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

Supporting Information

Regional Board 6 - Lahontan Region

Water Body Name:	Bear Creek (Placer County)
Water Body ID:	CAR6352001019980803153420
Water Body Type:	River & Stream


DECISION ID	162134	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

Pollutant:	Alkalinity as CaCO3
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2018)
Revision Status	Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

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

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

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of 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 162134, Alkalinity as CaCO3	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

98182

Pollutant:

Alkalinity as CaCO3

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring data for Bear Creek (Placer County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 6 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Alkalinity as CaCO3.

Data Reference:

Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring (tissue and water).

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The National Recommended Water Quality Criteria for Alkalinity as CaCO3 for the protection of freshwater aquatic life is not less than 20000 ug/L. (National Recommended Water Quality Criteria 2016)

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s) (635BER001)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2014-09-23 and 2015-12-09

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 162134, Alkalinity as CaCO3	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

337986

Pollutant:

Alkalinity as CaCO3

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, Tissue, Toxicity, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life (Water Quality Control Plan, 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:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: 635BER001 (Bear Creek, lower (moraine)).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-02-22 and 2022-02-16

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162134, Alkalinity as CaCO3	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

337824

Pollutant:

Alkalinity as CaCO3

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

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:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: 635PS0194 (Bear Creek ~1.2mi above Truckee River).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-09-08 and 2016-09-08

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP


DECISION ID	168449	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

Pollutant:	Ammonia
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2018)
Revision Status	Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

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

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

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of 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 168449, Ammonia	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

338203

Pollutant:

Ammonia (Unionized)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The un-ionized ammonia water quality objective to protect aquatic life in freshwater is temperature and pH dependent and is calculated according to the equation for the four-day criterion defined in Chapter 3 of The Water Quality Control Plan for the 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: 635PS0194 (Bear Creek ~1.2mi above Truckee River).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-09-08 and 2016-09-08

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 168449, Ammonia	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

338296

Pollutant:

Ammonia (Unionized)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring data for Bear Creek (Placer County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Ammonia as N, Unionized.

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, Tissue, Toxicity, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

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: 635BER001 (Bear Creek, lower (moraine)).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2017-09-13 and 2017-09-13

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 168449, Ammonia	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

338134

Pollutant:

Nitrogen, ammonia (Total Ammonia)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, Tissue, Toxicity, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The total ammonia water quality objective to protect aquatic life in freshwater is temperature and pH dependent and is calculated according to the equation for the four-day criterion defined in Chapter 3 of The Water Quality Control Plan for the 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: 635BER001 (Bear Creek, lower (moraine)).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2017-09-13 and 2017-09-13

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 168449, Ammonia	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

338269

Pollutant:

Ammonia (Unionized)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Truckee River Watershed Council data for Bear Creek (Placer County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 4 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Ammonia as N, Unionized.

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Truckee River Watershed Council for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

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: MTRBEAR00 (Bear near mouth).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2018-09-21 and 2020-10-03

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP for Truckee River Monitoring Plan

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for Truckee River Monitoring Plan.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 168449, Ammonia	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

338041

Pollutant:

Nitrogen, ammonia (Total Ammonia)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

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: 635PS0194 (Bear Creek ~1.2mi above Truckee River).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-09-08 and 2016-09-08

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 168449, Ammonia	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

338074

Pollutant:

Nitrogen, ammonia (Total Ammonia)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Truckee River Watershed Council for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

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: MTRBEAR00 (Bear near mouth).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2018-09-21 and 2020-10-03

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP for Truckee River Monitoring Plan

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for Truckee River Monitoring Plan.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 168449, Ammonia	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

97378

Pollutant:

Nitrogen, ammonia (Total Ammonia)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Truckee River Watershed Council data for Bear Creek (Placer County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 8 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Ammonia as N.

Data Reference:

Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the Truckee River Watershed Council.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Total Ammonia criterion continuous concentration (expressed as a 30-day average) to protect aquatic life in freshwater is Temperature and pH dependent, and was calculated according to the formula listed in the Aquatic Life Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Ammonia - Freshwater 2013 document.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Aquatic Life Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Ammonia - Freshwater 2013

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s) (MTRBEAR00)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-05-14 and 2016-09-22

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for Truckee River Monitoring Plan.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for Truckee River Monitoring Plan.


DECISION ID	171279	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

Pollutant:	Benthic Community Effects
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:	Benthic Community Effects are being considered for placement on the CWA section 303(d) List under sections 3.9 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.9, additional lines of evidence (LOEs) associating the Benthic Community Effects decision with a water or sediment concentration of pollutants other than benthic-macroinvertebrate bioassessment or habitat assessment LOEs are necessary to place a water body on the 303(d) List for Benthic Community Effects. Two lines of evidence evaluating benthic-macroinvertebrate bioassessment data are available in the administrative record to assess this indicator. Zero of two benthic-macroinvertebrate samples exceed the California Stream Condition Index (CSCI) impairment threshold. These data indicate that the waterbody is likely unimpaired for Benthic Community Effects and therefore no other pollutant LOEs need be associated with this decision at this time. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing Benthic Community Effects in this waterbody segment on the CWA section 303(d) List. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. 2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 3. Zero of two benthic-macroinvertebrate bioassessment samples had CSCI scores below 0.79. Therefore, this water body is not exceeding the water quality threshold for the protection of the COLD beneficial use. The available information indicates that the waterbody/pollutant combination should not be placed on the 303(d) List of impaired waters at this time. 4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards are not being exceeded.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 171279, Benthic Community Effects	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

352886

Pollutant:

Benthic-Macroinvertebrate Bioassessments

LOE Subgroup:

Population/Community Degradation

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Benthic macroinvertebrate surveys

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed data for 635BER001 to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality standard. CSCI scores were from 0.85 to 0.85 .

