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

Supporting Information

Regional Board 1 - North Coast Region

Water Body Name:	Smith River HU, Clarks Creek
Water Body ID:	CAR1031100020171004046751
Water Body Type:	River & Stream


DECISION ID	158007	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

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 158007, Alkalinity as CaCO3	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

LOE ID:

322997

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:

Water Board staff assessed SWAMP Reference Condition Management Plan data for Smith River HU, Clarks Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 6 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Alkalinity as CaCO3.

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 1

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

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

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: 103WER029 (Clarks Creek above Hwy 199).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2015-07-21 and 2022-07-19

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP for Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP)

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 158007, Alkalinity as CaCO3	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

LOE ID:

104930

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 Reference Condition Management Plan data for Smith River HU, Clarks Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 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 SWAMP Reference Condition Management Plan .

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

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

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s) (103WER029)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2014-07-16 and 2014-07-16

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


DECISION ID	161437	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

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 161437, Ammonia	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

LOE ID:

323498

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 SWAMP Reference Condition Management Plan data for Smith River HU, Clarks Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 3 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Ammonia as N.

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 1

SWAMP Data:

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 AmmoniaNAFreshwater 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: 103WER029 (Clarks Creek above Hwy 199).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2015-07-21 and 2018-08-08

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP for Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP)

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 161437, Ammonia	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

LOE ID:

323362

Pollutant:

Nitrogen, ammonia (Total Ammonia)

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:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 1

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

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

Evaluation Guideline:

The USEPA Health Advisory for lifetime exposure to Ammonia as a drinking water level is a concentration of 30 mg/L

Guideline Reference:

2012 Edition of the Drinking Water Standards and Health Advisories

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: 103WER029 (Clarks Creek above Hwy 199).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2015-07-21 and 2018-08-08

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP for Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP)

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 161437, Ammonia	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

LOE ID:

115637

Pollutant:

Nitrogen, ammonia (Total Ammonia)

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 SWAMP Reference Condition Management Plan .

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

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) (103WER029)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2014-07-16 and 2014-07-16

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 161437, Ammonia	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

LOE ID:

109871

Pollutant:

Nitrogen, ammonia (Total Ammonia)

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 SWAMP Reference Condition Management Plan .

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

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

Evaluation Guideline:

The USEPA Health Advisory for lifetime exposure to Ammonia as a drinking water level is a concentration of 30 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) (103WER029)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2014-07-16 and 2014-07-16

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


DECISION ID	169338	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

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

Regional Board Conclusion:	Benthic Community Effects is being considered for placement on the CWA section 303(d) List under sections 3.9 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.9, an additional line of evidence associating the Benthic Community Effects with a water or sediment concentration of pollutants is necessary to assess listing status. Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this indicator. Two lines of evidence evaluating benthic-macroinvertebrate bioassessment data are available in the administrative record to assess this indicator. Zero of eight 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. Additionally, this water body passed several screening criteria and was identified as a reference water body for the purposes of developing the CSCI. Reference sites where human disturbance is absent or minimal are used to set benchmark expectations for healthy streams. 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 eight 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 169338, Benthic Community Effects	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

LOE ID:

132738

Pollutant:

Habitat Assessment (Streams)

LOE Subgroup:

Ancillary Line of Evidence

Matrix:

-N/A

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Aquatic Life Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

HABITAT ASSESSMENT

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

The site had IPI scores of 1.14 and 1.04 which indicate the habitat is Likely Intact.

Data Reference:

Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for SWAMP Reference Condition Management Plan .

