Truckee Tahoe Snapshot Day for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Lahontan Basin Plan's regionwide objective for pH states: 'In fresh waters with designated beneficial uses of COLD or WARM, changes in normal ambient pH levels shall not exceed 0.5 pH units. For all other waters of the region, the pH shall not be depressed below 6.5 nor raised above 8.5 units. The Regional Board recognizes that some waters of the Region may have natural pH levels outside of the 6.5 to 8.5 range. Compliance with the pH objective for these waters will be determined on a case-by-case basis.'
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: SLT-TALL-00 (Tallac Creek at Mouth).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2003-05-10 and 2021-05-15
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Tahoe Truckee Snapshot QAPP
QAPP Information Reference(s): Lahontan Water Board - TahoeTruckeeSnapshotQAPP - League to Save Lake Tahoe Truckee Tahoe Snapshot D - 402634
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162059, pH
Region 6     
Tallac Creek (below Hwy 89)
 
LOE ID: 339817
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 0
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed League to Save Lake Tahoe Truckee Tahoe Snapshot D data for Tallac Creek (below Hwy 89) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 18 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH. The objective for this pollutant requires background information that is currently unavailable, and therefore an assessment of water quality thresholds could not be made.
Data Reference: Field, WQ from the Truckee Tahoe Snapshot Day for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Lahontan Basin Plan's regionwide objective for pH states: 'In fresh waters with designated beneficial uses of COLD or WARM, changes in normal ambient pH levels shall not exceed 0.5 pH units. For all other waters of the region, the pH shall not be depressed below 6.5 nor raised above 8.5 units. The Regional Board recognizes that some waters of the Region may have natural pH levels outside of the 6.5 to 8.5 range. Compliance with the pH objective for these waters will be determined on a case-by-case basis.'
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: SLT-TALL-00 (Tallac Creek at Mouth).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2003-05-10 and 2021-05-15
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Tahoe Truckee Snapshot QAPP
QAPP Information Reference(s): Lahontan Water Board - TahoeTruckeeSnapshotQAPP - League to Save Lake Tahoe Truckee Tahoe Snapshot D - 402634
 
 
DECISION ID
170510
Region 6     
Tallac Creek (below Hwy 89)
 
Pollutant: Nitrogen
Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Sources: A Source Unknown
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.

Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Five of the 9 samples exceed the objective.

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. Five of 9 samples exceed the objective 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 170510, Nitrogen
Region 6     
Tallac Creek (below Hwy 89)
 
LOE ID: 343104
 
Pollutant: Total Nitrogen as N
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 5
Number of Exceedances: 3
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed League to Save Lake Tahoe Truckee Tahoe Snapshot D data to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows:
3 of 5 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Nitrogen, Total
Data Reference: Field, WQ from the Truckee Tahoe Snapshot Day for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Basin Plan objective for Nitrogen, Total in this water body is 0.19 (mg/L), (as a Mean).
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: Tallac Creek at Mouth (SLT-TALL-00)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-05-14 and 2021-05-15
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Tahoe Truckee Snapshot QAPP
QAPP Information Reference(s): Lahontan Water Board - TahoeTruckeeSnapshotQAPP - League to Save Lake Tahoe Truckee Tahoe Snapshot D - 402634
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 170510, Nitrogen
Region 6     
Tallac Creek (below Hwy 89)
 
LOE ID: 343088
 
Pollutant: Total Nitrogen as N
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 4
Number of Exceedances: 2
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed League to Save Lake Tahoe Truckee Tahoe Snapshot D data to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows:
2 of 4 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Nitrogen, Total
Data Reference: Field, WQ from the Truckee Tahoe Snapshot Day for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Basin Plan objective for Nitrogen, Total in this water body is 0.19 (mg/L), (as a Mean).
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: Tallac Creek at Mouth (SLT-TALL-00)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2005-05-21 and 2013-05-11
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Tahoe Truckee Snapshot QAPP
QAPP Information Reference(s): Lahontan Water Board - TahoeTruckeeSnapshotQAPP - League to Save Lake Tahoe Truckee Tahoe Snapshot D - 402634
 