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, Tissue, Toxicity, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in, human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. (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: 635BER001 (Bear Creek, lower (moraine)).

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected from 2017-09-13 to 2017-09-13.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 171279, Benthic Community Effects	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

352890

Pollutant:

Benthic-Macroinvertebrate Bioassessments

LOE Subgroup:

Population/Community Degradation

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Benthic macroinvertebrate surveys

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed data for 635PS0194 to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality standard. CSCI scores were from 0.96743279 to 0.96743279 .

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)

Evaluation Guideline:

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: 635PS0194 (Bear Creek ~1.2mi above Truckee River).

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected from 2016-09-08 to 2016-09-08.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP


DECISION ID	162129	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

Pollutant:	Boron
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 162129, Boron	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

338348

Pollutant:

Boron

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring data for Bear Creek (Placer County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Boron.

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, Tissue, Toxicity, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters designated as MUN shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in amounts that adversely affect the water for beneficial uses (Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Region).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)

Evaluation Guideline:

Drinking water notification levels are published by the Division of Drinking Water. Notification levels are for chemicals for which there is no drinking water MCL. If a notification level is exceeded, local government notification is required and customer notification is recommended. The notification level for Boron is 1 mg/L.

Guideline Reference:

Drinking Water Notification and Response Levels: An Overview

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: 635BER001 (Bear Creek, lower (moraine)).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2017-09-13 and 2018-09-18

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162129, Boron	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

338359

Pollutant:

Boron

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Agricultural Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, Tissue, Toxicity, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters designated as AGR shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in amounts that adversely affect the water for beneficial uses. Waters shall not contain concentrations of chemical consitituents in amounts that adversely affect the water for beneficial uses (Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Region).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)

Evaluation Guideline:

Water Quality for Agriculture, published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1985, contains criteria protective of various agricultural uses of water, including irrigation of various types of crops and stock watering. These criteria were used to translate narrative water quality objectives for chemical constituents that prohibit chemicals in concentrations that would impair agricultural uses of water. The guideline for boron is 700 ug/L (0.7 mg/L).

Guideline Reference:

Water Quality for Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations - Irrigation and Drainage Paper No. 29, Rev 1, Rome (1985)

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: 635BER001 (Bear Creek, lower (moraine)).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2017-09-13 and 2018-09-18

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP


DECISION ID	163674	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

Pollutant:	Chloride
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2018)
Revision Status	Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA section 303(d) List under section 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Three lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. 1 of the 9 samples exceed the site specific objective for chloride. 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. 1of 9 samples exceeded the site specific 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. 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 163674, Chloride	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

96234

Pollutant:

Chloride

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

A total of 6 discrete chloride samples were collected by Lahontan SWAMP staff between September 2014 and December 2015. Chloride concentrations ranged from 0.78 to 2.02 mg/L. Applying the mean of monthly means for the period of record, two sample averages can be computed. Neither of the two mean samples exceeded the site specific water quality objective.

Data Reference:

Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring (tissue and water).

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The site-specific objective for chloride in Bear Creek (Placer County) as referenced in the Lahontan Basin Plan table 3-11, states that the mean of monthly means shall not exceed 2.0 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 station 635BER001, which is located at the downstream end of Bear Creek directly above the confluence with the Truckee River.

Temporal Representation:

Data were collected six times between September 2014 and December 2015. In 2014 samples were collected in September and October, and quarterly in 2015.

Environmental Conditions:

Bear Creek drains Alpine Meadows watershed, found to the north-west of Lake Tahoe. The creek is potentially impacted from ski resort operations at Alpine Meadows ski area, as well as from several neighborhoods located upstream in the drainage.

QAPP Information:

Data were collected in accordance with the 2008 SWAMP QAPP, amended in 2013.

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 163674, Chloride	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

342817

Pollutant:

Chloride

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed SWAMP Perennial Stream Surveys data to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows:
0 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Chloride

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Basin Plan objective for Chloride in this water body is 2 (mg/L), (as a MOMMPR).

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: Bear Creek ~1.2mi above Truckee River (635PS0194)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-09-08 and 2016-09-08

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 163674, Chloride	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

342809

Pollutant:

Chloride

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring data to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows:
1 of 6 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Chloride

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, Tissue, Toxicity, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Basin Plan objective for Chloride in this water body is 2 (mg/L), (as a MOMMPR).

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: Bear Creek, lower (moraine) (635BER001)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-02-22 and 2021-11-18

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP


DECISION ID	162130	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

Pollutant:	Fluoride
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2018)
Revision Status	Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

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

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

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of 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 162130, Fluoride	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

97222

Pollutant:

Fluoride

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring (tissue and water).