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

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

Objective/Criterion Reference:

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

Evaluation Guideline:

Physical characteristics of a site vary due to both natural factors and human disturbance. Statistical models based on a large statewide reference data set can help distinguish natural variability from anthropogenic stress. These models work across the diverse stream types found in California. The Index of Physical Habitat Integrity (IPI) is a multimetric Index developed based on these models to characterize physical habitat condition for streams in California. Index scores near 1 indicate physical habitat conditions similar to reference, whereas lower scores indicate degradation. For the purposes of making statewide assessments, three thresholds (analogous to those used for the CSCI) were established based on the 30th; 10th; and 1st percentiles of IPI scores at reference sites. These three thresholds divide the IPI scoring range into 4 categories of physical condition as follows: greater than or equal to 0.94 = likely intact condition; 0.93 to 0.84 = possibly altered condition; 0.83 to 0.71 = likely altered condition; less than or equal to 0.70 = very likely altered condition. Scores of 0.83 or lower indicate that the physical habitat has been altered and low CSCI scores from this site may be due to impacts to the physical habitat.

Guideline Reference:

An Index to Measure the Quality of Physical Habitat in California Wadeable Streams

Spatial Representation:

These samples were collected at the following station: 103WER029

Temporal Representation:

These samples were collected on: 7/16/2014 & 7/21/2015

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Data collected following SWAMP QA protocols. QAPP for SWAMP Reference Condition Management Plan.

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 169338, Benthic Community Effects	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

LOE ID:

96289

Pollutant:

Benthic-Macroinvertebrate Bioassessments

LOE Subgroup:

Population/Community Degradation

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Aquatic Life Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Benthic macroinvertebrate surveys

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

The site had a CSCI score(s) of 0.985982, 0.877239477 & 1.097607859. Therefore, this site is not exceeding the water quality objective for the aquatic life beneficial use. Additionally, this water body passed several screening criteria and was identified as a reference water body for the purposes of developing the CSCI. Reference sites where human disturbance is absent or minimal are used to set benchmark expectations for healthy streams. A large set of nearly 600 reference sites representing the broad diversity of natural stream types found across California was used to develop the CSCI.

Data Reference:

Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for SWAMP Reference Condition Management Plan .

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

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

Evaluation Guideline:

The California Stream Condition Index (CSCI) is a biological scoring tool that helps aquatic resource managers translate complex data about benthic macroinvertebrates found living in a stream into an overall measure of stream health. The CSCI score is calculated by comparing the expected condition with actual (observed) results (Rhen, A.C. et al., 2015). CSCI scores range from 0 (highly degraded) to greater than 1 (equivalent to reference). CSCI scoring of biological condition are as follows (per the scientific paper supporting the development of the CSCI scoring tool): greater than or equal to 0.92 = likely intact condition, 0.91 to 0.80 = possibly altered condition, 0.79 to 0.63 = likely altered condition, less than or equal to 0.62 = very likely altered condition. Sites with scores below 0.79 are considered to have exceeded the water quality objective for the aquatic life beneficial use.

Guideline Reference:

Bioassessment in complex environments: designing an index for consistent meaning in different settings

Spatial Representation:

These samples were collected at the following station: 103WER029

Temporal Representation:

These samples were collected on: 7/30/2003, 7/16/2014 & 7/21/2015

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Data collected following SWAMP QA protocols. QAPP for SWAMP Reference Condition Management Plan.

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 169338, Benthic Community Effects	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

LOE ID:

352515

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 103WER029 to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 0 of 5 samples exceeded the water quality standard. CSCI scores were from 0.785961488 to 1.1506397127 .

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 1

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. Compliance with this objective will be determined by use of indicator organisms, analyses of species diversity, population density, growth anomalies, bioassays of appropriate duration, or other appropriate methods as specified by the Regional Water Board (NCRWQCB 2018).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

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

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: 103WER029 (Clarks Creek above Hwy 199).