 
DECISION ID
162058
Region 6     
Tallac Creek (below Hwy 89)
 
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 Original
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA section 303(d) List under section 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Zero of the 18 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. 0 of 18 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 162058, Oxygen, Dissolved
Region 6     
Tallac Creek (below Hwy 89)
 
LOE ID: 339150
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 18
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed League to Save Lake Tahoe Truckee Tahoe Snapshot D data for Tallac Creek (below Hwy 89) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 18 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Oxygen, Dissolved.
Data Reference: Field, WQ from the Truckee Tahoe Snapshot Day 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: SLT-TALL-00 (Tallac Creek at Mouth).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2003-05-10 and 2021-05-15
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Tahoe Truckee Snapshot QAPP
QAPP Information Reference(s): Lahontan Water Board - TahoeTruckeeSnapshotQAPP - League to Save Lake Tahoe Truckee Tahoe Snapshot D - 402634
 
 
DECISION ID
163648
Region 6     
Tallac Creek (below Hwy 89)
 
Pollutant: Phosphorus
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: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA section 303(d) List under section 3.1 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. One of the nine 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 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. 1 of 9 samples exceeded the objective 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 163648, Phosphorus
Region 6     
Tallac Creek (below Hwy 89)
 
LOE ID: 343220
 
Pollutant: Phosphorus
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 9
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed League to Save Lake Tahoe Truckee Tahoe Snapshot D data to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows:
1 of 9 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Phosphorus as P
Data Reference: Field, WQ from the Truckee Tahoe Snapshot Day for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Basin Plan objective for Phosphorus as P in this water body is 0.015 (mg/L), (as a Mean).
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: Tallac Creek at Mouth (SLT-TALL-00)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2004-05-22 and 2021-05-15
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Tahoe Truckee Snapshot QAPP
QAPP Information Reference(s): Lahontan Water Board - TahoeTruckeeSnapshotQAPP - League to Save Lake Tahoe Truckee Tahoe Snapshot D - 402634
 
 
DECISION ID
162060
Region 6     
Tallac Creek (below Hwy 89)
 
Pollutant: Turbidity
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Original
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA section 303(d) List under section 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Zero of the 15 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. 0 of 0 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 162060, Turbidity
Region 6     
Tallac Creek (below Hwy 89)
 
LOE ID: 340789
 
Pollutant: Turbidity
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 15
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed League to Save Lake Tahoe Truckee Tahoe Snapshot D data for Tallac Creek (below Hwy 89) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 15 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Turbidity.
Data Reference: Field, WQ from the Truckee Tahoe Snapshot Day 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: SLT-TALL-00 (Tallac Creek at Mouth).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2003-05-10 and 2021-05-15
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Tahoe Truckee Snapshot QAPP
QAPP Information Reference(s): Lahontan Water Board - TahoeTruckeeSnapshotQAPP - League to Save Lake Tahoe Truckee Tahoe Snapshot D - 402634
 
 
DECISION ID
163647
Region 6     
Tallac Creek (below Hwy 89)
 
Pollutant: Chloride
Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Original
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 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. 5 of the 5 samples exceed the objective.

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. 5 of 5 samples exceed the objective, and this exceeds 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 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 163647, Chloride
Region 6     
Tallac Creek (below Hwy 89)
 
LOE ID: 342768
 
Pollutant: Chloride
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 5
Number of Exceedances: 5
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed League to Save Lake Tahoe Truckee Tahoe Snapshot D data to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows:
5 of 5 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Chloride
Data Reference: Field, WQ from the Truckee Tahoe Snapshot Day for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Basin Plan objective for Chloride in this water body is 0.4 (mg/L), (as a Mean).
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: Tallac Creek at Mouth (SLT-TALL-00)
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2015-05-16 and 2019-05-18
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Tahoe Truckee Snapshot QAPP
QAPP Information Reference(s): Lahontan Water Board - TahoeTruckeeSnapshotQAPP - League to Save Lake Tahoe Truckee Tahoe Snapshot D - 402634