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The California Maximum Contaminant Level for Fluoride incorporated by reference in the Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Region is 2 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(s) (635BER001)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2014-09-23 and 2015-12-09

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 162130, Fluoride	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

338625

Pollutant:

Fluoride

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring data for Bear Creek (Placer County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 4 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Fluoride.

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, Tissue, Toxicity, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The California Maximum Contaminant Level for Fluoride incorporated by reference in the Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Region is 2 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: 635BER001 (Bear Creek, lower (moraine)).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2017-11-13 and 2021-11-18

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162130, Fluoride	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

338560

Pollutant:

Fluoride

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Agricultural Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, Tissue, Toxicity, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters designated as AGR shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in amounts that adversely affect the water for beneficial uses (i.e., agricultural purposes). (Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Region)

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)

Evaluation Guideline:

Water Quality for Agriculture, published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1985, contains criteria protective of various agricultural uses of water. These criteria were used to translate narrative water quality objectives for chemical constituents that prohibit chemicals in concentrations that would impair agricultural uses of water. A 1 mg/L criteria is the recommended maximum concentration of Fluoride in irrigation water.

Guideline Reference:

Water Quality for Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations - Irrigation and Drainage Paper No. 29, Rev 1, Rome (1985)

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: 635BER001 (Bear Creek, lower (moraine)).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2017-11-13 and 2021-11-18

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162130, Fluoride	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

338566

Pollutant:

Fluoride

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring data for Bear Creek (Placer County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 11 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Fluoride.

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, Tissue, Toxicity, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The California Maximum Contaminant Level for Fluoride incorporated by reference in the Water Quality Control Plan, Lahontan Region is 2 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: 635BER001 (Bear Creek, lower (moraine)).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-02-22 and 2019-07-17

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162130, Fluoride	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

338612

Pollutant:

Fluoride

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Agricultural Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, Tissue, Toxicity, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)

Evaluation Guideline:

Water Quality for Agriculture, published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1985, contains criteria protective of various agricultural uses of water. These criteria were used to translate narrative water quality objectives for chemical constituents that prohibit chemicals in concentrations that would impair agricultural uses of water. A 1 mg/L criteria is the recommended maximum concentration of Fluoride in irrigation water.

Guideline Reference:

Water Quality for Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations - Irrigation and Drainage Paper No. 29, Rev 1, Rome (1985)

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: 635BER001 (Bear Creek, lower (moraine)).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-02-22 and 2019-07-17

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP


DECISION ID	168451	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

Pollutant:	Indicator Bacteria
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2018)
Revision Status	Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	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. Three lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. 0 of 27 samples exceed the E. Coli 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 CWA section 303(d) List. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. 2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 3. Zero of 27 samples exceed the water quality objective for E.coli, 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 168451, Indicator Bacteria	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

99853

Pollutant:

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring data for Bear Creek (Placer County) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 0 of the 6 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 the SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring (tissue and water).

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): 635BER001

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the days of 2013-08-05 and 2015-09-16 .

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 168451, Indicator Bacteria	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

99848

Pollutant:

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring data for Bear Creek (Placer County) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 0 of the 9 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 the SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring (tissue and water).

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): 635BER001

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the days of 2013-08-05 and 2015-09-16 .

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 168451, Indicator Bacteria	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

336852

Pollutant:

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

STV

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring data for Bear Creek (Placer County) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 0 of the 12 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:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, Tissue, Toxicity, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

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): 635BER001 (Bear Creek, lower (moraine)).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the days of 2016-02-22 and 2021-11-18 .

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP


DECISION ID	100960	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

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:	New Decision
Revision Status	Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA section 303(d) List under section 3.1 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. 0 of the 15 samples exceed the guideline. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the CWA section 303(d) List 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. 0 of 15 samples exceeded the guideline 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. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

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

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 100960, Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

98536

Pollutant:

Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring (tissue and water).

SWAMP Data:

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(s) (635BER001)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2014-09-23 and 2015-12-09

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 100960, Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

97421

Pollutant:

Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Truckee River Watershed Council data for Bear Creek (Placer County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 9 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Nitrate + Nitrite as N.

Data Reference:

Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the Truckee River Watershed Council.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

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(s) (MTRBEAR00)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-05-14 and 2016-09-22

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for Truckee River Monitoring Plan.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for Truckee River Monitoring Plan.


DECISION ID	168459	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

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

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

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

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of 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 168459, Nitrogen	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

343163

Pollutant:

Total Nitrogen as N

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring data to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows:
1 of 4 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Nitrogen, Total

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, Tissue, Toxicity, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Basin Plan objective for Nitrogen, Total in this water body is 0.15 (mg/L), (as a MOMMPR).

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: Bear Creek, lower (moraine) (635BER001)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-02-22 and 2019-07-17

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 168459, Nitrogen	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

96235

Pollutant:

Total Nitrogen as N

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

A total of 6 discrete total nitrogen (TN) samples were collected by Lahontan SWAMP staff between September 2014 and December 2015. TN concentrations ranged from 0.0256 to 0.846 mg/L. Applying the mean of monthly means for the period of record, two sample averages can be computed. Neither of the two mean samples exceeded the site specific water quality objective.

Data Reference:

Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring (tissue and water).

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The site-specific objective for total nitrogen in Bear Creek (Placer County) as referenced in the Lahontan Basin Plan table 3-11, states that the mean of monthly means shall not exceed 0.15 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 station 635BER001, which is located at the downstream end of Bear Creek directly above the confluence with the Truckee River.