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected from 2015-07-21 to 2019-07-09.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP for Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP)

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP


DECISION ID	158002	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

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:	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 158002, Chloride	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

LOE ID:

324055

Pollutant:

Chloride

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 Reference Condition Management Plan data for Smith River HU, Clarks Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 4 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 1

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Water Quality Control Plan, North Coast Region (NCRWQCB 2018): Waters designated for use as domestic or municipal supply (MUN) shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in excess of the limits specified in California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Chapter 15. The secondary maximum contaminant level listed in Table 64449-B for chloride is 250 mg/L.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

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

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: 103WER029 (Clarks Creek above Hwy 199).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2015-07-21 and 2019-07-09

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP for Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP)

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 158002, Chloride	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

LOE ID:

118310

Pollutant:

Chloride

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 SWAMP Reference Condition Management Plan .

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

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

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s) (103WER029)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2014-07-16 and 2014-07-16

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


DECISION ID	163034	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

Pollutant:	Indicator Bacteria
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:	The State Water Board’s Water Quality Control Plan for Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries of California (the “ISWEBE Plan”) was adopted on August 7, 2018, and contains bacteria water quality objectives applicable to the REC-1 beneficial use. This has resulted in a change from assessing fecal coliform to assessing E. coli in fresh water and Enterococcus in saline water. Fecal coliform lines of evidence used in previous indicator bacteria decisions in the North Coast Region have been retired. In accordance with section 6.1.5.3 of the Listing Policy, data should be representative of the critical timing that the pollutant is expected to impact the waterbody. Lacking constant inputs, indicator bacteria do not persist in the environment for a long period and effects are of relatively short duration. As a result, the historic levels of E. coli in the waterbody may be a poor indicator of current risks to human health, particularly when more recent data are available to sufficiently assess the water quality standard. Historic lines of evidence for data collected prior to October 21, 2012 were evaluated pursuant to these considerations and were not used to assess water quality standards attainment because they do not meet the temporal representation requirements of section 6.1.5.3 of the Listing Policy. This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA section 303(d) List under section 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. There are no geometric means available for this assessment. When no geometric means are available, statistical threshold values are assessed. *CLARKS CREEK has one LOE (321897) and 1 of 6 samples exceed the E. coli STV 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. For the REC-1 beneficial use, the STV for E. coli, 0 of 6 samples exceed the objective and this is insufficient information to apply 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:	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 163034, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

LOE ID:

321897

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 Coastal Pathogen TMDL data for Smith River HU, Clarks Creek to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 0 of the 6 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:

WQ from the RWQCB1 TMDL for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 1

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The bacteria water quality objective to protect the REC-1 beneficial use 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): 103CK4061 (Clarks Creek).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the days of 2016-02-17 and 2016-11-29 .

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP for RWQCB1_RussianRiver

QAPP Information Reference(s):

North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board - QA Doc (2015) - RWQCB1 Russian River TMDL - 402682

QAPP Information Reference(s):

North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board - QA Doc (2015) - RWQCB1 Russian River TMDL - 402683


DECISION ID	158003	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

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

Regional Board Conclusion:	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 158003, Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

LOE ID:

325783

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:

Water Board staff assessed SWAMP Reference Condition Management Plan data for Smith River HU, Clarks Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Nitrate + Nitrite as N.

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 1

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, North Coast Basin is 10.0 mg/L (Water Quality Control Plan, North Coast Basin).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

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

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: 103WER029 (Clarks Creek above Hwy 199).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2015-07-21 and 2016-06-13

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP for Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP)

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 158003, Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

LOE ID:

325809

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:

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 1

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

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

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: 103WER029 (Clarks Creek above Hwy 199).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2018-08-08 and 2018-08-08

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP for Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP)

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 158003, Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

LOE ID:

104888

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 SWAMP Reference Condition Management Plan .