Temporal Representation:

Data were collected six times between September 2014 and December 2015. In 2014 samples were collected in September and October, and quarterly in 2015.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Data were collected in accordance with the 2008 SWAMP QAPrP, amended in 2013.

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 168459, Nitrogen	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

343162

Pollutant:

Total Nitrogen as N

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed SWAMP Perennial Stream Surveys data to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows:
0 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Nitrogen, Total

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Basin Plan objective for Nitrogen, Total in this water body is 0.15 (mg/L), (as a MOMMPR).

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: Bear Creek ~1.2mi above Truckee River (635PS0194)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-09-08 and 2016-09-08

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP


DECISION ID	169386	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

Pollutant:	Nitrogen, Nitrate
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 169386, Nitrogen, Nitrate	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

343035

Pollutant:

Nitrogen, Nitrate

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring data to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows:
1 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Nitrate as N

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, Tissue, Toxicity, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Basin Plan objective for Nitrate as N in this water body is 0.05 (mg/L), (as a MOMMPR).

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: Bear Creek, lower (moraine) (635BER001)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2019-07-17 and 2020-02-25

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP


DECISION ID	162131	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

Pollutant:	Oxygen, Dissolved
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2018)
Revision Status	Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA section 303(d) List under section 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Six lines of evidence, four which evaluate dissolved oxygen concentration data and two which evaluate dissolved oxygen percent saturation data, are available in the administrative record to assess this parameter. Zero of 56 samples are below the objective for minimum dissolved oxygen concentration. One of 27 samples is below the objective for minimum dissolved oxygen percent saturation. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the CWA section 303(d) List. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. 2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 3. Zero of 56 samples are below the objective for minimum dissolved oxygen concentration. One of 27 samples is below the objective for minimum dissolved oxygen percent saturation, 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 162131, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

351313

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring data to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows:
0 of 17 samples fell below the minimum water quality threshold for Oxygen, Dissolved

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, Tissue, Toxicity, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Basin Plan objective for Oxygen, Dissolved in this water body is 7 (mg/L), (as a Min).

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: Bear Creek, lower (moraine) (635BER001)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-06-23 and 2022-02-16

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162131, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

339356

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring data for Bear Creek (Placer County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 17 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Oxygen, Saturation.

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, Tissue, Toxicity, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

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: 635BER001 (Bear Creek, lower (moraine)).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-06-23 and 2022-02-16

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162131, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

130123

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Truckee River Watershed Council data for Bear Creek (Placer County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 24 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Oxygen, Dissolved.

Data Reference:

Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the Truckee River Watershed Council.

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(s) (MTRBEAR00)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2010-09-25 and 2016-09-22

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for Truckee River Monitoring Plan.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for Truckee River Monitoring Plan.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162131, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

351368

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed SWAMP Perennial Stream Surveys data to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows:
0 of 1 samples fell below the minimum water quality threshold for Oxygen, Dissolved

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Basin Plan objective for Oxygen, Dissolved in this water body is 7 (mg/L), (as a Min).

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: Bear Creek ~1.2mi above Truckee River (635PS0194)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-09-08 and 2016-09-08

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162131, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

351305

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Truckee River Watershed Council data to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows:
0 of 14 samples fell below the minimum water quality threshold for Oxygen, Dissolved

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Truckee River Watershed Council for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Basin Plan objective for Oxygen, Dissolved in this water body is 7 (mg/L), (as a Min).

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: Bear near mouth (MTRBEAR00)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2017-05-20 and 2020-10-03

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP for Truckee River Monitoring Plan

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for Truckee River Monitoring Plan.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162131, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

351188

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Truckee River Watershed Council data to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows:
0 of 10 samples fell below the minimum water quality threshold for Oxygen, Dissolved

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Truckee River Watershed Council for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Basin Plan objective for Oxygen, Dissolved in this water body is 80 (%), (as a Min).

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: Bear near mouth (MTRBEAR00)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2017-06-22 and 2020-10-03

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP for Truckee River Monitoring Plan

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for Truckee River Monitoring Plan.


DECISION ID	162133	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

Pollutant:	Sodium
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2018)
Revision Status	Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

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

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

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of 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 162133, Sodium	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

340266

Pollutant:

Sodium

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring data for Bear Creek (Placer County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 17 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Sodium.

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, Tissue, Toxicity, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)

Evaluation Guideline:

Per the Drinking Water Standards and Health Advisories (USEPA 2012), the health advisory for sodium for individuals on a sodium-restricted diet is 20 mg/l.

Guideline Reference:

2012 Edition of the Drinking Water Standards and Health Advisories

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: 635BER001 (Bear Creek, lower (moraine)).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-02-22 and 2021-11-18

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162133, Sodium	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

98482

Pollutant:

Sodium

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Agricultural Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring (tissue and water).

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)

Evaluation Guideline:

Water Quality for Agriculture, published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1985, contains criteria protective of various agricultural uses of water, including irrigation of various types of crops and stock watering. At or below the sodium threshold of 69 mg/L, agricultural uses of water should not be limited.

Guideline Reference:

Water Quality for Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations - Irrigation and Drainage Paper No. 29, Rev 1, Rome (1985)

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s) (635BER001)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2014-09-23 and 2015-12-09

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 162133, Sodium	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

340303

Pollutant:

Sodium

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Agricultural Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, Tissue, Toxicity, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)

Evaluation Guideline:

Water Quality for Agriculture, published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1985, contains criteria protective of various agricultural uses of water, including irrigation of various types of crops and stock watering. At or below the sodium threshold of 69 mg/L, agricultural uses of water should not be limited.

Guideline Reference:

Water Quality for Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations - Irrigation and Drainage Paper No. 29, Rev 1, Rome (1985)

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: 635BER001 (Bear Creek, lower (moraine)).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-02-22 and 2021-11-18

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162133, Sodium	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

98197

Pollutant:

Sodium

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring (tissue and water).

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)

Evaluation Guideline:

Per the Drinking Water Standards and Health Advisories (USEPA 2012), the health advisory for sodium for individuals on a sodium-restricted diet is 20 mg/l.

Guideline Reference:

2012 Edition of the Drinking Water Standards and Health Advisories

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s) (635BER001)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2014-09-23 and 2015-12-09

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


DECISION ID	168448	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

Pollutant:	Specific Conductivity
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2018)
Revision Status	Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA section 303(d) List under section 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Five line of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Zero of 37 samples exceed the guideline for specific conductivity. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the CWA section 303(d) List. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. 2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 3. Zero of 37 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:	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 168448, Specific Conductivity	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

340355

Pollutant:

Specific Conductivity

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

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: 635PS0194 (Bear Creek ~1.2mi above Truckee River).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-09-08 and 2016-09-08

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 168448, Specific Conductivity	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

97082

Pollutant:

Specific Conductivity

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring (tissue and water).

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

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(s) (635BER001)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2014-09-23 and 2015-12-09

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 168448, Specific Conductivity	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

340559

Pollutant:

Specific Conductivity

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Truckee River Watershed Council data for Bear Creek (Placer County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 12 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for SpecificConductivity.

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Truckee River Watershed Council for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)

Evaluation Guideline:

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: MTRBEAR00 (Bear near mouth).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2017-07-21 and 2020-10-03

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP for Truckee River Monitoring Plan

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for Truckee River Monitoring Plan.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 168448, Specific Conductivity	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

340445

Pollutant:

Specific Conductivity

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, Tissue, Toxicity, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)

Evaluation Guideline:

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: 635BER001 (Bear Creek, lower (moraine)).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-02-22 and 2022-02-16

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP


DECISION ID	163676	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

Pollutant:	Sulfates
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2018)
Revision Status	Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA section 303(d) List under section 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 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. Four of the 10 samples exceed the site specific objective for sulfate. 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. four of 10 samples exceeded the site specific 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. 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 163676, Sulfates	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

96237

Pollutant:

Sulfates

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

A total of 6 discrete sulfate samples were collected by Lahontan SWAMP staff between September 2014 and December 2015. Sulfate concentrations ranged from 1.78 mg/L to 5 mg/L. Applying the mean of monthly means for the period of record, 2 averaged samples can be computed, one of which exceeds the water quality objective.

Data Reference:

Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring (tissue and water).

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The site-specific objective for sulfate in Bear Creek (Placer County) as referenced in the Lahontan Basin Plan table 3-11, states that the mean of monthly means for sulfates shall not exceed 2 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 station 635BER001, which is located at the downstream end of Bear Creek directly above the confluence with the Truckee River.

Temporal Representation:

Data were collected 6 times between September 2014 and December 2015, predominately on a per quarter basis.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Data were collected in accordance with the 2008 SWAMP QAPrP, amended in 2013.

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 163676, Sulfates	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

343348

Pollutant:

Sulfates

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed SWAMP Perennial Stream Surveys data to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows:
0 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Sulfate

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Basin Plan objective for Sulfate in this water body is 2 (mg/L), (as a MOMMPR).

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: Bear Creek ~1.2mi above Truckee River (635PS0194)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-09-08 and 2016-09-08

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 163676, Sulfates	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

343350

Pollutant:

Sulfates

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring data to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows:
1 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Sulfate

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, Tissue, Toxicity, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Basin Plan objective for Sulfate in this water body is 2 (mg/L), (as a MOMMPR).

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: Bear Creek, lower (moraine) (635BER001)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2017-11-13 and 2021-11-18

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 163676, Sulfates	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

343342

Pollutant:

Sulfates

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring data to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows:
2 of 5 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Sulfate

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, Tissue, Toxicity, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Basin Plan objective for Sulfate in this water body is 2 (mg/L), (as a MOMMPR).

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: Bear Creek, lower (moraine) (635BER001)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-02-22 and 2020-02-25

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP


DECISION ID	163678	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

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:	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 163678, Turbidity	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

343452

Pollutant:

Turbidity

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring data to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows:
0 of 7 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Turbidity

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, Tissue, Toxicity, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Basin Plan objective for Turbidity in this water body is 3 (NTU), (as a MOMM).

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: Bear Creek, lower (moraine) (635BER001)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-02-22 and 2022-02-16

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 163678, Turbidity	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

98568

Pollutant:

Turbidity

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring (tissue and water).