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

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

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s) (103WER029)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2014-07-16 and 2014-07-16

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


DECISION ID	161392	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

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 161392, Nitrogen, Nitrate	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

LOE ID:

325867

Pollutant:

Nitrogen, Nitrate

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:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 1

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The California Maximum Contaminant Level for nitrate (NO3 as N) incorporated by reference in the Water Quality Control Plan, North Coast Basin is 10.0 mg/L (Water Quality Control Plan, North Coast Basin).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

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

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: 103WER029 (Clarks Creek above Hwy 199).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2018-08-08 and 2018-08-08

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP for Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP)

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP


DECISION ID	161471	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

Pollutant:	Nitrogen, Nitrite
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 161471, Nitrogen, Nitrite	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

LOE ID:

325999

Pollutant:

Nitrogen, Nitrite

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:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 1

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Water Quality Control Plan, North Coast Region (NCRWQCB 2018): Waters designated for use as domestic or municipal supply (MUN) shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in excess of the limits specified in California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Chapter 15. The maximum contaminant level listed in Table 64431-A for Nitrite as N is 1.0 mg/L.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

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

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: 103WER029 (Clarks Creek above Hwy 199).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2018-08-08 and 2018-08-08

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP for Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP)

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP


DECISION ID	156784	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

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:	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 156784, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

LOE ID:

317947

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Aquatic Life Use:

Fish Spawning

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed data for parent project SWAMP Reference Condition Management Plan and determined that 0 of 1 sample exceeds the August-September water quality objective of 6 mg/L and 1 of 5 samples exceed the October-July water quality objective of 9 mg/L, so that 1 of 6 samples exceed the water quality objective for dissolved oxygen.

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 1

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Water Quality Control Plan, North Coast Basin, Chapter III, General Objectives for all Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries states: Dissolved oxygen concentrations shall conform to those limits listed in Section 3.3.5. Section 3.3.5 lists dissolved oxygen concentration limits for COLD beneficial use waters to be a daily minimum of 6.0 mg/L and a 7-day moving minimum average of 8.0 mg/L and dissolved oxygen concentration limits for SPWN beneficial use waters to be a daily minimum of 9.0 mg/L and a 7-day moving average of 11.0 mg/L.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

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

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

These samples were collected from sampling station name: Clarks Creek above Hwy 199; station code: 103WER029.

Temporal Representation:

These samples were collected from 7/21/2015-7/19/2022.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP for SWAMP Reference Condition Management Plan

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 156784, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

LOE ID:

101419

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:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

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

Data Reference:

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

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

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

Objective/Criterion Reference:

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

Evaluation Guideline:

EVIDENCE OF SALMONID PRESENCE & LIFE CYCLE USE: Steelhead, Chinook and Coho are present in the Smith River HU, Clarks Creek (Busby et al. 1996, Moyle et al. 2008, Myers et al. 1998). Rearing occurs year round and spawning/incubation/emergence occurs from October through July (Busby et al. 1996, Moyle et al. 2008, Myers et al. 1998). Core rearing is supported throughout the Smith River HU, Clarks Creek.

Guideline Reference:

Status Review of West Coast Steelhead from Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and California

Guideline Reference:

Status Review of Chinook Salmon from Washington, Idaho, Oregon and California

Guideline Reference:

Salmon, Steelhead, and Trout in California: Status of an Emblematic Fauna

Spatial Representation:

Information pertains to the Smith River HU, Clarks Creek.

Temporal Representation:

Data are reflective of current conditions in this water body.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

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

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 156784, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

LOE ID:

101087

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Aquatic Life Use:

Fish Spawning

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed the data for this water body to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality standard for dissolved oxygen. Data range from 10.1 mg/L.

Data Reference:

Water Quality Assessment Data for the 2018 solicitation cycle submitted through CEDEN for SWAMP Reference Condition Management Plan .

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

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

Objective/Criterion Reference:

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

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s) Clarks Creek above Hwy 199 (103WER029).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 7/16/2014.

Environmental Conditions:

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

QAPP Information:

Quality 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	163069	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

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:	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 163069, Specific Conductivity	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

LOE ID:

115705

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 SWAMP Reference Condition Management Plan .