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The objective for turbidity in Bear Creek, as stipulated in the Lahontan Basin Plan Chapter 3-8, is a mean of monthly mean value not to exceed 3 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)

Evaluation Guideline:

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(s) (635BER001)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2014-09-23 and 2015-12-09

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 163678, Turbidity	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

97426

Pollutant:

Turbidity

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Truckee River Watershed Council data for Bear Creek (Placer County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 7 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Turbidity.

Data Reference:

Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the Truckee River Watershed Council.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The objective for turbidity in Bear Creek, as stipulated in the Lahontan Basin Plan Chapter 3-8, is a mean of monthly mean value not to exceed 3 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)

Evaluation Guideline:

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(s) (MTRBEAR00)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2010-09-25 and 2016-09-22

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for Truckee River Monitoring Plan.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for Truckee River Monitoring Plan.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 163678, Turbidity	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

343460

Pollutant:

Turbidity

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed SWAMP Perennial Stream Surveys data to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows:
0 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Turbidity

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Basin Plan objective for Turbidity in this water body is 3 (NTU), (as a MOMM).

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: Bear Creek ~1.2mi above Truckee River (635PS0194)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-09-08 and 2016-09-08

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 163678, Turbidity	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

343456

Pollutant:

Turbidity

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Truckee River Watershed Council data to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows:
0 of 4 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Turbidity

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Truckee River Watershed Council for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Basin Plan objective for Turbidity in this water body is 3 (NTU), (as a MOMM).

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: Bear near mouth (MTRBEAR00)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2017-05-20 and 2020-10-03

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP for Truckee River Monitoring Plan

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for Truckee River Monitoring Plan.


DECISION ID	162132	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

Pollutant:	pH
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2018)
Revision Status	Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

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

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

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162132, pH	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

129687

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

0 of 0 samples exceeded the water quality standard for pH. Although pH data does exist for this waterbody, the objective for this pollutant requires background information that is currently unavailable, and therefore an assessment of water quality standards could not be made.

Data Reference:

Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the Truckee River Watershed Council.

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(s) (MTRBEAR00)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2010-09-25 and 2016-09-22

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for Truckee River Monitoring Plan.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for Truckee River Monitoring Plan.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162132, pH	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

129541

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring (tissue and water).

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

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(s) (635BER001)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2014-09-23 and 2015-12-09

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 162132, pH	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

129782

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the Truckee River Watershed Council.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

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(s) (MTRBEAR00)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2010-09-25 and 2016-09-22

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for Truckee River Monitoring Plan.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for Truckee River Monitoring Plan.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162132, pH	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

340066

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring data for Bear Creek (Placer County) 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:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, Tissue, Toxicity, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

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: 635BER001 (Bear Creek, lower (moraine)).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-02-22 and 2022-02-16

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162132, pH	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

340182

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Truckee River Watershed Council data for Bear Creek (Placer County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 13 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:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Truckee River Watershed Council for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

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: MTRBEAR00 (Bear near mouth).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2017-06-22 and 2020-10-03

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP for Truckee River Monitoring Plan

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for Truckee River Monitoring Plan.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162132, pH	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

129534

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring (tissue and water).

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

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(s) (635BER001)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2014-09-23 and 2015-12-09

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 162132, pH	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

339638

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed SWAMP Perennial Stream Surveys data for Bear Creek (Placer County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 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:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

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: 635PS0194 (Bear Creek ~1.2mi above Truckee River).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-09-08 and 2016-09-08

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162132, pH	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

340005

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

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: 635PS0194 (Bear Creek ~1.2mi above Truckee River).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-09-08 and 2016-09-08

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162132, pH	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

339944

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, Tissue, Toxicity, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

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: 635BER001 (Bear Creek, lower (moraine)).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-02-22 and 2022-02-16

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 162132, pH	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

339790

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Truckee River Watershed Council for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

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: MTRBEAR00 (Bear near mouth).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2017-06-22 and 2020-10-03

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP for Truckee River Monitoring Plan

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for Truckee River Monitoring Plan.


DECISION ID	163675	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

Pollutant:	Phosphorus
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. Five lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. 6 of the 19 samples exceed the water quality 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. 6 of 19 samples exceed the water quality 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 163675, Phosphorus	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

343267

Pollutant:

Phosphorus

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed SWAMP Perennial Stream Surveys data to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows:
1 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Phosphorus as P

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Basin Plan objective for Phosphorus as P in this water body is 0.02 (mg/L), (as a MOMMPR).

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: Bear Creek ~1.2mi above Truckee River (635PS0194)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-09-08 and 2016-09-08

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 163675, Phosphorus	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

96239

Pollutant:

Phosphorus

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

A total of 9 discrete phosphorous samples were collected by the Truckee River Watershed Council between May 2011 and September 2016. Phosphorous concentrations ranged from 0.0016 to 0.022 mg/L. Applying the mean of monthly means for the period of record, 6 sample averages can be computed. 1 of 6 averaged samples exceed the water quality objective.

Data Reference:

Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the Truckee River Watershed Council.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The site-specific objective for phosphorous in Bear Creek (Placer County) as referenced in the Lahontan Basin Plan table 3-11, states that the mean of monthly means for phosphorous shall not exceed 0.02 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 station MTRBEAR00, which is located in the middle watershed, downstream of the bridge on Alpine Meadows road.

Temporal Representation:

Data were collected nine times between May 2011 and September 2016. Between 2011 and May 2014, data were collected once per year. Starting in May 2014, data were collected twice per year, predominately in spring and fall.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Data were collected in accordance with the Truckee River Watershed Council QAPP.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for Truckee River Monitoring Plan.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 163675, Phosphorus	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

343260

Pollutant:

Phosphorus

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring data to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows:
3 of 6 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Phosphorus as P

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, Tissue, Toxicity, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Basin Plan objective for Phosphorus as P in this water body is 0.02 (mg/L), (as a MOMMPR).

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: Bear Creek, lower (moraine) (635BER001)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-02-22 and 2021-11-18

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 163675, Phosphorus	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

343265

Pollutant:

Phosphorus

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Truckee River Watershed Council data to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows:
1 of 4 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Phosphorus as P

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Truckee River Watershed Council 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 0.02 (mg/L), (as a MOMMPR).

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: Bear near mouth (MTRBEAR00)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2017-05-20 and 2020-10-03

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP for Truckee River Monitoring Plan

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for Truckee River Monitoring Plan.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 163675, Phosphorus	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

96767

Pollutant:

Phosphorus

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

A total of 6 discrete phosphorous samples were collected by the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP) between September 2014 and December 2015. Phosphorous concentrations ranged from non-detect to 0.0078 mg/L. Applying the mean of monthly means for the period of record, 2 averaged samples can be computed. Neither of the 2 averaged samples exceed the water quality objective.

Data Reference:

Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring (tissue and water).

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (as amended)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected at station 635BER001, which is located at the downstream end of Bear Creek directly above the confluence with the Truckee River.

Temporal Representation:

Data were collected six times between September 2014 and December 2015. Data were collected predominantly once per quarter.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Data were collected in accordance with the SWAMP QAPP.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program


DECISION ID	163677	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

Pollutant:	Total Dissolved Solids
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 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Three lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. 5 of the 8 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 8 samples exceed the water quality 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 163677, Total Dissolved Solids	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

96238

Pollutant:

Total Dissolved Solids

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

A total of 5 discrete TDS samples were collected by Lahontan SWAMP staff between October 2014 and December 2015. TDS concentrations ranged from 58 mg/L to 82 mg/L. Applying the mean of monthly means for the period of record, 2 averaged samples can be computed, both of which exceed the water quality objective.

Data Reference:

Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring (tissue and water).

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The site-specific objective for total dissolved solids (TDS) in Bear Creek (Placer County) as referenced in the Lahontan Basin Plan table 3-11, states that the mean of monthly means shall not exceed 65 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 station 635BER001, which is located at the downstream end of Bear Creek directly above the confluence with the Truckee River.

Temporal Representation:

Data were collected 5 times between October 2014 and December 2015, predominately on a per quarter basis.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Data were collected in accordance with the 2008 SWAMP QAPrP, amended in 2013.

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 163677, Total Dissolved Solids	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

343416

Pollutant:

Total Dissolved Solids

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring data to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows:
2 of 3 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Total Dissolved Solids

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, Tissue, Toxicity, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Basin Plan objective for Total Dissolved Solids in this water body is 65 (mg/L), (as a MOMMPR).

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: Bear Creek, lower (moraine) (635BER001)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2018-09-18 and 2020-02-25

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 163677, Total Dissolved Solids	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

343415

Pollutant:

Total Dissolved Solids

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring data to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows:
1 of 3 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Total Dissolved Solids

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, Tissue, Toxicity, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Basin Plan objective for Total Dissolved Solids in this water body is 65 (mg/L), (as a MOMMPR).

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: Bear Creek, lower (moraine) (635BER001)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-02-22 and 2021-11-18

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP


DECISION ID	168450	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

Pollutant:	Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN)
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. Three lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Five of the 12 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 12 samples exceed the site specific 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 168450, Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN)	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

343517

Pollutant:

Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB6 Monitoring data to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows:
1 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Nitrogen, Total Kjeldahl

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, Tissue, Toxicity, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Basin Plan objective for Nitrogen, Total Kjeldahl in this water body is 0.1 (mg/L), (as a MOMMPR).

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: Bear Creek, lower (moraine) (635BER001)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2017-11-13 and 2021-11-18

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 168450, Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN)	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

343524

Pollutant:

Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Truckee River Watershed Council data to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows:
2 of 4 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Nitrogen, Total Kjeldahl

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Truckee River Watershed Council for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 6

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Basin Plan objective for Nitrogen, Total Kjeldahl in this water body is 0.1 (mg/L), (as a MOMMPR).

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: Bear near mouth (MTRBEAR00)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2017-05-20 and 2020-10-03

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP for Truckee River Monitoring Plan

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for Truckee River Monitoring Plan.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 168450, Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN)	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

96236

Pollutant:

Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

A total of 9 discrete total kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) samples were collected by the Truckee River Watershed Council between May 2011 and September 2016. TKN concentrations ranged from 0.03 to 0.22 mg/L. Applying the mean of monthly means for the period of record, 6 sample averages can be computed. 2 of 6 averaged samples exceed the water quality objective.

Data Reference:

Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for the Truckee River Watershed Council.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The site-specific objective for total nitrogen in Bear Creek (Placer County) as referenced in the Lahontan Basin Plan table 3-11, states that the mean of monthly means shall not exceed 0.1 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 station MTRBEAR00, which is located in the middle watershed, downstream of the bridge on Alpine Meadows road.