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters designated for use as domestic or municipal supply (MUN) shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in excess of the limits specified in California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Chapter 15, Division 4, Article 4, Section 64435 (Tables 2 and 3), and Section 64444.5 (Table 5), and listed in Table 3-2 of this Plan (Water Quality Control Plan, North Coast Basin).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

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

Evaluation Guideline:

California Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) apply to ambient waters under the 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) (103WER029)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2014-07-16 and 2014-07-16

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 163069, Specific Conductivity	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

LOE ID:

326735

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 1

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

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

Evaluation Guideline:

California Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) apply to ambient waters under the 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: 103WER029 (Clarks Creek above Hwy 199).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2015-07-21 and 2022-07-19

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP for Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP)

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP


DECISION ID	158005	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

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:	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 158005, Sulfates	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

LOE ID:

326819

Pollutant:

Sulfates

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:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 1

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

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

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: 103WER029 (Clarks Creek above Hwy 199).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2015-07-21 and 2019-07-09

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP for Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP)

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 158005, Sulfates	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

LOE ID:

109477

Pollutant:

Sulfates

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 SWAMP Reference Condition Management Plan .

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

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

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s) (103WER029)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2014-07-16 and 2014-07-16

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


DECISION ID	156785	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

Pollutant:	Temperature, water
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 156785, Temperature, water	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

LOE ID:

317948

Pollutant:

Temperature, water

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Aquatic Life Use:

Fish Spawning

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed data for parent project SWAMP Reference Condition Management Plan and determined that 0 of 1 sample exceeds the August-September water quality objective of 24 degrees Celcius and 0 of 5 samples exceed the October-July water quality objective of 20 degrees Celcius, so that 0 of 6 samples exceed the water quality objective for temperature.

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 1

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Water Quality Control Plan, North Coast Basin, Chapter III, General Objectives for all Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries states: Natural receiving water temperature of intrastate waters shall not be altered unless it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Regional Water Board that such alteration in temperature does not adversely affect beneficial uses. At no time or place shall the temperature of any COLD water be increased more than 5 degrees Fahrenheit (F) above natural receiving water temperature.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

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

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

These samples were collected from sampling station name: Clarks Creek above Hwy 199; station code: 103WER029.

Temporal Representation:

These samples were collected from 7/21/2015-7/19/2022.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP for SWAMP Reference Condition Management Plan

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP


DECISION ID	158006	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

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

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

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

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	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 158006, Turbidity	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

LOE ID:

327205

Pollutant:

Turbidity

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:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 1

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

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

Evaluation Guideline:

California Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) apply to ambient surface waters under the Basin Plan's 'Chemical Constituents' objective. The Secondary MCL for turbidity is 5 NTU. Calculation of a numeric objective for other beneficial uses requires comparison with upstream or other background data which may not be available as part of the data used for water quality assessment.

Guideline Reference:

California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 4, Chapter 15. Domestic Water Quality and Monitoring

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: 103WER029 (Clarks Creek above Hwy 199).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2015-07-21 and 2022-07-19

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP for Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP)

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP


DECISION ID	158004	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

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 158004, pH	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

LOE ID:

118363

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 SWAMP Reference Condition Management Plan .

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Water Quality Control Plan, North Coast Basin, Chapter III, General Objectives for all Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries states the following: For waters not mentioned by a specific beneficial use, the pH value shall not be depressed below 6.5 or raised above 8.5.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

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

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s) (103WER029)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2014-07-16 and 2014-07-16

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 158004, pH	Region 1
Smith River HU, Clarks Creek

LOE ID:

326381

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 Reference Condition Management Plan data for Smith River HU, Clarks Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 6 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.

Data Reference:

Benthic, Field, Habitat, WQ from the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program for the 2026 Integrated Report in Region 1

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

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

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: 103WER029 (Clarks Creek above Hwy 199).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2015-07-21 and 2022-07-19

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP for Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP)

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Generic SWAMP QAPrP