Temporal Representation:

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Data were collected in accordance with the Truckee River Watershed Council QAPP.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for Truckee River Monitoring Plan.


DECISION ID	69077	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

Pollutant:	Sedimentation/Siltation
Final Listing Decision:	Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2016)
Revision Status	Original
Reason for Delisting:	Applicable WQS attained; reason for recovery unspecified
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant was considered for removal from the section 303(d) list in a previous assessment cycle. No new information was reviewed for this current assessment cycle. Therefore, the previous conclusion remains unchanged, and is as follows: This pollutant is being considered for removal from the section 303(d) list under sections 4.2 and 4.9 of the Listing Policy. Four lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification in favor of removing this water segment-pollutant combination from 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. The mean of monthly means for turbidity did not exceed the Basin Plan's Water Quality Objective in either location and none of the individual monthly means were in exceedance. Of the 122 individual measurements, there was one sample that exceeded 3 NTU and this sample was taken in the year 1986. The bioassessment data (TRAM) available for this water body shows conflicting water quality conditions; however, there is no clear evidence that sediment is the cause of the impacts seen in one set of bioassessment data. 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:	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 69077, Sedimentation/Siltation	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

2867

Pollutant:

Sedimentation/Siltation

LOE Subgroup:

Narrative Description Data

Matrix:

-N/A

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Biological Condition Scores in Bear Creek between 2000 and 2003 show that water is greater than 50% impaired. However the data shows improving water quality in 2004 (TRWC, 2006).

Data Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Lahontan RWQCB Basin Plan: The suspended sediment load and suspended sediment discharge rate of surface waters shall not be altered in such a manner as to cause nuisance or adversely affect the water for beneficial uses.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Samples collected in Bear Creek just upstream from the confluence with the Truckee River.

Temporal Representation:

Data collected between 2002 and 2004.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QA Info Missing

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 69077, Sedimentation/Siltation	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

2866

Pollutant:

Sedimentation/Siltation

LOE Subgroup:

Population/Community Degradation

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

A private aquatic ecologist from Tahoe City was contracted by Alpine Meadows Ski Corporation to sample the upper, middle and lower reaches of Bear Creek. Field sampling was conducted in July 2001 following the Department of Fish and Game's California Stream Bioassessment Procedure (CSBP). The sampling results showed that a robust benthic community exists in Bear Creek, and no evidence of acute impairment from ski resort operations was detectable (Chan, 2001).

Data Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Alpine Meadows Ski Area: Upstream of main lodge and parking area in the southern fork of the Bear Creek headwaters adjacent to the Meadow chairlift; downstream of the parking area below the Ginzton Bridge just above the subdivision: and immediately upstream of the Truckee River confluence.

Temporal Representation:

July 2001.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

California Department of Fish and Game. 1999. California Stream Bioassessment Procedure: Protocol Brief for Biological and Physical/ Habitat Assessment in Wadeable Streams. CDFG Pollution Control Laboratory. 10 pp.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 69077, Sedimentation/Siltation	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

2865

Pollutant:

Sedimentation/Siltation

LOE Subgroup:

Population/Community Degradation

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Dr. David Herbst with the Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratory (SNARL) performed an assessment in both the 2000 and 2001 seasons, in the lower portion of Bear Creek above the confluence with the Truckee River, and downstream of the ski area parking lot. The biologic data were assessed using an Index of Biologic Integrity (IBI) developed specifically for streams in the Truckee River watershed. The IBI analysis results in a numeric value called a biologic condition score, which can be used to compare streams of similar types to a desired "reference" condition. For the Truckee River watershed, the range of biologic condition scores exhibited by reference streams is 25 to 35 (a higher score indicates better biologic integrity). Bear Creek's scores were 33 (2000) and 29 (2001), indicating that the biologic health in the creek below the ski area (where any impacts would most likely be manifested) is well within the desired conditions exhibited by regional reference streams (Herbst, 2002b).

Data Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Bear Creek below Alpine Meadow's ski area.

Temporal Representation:

August 2000 and July of 2001.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Herbst, D.B. 2001. Quality Assurance Project Plan: Aquatic invertebrate bioasessment monitoring in the Eastern Sierra Nevada [California State Water Resources Control Board, Lahontan Region]. Download: http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/rwqcb6/files.htm

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 69077, Sedimentation/Siltation	Region 6
Bear Creek (Placer County)

LOE ID:

2868

Pollutant:

Sedimentation/Siltation

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

122

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

There were a total of 122 individual measurements of turbidity and 39 monthly means taken from two locations in the Alpine Meadows Ski Area. The mean of monthly means did not exceed the Basin Plan's Water Quality Objective in either location and none of the individual monthly means were in exceedance. Of the 122 individual measurements, there was one sample that exceeded 3 NTU and this sample was taken in the year 1986 (Lahontan RWQCB, 2005b).

Data Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Lahontan RWQCB Basin Plan: The turbidity shall not be raised above 3 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) mean of monthly means.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Samples were taken at Alpine Meadows Ski Area near the Lodge and the Ginzton Chalet.

Temporal Representation:

Samples were taken from July of 1985 through May of 2004.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Waste Discharge Requirement (WDR) Monitoring for Alpine Ski Resort.

QAPP Information Reference(s):